We interview our parliamentary candidates
Why B Corp status is making the grade for businesses
How the power of direct marketing is making a comeback
Local networking groups reveal why it’s good to talk
ways to wind down in the Wells after work
Photographer Dee Airey on how and why her business has developed significantly
Ways in which a possible VAT tax may impact our feepaying schools
Advice on how to motivate - and keep - your staff
Robin Read on the successful launch of his new fine dining restaurant
Tunbridge Wells to enjoy an economic and cultural boost thanks to TW Fringe Festival
EDITOR
Eileen Leahy
DESIGN MANAGER
Jason Stubbs
PHOTOGRAPHY
David Bartholomew
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Robin Singer
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
George Percy
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Richard Moore
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Nick Moore
Welcome to the second edition of the Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine. Well, what can we say? We have been utterly delighted by the incredible response we have received following our launch last month.
Here’s just a little taste of the fantastic feedback we’ve had from so many people - ranging from company CEOs, to local councillors and residents - over the past few weeks: “This magazine is just what Tunbridge Wells needs – it’s already proving to be a great support to our business community.”
“Congratulations on the launch of such a quality publication.” “I read Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine from cover to cover in one sitting! So many interesting features and compelling reads. Congratulations to all the team.”
To all of you who took the time to message us, or join us at our launch event at Charlotte’s last month, we’d like to say a very big thank you.
One of our biggest cheerleaders has been photographer Dee Airey. On page 24 she reveals why supporting our local business community is so important - and how her business is going from strength to strength.
With the General Election just around the corner on July 4 much of the current economic narrative is surrounding that, so we asked some leading entrepreneurs and experts for their opinions on what a new regime could look like - and also deliver. We also interview two of Tunbridge Wells’ official parliamentary candidates Mike Martin (Lib Dems) and Hugo Pound
Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine is published by JJL Media & Marketing Ltd, 3 Chapman Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3EF. Registration no: 15546231 For enquiries please email hello@twbusinessmagazine.com or call 01892 574474 www.twbusinessmagazine.com
(Labour) to discover their manifestos.
We did contact West Kent Conservatives for comment on their parliamentary candidate but heard nothing back so instead we have profiled their party’s hopeful Neil Mahapatra. Turn to page 8 for all the latest on the election.
As well as features on how the town is striving to become more sustainable courtesy of the new amplifi venture and the quest for more businesses to gain B Corp status, we also take a look at some of the key local networking groups who are pivotal in helping companies grow and connect. There’s also plenty of local, county, legal and property news, as well as a number of thought-provoking comment pieces from experts in various sectors.
To help you relax after a hard day’s work, flick through to our After Hours lifestyle section which this month includes interviews with Robin Read who has just launched his fine dining restaurant The Counter. There’s also a preview of the Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival and details of all the events happening in and around Tunbridge Wells.
Enjoy the edition and do let me know your feedback at hello@twbusinessmagazine.com
Find us at: www.twbusinessmagazine.com @twbusiness_magazine @TWBizMag
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© Copyright 2024. Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine and JJL Media & Marketing Ltd are fully protected by copyright; no part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without the complete and expressed permission of the publisher. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, however there can be no liability accepted by the publisher for errors and omissions. We can under no circumstance be held responsible for any materials, matter or photographical copy submitted for publication or not within the website or magazine. We cannot be held responsible or liable for any breaches of copyright from adverts, materials or photography or any other such material supplied by a third party. The views and opinions expressed within our publications are not necessarily those of the publisher or Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine or any featured parties.
Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine is proud to have so many of our talented entrepreneurs and inspiring CEOs writing for the title. Whether it’s advice on accounting or property, information on current legal issues or HR legislation you will find all the expert industry guidance you need within these pages. This month our experts include the following...
Henry Adekoya Health & Fitness Specialist
Darren Austin Director Synergee
Sophie ForrestLavery Founder The Forrest Group
Jess Gibson Managing Director The TN Card
Alex Green CEO RTW Together
Mark Hill Antiques Expert
Matthew Hill Managing Director PMI Ltd
Gary Jeffries Managing Director Panoramic Wealth
Simon HowsonGreen Technology Expert
Pam Loch Managing Director Loch Associates
Clare LushMansell Founder My Tunbridge Wells
Becky Moran CEO TN Lettings
Gillian Palmer Founder The Finance Hub
Sarah Raine Director Colley Raine & Associates
Deborah Richards Founder Maddisons
Residential
Matthew Sankey Director Sankey’s
Neil Simmons Managing Director TN Recruits
Kevin Steele Managing Director Fox Group
Siobhan Stirling
Managing Director Sharp Minds
Caroline WeissJones Director BDHL
Helen Williams Mindset & Business Coach
A special ‘groundbreaking’ event took place earlier this month (June 5) at the old ABC cinema site in Tunbridge Wells, signalling the start of work on a new £115 million retirement village.
It brought to an end decades of delays and frustrations in the development of the plot since the cinema closed its doors 20 years ago. During that time the corner site facing Mount Pleasant Road became an infamous eyesore: derelict and overgrown.
After a number of false dawns with projects floundering, the plot was acquired by the Retirement Village Group (RVG) in December 2021.
They are creating an eight-storey retirement village, with shops on the ground floor, that will transform the town.
Built by Design & Build contractor, McAleer & Rushe, the project is a ‘Thrive Living’ community. It will deliver 167 new homes as part of the whole-life net zero carbon development.
It will repurpose the long-empty site as a vibrant and active retirement community with publicly accessible amenities
including a restaurant, café, courtyard garden and almost 10,000 sq. ft of retail frontage at the junction of Mount Pleasant Road and Church Road.
The Thrive Living development is purposely situated in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, providing the growing population of over 65s with high-quality homes and the opportunity to stay connected to the existing community, with easy access to the town centre’s facilities
PR and marketing specialist
Sharp Minds has evolved its brand and tactical approach to communications in a relaunch to attract more national clients.
The move by the Tunbridge Wells agency includes a new logo and website, and is aimed at attracting new clients by providing “award-winning comms at significantly lower rates than bulge-bracket, London-based agencies”.
The rebrand pushes its reach outside of the South East and comes after bolstering its client base by winning national and blue-chip companies.
Managing Director, Siobhan Stirling, said the move was about ‘resetting the company’ to reflect servicing larger companies with a national and international reach.
“Our previous brand identity served us well, but no longer reflected where we are now as an agency, both in terms of the scale and ambition of our clients and the value we add for them’, she added.
Siobhan said they would be competing on service levels with London agencies, ‘but at rates that reflect our lean, agile
approach’.
Mark Foxwell, Director and Head of PR, said: “We want to be the go-to for small to large brands that are looking to earn media and reputation to build their brands and their futures, but at significantly lower rates than bulge-bracket agencies that historically overcharge.”
Sharp Minds Communications’ recent wins include Dootrix, a tech disruptor working with Heathrow, GRIDSERVE and Confused.com, leading South East law firm Thackray Williams, and national crisis communications for the care sector.
Last year Sharp Mind Communications, that was founded in 2016, managed to compete with 2,000 entries from 60 countries from EMEA global brands and communication agencies, such as Virgin Media and Edelman, to become a finalist in the highly regarded SABRE Awards EMEA 2023.
and transport links.
Will Bax, Chief Executive Officer at Retirement Villages Group, said: “Our vision for Thrive Living is to create great communities that support amazing lives. This will be a civic, bustling place; with shops, restaurants and leisure facilities that are open to everyone to enjoy. But most important put our elders back where they belong; at the heart of the community.”
Town Hall keeps a low profile on BHS site...
Mystery still surrounds the identity of the household name thought to be in ongoing discussions with the Borough Council about taking over the old BHS site at Royal Victoria Place (RVP) shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells.
As reported in Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine last month, an announcement had been expected early last month. It did not materialise.
At the time of going to print there had still been no clarification from the Borough Council which now owns the centre.
Since BHS closed its doors in 2016 there has been intense speculation about a possible new retailer taking over the site with the name of Primark often being mentioned. Attracting such a high profile fast fashion retailer to the town would certainly be a coup and provide a much needed boost to RVP.
For any updates on this story visit twbusinessmagazine.com
Fuggles Bottle Shop on Camden Road is pulling the plug in the face of stiff competition from supermarkets and breweries - plus its customers feeling the cost-of-living crunch.
The business, which is run by Alex Greig who also owns Fuggles Bar and Cafe in Tunbridge Wells and also has another site in Tonbridge, opened three years ago. It stocks more than 250 craft beers, natural wines and ciders and offers five draught beers ‘to go’. Its last day of trading will be June 29.
In a statement the shop said:
“Unfortunately it's become increasingly difficult to make the numbers work. It’s a tricky time for all small businesses and it’s an uphill battle to meet the rising costs of literally everything, whilst shoppers are also feeling the pinch with less disposable cash in their pockets.
“Add to that the competition from supermarkets and breweries’ own online offerings and it’s been really hard to get things where we need them to be in order to be a viable business. As such we've made the decision to not renew our lease.”
The move does not affect the local Fuggles Beer Cafe sites, which are a separate company and will operate as normal.
Southpaw is celebrating major industry recognition following a big win at the Food and Beverage Awards (FAB).
The FAB ceremony took place earlier this month in Brighton. It saw Southpaw, a successful strategic creative agency based in Tunbridge Wells, acknowledged for its Estrella Galicia campaign ‘Spanish, not Span-ish’.
The agency was awarded Silver in the Poster/Outdoor/ Out of Home advertising category.
Southpaw MD Claire Lambell (pictured with colleagues at the event) told Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine: “Over the last two years, the UK Spanish beer market has grown 73%, however many of those advertised as ‘Spanish’ are brewed under licence in the UK or have been specifically created for the UK market.”
She added: “The ‘Spanish, not Spanish’ campaign highlights a number of
authentic values upheld by Estrella Galicia’s beer. This included a series of copy-led lines including ‘Don’t fall for fake brews’, ‘No Bull. Just everything else from Spain’, and ‘We have the bottle to be authentic.’”
Now in its 26th year, the FAB Awards is an international event focused on work created for Food and Beverage brands. It identifies and rewards the leading practitioners from over sixty countries.
An invitation to join our panel of industry experts as they provide invaluable insights on:
• Protecting your current assets
• Preserving them for the future
Date: Tuesday, 2nd July 2024
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: The Finance Hub, Unit B, The Potteries, Linden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QF.
Are you seeking to safeguard your family's wealth for future generations while ensuring your own financial security? Don't miss this opportunity by reserving your place today!
• Effectively transitioning wealth to the next generation Book here using the QR code: Contact The Finance Hub on 01892 280000
Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine asked local parliamentary candidates of the three main parties to share their ‘mini manifesto’ ahead of the General Election on July 4. We received responses from both the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party but not the Conservatives. Here we present the visions of both Mike Martin of the Lib Dems and Hugo Pound of Labour, if they were to be elected MP for Tunbridge Wells…
“Regenerating Tunbridge Wells has never been more important”
“What makes a 21st century town flourish? What are the key ingredients for a lively and public-spirited community, supported by prosperous businesses creating fulfilling jobs?
As a young Tunbridge Wells parent, deeply invested in the community, and - I hope - your new Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament from July 5 - I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. I want as bright a future for my family in this very special town as I’m sure you do for yours.
Regenerating Tunbridge Wells has never been more important than now, following years of complacent drift under Conservative Borough Councils and with a Tory MP - now quitting - at Westminster. The decline of our town centre stands as a monument to collective Conservative failure.
Yet brighter times are coming. In last month’s local elections, my Liberal Democrat colleagues won an absolute majority on the Borough Council, having led a coalition of ruling parties for the previous two years. This will allow us to deliver change as speedily and effectively as possible.
If I am elected to the House of Commons next month, this will ensure the strongest possible voice in Parliament to fight for Tunbridge Wells and the needs of residents, speaking as one with our LibDem council leaders.
We are a young, energetic and forwardthinking team, which is important in tackling the fast changing economic pressures of 21st century life and creating the best framework for businesses and the community to prosper.
“If I am elected this will ensure the strongest possible voice in Parliament to fight for Tunbridge Wells”
Over the next 10 years those pressures will include more hybrid working from home and office; no let-up in digital shopping, which threatens traditional bricks-and-mortar shopping centres; a renewed enthusiasm for town-centre living and with it a much greater focus on the quality of the environment.
Change can be much more an opportunity than a threat if tackled intelligently. I envisage a renewed town centre that is as much about doing things, and having experiences, as about shopping; that offers more leisure activities for all ages; and that creates new communities - such as the retirement village being built, with council backing, on the site of the ABC cinema which, under the Tories, remained derelict for over two decades.
To encourage visitors, the town centre will need a greener and more pedestrianfriendly environment, less traffic and better public transport. Crucially, it also means joined up thinking between the community, local government, housing developers and service providers to ensure we have the homes we need and the infrastructure and public services vital to a healthy, vibrant communityincluding good roads and enough schools and doctors’ surgeries.
All this can produce the environment in which new and established businesses can flourish - and with them the enterprising community spirit that has reinvented Tunbridge Wells so successfully over the centuries.
Mike Martin
Prospective Lib Dem MP
Tunbridge Wells
“If I’m lucky enough to be elected as the MP for Tunbridge Wells, my first thought will be about balance. There is a need to balance the issues and expectations of 57% of our residents who live in Tunbridge Wells town and its immediate surroundings and the 43% who live in other, smaller towns and villages and more rural settings. To balance the needs and aspirations of younger people and young families with the needs and aspirations of older people and those who have lived here a long time.
So, not an easy task but a challenge I would relish facing. My focus as an MP will be on three areas I know to be of great importance to many. They are areas in which I have experience and some expertise, both as a long-serving Borough
“There is a need to balance the issues and expectations”
Councillor and school governor and as a chartered psychologist.
[1] Opportunity: We need to provide young people with opportunities to flourish, to earn good money, to be happy in their work, to feel that they are contributing to their community. The Conservatives have turned our education system into a postcode lottery. Labour has a plan to boost young people’s school outcomes and to ensure every child receives world-class teaching; five more
“My focus will be on three areas of great importance to many: opportunity, affordable housing and health & wellbeing”
years of the Tories will result in more teacher vacancies and worse outcomes for our children.
[2] Affordable Housing: Tunbridge Wells needs more affordable housing. We are the only constituency in Kent whose 25-49-year-old population is declining. Young people can’t afford to stay here as they grow up, nor can they afford
Businessman Neil Mahapatra has been chosen to stand as the Conservative candidate for Tunbridge Wells.
He was on a short list of three and managed to secure more than the required 50 per cent of the vote at a party meeting attended by 100 members.
Former MP Greg Clark quit the race after almost 20 years representing the town on May 24. He enjoyed a 14,000 majority.
Treasury adviser Simon Finkelstein and former Maidstone borough councillor Louise Brice were unsuccessful. Mr Mahapatra, 44 was born and brought up in the village of Leeds, just outside Maidstone and is the son of two immigrant Kent doctors. He attended Oxford University and was President of the Union.
He describes himself as 'an authentic Conservative with two decades of grassroots activism' who launched the UK's leading free school and had advised Cabinet Ministers.
Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine approached West Kent Conservatives for comment…
The candidate that never was...
The Conservatives' naming of Neil Mahapatra as their election candidate for Tunbridge Wells ended days of rumour and confusion for the party.
It all started on May 24 when Greg Clark quit after almost 20 years as MP for Tunbridge Wells - clearly not relishing the possibility of years in opposition at best. Rumours then circulated of ‘a big beast’ running as the local Tory flag bearer. Along came political pundit Iain Dale who announced he was leaving his highprofile job as host on LBC to run as the Conservative candidate.
The cut and thrust of politics then reared its head. Someone, fingers point at Lib Dems, unearthed a 2022 podcast of Mr Dale commenting that although he lived in Tunbridge Wells with his long-term partner, he was actually not much fond of the town. On the audio - which was taken
to move here. The problem is national planning policy. We need more density in our towns, more starter homes, and more contributions from developers for community infrastructure.
[3] Health and wellbeing: Children are being sent to East Grinstead Hospital for teeth extractions because they haven’t seen a dentist for 3-4 years; GP appointments can be three weeks away; waiting times for much-needed surgery can be years away; our local children and adolescent mental health service is broken. I believe only a Labour government can fix this appalling level of service and I will advocate strongly that Tunbridge Wells gets the quality of service it deserves.
Voters in Tunbridge Wells know that Britain is a great country but it has been badly let down over the last 14 years. There is much that is good here but many people across our constituency know that the Conservatives have left the country worse off than when they started and are ready for change. I am confident that I can help deliver it as your next MP.
Hugo Pound
Prospective Labour MP
Tunbridge Wells
from the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith – Dale is quoted saying: “I’ve never liked the place and still don’t - I would happily live some where else.”
Following hours of soul-searching Mr Dale announced a change of heart. He had taken the decision to stand down even though some had urged him to ‘tough it out’.
He reasoned: “What if they’ve got something else I’ve said. I wasn’t willing to suffer death by a thousands cuts.”
Mr Dale added that he had recognised the ‘political reality’. And for him it was all over before a single vote was cast...
For a full list of Parliamentary candidates please see page 13
Things did not go quite according to plan for the Alliance Party at the May 2 borough elections. The number of seats they held dropped from a peak of 11 to four. Many had hoped the independent party, formed in 2018, would manage an increase as people turned away from the mainstream parties. So, can the Alliance survive this setback? We put that question to the man who launched the Alliance seven years ago, Nick Pope
“The May 2024 Borough Council elections in Tunbridge Wells were always going to be different for two reasons: they were the first all-out local electons for a long time and a General Election was on the horizon.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections are normally by-thirds, meaning that one in three of the Council seats are contested three years out of every four with county council elections taking place in the fourth year. Tunbridge Wells is the only district in Kent that still elects by-thirds.
This year, the national parties were shifting their focus onto the General Election. One party, the Liberal Democrats, whose membership has been growing since Brexit, has been working harder than the others because Tunbridge Wells is a Westminster target
seat for them.
The local party has been receiving additional funding from the central office. Their Westminster candidate has been campaigning and canvassing voters across the constituency for 18 months. A continuous flow of leaflets has been dropping through our doors and a very visible campaign office was opened in Tunbridge Wells in August 2023.
With increasing media coverage on the General Election and increasing activity by the national parties as a result of this, more of the voters’ focus was on Westminster rather than the Borough Council.
When it came to the Borough Council election campaigns, local party candidates were being outgunned as the national parties were building up - or testing - their general election campaigning machine. The national parties had been building up the
number volunteers, some also bringing in volunteers from outside the borough for the local elections. One Party Leader, Ed Davey, visited the borough twice in the weeks leading up to polling day…
A local party, however well organised, cannot match the resources of a national one, especially when that one has decided the constituency is a Westminster target seat.
Considering all this, local, independent party candidates did well. Local parties did not win every seat they hoped to win, but they held on to enough seats to have a local and independent voice for residents. Tunbridge Wells Alliance (Alliance) held four seats and was runner up in three. David Hayward, another independent,
also held on to his seat.
In total, local, independent parties now have five seats (13%) on the Borough Council, which is the equivalent to where Alliance was in 2019, and more seats than the Liberal Democrats had for many years prior to 2019.
Some people say that Alliance’s work was completed in 2019 when the Calverley Square project was terminated. The work is definitely not complete. The party was founded by two separate groups, one group’s focus covered a wide range of issues around planning and infrastructure which require a lot more work to achieve positive changes for residents and communities in the borough.
For example, when a developer is planning a major development, it is not acceptable that their only engagement with the community is an exhibition of their final design with a questionnaire about what we think about it. That is not engagement. Developers need to engage with communities before they start any work on a design.
Communities need to be involved in shaping new developments from day one, through the whole design process, and continuing into decisions about the management of the completed development.
One thing that has made Alliance councillors stand out is that they work hard for their communities, provide honest and balanced information to residents, and help to enable residents to understand how things work and do more for themselves.
The Alliance has always aimed to provide honest information on election leaflets and challenges other parties to be more honest and not to print misleading or dishonest content purely to win votes.
With several experienced councillors recently losing their council seats, the Alliance has a more knowledgeable team working behind the scenes to support current councillors and build the party to better serve residents.
May 2025 will see the county council elections. Kent County Council is heavily dominated by the Conservative Party (73% of councillors) and would benefit with more local, independent councillors.
The next Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections are in May 2026. Unlike this year, the national parties will not be preparing for a general election, and Alliance will be working hard to win more seats on the Council to push through positive changes.
If you would like to represent your community as an independent councillor or support the work we do, get in touch by emailing nick@twalliance.com
It’s official ... six candidates will be competing for your vote to become the MP for Tunbridge Wells. Nominations have now closed. The election takes place on Thursday July 4 with polling stations open from 7am till 10pm. Those standing for election are: Conservatives: Neil Mahapatra Labour: Hugo Pound Liberal Democrats: Mike Martin
I am in the process of preparing a presentation for my BNI group, as it’s my six-monthly opportunity to have 10 minutes, to update my fellow members on what Synergee do and why they can refer me with confidence. It occurred to me that I regularly say what we do, but rarely say why it is required. So here goes: why do we keep accounting records? Accounts are valuable to, or required by, various stakeholders such as:
• Owner/managers: they want to know how the business is doing.
• HMRC: they need to know what tax you owe on your profits, or have collected on their behalf via VAT.
• Suppliers: they want to know what credit terms to give you (if any).
• Investors: should you be the lucky recipient of their money?
• Lenders: businesses often need funding; banks need accounts to understand why, and your likelihood of repaying said loans.
• Employees: whether its bonus related pay, equity, or security of their employment, employees are interested in the numbers. However, owner/managers come first and the management information should be tailored to their requirements. This data will usually be
maintained in a dedicated accounting package and will be supplemented by supporting systems such as CRM and workflow tracking programs. The output from the systems is collated in a management reporting pack (we use Spotlight Reporting for this) and will include items such as:
• Monthly management accounts (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows).
• Current month vs previous vs forecast.
• Rolling forecast showing the actual figures year to date and the updated forecast for the financial year.
• Financial and non-financial key performance indicators (gross profit, net profit, client wins and losses, jobs on time, utilisation etc.).
• Strategic action plans (who, what, when, degree of completion).
In order to use the management information to target success rather than just record activity, it must include your overall vision broken down into short-term goals. The short-term goals inform your strategic plan and the actions required. As the plans are implemented, the regular reports show whether they are having the right impact and allow you to take remedial action if required.
Greens: John Hurst
ReformUK: John Gager
Idependent: Hassan Kassem
Bookmakers claimed, at time of going to print, that it is a neck and neck race between Conservatives (11/10) and Liberal Democrats (10/11) to win the Tunbridge Wells seat. Labour were quoted at 6/1, Greens 200/1, ReformUK 100/1..
If you have any questions you'd like to ask Darren he can be contacted on 01892 772960
www.synergee.org.uk
We asked a number of our key local business leaders and entrepreneurs for their thoughts on how the upcoming election result will impact their sectors – and the wider economy. Here’s what they had to say on a variety of important subjects…
Danielle Friend & Jane Hodge from Create Balance Accountants and Tax Specialists on what they would like to see happen in the world of finance
fast-track some of the larger applications and thus get closer to meeting the housing targets. Would also like to see a reform of the Energy Performance requirements. Perhaps stricter requirements for the larger buildings (which contribute to a great carbon footprint) and lesser requirements for the smaller buildings to make it easier for small business to afford the rents.”
Neil Simmons, founder of TN Recruits reveals why support of working parents should be high up on the next Government’s list
“For businesses, we would like to see tax breaks and incentives to encourage growth –such as corporation tax going back down to 19% for all companies and an increase in the employment allowance to £7,000. The contentious IR35 legislation needs to go, as does the loan charge issue that has impacted many taxpayers, with some seeing their lives ruined and costing them thousands of pounds in fees. Other areas we would like to see addressed include unfreezing the tax-free personal allowance and adjustments to the current tax bands to stop the squeeze on middle earners.”
Rupert Farrant Partner at Durlings, Chartered Surveyors and Property Consultants shares his thoughts on how the outcome of the election will impact the property sector
“I think with lower inflation and more positive economic indicators this will boost confidence and a higher transaction rate. I’m not however convinced that values will rise to a significant degree. The planning process continues to hamper progress with development – for housing targets to be met then a smoother and speedier process needs to happen.
Perhaps they could offer different planning application packages – i.e. you pay for a speedier decision. This might
“For businesses, we would like to see tax breaks and incentives to encourage growth – such as corporation tax going back down to 19% for all companies and an increase in the employment allowance to £7,000"
- Create Balance
Gillian Palmer of the Finance Hub discusses what the General Election means for investment - and a key way it can be achieved
“I hope this snap election does not cause uncertainty and disruption again to the UK as I feel we are only getting back to normal since the pandemic. Political uncertainty is not good for this country. After numerous lockdowns followed by Liz Truss’s 6-week stint in Government at the end of 2022, I feel since the start of this year it is the first time I have seen positivity with business owners. They are investing in their business, and are only starting to steady the ship. In terms of what I would like to see happen with the next Government that would be a freeze put on Stamp Duty as this stimulated the property market in lockdown - which had a knock-on effect for every sector associated with this industry.”
“In terms of how this election will impact us locally it’s important to note that in both the TN and ME postcodes where we operate, we are in an affluent part of the UK and many of our clients’ customers tend to be unaffected by any turbulence in the financial markets which we may see elsewhere as a result of the election. But generally growth of the economy should be at the forefront of the election campaign. If the economy is strong, we can see improved wages and better public services which may then lead to lower taxes. One thing I feel passionately about is more support for potential working parents. Frequently we hear of parents who are more than willing to work but with rising nursery costs versus potential earnings, they often decide it’s not worth their while. Perhaps the support could be increased contribution to nursery fees? There is an army of working parents who can contribute greatly to the country’s workforce and ultimately the economy if they are given the chance.”
Joseph Oates, partner at CooperBurnett, tells us why political and economic stability is now required
“During the campaign I would think business will be listening carefully to policies announced by the competing parties and thinking ahead as to their potential impact. Clear manifesto
commitments would help. Following the outcome (and whatever it is) business would be hoping that there is a period of political and economic stability. Within our particular professional sector we’d like to see stable macroeconomic conditions to allow our business and private clients to plan for the future with maximum certainty. Greg Clark listened and supported local businesses and has championed Tunbridge Wells as a centre of excellence for commercial opportunities and growth. He’s advocated for the community and should be proud of his role in the A21 extension and new Pembury Hospital.”
Sophie ForrextLavery, founder of Forrest group, on the possible restructuring of employment rights the General Election will bring
“The election could significantly impact businesses in many ways with changes in Government policies being a dominating
factor. Labour are currently predicted as favourites to win the forthcoming election and their recently published pledge for workers, promises that if successful there will be big changes to HR.
In their manifesto they vow to, not least, bring changes to rules around short service dismissals and want to give employees protection against unfair dismissal from day one of their employment. If this update were to go ahead it would mean a change to disciplinary procedures and it could open up the flood gates of unfair dismissal claims.
I believe Greg Clark has a lot to be proud of during his time as our conservative MP and there will certainly be large shoes to fill for his replacement.”
Siobhan Stirling, Managing Director, Sharp Minds Communications gives her thoughts on how a little imaginative thought can go a long way in the right hands
“If you look at the polling figures and how such disparities have played out historically, not many people would have put their money on a general election before the summer holidays but it’s
At first it might be the facts and figures, but what Panoramic Wealth loves to know are the things that really matter; the goals and dreams that person, couples or family have their eyes set upon. The art of Financial Planning is first understanding who we are advising.
Life has a funny way of making itself more complicated on its own, which is where we come in to help. It might be that matters are somewhat complicated when Financial Planning goes hand in hand with running your own business, but we are used to that.
Based in Tunbridge Wells since 1989 specialising in advising many family businesses, and as one ourselves we can totally empathise. We have been able to guide clients on their different business journeys from inception to sale.
happened. There’s been some positive news with inflation and gross domestic product both heading in the right directions, but this hasn’t been enough to generate the upswing in support for the Government that you would normally expect to fuel a decision to go to the polls sooner rather than later. Hopefully, the outcome will provide much-needed confidence and purpose, both vital for business success, especially after years of paralysis and flip-flopping leadership.
Marketing and PR are very dependent upon fortunes in other sectors, so we’re really looking for imaginative support for business to bring the economy back to life: confident, stable leadership creating long-term solutions, rather than sticking plasters, to increase opportunities and sustained productivity growth. Marketing and PR is in the front line of generative AI adoption; whoever forms the new Government is going to need to give urgent thought to AI regulation.”
For businesses and their owners, we can assist on:
• Tax efficient profit extraction.
• Succession and continuity planning.
• Using pensions to buy commercial property.
• Employer Ownership Trusts.
• Estate and Later Life planning to mitigate inheritance tax.
Planning for Individuals:
With so much more to retirement than just pensions these days, we can also ensure you know the answers to the following questions:
• “How much is enough?”
• “When can I retire?”
• “What will retirement look like?”
Boroughs are no boundary to business, with a wealth of local firms operating beyond our immediate area. Andrew Metcalf, Vice-Chair of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director of Maxim, a leading regional PR, marketing and public affairs agency, shines a light on how key projects and major employers are being helped and advised by TW businesses
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew will have a new Learning Centre thanks in part to the team at Tunbridge Wells-based HMY Architects. The building, which will be a purpose-built education space, is HMY’s first certified to Passivhaus Plus, the highest environmental performance standard, for Kew. It will be whole life zero carbon, in line with Kews’ aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030. The project’s construction is being tendered soon with work on site expected to commence in the Autumn.
A key part of Folkestone’s revival plans is the restoration of the Leas Lift, a Grade II* listed funicular railway. It carried passengers between the seafront and the promenade from 1885 until it closed in 2016. The project is being actively supported by two Tunbridge Wells businesses.
Currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, the Leas Lift is one of only three remaining water-balanced lifts in the UK. It successfully reached its £6.6m fundraising target, including £4.8m of support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2023.
The team at Atkins Realis, led by Luke Brown at its Wellington Gate office, is providing the technical project
management on the highly complex project and helping restore the ingenious mechanism of the waterbalanced lift, among other Victorian engineering treasures. It is the world’s only funicular railway with a working hand-break and
has a unique automatic, hydraulic, remote engine control system.
The other local company involved with the Folkestone project is Maxim, the PR and marketing agency, that is supporting the charity on a pro bono basis, from its Pluto House office. Rachel Knight, Director, is providing media relations, social media and marketing advice in her capacity as a Trustee.
The Leas Lift is due to reopen by summer 2025. For more information on the history of the lift, visit www.leaslift.co.uk.
The commercial team of leading local law firm Cripps, based on Mount Ephraim, has supported Holiday Extras’ latest acquisition activity.
The Hythe-based firm has acquired
Future Generation Services (FGS), a company specialising in the development of queue-busting airport ticket kiosks and key lockers that ensure every trip is seamless for travellers. The move will bolster the Holiday Extras’ ParkIt offering and is the company’s third major investment into global technology businesses this year.
The UK market leader in airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination care hire, airport transfers and holiday insurance, Holiday Extras makes bookings for over 8 million travellers each year and has been listed 11 times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work for.
Head teachers at independent schools are bracing themselves for an exodus of pupils if Labour win the election and impose 20 per cent VAT on school fees as pledged.
A poll by the education consultancy Baines Cutler suggests that 42 per cent of parents would switch from private to state schools over the next five years. This would equate to around 1,800 pupils across Tunbridge Wells.
There are 11 independents locally catering for some 4,300 pupils.
The national survey also showed that 14 per cent of parents would leave the private sector immediately. This would mean close to 1,200 students movIng.
The average annual fee for independents is around £20,000 per pupil. VAT would add £4,000.
Labour dismiss such suggestions with education spokesperson Bridget Phillipson stating: “I don’t acccept we will see that kind of change.”
The biggest challenge facing parents wanting to switch schools would be finding alternative places for their sons and daughters. The top state schools, and in particular grammar, are already oversubscribed.
According to a recent report in The Telegraph sixty four of England’s 163 grammar schools (39%) are at or over capacity.
Mark Fenton, chief executive of the Grammar Schools Heads Association said it is ‘difficult to assess’ the consequences of Labour’s VAT policy.
“Grammar schools typically run at full capacity in every year group so they would not be in a position to absorb additional pupils,” he said.
“Grammars are also much more selective in their intake than most independent schools.”
The number of pupils sitting the local 11 plus exam, known as the Kent Test, is expected to soar. The exam is essential for those chasing grammar school places.
Local Charity Refugease which helps save lives in conflict zones where other charities won’t operate is facing administration if it doesn’t receive vital funds. Founded in 2015, the organisation has since developed three focus areas around the world: frontline evacuations, emergency humanitarian aid deliveries, and self-reliance initiatives. Refugease's online ‘aid shop’ model also allows its teams to respond to emergencies all over the world within a few short hours. The charity offers full transparency, committing to its ethos of using 100% of donated and fundraised funds on charitable activities.
Its pop-up ‘Vintage Emporium’ charity shops are located in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, and have previously provided the backbone of the charity’s income.
Refugease founder Valentina Osborn told Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine: "The charity has four months to make the required operational changes to survive these tough times - we need approximately £48,000. We are appealing to the Tunbridge Wells community for help – if you or your business can make a financial donation we would be so grateful. There are over 6,000 businesses in Tunbridge Wells. If a quarter of those businesses were able to give us £50 we would be back on track.”
For more information visit www.refugease.org or email valentina@refugease.com
Last month we held our official launch party at Charlotte’s In The Pantiles. It was a hugely successful event with over 90 supporters, colleagues and contributors in attendance.
Guests were treated to flutes of fizz and enjoyed a delicious variety of canapes which were served up by the fantastic hospitality team at Charlotte’s.
The evening, which was sponsored by Rubix VT, was also a fantastic opportunity for Tunbridge Wells’ key business leaders to network and enjoy discovering more about the magazine, which is published by JJL Media and Marketing, and its exciting plans for the future.
Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine’s CEO Nick Moore said: “Thank you to everyone who joined us for the official launch of the magazine at Charlotte's In The Pantiles. It was great to see so many businesses in attendance, and catch up with existing clients and meet new ones too.”
Editor Eileen Leahy added: “We are so thrilled to have welcomed so many guests to our amazing launch at Charlotte’s. It was the perfect venue for our new publication which shines a spotlight on all our incredible businesses here in the town and borough and also celebrates all that our wonderful events, culture and hospitality scenes have to offer too.”
Networking is an essential element for anyone running a business. Not only does it help to establish and grow relationships it ultimately ensures your company and its ethics are heard by others. Eileen Leahy spoke to four local networking groups to find out why it’s good to talk…
What is the BNI?
It is the world’s leading business referral organisation. It is a franchise model that now spans the globe in over 79 countries. The first ever BNI meeting happened in 1985 in the USA. The organisation, which stands for Business Network International, was founded by Dr. Ivan Misner
When was BNI established in Tunbridge Wells and why?
I believe it started in Tunbridge Wells around 1997/98. I have been a member since 2002.
How many chapters are there in the town and why are they called this?
There are four chapters in Tunbridge Wells. They are known as Chapters because the networking groups are close knit. Each one boasts professionals representing their individual professions.
How many members do you currently have in yours and who are they?
My chapter is the Tunbridge Wells BNI and we have 31 members. The idea is
for members to meet weekly in order to network and inform about specific business requirements and help generate professional referrals. Can you tell us how often you meet up and where?
We meet every Wednesday morning from 6.30am to 8.30am at the Masonic Centre on St John’s Road.
What would you say your particular style of networking involves?
The meetings are structured referral generating events. During the formal part of the meeting, each member gets 60 seconds to brief their fellow members on what they do, what sets them apart, why we can refer them with confidence and what leads they would like us to find for them. During that 60 seconds, the member
Each BNI member gets 60 seconds to brief their fellow members on what they do and what sets them apart
speaking acts as a sales director and the other members are his sales team. The member speaking is not selling to the members, he/she is training the other members to sell on his/her behalf. The real benefit of BNI is who the members know, not who comes to the meetings.
What else should we know about BNI meetings?
Later in the meeting, there is a contribution round where all members share how they have contributed to the other members, in terms of referrals passed, testimonials given or visitors invited. All of this is recorded on the BNI app, including the value of the referrals generated. For example, in May, we recorded 165 referrals passed and £189,804 if business generated. The meeting is like a weekly sales team meeting, with the actual sales activity happening outside of the meeting.
And who is it specifically aimed at?
Anyone in business who wants more work. There is a requirement that you regularly contribute during the meetings. BNI is like marmite - you either like it or hate it. I like it as, if I am going to spend two or three hours a week at a networking event, I want to do so with equally committed people. It has been a significant contributor to the growth of my business.
What do your members benefit from by joining a BNI chapter and is there currently a waiting list?
As well as the opportunity to get a sales team working for them, members get training, support and lots of free advice from the other members in the group. BNI is category specific meaning you can only have one accountant, one electrician, one plumber etc. If that seat is taken in a chapter, the competition is locked out and can’t attend the meetings. Seats like accountants and financial advisors are typically filled in all chapters. If the incumbents leave, they tend to get replaced quickly.
www.bni.com
Can you briefly tell us what Make It Your Business is all about?
It is the UK’s fastest growing network for female entrepreneurs. It was set up to inspire women business owners and those thinking of setting up their own businesses. Two million women say they’re thinking of starting their
own business, but a quarter of them say they’re held back by not having the right network or confidence; Make It Your Business meets that need. As businesses run by women outperform those run by men –when other factors are equalised – and an extra £180 billion of revenue would be generated in the UK if as many women ran their own businesses as men, there are compelling social and economic reasons to provide that support.
How did you get involved with this national networking event?
I was asked to be the Tunbridge Wells champion in 2019; the figures convinced me that there was a compelling case to bring Make It Your Business to Tunbridge Wells.
How many members do you currently have and are they all female?
Attending a Make It Your Business (MIYB) event anywhere in the country gives you membership of the entire network and the ability to attend any
of the MIYB events across the country. In Tunbridge Wells, we generally have a waiting list for our events, with a maximum capacity of 60 audience members – and yes, they are all female!
Can you tell us how often you meet up and where?
We hold three Tunbridge Wells events a year at The Finance Hub on The Pantiles, which is a fabulous venue and we are very grateful to Gillian Palmer and her team for hosting the events at their cost. They do so because they see the real value that attendees get. The national recommendation is two per year, but the Tunbridge Wells events are so popular
that we have recently scaled it up to three: January, June and then one in the autumn –this year our autumn event is 18th October.
What would you say your particular style of networking involves?
The powerful format was devised by the founder, entrepreneur and broadcaster Alison Cork. We have open networking for 30 minutes at the start and the end, but during the middle hour a keynote speaker
“The buzz in the room at each Make It Your Business event is phenomenal which is built around the power of storytelling and the great venue
”
and three panellists share their business stories. We take great care in creating a mixed panel so that there is someone for every member of the audience to
connect with. For example, someone who has been in business for years with a relatively new entrepreneur, someone who has changed career after a successful corporate career with someone who has turned their hobby into a business, someone who is still on the front line juggling their business with a young family with someone who has reached elder statesman status.
And who is the target audience for Make It Your Business?
Female business owners and women thinking of starting their own business. What do your members benefit from by joining?
The buzz in the room at each event is phenomenal – which is a combination of the structure that is built around the power of storytelling and the great venue. If you watch the audience, you see each one having a lightbulb moment or a moment of recognition or validation when the panellists are speaking. Everyone goes away inspired, or at the very least reassured that the challenges they’re facing are not unique, and that there’s a welcoming network of businesswomen who can help them find solutions. We’ve had a few attendees who have taken the plunge to quit their day job after attending a few events and hearing the inspirational stories of the panellists.
How can prospective attendees get involved?
There is no limit to the membership, but the Tunbridge Wells events get booked out a few weeks in advance, so you need to get your ticket early – it’s worth following MIYB on Eventbrite to make sure you don’t miss out.
www.makeityourbusiness.co.uk
Can you briefly tell us what Royal Tunbridge Wells Media Group is all about?
We connect people who live in, or near,Tunbridge Wells, across a spectrum of media, such as film, TV, radio, poster, digital media, social media, advertising/PR agencies, brands and more.
When did it launch and why?
It all started when I first moved to Tunbridge Wells nearly 12 years ago. I met up with a business colleague called Pete Wootton who said: "I know some other people who live in Tunbridge Wells but
“Our
group is free to join and so far, we have some 450+ people registered. Meetings are informal but
as we’ve
grown we’re now creating a steering committee
”
work in media. I'll get them all together in a pub, so you can meet them.” So, two weeks later about 12 of us met up… Initially, we just met for drinks every few months, then eventually we created a WhatsApp group and that's when it started to blossom. People kept asking to join and so eventually, I created an automated way to join at www.RTWMG. com
How many members do you currently have and is there a waiting list?
The group is free to join today, so far, we have some 450+ people registered on the group. New members can join by visiting www.RTWMG.com - we review new members monthly, so sometimes there is a small wait before people can be added.
Can you tell us how often you meet up and where?
We meet up monthly, generally at The Buzz on The Pantiles, but also at the Old Auction House for larger events. We run a big Christmas Party at the Hotel du Vin, with entertainment. Some of our members collaborate to organise co-working at various venues around
How would you describe your particular style of networking?
Generally it’s a very informal group, however, now due to the size of the network, we are creating a steering committee to help organise more events and more focused networking like round tables on the impact of AI on Media.
What do your members benefit from by joining RTWMG?
Access to 15+ WhatsApp groups from AI to Open Water Swimming
• Access to our online platform Mighty Networks for resources, event schedules and further networking etc.
• Monthly Networking Events
• Focused Round Table Events
• Christmas Party
• Co-Working Groups www.rtwmg.com
When was enTWine established? enTWine, the business forum for Tunbridge Wells, was established in the summer of 2020 by three former Presidents of West Kent Chamber of
Commerce and Industry – Lynne Gadsden from Eight Wealth Management; Pam Loch from Loch Associates Group; and Victoria Sampson from CooperBurnett LLP.
Can you tell us what gave you the idea to create this group?
Lynne: “In the spring of 2020, I was the then President of West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry. However, the pandemic hit and, unfortunately, the Chamber (which had been part of the Tunbridge Wells business community for more than 160 years) shut down. When lockdown restrictions allowed us to, Pam, Victoria and I met for lunch to talk about the good times we’d enjoyed as part of the Chamber. We went into the lunch with no intention of starting a business forum but, two hours later, the foundations for enTWine had been laid and Pam had already come up with our mantra – we listen, we share, we benefit.”
After hosting online meeting due to the pandemic, how did it feel to finally communicate in person?
Victoria: “Meeting our peers in the business community online and seeing their familiar faces made such a difference during the pandemic. However, we were all relieved when we could meet in person again. While online, enTWine became known for its break-out rooms and we’ve carried these on into our in-person meetings. They provide an opportunity for everyone to say something and to enjoy a meaningful discussion about a range of businessrelated subjects.”
How many members do you currently have and who are they?
Pam: “We have a core group of around 50+ members who are predominately business owners, managers and directors based in Tunbridge Wells. It’s a collaborative group who aren’t just there to network but to actively listen and learn from each other’s business experiences.
“
We are a collaborative group who don’t just network but actively listen and learn from each other’s business experiences
”
We believe this approach is what provides real value to our members.”
Can you tell us how often you meet up and where?
Pam: “We meet four times a year, predominately in-person at various independent venues across Tunbridge Wells. Each event is slightly different, some are speaker led with breakout sessions, while others adopt a more informal and relaxed opportunity for us all to connect. The key objective to each of our meetings is to provide a platform for all our members to develop their business by learning from each other.”
What would you say your particular networking style is?
Victoria: “When we launched enTWine, we didn’t want to be seen as another networking group but more of a business forum. It’s a friendly space where you can meet peers at a similar stage in your corporate life and talk openly about what’s good and what’s challenging within your business. Over the years, we’ve also used enTWine as an opportunity to introduce members to charities in Tunbridge Wells.”
And who is it specifically aimed at?
Lynne: “As Pam mentioned, it’s for business owners in our town. However, we all accept the benefits of meeting our peers in the Tunbridge Wells business community, so have also launched a sister business forum, called interTWine. This is
aimed at aspiring managers, directors and entrepreneurs in Tunbridge Wells. It’s run by junior team members from our three businesses and also follows the mantra of ‘we listen, we share, we benefit’.
What do your members benefit from by joining enTWine?
Pam: “That really comes back to our philosophy, which we established four years ago – we listen, we share, we benefit. It really is as simple as that. If, as business owners, we are willing to listen to others and to share our experiences –we will all benefit.”
The next enTWine meeting is a Summer Festival, which is being held at the Deer Park Café in Eridge on Thursday 27 June. Find out more by emailing: entwinertw@ gmail.com or getting in touch with Lynne, Pam or Victoria.
Investing for the first time can be daunting, but for those who are in it for the long term, it could help you achieve your goals more quickly.
Although the stock market goes down as well as up, history shows that, over long periods, shares tend to perform more strongly than cash and grow ahead of inflation.
Here are some tips to help you get started.
Setting a goal will give you something concrete to work towards. You will need a relatively long-term aim to give your investments the time to ride out any market volatility. Perhaps you wish to save towards retirement, for example, or your children’s future.
During short-term market falls, focusing on your goals will also reduce the risk of you selling out and crystallising losses.
You don’t need a large sum to start investing. In fact, dripfeeding what you can afford each month – or gradually whittling away a lump sum – could be bene cial during times of stock market turmoil and economic uncertainty.
Your money buys more shares at a cheaper price when the market falls, and fewer shares at a higher price when the market rises. This averages out the price at which you buy investments and, over time, could help to smooth portfolio performance.
Remember your Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance, which renews on 6 April. This amounts to £20,000 for the 2024/25 tax year. Investments inside an ISA grow free of tax, which means more of your money goes towards your future.
Letting your emotions dictate your investment decisions isn’t the sensible route to returns. It’s understandable to experience some jitters if the stock market falls, particularly as a rst-time investor.
Try to hold your nerve, and once you’ve dipped your toe into the market, stay there.
It’s wise to choose a spread of investments – including equities, bonds, and cash – because different assets tend to behave in different ways in a range of market conditions. This could help to even out returns and reduce the impact of any particular asset falling in value.
I live and work local to you. I would be delighted to help you and your family achieve nancial clarity and stability.
Paul Cannons
Senior Investment Manager
E: paul.cannons@brewin.co.uk T: 01892 739580
RBC Brewin Dolphin, 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1NU W: www.brewin.co.uk/royal-tunbridge-wells
The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy. Neither simulated nor actual past performance are reliable indicators of future performance.
Dee Airey is a professional photographer and visibility strategist who helps entrepreneurs raise their profile courtesy of high-quality photography and action plans for change and growth. She is also a talented wedding and family portrait photographer and published author with a studio on The Pantiles. Here Dee tells Eileen Leahy why the past year has been such a significant one for her and her business…
Ihave interviewed Dee Airey on a few occasions but I can honestly say that I have never seen her looking and sounding happier. Her newfound confidence is positively palpable – and the good news is we can all have a slice of it...
The serial entrepreneur has always been someone whose business acumen I have admired. Dee is a professional photographer, having started out doing weddings and then naturally diversifying. She is also an online coach, a published author and allround visionary who wants to ensure that everyone she works with – whether that’s a bride, a mum-tobe, an entrepreneur or a fledgling photographer – reaches their potential. But something huge has impacted Dee’s life over the past twelve months and she wants to share her experience with us…
“I want pictures to be purposeful. Having professional shots done shows that a brand has credibility and that they’ve invested in their business
“So much has happened to me and the business since we last talked,” reveals Dee with a broad smile. “I’m just feeling a lot more confident in myself. Although I have coached people for years, the irony was I didn’t want to put myself out there. I always struggled and found it very difficult which, as a result, always held me back.
”“But I worked out what it was that was holding me back and I did something about it. I can honestly say that since I made that change I have never felt better and my business has really benefited.”
The change Dee is referring to is her decision to employ a weight management coach to help regain her self-confidence.
“I unpacked everything and realised that it was my weight that was the issue. So my coach and I talked about my behaviour around food and I suddenly realised that it wasn’t a case of me losing weight before going on holiday. This was a lifetime achievement to future-proof my health and my business. As soon as I realised that everything changed.
“My motivation is huge now and I feel so liberated. I am putting myself out there again and networking – which is
something I always felt uncomfortable doing. But it’s positively impacting my business. I am getting more work because I am now actively connecting with people.” Fizzing with energy as we chat, Dee tells me that her business has greatly evolved over the last year because of this seismic change.
“I’m doing a lot more branding work which is very exciting. I’m working with the likes of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together and local law firm CooperBurnett and
am really loving it. I don’t think I would have got this type of work if I hadn’t gone through my own personal journey. I feel like I am finally putting my authentic self out there.”
Dee says that the beautiful Pantiles studio she opened nearly two years ago has really helped with her branding work as it is a very professional space for people to come to, but importantly they also feel very at ease there.
“I’ve had people in tears in the studio with me,” she reveals, noting that this is usually out of relief more than anything.
“I do so much more than take people’s headshots. I believe every person has a unique story that deserves to be seen and heard. My mission is to bring these stories to life through powerful,
authentic photography. It’s not a case of taking your picture and your money and saying goodbye.
“By doing this type of work, especially the corporate kind, I have met lots of people, especially women, with issues that are holding them back. But by getting on top of those things we can give so much more to our businesses – and to the people we are serving. Don’t let issues stand in the way of you getting what you want.”
Dee tells me that when her clients receive their pictures they also receive a content guide: “I explain what to do with the images once they’re ready. By bringing out the very best of my clients, I aim to help them showcase their online profiles, enabling a deeper, more human
connection with their ideal clients.
“I want pictures to be purposeful. Having professional shots done shows that a brand has credibility and that they’ve invested in their business. I think there’s more to all this than just taking a photo. I meet so many people who say to me ‘I hate having my picture taken’ and that is usually down to having underlying issues so eventually what I want to do is host workshops to help people shed these.”
Dee explains that her style of photography – which prides itself on
“
When you’ve achieved a goal and when you’re actually living life the way you want to, it’s an amazing thing ”
being more natural than posed – has led her to creating her Limitless Woman programme: “This is where I take people through a process where they can identify their sticking point or personal issue and then I give them the tools to remove it. And if they can’t remove it then I help them to live at peace with it.
“Once you do that you will immediately feel like a million dollars. I will then shoot people after they have completed
the course because they will feel very, very different. My personal experience has contributed to the creation of this project a huge amount. I really want to help people. Tunbridge Wells is a very enterprising place and I want to be part of the community supporting that.”
Having pivoted into more corporate work, Dee says this means she is doing less weddings but she’s fine with that as she is really enjoying her new work – and she still gets to do her beloved family portraiture.
“It’s fantastic as it means I get to work in my studio and I love seeing all the families. I am currently doing more fun school photos. They are a direct contrast to the stiff traditional ones! I place the children in a mock-up classroom and we have a laugh. Their personality really shines through and results in photos you actually want to buy and display in your -home! I really want to become the go-to photographer in Tunbridge Wells for that.”
And if all the above wasn’t enough to keep Dee very busy, she runs a very successful online coaching sideline, which sees her hosting classes for photographers who want to get to the next level.
“The vast majority of my coaching comes from mindset work because you can have the best marketing system behind you but if your head isn’t in the game then it’s just not going to work. It’s like a car with no
Dee Airey has written a few books over the years which specialise in both photography and individual coaching. Her latest titles include Goal Power and Make It Your Business – Photography. These and other titles are all available to purchase through Amazon.
engine.
“I have learned that whatever you feel on the inside will always manifest itself on the outside so I just want to help people, especially women. Of course I don’t want to alienate men but I just think women beat up on themselves so much more. And we’d achieve a lot more if we didn’t do that.”
Dee states that once she dealt with her own issues her approach to business was very different.
“That’s the best part of all this. I am getting more work because I am showing up as my authentic self. I feel good and my confidence is back and that ultimately makes me a much happier person.
“I’m not saying I've got it all sewn up and perfect because I haven't, but it's been transformative for me and I want to pass that on because that's what I do naturally.
I really want to help.”
Dee adds that in addition to attending networking groups, a lot of her new work has come organically through places like Linkedin.
“Social media has also helped me promote my new self-published book Goal Power. It came about because I’ve always set goals as they help me stay focused. Goal setting is crucial to moving you forward in your career, business and your life and this book will help you achieve that.
“Goal Power is a 12-week goal setting planner for your personal and professional life, helping you to create a way of life that achieves for you on a
daily basis, leading you to your ultimate success,” explains Dee before adding that it’s currently doing very well on Amazon.
“It’s great to think people are buying it. I feel so liberated – not just for me – but for anyone who’s about to go on a similar journey. I really wanted to share my story with others because if you do the work
“That’s the best part of all this. I am getting more work because I am showing up as my authentic self
on yourself the results won’t just impact you as a person but it will pretty much enhance every area of your life.”
When I look at her Amazon page it transpires that Dee has published many other books – the latest one being on How to Let Your Property as a Holiday Rental (£5.99). What was the inspiration behind that?
“My husband and I went to Lake Maggiore for my birthday and we rented a luxury villa which turned out to be awful. I journal every day so I just started noting things down that were wrong with the place. We found a lovely hotel to stay in nearby and within three days I had a guide on what not to do when renting out a property selling on Amazon!”
So what’s next for Dee? Where does she see herself and her business heading over the next few months?
“I’d like to be running the Limitless Woman workshops at least four times a year and to also create an online version of the course which people can sign up to
wherever they are in the world, at a time that’s convenient for them.
“I also want at least 300 clients coming through my studio’s doors every year. That means I will have to take on another photographer but it would be an amazing achievement and I’m ready for it.
“When you've achieved a goal that you know was a struggle to get to for such a long time and suddenly you're living life the way you want to, it's an amazing thing. It’s really empowering.”
For more information on Dee’s portrait work visit www.deeairey.com and for her coaching visit www.brandphotographybydeeairey.co.uk
Reputations can take years to build, but can be destroyed overnight. Protecting brand reputation when things go very publicly pear-shaped can be essential for business survival.
The Managing Director of Sharp Minds Communications, Siobhan Stirling, shares her key takeaways from the BBC Radio 4 podcast, When It Hits The Fan.
Hosted
by David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, and Simon Lewis, former Director of Communications for 10 Downing Street, The Queen and Vodafone, When It Hits The Fan is a masterclass in crisis communications.
The best crisis comms never gets aired publicly, so it’s something of a dark art. If you want an insight as to what you would need to swing into action if your business ever hit the headlines for the wrong reasons – an overly boisterous Christmas party, a vindictive ex-employee venting their spleen, or a hostile takeover bid, for example – listening to a few episodes would provide food for thought.
Not surprisingly, common themes
recur. The first is to have a plan. Making up a comms response from scratch in the middle of a crisis will only add lighter fluid to the flames. Anticipate potential scenarios and war game a plan for each, scrutinising the optics from every angle.
Even if you think your business is never likely to pique media or public interest, knowing who will be responsible for managing your response - who will provide statements and how they will be approved - will enable you to manage the situation more confidently than if you haven’t established clear lines of command.
The second key lesson is to act quickly. You only have to look at the Royal family’s failure to put
out timely communications during countless challenges to know that a press release in time saves nine. Thirdly, authenticity goes a long way. Ideally give enough information for people to understand the situation and your actions; explain what has happened, why it happened and what you’re doing about it. Tone of voice is equally important; you need to sound like you mean it.
But probably the most important lesson is that what people think of your organisation during the crisis will largely depend upon what they thought about it before – so you need to be working on brand reputation all the time, not waiting for it to hit the fan.
Siobhan Stirling is the founder and Managing Director of Sharp Minds Communications, a multi-awardwinning marketing and PR agency that provides intelligent communication with power and purpose to help its clients punch above their weight.
Jenny Kitchen
Watts, Creative Tunbridge
Tunbridge Wells based organisation amplifi facilitates the town’s businesses to work together to be more sustainable. It has gone from strength to strength since its launch in January. Tunbridge Wells is the first borough in the UK to have introduced a sector-led sustainability initiative of this scale and kind.
Last month, the Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine announced its support as the official Media Partner for amplifi, and is committed to reporting on the developments of this critical collective’s effort to make an impactful difference in our business community.
This month we talk to co-founders Jenny Kitchen, CEO of Yoyo Design and Pete Kenyon, Partner of Cripps to find out how things have been progressing…
Jenny, what’s happened since amplifi’s launch in January?
The programme has generated huge interest from the business community. We started with 120 guests attending the launch and now have over 220 people from over 180 businesses committed to making a sustainable difference collectively as part of amplifi.
Thanks to the financial support of RTW Together BID, who are our sponsors, and Net Zero Now, we have managed to offer a substantial subsidy to our first 38 businesses and charities taking part in the first wave of the Net Zero Now programme.
about
Citizens
initiative
We have received national press interest in the collective sustainability business model, and we are proud to say Tunbridge Wells is the first borough in the UK to have introduced a sector-led sustainability initiative of this scale and kind.
Fuggles Beer Café hosted their first ‘People, Planet, Pint’ sustainability networking event on 22 May which saw around 40 businesses and consumers meet up to find out more about what’s going on locally with sustainability and how everyone can get involved. The next event is scheduled for Wednesday 26 June at 6pm, visit Fuggles website to book if people want to attend.
In addition, we have the second meeting of our sector-specific groups kicking off this month, with the aim of discussing initiatives that we can all adopt: from the
It is a not-for-profit company that is also backed by a local collective who have offered financial or probono support. The brainchild of Co-Founders, Pete Kenyon (Partner at Cripps LLP) and Jenny Kitchen (CEO of Yoyo Design) the collective includes; Cripps, Yoyo Design, Crowe, Childrensalon, Handelsbanken, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, RTW Together BID, Fuggles, AXA Health, Colley Raine & Associates, The Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine and the TN Card.
supply of green energy to using e-bikes and electric cars for deliveries, maximising natural light to eco-friendly digital devices.
Pete, Can any business join amplifi?
We are an inclusive collective set up to ‘amplifI’ the expertise, learnings and stories from businesses, big and small, who share similar goals about their role in the response to the Climate Emergency and their responsibilities to our Local Community. No matter your size, and whether you are a business local to Tunbridge Wells or from further afield - if you want to increase the impact of your business and that of others, then amplifi is for you! This is an open tent, working together to help drive change and impact, the more is most definitely the merrier!
What else do you hope to achieve in 2024?
We need to ensure that the amplifi programme is as accessible as possible, and we know that businesses are
struggling financially, so we are currently looking at grant funding and crowd funding to help discount the programme for future businesses taking part, as well as a pay it forward campaign to support charities for our current and future cohorts.
The programme has generated huge interest from the business community. We started with 120 guests attending the launch and now have over 220 people from over 180 businesses committed to making a sustainable difference collectively as part of amplifi
In addition to our regular sector action meetings, we aim to create events to bring businesses together, further expand on our online resources to share
knowledge and experiences, and in the long-term look to develop a shared framework to report impact, which grows over time. I think it would be a pretty incredible achievement if amplifi and Tunbridge Wells became the sustainability benchmark for other UK town collectives to follow.
If we achieve even a part of that in 2024 we would certainly be happy –
It's not just about business sustainability, amplifi wants to harness the power of the entire borough, and is reaching out to residents to join businesses in committing to reducing their environmental impact. Jenny explains; “We want Tunbridge Wells to work together to get to net zero and this needs all of us. We know that working together will get us there faster, every one of us can make small changes”. Here are just a few ideas:
• Food Waste - You may not know but over 70% of diners don’t ask for a doggy bag because they’d be embarrassed, but by doing so you would prevent food waste.
• Swap out plastic – there are now lots of sustainable beauty and hygiene products available, use your own recycled bags shopping, select fruit and vegetables that
the community of businesses coming together as amplifi is full of optimism and passion to do this together so the question we keep asking ourselves is why shouldn’t Tunbridge Wells be trailblazers in this hugely important movement. We can’t think of a single reason…
To find out more, there is lots of information available on the website, www.amplifi.tw
aren’t packaged in plastic.
• Buy from local suppliers – reduce produce travel footprint and boost your local economy and job market. Check out The TN card to get extra rewards.
• Repurpose or recycle – browse local charity shops or download apps like Vinted and Depop to buy and sell clothes and unwanted goods.
• Rewilding – Dedicate a part of your garden, or an unused outdoor space in your community, to wildlife through rewilding, and making habitats for bees, bugs and birds.
• Consider car shares and public transport - save fuel costs and emissions by sharing journeys with others.
• Champion the cause - Perhaps you work for an employer who you think should be part of the amplifi programme?
If your employees are your business’s greatest asset, are you focusing enough on your people and culture?
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Following the successful launch of amplifi, a community-led initiative which aims to help raise awareness of sustainability among local businesses, Victoria Usher of GingerMay and Tom Chown of Digitom tell Eileen Leahy about their commitment to the organisation and to being a B Corp accredited business…
Over the past few years the B Corp sustainability movement has steadily grown with now over two thousand UK businesses signed up as members.
The scheme, which originated in the US, provides certification for companies, both large and small, who meet the ‘high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability’.
B Lab UK is the body that approves accreditation here. On its website it states it is a non-profit network that is ‘transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.’
Here in Tunbridge Wells there are a number of businesses who have already gained B Corp accreditation. They include Yoyo Design and Cripps Law Firm - with Jenny Kitchen from Yoyo and Pete Kenyon from Cripps going one step further by creating amplifi – a communityled initiative which aims to help raise awareness of sustainability among local businesses working in all sectors.
Other B Corp businesses in Tunbridge Wells include GingerMay and Digitom. Here we speak to their respective founders Victoria Usher and Tom Chown about their companies and why they are committed to spreading the word about sustainability and social responsibility…
VICTORIA USHER, FOUNDER & CEO GINGERMAY
Why and when did you start your business?
I previously worked at media and PR agencies that openly discriminated against working mothers and I was forced to return to work three weeks after my daughter’s birth or face dismissal. As a result, in 2010, I founded GingerMay, an independent PR and communications business, which puts people at the heart of the company and where flexibility is embedded into its DNA.
“Achieving B Corp certification benefits our business community by fostering proactive collaboration and encouraging higher standards of social and environmental responsibility
”Since then GingerMay has grown into a globally recognised, multi-award-winning agency specialising in integrated B2B technology and professional services communications.
And who are the type of clients you have on your books?
We primarily work with clients in the digital and emerging tech sectors across the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the US. However, we believe that supporting cleantech and sustainability-focused solutions is crucial to support the global fight against climate change, so are actively seeking to partner with more businesses in these industries.
What makes you stand out from the crowd?
Our unwavering commitment to exceptional client service and the ability to deliver beyond traditional PR support. This is consistently reflected in the satisfaction and recommendation scores from our client surveys and high Net Promoter Score. This year, we went above and beyond supporting clients impacted by war zones, providing a flexible service to navigate challenging economic periods. Our mission to deliver exceptional results for our clients, protect the planet, and give back to our community in equal measure is a unique balance that we have managed to strike.
Tell us about your B Corp journey... when and how did it begin - and why?
GingerMay was founded on the premise that businesses have a responsibility to positively influence their communities. From the start, we put our team front and centre of the business, giving back to the community, and protecting the planet. Pursuing B Corp certification was a natural progression of these goals. Our B Corp journey, which started in 2022, has allowed us to uphold even higher standards in five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Why was it important for you to achieve B Corp certification?
It was essential as it signifies our commitment to ethical and purposeful business practices, which are increasingly important to our partners and the planet. We are proud that our agency’s ethos is recognised as genuinely sustainable and in line with the B Corp philosophy. It really has been worth the team’s hard work.
What kind of difference does it bring to what GingerMay offers?
Gaining B Corp status was a significant milestone for GingerMay, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. GingerMay’s impressive score of over 50% higher than the 50 median score of applicants, underscores that we meet these high standards. This certification
demonstrates our dedication to supporting clients, fostering a people-centric culture, and adopting a progressive approach to business.
For our clients, B Corp status underscores our shared values and commitment to sustainability and purpose.
Do you think more local companies will want to gain B Corp status?
Absolutely. There are a number of local companies in the early stages of their B Corp journey that we have met during amplifi events. Their response is incredibly positive and it’s inspiring to witness fellow local businesses achieving B Corp certification. As awareness increases and the benefits of certification become more apparent, we anticipate a rising number of businesses in our community will seek to align with B Corp standards, promoting a collective commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
Why does this kind of certification status benefit our business community? It fosters proactive collaboration and encourages higher standards of social and environmental responsibility. Initiatives like B Corp Month raise awareness both globally and locally, motivating other businesses to pursue certification and promote sustainable practices. By being part of this movement, GingerMay helps to create a ripple effect, inspiring other organisations to join the cause and contribute to a more sustainable and ethically conscious business environment. www.teamgingermay.com
Tom Chown has run independent video production company Digitom here in Tunbridge Wells for the last 14 years. It gained B Corp status last year. Here Tom tells us more about his business’s USP and why he chose to seek this certification…
First let’s start with you telling us about your career so far Tom… Before setting up on my own I was fortunate to work for some amazing broadcasters and production companies. They included working for the BBC here in Tunbridge Wells and for Bob Geldof’s Kent TV. That launched six weeks before BBC iPlayer at a time when the concept
of watching content on a computer – let alone a mobile device - was unheard of. When Kent TV came to an end I founded Digitom and haven’t looked back since.
Can you tell us a little bit about what the work you do at Digitom?
We don’t specialise as such as we enjoy the variety of each project – it means no two clients are ever the same
“
B Corp enables change and prioritises people and community over profit. Anyone can apply for certification, from microbusinesses to multinational businesses
”
and that each week is different. My team and I work with a wide range of public and private clients across many different sectors, but the big ones are charity, education, financial, healthcare and transport. Briefs can be as broad as creating recruitment and training films for British Transport Police, to a TV commercial or recruitment campaign for Horder Healthcare, down to a fly-onthe-wall Day in the Life series or national International Women’s Day campaigns for Stagecoach.
What would you say is your company’s USP?
What makes us stand out in a competitive market is our approach to factual storytelling. All our clients have a very different story or message they want to capture so sitting down with them in front of a camera, helping them to feel
relaxed before having a chat is often the best way to elicit their story. Then there’s a lot of fun to be had in the edit suite crafting the content into a compelling film that engages an audience.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a B Corp certified business?
In 2021 I became aware of an environmental initiative called Albert Sustainable but it transpired that as a microbusiness we were too small to verify our assessments. Towards the end of that year, Jenny Kitchen from Yoyo, told me about the global B Corp movement and how Yoyo were going through the certification process. The big differences between B Corp and Albert is that the former measures impact on the planet and uses business to help enable change and prioritise people and community over profit. The best part was that anyone can apply for certification, from microbusinesses to multinational businesses.
Why was it important for you to gain this status?
I spent a lot of time reflecting on how the business had grown organically, and quickly realised the majority of content we’d produced had ‘purpose’ deeply rooted in its values. From the kids’ animation series encouraging food waste recycling, to the environmental decisions we were naturally making like investing in an electric vehicle and using a green energy supplier. All these initiatives counted towards our certification score of 96.7 in June 2023. It also started the conversation about how we can improve and share knowledge with a global community.
Do you think more local companies will want to gain B Corp status?
I hope they will, there is a growing B Corp community within both Kent and Sussex. When we certified a year ago there were around 1,500 businesses in the UK. A couple of months ago that number exceeded the 2,000 figure as B Lab UK - who administer the schemehave invested heavily in more resources to help process the growing number of applications.
Why does having B Corp status benefit our business community?
If another business in our community aligns with the same values as B Corp then I think obtain certification helps to verify our business community and instils confidence. The point is businesses of all sizes are giving some time and thought to how they treat their people, reduce their impact on the planet and help the local community.
www.digitom.tv
Mail has seen a renaissance in the last couple of years. Brands new to using mail include aggregators and home delivery as well as online retailers. All of them have been testing it as part of their media mix and claiming to have seen very positive results. Open rates for mail went up 17% in a year to 2020.*
So why has there been a renewed interest in mail? Why is a supposedly non-digital channel now being added to so many brands’ marketing plans? And more importantly, how can your brand take advantage of the new benefits mail now brings?
Mail is trusted more than other channels
When many sources of electronic information and news are having their credibility questioned, mail offers a highly trusted option for brands with consumer trust in the channel growing. Following several high-profile data leaks and hacking stories, when it comes to sensitive or confidential information, over half of all customers say they feel more comfortable with that arriving by mail. In short: mail is seen as more credible.
And when it comes to credibility, 87% of consumers opposed to 48% said the same thing about email. Trust is growing too, especially among young people (15-24) as you can see from the chart comparing
Kevin Steele, MD of FOX, printers of this publication along with many others including those for Trailfinders, Mercedez-Benz and IKEA explains the myriad benefits of including traditional direct marketing in your media mix
other information sources. Mail is trusted more than other channels.
individual customer.
Whenmanysourcesofelectronicinformationandnewsarehavingtheir credibilityquestioned,Mailoffersahighlytrustedoptionforbrandswith consumertrustinthechannelgrowing.
Followingseveralhighprofiledataleaksandhackingstories,whenitcomes tosensitiveorconfidentialinformation,overhalfofallcustomerssaytheyfeel morecomfortablewiththatarrivingbymail.
Much of that trust comes from the fact that mail is physical and real. And print in itself has a more permanent quality than pixels on a screen. It also demonstrates that, as a brand you’ve taken time and trouble with your communication which translates into 70% of customers feeling brands value them more when they receive mail compared to an email.
Mailisseenasmorecredible
GDPR led to improvements in data handling and that’s driven by recent enchancements in the quality and accuracy of data. The introduction of GDPR heralded a new era of robust data and reliable permissions. Above all GDPR helped customers understand how and why data was being collected, which led to an increase in trust in brands. It also meant companies had to take more care in how they collected, stored and managed data, so it became far more reliable and accurate.
Whenitcomescredibility87%ofconsumersdescribedmailasbelievableas opposedto48%whosaidthesamethingaboutemail.Trustisgrowingtoo, especiallyamongstyoungerpeople(15-24)asyoucanseefromthischart comparingotherinformationsources.
Gone are the days of mass mailings to millions of people chosen with few selections from the electoral register. Today’s mail is well-timed, highly targeted and tailored to the needs of an
So when it comes to mailing existing customers or prospects many brands are working with far better data to drive their customer propositions and communications.
Trust is growing with mail once again as this chart shows
In terms of targeting and segmentation, an increase in highquality lifestyle data sources through mass customer surveys resulted in a number of sophisticated targeting tools such as PDV’s Consumer Lifestyles™ Database with over 400 variables to select from.**
The new wave of digital mail is made possible because it’s based on far higher quality and individualised data than ever before. It’s a true dialogue on a one-to-one basis, rather than a scatter gun approach involving mass messaging.
Lockdown was a catalyst for lifestyle changes
Lockdown was a difficult time for so many of us. People were living and working from home rather than commuting or going on holiday. If you were contacting someone at home, you could pretty much guarantee they would be in. Unsurprisingly, this had a major impact on the way brands marketed with many testing mail as they could guarantee they’d be reaching their audience.
Mail demonstrated its value during lockdown and became a valued source of information and an even more effective sales tool. Around 40% of consumers said they looked forward to receiving mail during lockdown and that the whole period reaffirmed the importance of mail to them.
With better quality data, brands have greater confidence in personalising mail. And the latest innovations in technology allow for tailoring of text and imagery on an individual basis. For example, the latest digital presses run by FOX offer major innovations in print quality, productivity and colourmatching capabilities, allowing personalisation up to six colours. The mailing of personalised tip-on cards with unique numbers have played a major part in the expansion of grocery delivery brands such as ‘HelloFresh’ and other subscription-based services.
Major retailers and smaller online retailers are now sending fully personalised mailings with content driven by an individual customer's order history. The ‘minilogue’ (small catalogue) has become an important tool for online retailers looking to stimulate online sales. Programmatic mail brands have also been testing ‘programmatic mail’ where, in the case of basket abandonment, a trigger pack is sent within 24-48 hours. Through technical innovation, global events and even new legislation, mail is now one of the most trusted channels for customer communications. Increasingly brands new to mail are testing it and seeing great results. Can you afford not to be part of the new wave of digital mail?
Various factors have contributed to the new wave of digital mail. These include:
1. Trust becoming a major issue for media owners and brands
2. Better quality data so targeting is more accurate
3. More people at home working either full or part-time
4. New digital technologies make mail personal and relevant
5. Softer GDPR rules make mail a simpler option
Five points tenants should consider when renewing a commercial leaseBy Imogen Fleur, Solicitor in the Commercial Property & Development team at CooperBurnett LLP
Are you a tenant occupying commercial premises? If your lease is coming to an end, you may wish to seek a renewal lease. Below are five key points you should consider:
1. Is your lease protected or unprotected?
If your lease is protected, you benefit from the statutory right to renew your lease, and to remain in the premises beyond the lease end date. You can serve a statutory notice on your landlord requesting a renewal. Your landlord has limited legal grounds to oppose your renewal request.
If it’s unprotected, you do not benefit from these rights and have no right to stay in the premises beyond the end date of the lease.
2. Negotiating the renewal terms
With a protected lease, you have the right to a renewal lease at a market rent on similar terms as your existing lease. You and your landlord are not permitted to demand significant changes to the terms of the renewal lease.
These rights do not apply on the renewal if your existing lease is unprotected.
3. Duration
Landlords often favour long-term leases, as this provides them with greater security of occupancy. Consider whether the term is suitable to your business plan and needs.
4. Break clause
If you are being offered a longer lease, you may wish to negotiate a break clause. This gives you the option to end the lease early. Break clauses are often subject to conditions, therefore you should carefully consider whether the conditions are achievable.
Check how the rent you are being offered compares with the current property market conditions, as this may have changed significantly since you first occupied the property.
If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact Imogen Fleur on email: ixf@cooperburnett.com or tel: 01892 515022. www.cooperburnett.com
This blog is not intended as legal advice that can be relied upon and CooperBurnett LLP does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of its contents.
In his regular column for Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine, Alex Green, CEO of RTW Together BID gives an update on its inaugural major public realm project for the town – the first of five happening across Tunbridge Wells over each year of RTW BID’s 5-year term
The townscape of where we live is important for residents, visitors and businesses. The stronger the look and more functional it is to utilise, the more it will encourage people to come out into town and feel pride in the area we live and work.
Enhancements to the public realm benefit hospitality venues through an outdoor continental café culture (which has sped up since Covid-19) but also benefits retailers (ever more important with the prevalence of online shopping) as the overall shopping experience is enhanced.
One of RTW Together’s core themes of activity is ‘Enhancing’ which includes projects such as: Christmas lighting, street art, street maintenance, including graffiti removal, and one major project each year,
local architects KanerOlette, is to introduce a new £100,000+ decking system for a significant portion of the road so that the areas which were previously designated as pedestrian areas by planters will now all be at the same level of the pavement through a modular adjustable height decking with new porcelain tiles and built-in steel taller planters.
on which we intend to collaborate with other partners to extend our efforts and resources further.
Our inaugural project is to focus on the High Street, and build on the phases that were installed in 2021/2022, which were designed to increase the pedestrian prioritisation of this particular road.
Key to the project, which is designed by
The previously functional but temporary looking planters will be recycled elsewhere in the town so as not to be wasted, and pave the way for a much-enhanced looking space, which is aimed to increase the number of visits and dwell-time for both local residents and visitors to the town. This will result in more spend in our local retailers and hospitality businesses.
The project, which included multiple opportunities for consultation with businesses across the street (and will maintain the existing parking capacity), was only possible through a strong collaborative relationship with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and its Economic Development team, who have been
Enhancements
to the public realm benefit hospitality venues through an outdoor continental café culture but also benefits retailers too
“ ”
instrumental in taking this forward, and helping fund this project, which we aim to complete this summer.
In addition to how this project will accelerate the work previously undertaken to improve the High Street customer experience, this location was also selected as the inaugural project to help address the geographical linear layout of the town. It will encourage more movement around the different quarters of the town and enhance the walking experience when walking between them.
After a year of design work, consultation and overcoming logistical challenges, I look forward to seeing the finished result and starting to look at plans for Fiveways and Calverley Precinct which will be our next project.
Deal volumes are up slightly compared to this time last year, and while the market hasn’t bounced back as quickly as many would have liked, optimism remains.
While the South East was the most active region outside of London for highgrowth Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), deal activity was lower in 2023, when compared to 2022. This was largely due to macro-economic factors. The hope and expectation for 2024 was that there would be an increase in M&A activity.
Where are we now?
In Q1 2024, there were 52 M&A transactions in the South East involving high-growth companies, compared to 48 in Q1 2023. We had hoped to see a greater uptick in deals, particularly as there were 68 in Q4 of 2023.
However, despite this not yet coming to fruition, optimism remains, with the general feeling being that it will take a little longer than anticipated for activity to pick up meaningfully.
Global conflicts and key elections in the UK and US are prompting a more
cautionary outlook until we have some clarity and certainty (or at least ‘temporary’ clarity and certainty) on what the world could look like in the coming four to five years. Stability breeds confidence, which fuels M&A activity. Macro-economic factors are beyond the control of transacting parties, but company valuations are not. The valuation tension is still present. The good news is that parties want to transact, but valuation discussions are
Paralegal apprentice
Callum Benson , who works at Cripps, has been named the BPP Apprentice of the Year (Level 4-5).
The prestigious award recognises exceptional apprentices who demonstrate outstanding achievements over the past year.
Callum joined the Cripps’ apprenticeship programme in 2023, and has ‘consistently impressed with his dedication, work ethic, and eagerness to learn’.
Earlier this year, he was elected as Chair of the Kent Junior Lawyers Division, a role traditionally held by trainee solicitors.
Callum has been a passionate advocate for apprenticeships and has spoken at various events, including Newman
Catholic College in London, where he shared his experiences in the hope of inspiring young people considering their career paths.
“We are immensely proud of Callum’s well-deserved achievement,” said Fiona Chamberlain, emerging talent manager at Cripps. “His accomplishments exemplify the calibre of talent nurtured through our programme.”
Established in 2018, Cripps’ programme offers a unique opportunity for aspiring legal professionals. Apprentices gain on-the-job experience while earning academic qualifications. This programme is seen as providing an alternative to the traditional university education.
resulting in a good number of deals taking much longer to execute.
Commentary in the market suggests that trade deals have resulted in lower valuations when compared to last year with private equity deal valuations still holding up, but even private equity deals are coming under pressure to reflect the current market sentiment.
The next six months will be interesting but ‘psychologically’ the fact we are now officially out of recession is good news.
Law firm recognises ‘hard work’ with promotions across the board
Thomson Snell & Passmore has made nine promotions across the firm.
These include four Salaried Partners, one Senior Associate, one HR Manager, two Associates and one Senior Paralegal.
Those promoted to Salaried Partner are Nasima Ansary from the Will, Trust & Estate Disputes team … Nicole Priestley from Real Estate… Rico Dexiades from Dispute Resolution … and Sarah Holland from the Risk & Compliance team.
Stevenson-Smith, Senior Paralegal (Real Estate).
Senior Partner Joanna Prat said: “It is always wonderful to recognise the hard work, dedication and commitment of our people and I offer my congratulations on these thoroughly well-deserved promotions. I look forward to seeing them thrive in their new roles.
“Our Business Services departments are a central part of the firm and it is great to see two senior appointments from our Risk & Compliance and HR teams, in addition to senior promotions in our legal departments.
The other promotions come from across the firm’s Corporate & Commercial, Real Estate Disputes, Real Estate and Business Services teams. They are James Parratt Dispute Resolution (Real Estate Disputes), Luke Guinan and Will Chivers, Corporate & Commercial and Emma
“We remain committed to helping support and develop everyone across the firm, as we continue to grow and to deliver exceptional service to our clients”.
“We’re here to keep local businesses afloat”
Gillian Palmer of The Finance Hub and Lending Made Simple reveals the ways in which she and her expert affiliates are helping to keep businesses in the black…
Gillian Palmer founded her businesses Lending Made Simple and The Finance Hub with the main aims of making money easier to understand and more accessible.
Since she took over her premises in The Pantiles in 2022 Gillian has seen the number of experts working under The Finance Hub’s umbrella grow from eight to 25. These affiliates can advise clients on everything from mortgages to tax issues and property – and so much more.
“I wanted a place where people could come for the most straightforward yet expert monetary advice,” she says.
Another element of her business is running regular specialist talks, which are free to attend, and help people gain all sorts of insight and information.
Recently the talks have included ones on cyber crime as well as seminars on wills and mortgages.
Last month Gillian and her team hosted a Cash Flow Clinic for RTW Together Business Improvement District (BID) in order to support local businesses and the Tunbridge Wells community with information about business lending.
“At Lending Made Simple we pride ourselves in making it as simple as possible to find the right funding for your business,” explains entrepreneur Gillian.
“Our recent Cash Flow Clinic gave local businesses the opportunity to talk about their cash flow issues, their plans for the future of their business, and to advise them on how to keep their cash flowing by explaining the difference between short and long-term lending.
“The saying ‘Cash is King’ is very true and as businesses grow they start to feel the pain and burden of cash flow constraints,” continues Gillian.
“It very easy at this stage to go online and get offers of credit cards and expensive loans, but is this right for your business and is it fit for purpose?”
Over the years Gillian has grown many businesses and every one of them she says has had cash flow issues at some stage.
“Normally this is when people panic and take whatever is on offer to help them over this hurdle. As every business owner will tell you they’ll have had lots of sleepless nights when the money is not coming in quick enough but you still
Our
recent Cash Flow Clinic gave local businesses the opportunity to talk about any issues they had, their plans for the future of their business, and to advise them on how to keep their cash flowing
have to pay the wages and suppliers.”
Gillian offers up the example of one of her clients who’d won a unique contract. “He had to order bespoke materials which needed to be paid for, and he had to hire a lot of machinery and take on a team of 30 extra people to complete the job. He had to pay for all of this upfront before he could invoice the customer on completion and then he was not going to be paid for 30 days.”
Gillian therefore looked at a lot of different options for her client. He eventually decided on a secured revolving credit facility which only cost him 1.5% interest per month for the four months he used the fund.
“This was a much cheaper option than taking out a long-term loan, paying all the
costs associated and then paying it back early,” explains Gillian.
“An alternative example is a landscaping business who was buying another company to offer a wider variety of services to clients. He needed £250K up front and so I suggested a £50K cash flow facility as a backup during the transition.
“As the client knew there would be cash in the business once he took it over, I made sure he had a flexible solution that did not penalise him for paying the loans back earlier. Within a month of the acquisition, all loans were paid back and the client was over the moon. We are now working on another acquisition for him.”
The finance affiliates at The Finance Hub – which Gillian describes as a one-stop shop for expert advice - were also able to help the landscaping business with the necessary legal matters on transactions, plus the intricacies of insurance and pensions when integrating both businesses.
“We are here for everyone so come in and let’s talk business and personal finance.”
You can contact Gillian on 01892 280000 or visit her at The Finance Hub on Linden Park Road. www.thefinancehub.money
Thackeray's Restaurant in Royal Tunbridge Wells offers an excellent setting for business lunches and corporate meetings. Located in a historic building that once belonged to the author William Makepeace Thackeray, the restaurant provides a unique and elegant atmosphere that is well-suited for professional gatherings.
For larger business groups we have private rooms that can accommodate parties of 8 to 18 diners without any additional room hire charge. These rooms offer a private and refined environment for business meetings and corporate events. In addition to its excellent food and service, Thackeray's commitment to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal location for corporate functions and client entertaining.
With menus starting from £28 per person up to our indulgent Chef’s tasting menu we are confident we have the right offering whatever the occasion. We are also happy to offer delegate rates for Breakfast meetings or all-day meeting packages.
For all enquiries or to make a reservation please contact one of our team :
Panoramic Wealth’s Gary Jefferies reveals his take on the current world stock markets and their impact on us all…
ary Jefferies, MD of Panoramic Wealth, boasts decades of experience with major pension and investment providers and now has over 30 years’ of industry experience with his own company.
He established Panoramic Wealth in the early 1990s but, in fact, Gary can trace his family’s roots in finance back to the Second World War.
“We feel we have an affinity and understanding of family-owned business which often creates very different business dynamics,” he states.
“At Panoramic Wealth our main areas of advice centre on all areas of both corporate and personal planning for both Director and Partners firms as well as a variety of trusts including charities.”
Here Gary explains more about his business and its take on the current global stock market and how it impacts us all…
How everyone is directly impacted by world stock markets
For many, the investment world is surrounded in mystique, often avoided at one’s peril. It’s not uncommon for comments such as ‘investing is too risky’ or that it’s even an a ‘form of gambling’ but to keep pace with inflation, investing is in reality; a necessity, otherwise your wealth is going backwards.
A crucial understanding of stocks and shares is demonstrated by history that you need to be prepared to hold the assets for a minimum period of at least five to seven years. People often suggest they can predict equity markets, but in reality, this is not the case.
As the saying goes: ‘It is not timing the market but time in the market’ as this leads to longer term capital appreciation slowly, rather than attempting to pick the individual stocks that will increase in a
“Having your assets correctly aligned to your attitude to risk is just a part of the financial planning process”
Gary Jeffries
more volatile way.
Individuals can, to an extent, still disassociate themselves from stock markets as they assume they are not affected by worldwide events. The greatest impact often is in relation to their pension in retirement. They will most likely be invested in a diversified asset base but still affected to market movements. Stock market corrections at the wrong time could have a significant impact on their future income for the rest of their life.
In recent times we have seen a raging bull market - despite some adverse headwinds winds that could de-rail the run. This is highlighted as with FTSE 100 surpassed 8,000 for the first time and Dow Jones Index setting new records reaching over 40,000. The US Index is only 30 stocks but mainly driven by the Magnificent 7 stocks. One of which is Apple which is currently being challenged in the US over possible monopoly issues
and Tesla whose domination of the electric car market has stalled.
This is all with a backdrop of crucial elections as well as conflicts and tension worldwide. Some of the most prominent focus points we have this year will be if President Joe Biden fails to be reelected and greater pressure on schools and higher Inheritance Tax (IHT) with proposed fiscal changes if, as seems likely, Sir Keir Starmer becomes the next UK Prime Minster. This is coupled with conflict in Ukraine, Gaza and mutterings of China invading Thailand have a detrimental impact on the stock market. So having your assets correctly aligned to your attitude to risk is just a part of the financial planning process.
Downturns in the stock market can not only affect your financial well-being but it can, in turn, have great consequences on your emotions and health.
Taking these factors into account, means the types of conundrums we look to solve for our clients include:
• How much is enough?
• Can I retire now or a point in the future?
• Can I pass monies to my children?
There is seldom an easy answer but for over 30 years, we have been devising plans and strategies to achieve the life goals of our clients. Having said all that, you can’t time the market but our clients will benefit most is ensuring they make the correct decisions at the key moments in life.
www.panoramicwealth.co.uk
In today’s fast-paced business environment, maintaining physical health is more crucial than ever. As employees juggle demanding schedules and deadlines, the importance of integrating fitness into the workplace cannot be overstated. Investing in physical health not only enhances individual wellbeing but also drives organisational success, creating a win-win situation for both employees and employers.
providing healthy snacks, promoting balanced meals can make a substantial difference. Simple changes, such as offering fruits and nuts instead of sugary snacks, can help maintain energy levels and cognitive function throughout the day. Promoting fitness can help prevent chronic illnesses which are often exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices.
Poor Health: 35M days lost every year (Health and Safety executive)
Workplace fitness programs are an excellent starting point. During Spring/ Summer, these initiatives could be as simple as encouraging lunchtime walking sessions to boost concentration and creative thinking. To more structured programs that include fitness challenges and health workshops to educate and inspire employees. Additionally, incentivising the use of stairs over lifts or promoting walking meetings can help incorporate more movement into the working day. These activities not only promote physical health but also build solidarity and strengthen team dynamics. Creating a positive workplace culture where everyone is involved, leading to a more positive and energetic work environment.
Studies show the benefits of prioritising physical health in the form of engaging employee wellbeing initiatives can lead to a healthier, more resilient workforce that are less likely to fall ill, which means fewer sick days and disruptions in workflow. Educating employees on nutrition,
Ergonomics is another critical aspect of workplace health. Proper ergonomic setups, including adjustable chairs, standing desks, and computer monitors at eye level, can prevent common issues such as back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and eye strain. By investing in ergonomic furniture and encouraging employees to maintain good posture, companies can reduce the risk of work-related injuries and enhance overall comfort.
A commitment to physical health in the workplace sends a powerful message to employees: their wellbeing matters. When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and loyal to the company. A healthy productive workforce will have obvious benefits to businesses. By making employee wellbeing a priority, businesses can cultivate a thriving environment where both individuals and organisations can reach their full potential.
Revive Health Fitness – specialised employee wellbeing courses. www.revivehealthfitness.co.uk
Muscular Skeletal: 28M days lost every year (Public Health England)
£128bn productivity loss 2022: Sickness, Absence, Presenteeism (Vitality Health)
With the General Election happening on July 4 Pam Loch, Solicitor and Managing Director at Loch Associates Group asks whether a new government will trigger some big changes in employment law…
In their Green Paper ‘A new deal for working people’, the Labour Party announced proposals for transformational changes to employment law, placing a particular focus on ‘pay, security, inequality and discrimination’. Given the outcome of the local elections appear to support the likelihood of a Labour Government in the imminent general election, it raises the question of whether a radical reform of employment law is now on the cards. Labour’s proposals would certainly swing the pendulum of power towards employees and workers, with the plan to create a single status for employees and workers, and the creation of employment protection from day one, an increased minimum wage, and more family-friendly rights and protection. Labour also plans to change the employment landscape by banning firing and re-hiring and giving employees the right to disconnect. Could these proposed reforms change the employment environment and create a nation of responsible, progressive employers, and positively impact talent attraction, productivity, and staff
“Could these
proposed
reforms create a nation of responsible, progressive employers, and positively impact talent attraction, productivity, and
staff retention?”
retention? Or are these measures going to impose greater risk and financial burden on small and medium sized businesses that are already stretched to their limits?
At present, there are three main categories of employment statusemployees, workers and self-employed – each with differing rights assigned to them. Labour proposes to create a single ‘worker’ status to apply to both workers and employees, while retaining a separate
category for the self-employed. Whilst there could be some merit in creating a more simplified approach, the creation of a single category could have quite significant consequences for businesses and industries who work with casual workers and consultants, who may not qualify as self-employed under Labour’s proposals. These groups do not currently qualify for benefits such as holiday and sick pay, pension, parental rights, and protection under unfair dismissal, they could if Labour goes ahead with its plans. As a result, businesses who may be impacted by this will need to review the status of their staff and budget for the financial ramifications of more individuals acquiring rights that they do not currently have.
Protection from unfair dismissal was originally introduced under Edward Heath’s Conservative Government in 1971, with employees currently qualifying for this protection after almost two-
•
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years’ of service. Whilst this qualifying period has changed several times, Labour’s pledge to remove the qualifying period altogether, and give workers this protection from day one, could have significant consequences for businesses, placing more focus on recruitment due diligence and people management once employed.
It is worth keeping in mind the potentially significant financial risks a successful claim by an employee can create for a business. Whilst the removal of the cap on compensatory awards for unfair dismissal, as proposed in the Green Paper, would only apply to employers who find themselves liable, it is likely to result in employers being more risk averse, especially around dismissals.
Directors may also find themselves exposed as Labour plan to hold Directors personally liable for any unpaid money awarded to workers, meaning in the event of a potential business liquidation, workers could bring claims against the Directors’ personal wealth.
Labour have also set out proposals to tackle the ‘fire and rehire’ of employees, a practice where a business dismisses someone who has refused contractual changes and then re-hires them under the new terms. The Green Paper identifies
three areas that need to change to stop this practice, including:
• Improving information and consultation procedures to ensure workers are involved in the contractual changes;
• Making changes to trade union notice and balloting to allow for defensive action to be taken when this action occurs; and
• Adapting dismissal and redundancy legislation to prevent dismissals based on the non-acceptance of contractual changes.
The Green Paper also calls for an increased minimum wage, a right for workers to disconnect from work and employer communications, day one statutory sick pay, extension of paternity and maternity rights, and pregnancy protection with regard to return to work – all of which could have huge consequences for small and independent businesses.
The Green Paper clearly states Labour’s intentions to strengthen employee rights, reset the balance of power and place the onus on the employer to protect
all employees from day one of their employment. Whilst it will be interesting to see whether Labour fulfil their commitment of introducing a bill within 100 days of gaining power, (and when the changes then become law), it’s important that businesses get up to speed with these potential changes and are aware of the steps they would need to take to be legally compliant.
At Loch Associates Group, we can help you map your business through these potential reforms. We have created a special Level Up webinar that will consider the possible changes in Government and how this could impact employees and employers.
This FREE online event takes place on the 11th July 9.30-10.30 and will be led by myself and Ben Holt, Managing Director of Loch HR and Amy White, Head of Loch Training and Wellbeing.
To pre-register for this webinar please visit www.lochassociates.co.uk/level-up
“We do things differently”
This year Berwick Devoil
Healthcare Limited celebrates 30 years in business. Here its Group Operations Director Caroline Weiss-Jones tells Eileen Leahy more about what makes the company so unique in the world of health insurance…
Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited (BDHL) specialises in healthcare insurance policies and prides itself on offering a personally tailored service to both its individual and corporate clients.
Established in 1994 by a former PPP (now AXA) employee and her husband, it became Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited a year later in 1995.
“At this time the healthcare market was changing, and specialist brokers were few and far between. Yet with so many options becoming available, companies and families needed specific professional guidance in navigating the array of
product options,” explains Caroline WeissJones who took over the company with her husband Guy in 2002 and is its Group Operations Director.
“Most commercial insurance brokers and financial services advisors were not interested in providing in this specialist area and so there was a gap in the market.”
BDHL’s main headquarters are located in the former Romary Biscuit factory, which once held the Royal Warrant, on Church Road in Tunbridge Wells. The company is one of a very small number of specialist health and wellness care brokers in the UK.
“We are different because of the extensive range of products we offer,”
continues Caroline.
“These range from £10 a month health policies to global ones covering treatment in the USA which start at roughly £1000 per month and upwards. In addition, we offer services and advice to employers on their employee benefits as well as private family protection.”
Caroline says that BDHL prides itself on its substantial knowledge and believes that communication and clarity in the advice it offers is key.
We provide an extensive range of products. These range from £10 a month health policies to global ones which start from £1000 per month and upwards
“We speak regularly to our clients and truly understand their needs. We build relationships. We equally embrace the latest IT facilitators to streamline our business operations, employing things like client onboarding and data etc but when it comes to our clients we are not blinkered in our methods of communication. We feel that traditional methods of contact such as face-to-face meetings and telephone conversations remain the key to relationship longevity.”
Most of BDHL’s client base is predominately anchored in the South East of England, however Caroline says the company has clients as far north as Liverpool and Manchester and as far south as the Channel Islands with employees being covered from Brazil, to the UAE and the Far East.
“Our private and commercial clients are split 50/50 although the number of ‘lives’ protected on the commercial side of our business is significantly higher,” she adds.
“One of our commercial clients pays a premium in excess of £1.2m per annum and offers their employees several healthcare products and services such as menopause support, mental health support, dental insurance as well as standard private medical insurance. We have several titled and UHN private clients across the globe.
Some of our clients have been with us from the beginning and span 30 years.”
Caroline explains that BDHL’s approach to doing business prides itself on being bespoke. So does that mean clients can access real people on the phone easily, or meet them in person for example? “We alter our methods of communication to suit our clients,” states Caroline. “Part of our unique service is helping individuals when they are having issues getting their claims approved. This can be an exceptionally emotional and a stressful time following a diagnosis so being able to speak to a ‘human’ can be an immense relief – especially when navigating some of the jargon, particularly when it’s the same person that supports the client through every step of the way. This has on
so many occasions resulted in numerous referrals due to the service given. Our team will often go above and beyond in supporting their clients.”
As well as sourcing the best healthcare insurance for its clients, BDHL also ensures its own staff are well looked after. In what ways does Caroline and her team do this?
“We provide our staff with private medical insurance which also offers additional services and perks rewarding for a healthy lifestyle. This can include things like a free coffee every week, cinema tickets, discounts on sportswear and trainers, discounted gym membership and money-back rewards.
“Our staff also benefit from dental insurance and a cash plan. This provides them with optical tests and a contribution to glasses, additional dental benefits including cosmetic, osteopath, chiropractors, physiotherapy and massages - the latter of which includes things like hot stone massage as well as sports injury and deep tissue. They also are provided with life insurance, income protection and an employee mental health helpline that covers 24/7 telephone support and six to eight counselling sessions.”
The company also treats its team to drinks out, Christmas parties, a summer BBQ, team building events and the odd curry!
“We really value their input and enjoy their company,” explains Caroline.
Following Covid the team now works out of the office in Church Road three days a week and can work remotely the other two days a week.
“They also have full access to the office should they wish to escape working from home. The team is predominantly from Tunbridge Wells and with one or two driving in from slightly further afield,” states Caroline.
And finally what does the BDHL team
enjoy most about being based here?
“We love Tunbridge Wells! When we’re working out of the office we do our bit in supporting other local businesses by buying food and coffees. I personally love being able to walk through the town, most particularly the High Street, and into The Pantiles. My husband Guy and I have spent many years here and it is a very special place to us.
“Over the years we have established some amazing acquaintances and friends, often meeting for the first time at a business networking event and we continue to be humbled by the depth of these relationships and are very grateful for the opportunities.
“We do a fair deal of entertaining and enjoy seeing the opening of new businesses and the next generation making their mark.”
To celebrate BDHL’s 30th anniversary Caroline says they have a few plans in place.
“Firstly we have invited a small group from the local area to a celebration taking place at The Beacon in mid-June. We are hoping for a glorious sunny evening when we can raise a glass or two to the past 30 years. At the end of June we have a second celebration in London which will be for a handful of industry colleagues which we shall also look forward to immensely.”
www.bdhl.co.uk
Sophie Forrest-Lavery, CEO of Forrest Group, which specialises in HR, Training, Health & Safety and Payroll for its clients explains the difference between garden leave and pay in lieu of notice…
If you are looking to part ways with an employee, and you need them to leave the workplace asap, rather than working out their notice period, you may be trying to decide whether you place the individual on garden leave or end their employment immediately and pay them in lieu of their notice period.
If you are unsure of the difference between the two, read on as we’re going to explain.
Garden leave is usually used as a protective measure, to prevent an employee who is leaving from having continued access to confidential or sensitive data. This could be data that would be useful to a competitor, or
that would assist that employee to set up in competition with the employer.
The requirements for garden leave are as follows:
• An employee is told not to come to the office.
• They remain an employee and are entitled to their contractual pay and benefits.
• They are still bound by employee contractual obligations.
• They do not perform any work activities.
• They must not start work for a new employer.
Pay in lieu of notice removes the employee from the workplace immediately. It can also be used if the employee’s continued employment could negatively affect other team members
and/or the Company in general.
The requirements for pay in lieu of notice are as follows:
• An employee who receives a payment in lieu of notice does not have a notice period.
• They are free to go straight into other employment.
• They are no longer classed as an employee.
In either of these situations, the employee’s contract of employment should always be reviewed in advance of making a decision.
If you are unsure on the right course of action to take in a situation such as this, or other employment matter, please reach out to our team of professionals, we’d be happy to help.
Neil Simmons is Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine’s expert on recruitment. Here the founder of TN Recruits reveals principal ways to ensure prospective employers successfully retain their best people…
This might seem crazy for a recruiter to say, but we love working with companies that have great staff retention. Often we hear that recruitment consultants must love companies with high staff turnover but this really isn’t the case.
Typically, we are judged on how long one of our candidates stays with a company. If I’m honest, this is a little unfair. The recruitment sector charges an ‘Introduction Fee,’ therefore we introduce candidates to our clients, and it’s up to them to choose the right candidate and, most importantly, manage and train them appropriately so that they want to stay with the company.
Having said that, we do have a responsibility to introduce the right candidates to our clients in the first place, and if we don’t, we will lose the client—it’s as simple as that. But what are the best employers doing to retain their staff? Our experience and research show that these are the top three most important things to attract and retain the best talent:
This is the number one requirement our candidates look for. Whilst examples of how current employees have progressed their careers are useful, a number of the best organisations will have competency frameworks in place which measure performance and how one can reach the next level in their employment. Training also falls under this category. A solid induction period should be put in place to give a new person the best possible start in a new role. This should include a variety of training methods as not everyone learns in the same way. Classroom-style training will take you so far, but backed up with videos, role play, and deskside coaching, you can hopefully find the best way to meet your new incumbent’s needs.
Since the pandemic, it has become expected to provide some level of remote working. Certainly, when we take on a
“Career progression is the number one requirement our candidates look forand a number of the best organisations will have competency frameworks in place which measure performance and how one can reach the next level in their employment”
new vacancy from one of our clients at TN Recruits, if the role is 100% officebased, it tends to be a much harder sell when presenting it to our candidates. As an employer, I much prefer when my full team is in the office, but I can completely appreciate the benefits of home working as it helps with:
X Work-life balance.
X Saving costs on travel.
X Preventing the stress of the commute.
X Fewer distractions.
X Improved well-being.
In turn, an employer can expect a happier workforce who appreciate the flexibility and will be far more productive across the working week as a result of some autonomy.
Benefits
You don’t have to give 30 days of holiday or a 20% pension scheme—most businesses understandably want to be profitable—but there are some simple things you can do to keep your team onside. They include the following:
Healthcare:
With GP appointments becoming tougher to secure, a basic health insurance plan will often include telephone or video GP appointments which can be booked within 24 hours. It doesn’t have to cost the earth and is very well received. We use David O’Toole from WPA, who is well worth contacting for a no-obligation quote.
Free Parking:
If you can do it, it’s money well spent in my opinion. There is nothing worse than seeking a parking space in a town centre location every day. In return, an employer gets a happy employee arriving at work at a consistent time each day.
Team Social Events:
‘A team that plays together stays together’ is an old adage, but it is very true. A frequent reason for leaving that we hear from our candidates is that they are looking for a good team environment. That doesn’t necessarily mean they want to be throwing paper planes across the office or that they want to get drunk every Friday, but getting to know your colleagues outside of the office and finding common ground can only make for a happier workplace.
If you would like an extensive list of possible benefits, please feel free to email neil@tnrecruits.com. www.tnrecruits.com
Claire Jarvis is a former Director of Communications for Siemens plc but now runs Work in Harmony, a consultancy that helps leaders build a positive team culture. This summer Claire is also hosting training courses aimed at young people transitioning from full-time education to work. Here the entrepreneur reveals more about those and her work…
Claire, when did you start Work in Harmony and why?
After leaving my corporate role as Director of Communications for Siemens plc in 2017, I felt lost for a while. Eventually, an organisation called Careershifters helped me to go from not knowing what I wanted to do next to launching a business that totally aligns with my values and interests. I realised the thing I missed most about my job was leading, engaging and motivating my team. A contact suggested that I should set up a consultancy to help other leaders engage their people. They also introduced me to the concept of team relationship coaching and I retrained in that as well as workplace mediation. Harmony is one of my key values as I like people to get on and respect each other’s perspectives, so Work in Harmony was born in 2021.
What type of techniques do you employ to get teams to switch up their thinking?
With my corporate experience in leadership I have a range of tools I can deploy when working with teams depending on the brief. One of the simple things I love to do is to develop a team contract. This is a useful tool to establish or reset the culture. Making sure everyone sticks with it can be very powerful.
Tell us about the new training course which helps young people to get into working after full-time education?
What would you say are the biggest issues people come to you with?
Common issues are toxic behaviours within teams, integration issues after a restructure, merger or acquisition, or conflict between individuals in a team who have different personalities or working styles. It’s my role is to help create separation between the personal and business relationships. And my preference is always to be on site with team as it’s much easier to read the room.
Fellow consultant Nicole Godetz and I met when we were both working for a mediation company. While we have very different backgrounds, we share a view that, in this age of AI, it is critical that people develop those skills that remain inherently human. So we formed a partnership to codesign and deliver soft skills training. We train people in topics such as honest conversations, toxic communications, listening skills, speaking up and speaking with confidence. “Finding Me in My Future Work Team” is our latest CPD-accredited oneday course to help young people make the transition from education to the workplace.
How does it help young people identify the right kind of workplace culture for them?
It’s a fun and interactive course and, as well as honing important communication skills, we share plenty of tips to help them get on at work. These include things you can do to get on in a workplace that cost
Building a positive team culture and engaging my people has always been a priority for me
nothing and require neither talent nor training, such as turning up on time, being prepared and going the extra mile. The main objective is when they turn up at work for the first time, they do so with knowledge and skills that help them to feel confident and prepared.
Do you feel there aren’t that many courses available like this one?
Our impression is that young people can find a lot of support to help them find a job, for example CV-writing and interview skills training, but there are not many courses that prepare them to enter a workplace, navigate the culture and communicate with colleagues and other stakeholders effectively once they’ve secured the job offer. With our course, participants also learn from two people who have plenty of experience in the topics we teach - Nicole as a former executive headteacher and me as a former senior leader in a large corporate. We don’t just understand the theory of what we teach, we understand it in practice too.
Claire and Nicole will be running the youth training course for young people in Tunbridge Wells later in the summer. For more info visit workinharmony.uk/findingme
Simon Court is the author of Founder’s Legacy, Fifty GameChanging Leadership Lessons for Building a Great Business which was published in March this year. Here he tells Eileen Leahy more about the book and his Value Partnership consultancy...
So Simon, let's start by you telling us a little bit about Value Partnership...
My wife Jane and I founded Value Partnership 26 years ago. We had both been employed up to this point in various companies. We had both experienced good and poor leadership and decided to establish a leadership consultancy that would make a genuine difference to the success and impact of individuals, teams and companies.
What does your work involve?
Helping our clients to lead better through coaching individuals and teams, and with bigger companies we run development workshops for groups of senior leaders. The coaching we do is designed to enable founders and leaders to transform the prospects of their business.
In what ways can you help transform leadership and ultimately a business?
A combination of expertise in leadership development and a deep understanding of the startup and scaleup ecosystem creates powerful leverage to unlock the growth potential of a business. Coaching helps founder leaders to address the big questions that they face and to do that in a way that is consistent with their strengths, values, and purpose.
What do you find the most rewarding thing is about the work you do?
We are entrusted with the full extent of the challenges that our clients face, including what keeps them awake at night. This is a privilege that requires high levels of trust and considered judgment. Helping a leader grow, find their conviction and seeing their team and business flourish as a result is profoundly satisfying. Two of my clients, Miniclip and Tipico, became ‘unicorns’, worth more than a billion dollars, but it is helping the people to grow that rewards me the most.
And what, if any, are the challenges involved?
There are many, enough to fill a book! Being a founder is a bit like being a parent, you have no idea how to be a good one the first time around, so you have to keep learning and be ready to adapt. One challenge that has become central in recent years is the highly volatile nature of the business context.
A pandemic, rampant inflation, artificial intelligence, regional conflicts are just some of the many forces creating an extremely challenging environment in which to lead a business. And you have to remember the golden rule –you only run out of cash once. That’s a strong driving force.
A combination of expertise in leadership development and a deep understanding of the startup and scaleup ecosystem creates powerful leverage to unlock the growth potential of a business
What types of businesses have you collaborated with over the years?
year. The book, which was published in March of this year, includes research findings such as ‘Navigating your Business Journey to Successfully Scale and Grow’, that we at Value Partnership carried out in 2018. And it draws on a deep well of experience that goes back nearly three decades.
Are you planning on doing any other local promo other than your recent Auction House chat?
So many. The sectors include entertainment, gaming, biotechnology, technology, travel, insurance, and venture capital. In many countries across the globe. The businesses are private, backed by venture capital or private equity, or are publicly owned. In part, it’s the variety of that experience that makes us particularly valuable to our clients – for example, more established industries can learn much from emergent ones and the same can be true in reverse.
How did your book Founder’s Legacy come about?
I have got to the stage in my life where I feel a strong need to share what I have learned. And to make it accessible to any founder or leader, wherever they are in their business journey, including right at the beginning. Founding your own business and growing it successfully is hard. I wanted to help a wide community of founders – both locally and internationally.
How long did it take to research and write? I started writing in 2022 – the first draft, including desk research, took about a
Yes, things are being planned for the Autumn. I am very keen to support local businesses since I live in Langton Green and have been in the area for 30 years. Readers can follow me on LinkedIn where I regularly post new articles and let you know what’s coming up…do reach out and I will see if I can help.
SIMON COURT’S KEY GAMECHANGING LESSONS FOR RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS:
1. Surround yourself with good people – for example, find the right co-founder, not just someone you trust but someone who can really contribute to building the business alongside you
2. Look after yourself – you will burnout if you try to do everything yourself so be ready to build a team and let go
3. Constantly adapt and learn – don’t get too attached to your initial ideas, they will almost certainly not be right
4. Don’t give up – it will get hard so keep in mind that one of the greatest qualities founders need is resilience
5. Act with integrity at all times – trust and goodwill will be worth their weight in gold, especially when times are tough
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The TN card is the not-for-profit loyalty card that rewards our community for supporting local at over 900 independents across Tunbridge Wells and the TN postcodes. This month founder Jess Gibson chats to James Worby and Bradley Munro at JAMES|MUNRO hair salon, located on the High Street, about why they’re a cut above the rest…
James and Bradley, when did JAMES|MUNRO open and is this your first business venture?
We opened the doors to JAMES|MUNRO on the 30th of September 2021, just as the final Covid lockdown lifted. For both of us this was our first business venture. Having both worked in the hairdressing
industry for fourteen years and now unable to work due to Covid restrictions, the idea of creating a cutting-edge salon space was born. It took a lot of work and sacrifice, but we made it happen, and couldn’t be happier with the result. We have both always lived locally to Tunbridge Wells and to have a shop in the heart of the town really is a dream come true.
What led to you launching a business together?
We both had the ambition of one day opening a salon, ever since we started cutting hair. It was really Covid that gave us a moment to stop and think about the direction our lives were moving in, and we decided to take that leap of faith. We had worked together at a local salon and believed we could each bring our unique
Nestled within a wildflower meadow, our site provides the perfect balance between luxurious glamping and nature, with all the peace and tranquillity you need to relax your mind, body and soul. Just bring yourselves, we have everything you need for a fabulous break away!
Fully equipped kitchen for all your catering needs
Premium flushable toilets with rainfall showers
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Stunning wildflower meadow setting with views across the High Weald
Walking and cycling routes to amazing gastro pubs directly from the site
A multitude of activities to suit every taste on our doorstep
Located just outside the spa town of Tunbridge Wells and walking distance to Groombridge village
individual skills and talents, to collectively create an industry-leading company. Between the two of us we have trained with Toni & Guy and London School Of Barbering, allowing us to combine high-end hairdressing with contemporary barbering.
You’ve expanded your team and you are now also extending your services to women’s hair…
Yes! It was always our intention to grow the JAMES|MUNRO brand into much more than a high-end men’s salon. Training as women’s hairdressers at Toni & Guy gave us a really good idea of what it would take to create a high-end women’s hair salon. We are extremely proud to have the talented Bryony Bond heading it up. Having worked at some of Tunbridge Wells’ best female salons we really feel she shares our vision for creating an industry-leading salon environment.
How would you define the JAMES|MUNRO style?
We would say our style is a blend of innovative modern hairdressing and
contemporary barbering. We always wanted to create an environment where scissor work takes priority as we really believe this is what makes the difference between an average haircut and a great one. We want each customer to leave feeling we have been able to listen to them, understand their idea and make it a reality. Creating a haircut that truly lasts until their next visit.
How are you finding Tunbridge Wells as a place to do business?
We both love Tunbridge Wells. Having worked in the area for over fourteen years we couldn’t think of a better place to start our first business venture. We love how collaborative the town is and how nice it is that all the local businesses help each other – it feels like a real community. We also love the diversity here which as hairstylists gives us such a variety of styles and looks to work with day to day. In terms of our location, we are very happy with where we are positioned – we feel like the old High Street is an iconic area of Tunbridge Wells and we’re in the heart of the action.
Why was it important to you to join the TN card and how do you thank members for supporting local?
Being part of the TN card has been a major factor in the success of our business. We love everything it stands
for and most importantly, our customers love it. We provide 10% discount on all our services and products to TN card members as a reward for supporting local. Huge thanks to you Jess, for inviting us to be part of such a fantastic scheme.
What does the future hold for JAMES|MUNRO?
The future looks bright at JAMES|MUNRO. Feedback from our customers has been amazing and we both feel very privileged to be able to wake up every day and do something we love. We have some big plans in motion for 2024 which we can’t wait to announce – we feel that there’s a lot that’s been overlooked by existing brands so we are in the process of creating something very special. We have just taken on a new graduate stylist, Kai, and we will be working hard this year to grow our amazing team further.
Address:
87 High St, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1YG TN card reward: 10% discount
“A
Restaurateur entrepreneur and local Alliance Councillor Matthew Sankey reveals the new lineup for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and discusses how it functions
Seeing as the new municipal year has just begun I thought I would share with you how our Council operates.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) is made up with a Cabinet structure that is also known as an ‘Executive Arrangement’, with a Leader and Cabinet.
What this means is that the group with the largest number of seats is then invited to form the administration. Previously, in order to produce a majority, a partnership was formed by The Liberal Democrats, Labour and my group, The Alliance. However, this year the Liberal Democrats won enough seats to form their own majority.
Our council is now made up as follows:
22 Lib Dem 7 Conservative
5 Labour 4 Alliance
1 Independent
This is the result of the Election held on May 4. It was an unusual election due to the borough’s boundaries being redrawn and a reduction in councillors from 48 to 39. You can draw many conclusions into the results - but that’s for another time…
The Leader of the party, in this case Ben Chapelard, then selects the cabinet. TWBC has eight cabinet members and each one has a small portfolio of responsibilities, you will hear the term ‘Portfolio Holder’ when people refer to cabinet members.
Each member has a specific amount of delegated authority over decisions that can be made for each portfolio. Anything further than this moves up to the Cabinet which has a slightly larger delegated authority over all of these portfolios. Beyond that things must go to Full Council.
The Cabinet essentially manages the day-to-day running of the Council, working with the departmental heads to ensure the direction of travel follows the course laid out by the political ambitions of the majority holding party.
Now we enter the world of Committees and Cabinet Advisory groups. These committees are varied and deal with numerous matters. They are all built upon the political balance, which allocates seats to each party based on
“The Cabinet manages the day-to-day running of the Council, working with the departmental heads to ensure the direction of travel follows the course laid out by the political ambitions of the majority holding party
”the percentage of seats they have on the Council. The more seats a group has, the more members they get in each committee – this is ensure that the electoral will of the public is fairly distributed.
TWBC has the following committees:
Full Council: As the name suggests this is everyone and matters that are not dealt with delegated powers end up here.
Audit & Governance: I actually chair this committee and it is responsible for the Council's audit, regulatory framework, statutory accounts and governance.
Licensing: This committee looks after the Council’s authority to issue and manage the borough's licenses, such as taxis and pubs. Individual licensing issues are dealt with a subcommittee where a threemember panel will review each case. I am a member of this.
Planning: Probably the busiest committee of the lot. This deals with all the planning applications that are not dealt with under delegated authority to the officers.
Overview & Scrutiny: This committee is usually chaired by a member of the opposition, and it gets to go over all the decisions made by the Council, it can even send them back too. It’s very much a fail-safe and I am a substitute on this particular board.
In addition to these, there are also Cabinet Advisory Boards. These look at all the decisions being made by the Cabinet and advice is given on all events prior to a final decision by Cabinet.
Their names are self-explanatory and are linked to the Cabinet roles. Members (of the Cabinet) are not allowed to chair these, but they are usually members. This isn’t to my liking, as it’s very much a way of marking one’s homework I feel. They used to chair them, but we managed to put a stop to that last year.
Included in these advisory boards are Communities, Housing, & Environment and Finance, Innovation & Transformation. I am Vice Chair of the latter.
Work flows through all of these various committees and boards, ensuring that every single thing the Council does is debated and scrutinised at every turn.
Remember each of these boards is comprised of members based on the political balance. This is why the political balance of our Council is so important. If one group has a majority, then they can push things through all these processes without any resistance.
A balanced Council can ensure that everything has universal support. There was once a time when one group held every seat, what happened back then, well it’s not worth going through again is it? This is why the local elections are so important.
If you managed to get through all this you deserve a cuppa and a biscuit, or perhaps something stronger, thank you.
So what would you like me to cover next month? Pop me a question marked for my attention to:
hello@twbusinessmagazine.com
I look forward to hearing from you…
Last month at Annual Council, Leader of the Council Ben Chapelard announced his new Cabinet. They include: Cllr Justine Rutland, Economic Development and Deputy Leader; Cllr Chris Hall, Finance and Property; Cllr Astra Birch, Housing and Communities; Cllr Rob Wormington, Environment and Sustainability; Cllr Pamela Wilkinson, Sports, Leisure and Health; Cllr Matt Lowe, Planning; Cllr Mark Ellis,
Innovation and Transformation. For more information on their roles and responsibilities visit www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Cllr Nancy Warne has been announced as the new Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. As well as representing the borough of Tunbridge Wells, during their term of office the Mayor supports local charitable causes and Nancy has chosen Wellbeing in the Weald as her
charity to fundraise for over the coming year. Wellbeing in the Weald is a small local charity offering support and activities to people living in Cranbrook (Kent) and the surrounding villages. The charity primarily supports those who are finding life difficult, whether through loss, loneliness, depression, or other unforeseen circumstances. Cllr David Osborne has been elected as Deputy Mayor.
Following the successful launch of Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine Awards coming early in 2025! The awards will recognise, reward and celebrate the variety of
Loch Associates Group is a team of Solicitors and people professionals with a strong purpose. We are here to support the creation of responsible, progressive, and high performing businesses and individuals.
We make this happen by understanding our client’s business, asking some bold questions, and crafting a strategic plan that provides bespoke advice and solutions that enable and empower employees and employers to be their very best.
If you are looking for a role within a dynamic, energetic team where you can drive real value and impact to our clients, then look our way! We are currently recruiting into the following roles.
We are looking for an experienced Employment Solicitor with at least 3 years PQE to join our team. This role will be key in helping to develop and grow our business within the South East. You will work closely with our team of Employment Solicitors and Support team to deliver an excellent service to our clients.
We are looking for an HR professional who is CIPD qualified, or studying towards, with a strong employee relations background and with hands on experience. You will work proactively with CEOs, MD’s, Trustees and Business owners to build and develop strong working relationships.
Both of these roles are FT posts and located in either our Tunbridge Wells or our Eastbourne office. Competitive salary and benefits package.
To find out more about these roles, please visit www.lochassociates.co.uk/join-our-team
Tunbridge Wells
£42,000+
A general private client role with a long-standing firm. 2 days working from home, flexibility on hours + benefits
Applications: emma@tnrecruits.com
Tunbridge Wells
Up to £25,000 + commission
Insurance Advisor based in the heart of Tunbridge Wells! Great Team and environment with lots of opportunity to make money with the top consultants earning £3,000+ commission each month.
Full Training provided!
Applications: jo@tnrecruits.com
Tunbridge Wells
£11.50 per hr
Working in a busy team, friendly office environment. You will be speaking with clients, booking in appointment, and scheduling events. Full training given and the option to become a permanent member of the team.
Applications: melissa@tnrecruits.com
Tonbridge
Up to £50,000
Varied role, managing your own clients. Hybrid working – 2 days a week from home. Generous benefits and holiday allowance.
Applications: rachel@tnrecruits.com
2 days T Wells/3 days London
£35,000 basic plus commission
Opportunity to build a territory and make a difference, large expanding company offering great career prospects.
Applications: helen@merecruits.com
Tunbridge Wells
£25,000 - £30,000 + monthly commission, quarterly bonus & annual bonus
4-day working week, free central Tunbridge Wells parking, Hybrid working options and many more.
Applications: ellie@tnrecruits.com
Kings Hill
£24,000
Administration, process led role. Client relations skill-set required.
Award-Winning Company with free parking. Good benefits package.
Applications: helen@merecruits.com
Tunbridge Wells
Circa £28,000
Events Coordinator to support group client bookings including hotels, flights, trains etc. Must have Business Travel or Group Travel booking experience.
Fantastic company offering an on-site gym and a great environment.
Applications: jo@tnrecruits.com
Simon Howson-Green reveals the perils of being involved in a business that’s run by your nearest and dearest…
Running a family business is a serious business and here in the Garden of England we do family business better than anyone.
Here’s a few numbers to prove it. There are five million family businesses in the UK. That’s about 84% of the private sector right there. It’s big business, or put another way, a lot of smaller fish taking up more space than a few big fish and pretty much filling the pond.
In Kent alone we have an estimated fifty thousand family firms swimming in the pool. That’s above the average compared to the other 108 counties in the UK.
All good so far. But this happy picture comes with a warning: Times they are a changing.
That’s according to Anita Brightly Hodges. She ran the Kent-based Family and Family Office networking organisation Family Business Place for twenty years. She tried to retire but she’s back advising family Businesses of all shapes and sized from all over the world. (see more here www. anitabrightleyhodges.co.uk )
“In the modern family business, the world postpandemic has changed beyond recognition,” she says. But that massive jolt to the way we were was just one of many.
“With the advent of all things internet and AI it is more important than ever that family businesses and family offices wake up and smell the coffee around compliance, diversity, social corporate responsibility and of course environmental, social and boardroom governance.
“CSR* and ESG** are now part of the essentials for organisations to trade successfully around the world across all sectors, empathetic and respectful of cultures, local and global politics, world peace and fair trade.
“The media, including social media, is no longer under the control of the few corporations. We can say what we want, control governments, leaders, fix voting and lobby individually and systematically - all under the wire. Family firms need to move with the times.”
“
In Kent alone we have an estimated fifty thousand family firms swimming in the pool. That’s above the average compared to the other 108 counties in the UK
This sounds like heavy stuff to me, but I sense what Anita is saying is family firms need to move with the times and their very makeup makes that challenging.
Speaking from personal experience I would argue that one major upside to a family business is the generations of experience that is right there on the boardroom table. But sometimes that comes at a price.
My own family business was founded a century and a half ago. It’s steadily grown but has no intention of taking over the world. It holds its own and always pays a healthy dividend, which, let’s face it, is enough to keep most of the shareholders quiet. They even get a nice buffet thrown in once a year at the AGM.
When my father, the Chairman, died ten years ago and my sister was voted onto the board, that small change lowered the average age of the board members by a few years. But now, a decade later that average is back above 70. According to ResearchGate the national average age in the UK of board members of a family business is 54. Time for a rethink?
“Change is never a breeze with a family firm,” says Anita. “It takes the will to learn, share, seek advice, knowledge, time, money and commitment to change and put ego aside. Unlike days gone by when heads of family business called all the
“shots with little need to heed the advice of experts.
“Navigating the challenging and complex landscape of doing business and looking after the family wealth was often hidden in plain sight and any little issues of an unsavoury nature could be swept under the carpet. In a world of laser eyes regulation this is no longer possible.”
Here's a small anecdote to finish: Back in my own family firm I’m an outcast, of course. I have nothing to do with it. I’m the one family member who hasn’t sat on the board. I enjoy my annual divvy and stay quiet. But staying quiet was not always my way. Afterall, I had been dragged along to the AGM every July from the age of ten.
The format was simple. Swan up to the
A family business is the lifeblood of business in Royal Tunbridge Wells and its surrounds. Family firms are the cogs in the engine which drives our prosperity. Tell us your experiences and thoughts. We are on the cusp of change, with an election
country club, be nice to people, don’t talk about business. Go into the AGM. Vote how you’d been told to vote and re-elect the same bods to the board. It workedfor decades. We all got some money and a lovely buffet and a chance to pay our dues to some distant relative with a hat and a ‘truss’.
That was until 1995. My father: Mr Chairman would give his report and say, ‘Any questions?’ and sit down. But on this year, I put my hand up. You could have cut the atmosphere quicker than a spongy retirement cake.
I offered this: “With the arrival of the World Wide Web would it be sensible to start to look at developing a website as I believe that in a few years most business enquiries will be generated online.”
The issue here was, I suspect, not one member of the board had the slightest idea what I was talking about. Young upstart!
But I was right. By 2018 ninety percent of our new business came from internet enquiries and social media data capture. Back then, when Muggins here opened his trap no one spoke to me for the rest of the day. Well, I showed them… mind you
We were excited to be part of the first edition of Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine. We knew it would be great PR for us, and this has certainly been the case. We have had a number of comments and compliments from our clients, in addition, we have had new business enquiries from companies we didn't know before and applications from fresh candidates we wouldn't otherwise have heard from. If you’re looking for additional regional business, we'd certainly recommend the magazine
Neil Simmons Managing Director of TN Recruits Ltd
RTW Together Business Improvement District is creating a dedicated fanzone over the Wimbledon Finals Weekend on July 13 and 14. Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine finds out more about this inaugural idea which is sure to prove very popular for any tennis fans in the town…
GAME SET AND MATCH: LIVE COVERAGE ON THE BIG SCREEN
We’ve seen Murray’s Mount, Henman Hill ….. and now RTW Together BID brings you Calverley Grounds’ The Royal Ridge where you can watch all the live tennis action from 11am on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July on RTW’s huge 5m x 3m screen. This is your chance to enjoy all the excitement of the Wimbledon Finals Weekend so why not bring your friends and family and make a weekend of it?
LOVE ALL: DELICIOUS FOOD PACKAGES TO ENJOY
We are delighted to be working with some of our incredible hospitality businesses to bring you pre-ordered mouth-watering packages for lunch, afternoon tea or simple strawberries and cream (well it wouldn’t be Wimbledon without them!) Visit www.rtwtogether.com/ rtwfanzone to find pre-order packages from The Pantiles Café & Bar, Taste Wells and Arte Bianca. Simply select your package and contact the café directly to purchase by Wednesday 10 July (payment
must be made in advance). Then just pick up from the café in the morning before you head over to Calverley Grounds – just remember to take a coolbag to store your gastro goodies in.
ADVANTAGE POINT: GREAT ENTERTAINMENT ON OFFER
Onsite, there will also be a fully-licensed bar from Fonthill Brewing Co. and a mobile café from The Lodge. Children’s entertainment will include face painting and garden games, hosted by five of our amazing local charities; Demelza, TaylorMade Dreams, Age UK Tunbridge Wells, Restore Counselling and The Counselling Centre. All we ask is for you to make a small donation each time you play!
COURTING FAVOUR: GREAT SEATING
There is some deck chair seating, available on a first come, first served basis but you are also welcome to bring your own chairs or rugs. There will be an area for people on rugs to the front of the seated area, but please note that some
seating will be on the slope of The Royal Ridge to give everyone a good view of the screen.
Alex Green, CEO of RTW Together BID told Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine: “We are incredibly excited to be launching Royal Tunbridge Wells’ very first fanzone.
“There is nothing more exciting than watching live action sport on a big screen outdoors and Wimbledon Finals weekend seemed like the perfect event to kick off with! We are working with some of our brilliant local hospitality providers who are offering pre-order food packages and there will be a fully licensed bar and mobile café on site too, so we are hoping that the event will be really well supported by local residents and tourists alike.
“If this event goes well we may well look at bringing more fanzone events to Calverley Grounds in the coming years.”
For more information please visit www.rtwtogether.com/ rtwfanzone or scan the QR code
In her column for this month’s Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine Becky Moran of TN Lettings looks at how the impending General Election will impact lettings…
Whilst ‘fever’ may not be the right term as a noun many landlords may be suffering from a fever as a verb waiting anxiously on what the outcome of the election and what it will mean for their rental properties. Likewise, tenants will hope for change in laws such as the no-fault eviction law, long promised by the Conservative’s Michael Gove but put on the back burner whilst the Government ensures the courts can cope with the slew of legal cases that will occur. What is currently unclear, with manifestos not yet published at the time of writing, is what each party’s stance will be around housing but what we do know is it will be a major battleground for votes. There are an estimated 2.8 million landlords in the UK and around 1 in 5 live in rented accommodation - that’s a lot of votes available based on housing policy. There is still a huge hole in housing stock required in the UK. Some estimates put it as high as four million and increasing. So with the current aim of building 300,000 new homes per year, realistically speaking it would take nearly 50 years to catch up. So what therefore does a landlord do? Unless you’ve got a crystal ball it’s hard to tell. The Bank of England in its monthly report talks about interest rates being likely to drop in the second half year which may give some comfort - especially to those who are coming out of a fixed rate mortgage in the next 12 months. No political party has mentioned anything
“There are an estimated 2.8 million landlords in the UK and around 1 in 5 live in rented accommodation - that’s a lot of votes available based on housing policy
about the tax burden on landlords or confirmed any housing policy.
Recently we’ve seen some landlords putting their properties up for sale and this in turn causes the current tenants to become rightly anxious about their future in that property with many looking to move on and secure a suitable home for themselves. With the current market in sales moving somewhat slower than it has been, houses are taking an average of six months to sell. Then there’s the wait to see if this sale goes through with buyers struggling to secure mortgages as easily as they used to with the current affordability and the property needing to value to the right figure for the mortgage to proceed. This then leaves the landlords with void periods as the tenants have moved on and the landlords still potentially have mortgages to pay. This sometimes can be for extended periods and costs start to build causing no choice but to re-rent the property out again.
Whilst the housing market will go up and down in the short term and Government policy may change, what history does show us is that property is a stable long-term investment. This is highlighted in the fact that 68% of landlords are over 55 years old. I do think the lesson here is if you plan to sell, sell quickly at the right price or at auction unless you can cover the mortgage for at least six months. To discuss you’re your rental property please do call me on 01892 249070. www.tnlettings.co.uk
“Manifestos are unlikely to affect the market”
Deborah Richards
takes the temperature of the housing market ahead of the impending election on July 4…
Acommon question of the moment is unsurprisingly: “How do you feel the General Election will impact the property market?”
Many believe it will cause uncertainty, making now a bad time to sell. However, research and analysis of previous General Elections reveals that this is not true.
Many predicted that the election would be called in the autumn. However, with inflation at last nearing the Government and Bank of England target, the economy feeling broadly stable and the opinion polls not as conclusive as expected, Rishi
Sunak’s decision is maybe not a surprise. For the last two years now, the spring market has certainly been the dominant selling market, and this year has been no exception. There was a slight concern that activity may suddenly cool as the result of the surprise announcement, but as I write now, at Maddisons we are seeing no decline in enquiry levels from either buyers or sellers, and deals continue to be agreed and completed. Research from Rightmove supports what we are seeing. Their recent poll of 14,322 buyers found that 95% were determined to proceed with their homebuying or
selling plans despite the election. Further analysis of year-on-year buyer demand for the 2015 and 2019 elections also revealed steady activity in the lead-up to the vote.
Analysis of Government house price data by eXp UK has further shown that home sellers should not be fearing an election-induced house price slump. They found that house price growth in the year following the last 10 general elections, stretching back to 1983, increased by a respectable 5.4% on average, after allowing for inflation.
In fact, since 1983, house prices have increased every year following a General Election, except for in 1992 and 2010, when of course the market was still in recovery following the early 1990s
I believe the spring market in Tunbridge Wells will continue to run - house prices have increased every year following an election “ ”
recession and the 2008 financial crisis. Different manifestos from the political parties are equally unlikely to affect the market. They may address new home developments and stamp duty for first time buyers, but for most it will simply be more of the same. Furthermore, we now seem to live in a constantly evolving social, economical and political climate. Recently we have seen a departure from the EU, a pandemic, a war in Ukraine and a cost-of-living crisis. And whilst the changing backdrop of our lives may change, the changing needs that our homes need to meet do not. Families still want more space and close proximity to great schooling. Downsizers still want to free up equity to help their children and live in a home that requires less upkeep. Divorces and deaths sadly continue.
His recent words asserted his love for our town: “I have felt proud and grateful to be able to speak and fight in the House of Commons for the people of this beautiful place”.
Of course, Tunbridge Wells recently learned that our long-serving MP, Greg Clarke, will not be standing for another term, commenting that it is ‘time to pass the baton on’.
These words summarise why I believe the spring market in Tunbridge Wells will continue to run, and additionally the autumn market will now be a strong selling season. Our beautiful town with its fabulous amenities, historical architecture, green open spaces, first-class schooling options and transport links will continue to be where many want to call home, regardless of the events that continue to form the backdrop to our lives.
www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk
Beau Property has created a fully sustainably sourced show home in the former Laura Ashley building on Calverley Street in Tunbridge Wells. We find out more…
Tunbridge Wells-based company
Beau Property has created a show home that has been created using only sustainably sourced furniture.
The show home, located at 61 Calverley Street, is part of a clever conversion of the former Laura Ashley building which now boasts a mixture of both commercial and residential.
The three-storey, terraced Grade II listed Decimus Burton designed building, which dates back to approximately 1835, was occupied by Laura Ashley from the 1980s up until 2020.
It has now been restored to its former glory with the ground floor remaining commercial and the upper floors being transformed into three apartments by Beau Property. The characterful apartments, all of which boast underfloor heating, are all individually styled.
The show home project was inspired by the late father of Beau Property’s founder
Chris Hammond. He left a collection of antique and unique furniture after he passed away last year.
Working with Ellen Leedham, interior design director at Beau Property, much of the other furniture used was upcycled, reupholstered and repurposed to create the show home and also included pieces from Ardingly Antiques Fair, Faversham Antiques Market, eBay, Gumtree, Vinted, Etsy and local charity shops. In addition, Ellen and her team have used wallpapers and lampshades from surplus stock. There is even a nod to the building’s former use as a Laura Ashley shop, with prints and fabrics subtly incorporated.
Mike Churchill of Savills Tunbridge Wells says: “Beau Property have crafted three truly unique apartments, restoring this historic building to its former glory.”
Prices are from £415,000. For more information, contact Savills Tunbridge Wells on 01892 507000.
Handelsbanken has a different perspective from many other banks. We’re driven by satisfying our customers, taking a long-term view and investing time to get to know each customer, their needs and ambitions.
Here at Handelsbanken, we’re committed to relationship-led banking, with a dedicated account manager who gets to know you and your aspirations. Our unique approach means our colleagues are empowered to make key decisions in branch. It’s this approach that has seen us ranked top for customer satisfaction in an independent survey of UK banks for personal and business customers, for 15 years running (epsi-rating.com, 2009-2023). We have also been named as the most recommended provider for relationship / account management for SMEs by the Competition and Markets Authority’s Independent Service Quality Survey (August 2023).
Handelsbanken was founded in Sweden in 1871, and has built a network of branches serving communities across Great Britain. We have a wide range of services, from mortgages to wealth management for personal customers, and services for businesses including financing, FX and treasury services and financial planning.
Where to wind down in the Wells
Discover the joys of alfresco life at Caracol Camping
Food for thought
Local hospitality entrepreneurs explain their culinary vision
Adventure time
Where to go and what to do this month in Tunbridge Wells
History lesson
Antiques expert Mark Hill on the resurgence of a local collectible
Welcome to your June issue of After Hours. This month in our dedicated lifestyle section we bring you a foodie special where we talk to some of the area's leading hospitality entrepreneurs about what makes them stand out from the culinary crowd.
Becky Moran, who co-owns The George & Dragon pub in Speldhurst guides us through the fascinating journey of acquiring this historic hostelry during Covid and breathing new life into it courtesy of a varied menu that's curated with passion. Murat Askin from TN1 restaurant tells us how in just three years his central Tunbridge Wells bar and restaurant has enjoyed huge success, resulting in the acquisition of a second eatery on The Pantiles. He and his team have perfected all the right ingredients for a fantastic dining experience: delicious, locally sourced food, an inviting ambience and great live music. We also discover why Zorba's Turkish restaurant continues to be one of Tunbridge Wells' best loved thanks to its authentic menu and fantastic
front of house team who make spending time there so enjoyable.
We're also delighted to feature acclaimed chef Robin Read's new venture The Counter which opened in April and is based in the heart of town. The fine dining restaurant has proved to be enormously popular with the foodies of Tunbridge Wells and beyond courtesy of its adventurous menu and commitment to epicurean excellence. We also head to Chapel Down to discover more about the award-winning vineyard's seriously impressive restaurant The Swan which is the perfect spot for lunch with friends or a special family occasion.
Elsewhere we have our usual round-up of what to do and see over the next few weeks courtesy of My Tunbridge Wells' Clare Lush's top picks and a special focus on the forthcoming Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival which takes place from the end of this month. Expect two weeks of great comedy, live music, spoken word poetry and plays thanks to this fabulous event.
Enjoy!
Acclaimed chef Robin Read has just opened The Counter, his first restaurant in Tunbridge Wells. With an impressive culinary CV that includes Executive Chef at the prestigious Firmdale Hotel Group and working with Michelin star chefs Nico Ladenis and Marco Pierre White, plus roles at Le Gavroche and The Square, the talented chef is now bringing his signature epicurean vision to discerning diners courtesy of his chic Calverley Road restaurant...
After years of planning, whilst building up a strong customer base through pop ups and private dining, The Counter is the fruition of the long-held dream of Robin Read to have his own restaurant.
Born from a long family history of serving the best produce over a counter, Robin’s maternal grandfather was a master butcher in Rugeley, Staffordshire, while on his paternal side, his greatgrandfather was a greengrocer in Lewisham, South London.
Together with his wife Greta, they have taken on a 200-year-old Georgian building in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, which includes the main restaurant with table and counter dining, private dining room, small wine bar and courtyard garden, with raised beds and pots growing herbs, salads, and brassicas.
Offering a choice of five, eight and tencourse tasting menus, costing £60, £95, and £125 respectively, Robin has years of experience sourcing the best seasonal and local produce, predominantly from Kent and Sussex, but also within the British Isles.
His menus are created from a love of classical cookery and a curious mind for new techniques, with dishes such as Cured mackerel croustade with broccoli purée, Birchden asparagus and seaweed; Cavolo nero cavatelli, Old Winchester & sage; Steamed brill, lobster mousse, caramelised cauliflower, and seaweed confit potatoes; and rosemary & fennel granita on the opening launch menu.
The ten-course menu is offered at the
Robin’s vision of a modernday restaurant is that of a responsible and sustainable one with seasonal cooking, few food miles and using every part of an ingredient
counter and gives diners an interactive experience watching Robin and his team of chefs cook and plate up at the pass; the menu is more experimental, taste-testing dishes that are in development for the future menus.
His menus are created from a love of classical cookery and a curious mind for new techniques, with dishes such as Cured chalk stream trout tart, beetroot & bronze fennel, Malted sourdough served with ‘waste’ vegetable broth, Chiddingstone Dairy butter, Jersey Royals, watercress velouté & smoked eel, Seaweed baked John Dory, Roast saddle of Sussex lamb, courgette, aubergine & oregano jus gras all on the June menu.
Suppliers at The Counter include Kentish fruit and vegetables from T H Brown & Son, fish from Chapmans in Sevenoaks, meat from Fullers Butchers in Eridge and charcuterie from Beal’s. The wine programme is headed up by Greta and is a curated edit of English and European wines alongside several English spirits, such as Hepple gin and vodka and Vault vermouth and botanical spirits, on the list.
Talking exclusively to Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine about the success of the restaurant so far Robin said: “We’ve been blown away by how well The Counter has been received by guests and how welcoming everyone in the town has been.
“We’ve been lucky enough to have had fantastic feedback from diners enjoying our food in the main restaurant as well as at the counter overlooking the pass and our team of chefs in the kitchen,
and in our private dining room. Tunbridge Wells has been hugely welcoming to us and we’re already collaborating with other businesses in the town for private dining events and at-home parties.”
The restaurant features original artwork on display, and for sale, by Venezuelan artist RAA, a close friend of Robin and his former sous chef.
@the_counter_tw
CULINARY CV:
About Robin Read
PRIOR to opening his own restaurant, Robin was Executive Chef of the Firmdale Hotel Group for 16 years, overseeing six new Firmdale openings, including four hotels, a bakery and training academy, all with great success. He worked with head chefs in eight sites (UK & internationally) with over 200 kitchen staff, to maintain the highest of standards. Robin began his cooking career at the age of 16 with work experience at the Roux Brothers’ London patisserie, where he trained in 1990. His love and passion of the industry continued to grow, working and training with some of the best chefs this country has produced. He spent two years at Chez Nico under Nico Ladenis as sous chef, which held three Michelin stars, before working with Marco Pierre White at Mirabelle, becoming Head Chef, and retaining their one Michelin star. Robin also spent time in the kitchens at Le Gavroche, The Square and Restaurant Paul Heathcote.
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we know how hard, brave & exhausting it is to create & open up an independent business in tunbridge wells.
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The George & Dragon in Speldhurst is once again one of the area’s most popular pubs and it’s easy to see why given its period charm, fabulous beer garden and its adventurous menu which is full of delicious dishes inspired by local ingredients. Here co-owner Becky Moran, who helped bring it back to life again, tells Eileen Leahy what makes this historic hostelry such a special place and why she and her team have all eyes on its ongoing success
“We have a beautiful country pub in the heart of Speldhurst village that we have had since November 2020. We spent the last few lockdowns renovating this historic pub and now, nearly four years on, we have over 30 staff working here.”
Becky adds: “We are creating amazing dishes and have an excellent reputation for the food we are serving. It is such a pleasure to see our team, which is headed up by General Manager Jane Bulley, and our new Head Chef Rod Grossmann all doing so well.”
So how did Becky and her team come to acquire and then run this prestigious pub?
“We started the business after the pub had remained empty for sometime. It had
been a special place in our hearts from living in the village and spending many evenings there after work…. pre-children!
“The biggest challenge once we got up and running was to keep people coming to us for food and drink. With the cost of living hitting hard - even amongst the most affluent – everyone has been feeling
“
We have an excellent reputation for the food we are serving ”
it. But we know if we continue to deliver fresh produce, handcrafted in our kitchen, along with providing great service, people then will visit and recommend us to others.
Like any business, Becky has to think about the short term but also the long term too. So how does she forecast the next 12 months for the G&D business?
“We want to grow, and so we are forecasting growth and looking to do more events. People still want to celebrate and we want them to do that
with us and make it the best party, dinner party, wedding, wake - or anything else that they want to do!”
Given that Becky has another entirely business to run – TN Lettings - who inspires her from the world of business?
“Wow what a question!” she quickly responds.
“Our business partners and family are all amazing business owners and they have a huge impression on my thoughts
of business. I also am a podcast nerd and love listening to the entrepreneur Steven Barlett who inspires me.”
And while we’re asking questions, what advice would Becky give to any hospitality start-ups?
“I’d say check your numbers over and over again. Allow for cash flow and quiet weeks as they do come - and sometimes when you least expect it. And always think about your team. They are so important to how the business runs and the impression they give to the customer. In my opinion a positive and happy team is really important.”
www.gandspeldhurst.com
Nevill Estate Yard, Eridge, Tunbridge Wells, KENT TN3 9JR 01892 543233
“We
TN1 Bar & Kitchen is situated in the heart of Tunbridge Wells and is a very popular modern, spacious restaurant with a lively bar. We find out more about this family-owned business headed up by Murat Askin, his partner Tess Kerslake and colleague Lukas Barauskas…
There’s no denying that TNI, which is situated on Monson Road in Tunbridge Wells, has become one of the culinary staples in the town’s smorgasbord of dining experiences.
Owner Murat Askin has run a number of restaurants in Turkey as well as many commercial businesses both abroad and in the UK.
“When Tess and I settled in Tunbridge Wells, the beautiful Old Flower House – as it is also known - became available and we just knew it was the perfect location for our business,” explains Murat.
Murat Askin
“We work hard but we absolutely love being in hospitality. At TN1 we have space for 130 covers inside and 20 covers outside in our courtyard - which is a real suntrap! We opened three years ago and run seven days a week. We have 25 staff including our chefs and kitchen team as well as our front of house crew.”
When reflecting on the challenges faced, Murat tells us there are a few that are always on his team’s radar..
“We are very fortunate to have such a loyal team, but people do move on, and finding the right fit when we recruit can be tricky. However, the biggest challenge is the cost of fresh produce. We try to keep our prices competitive for our
“ We knew the type of restaurant we wanted to be and the values we wanted to adhere to ”
customers but we have seen huge hikes in basic ingredients like olive oil, fresh meat and seafood.”
And what would the TN1 team say are the positives of running a restaurant?
“We have been blown away by the growth we’ve experienced over the past three years. We now have a lot of
repeat guests as well as tourists and theatre goers but we work hard to attain customer loyalty, and take great pride in our warm, friendly welcome. So I would say we are optimistic for further growth.”
And that one question you have to ask when interviewing a foodie entrepreneur… who is your ultimate culinary hero?
“We take inspiration from lots of different people; chefs who are
challenging the status quo and owners who are working crazy hours to stay afloat. But if I had to pick one, the most inspirational person would be Rick Stein, he creates amazing dishes using simple seafood from all around the world.”
And what advice would Murat give to hospitality start-ups?
“My biggest advice is to make sure you know what you stand for from the beginning. We knew the type of restaurant we wanted to be and the values we wanted to adhere to.
“You are never the finished article, so take the constructive feedback with the praise. We personally respond to constructive feedback and learn from it.”
And if our readers didn’t know already know, Murat and his team took over The Pantiles Bar & Café recently so they now have a foodie footing on The Pantiles too.
“That’s a classic example of our mantra of ‘don’t be afraid to grow,” explains Murat.
“The opportunity came up for us to join forces with Lukas again at The Pantiles Bar & Café. It was a great opportunity for a second location and The Pantiles is the historical centre of Tunbridge Wells as well as a huge tourist attraction. We immediately saw the benefit of being in the middle of such a buoyant scene.”
To book a table or find out more, please call 01892 513900 or visit www.tn1barkitchen.co.uk
Vinho Verde is currently having its moment in the spotlight. Our drinks editor James Viner reveals why we should raise a glass to this sophisticated and light Portuguese white this summer and where to enjoy a glass or two…
Could Portugal’s most exciting white wine region be Vino Verde? Certainly, the quality of wine in the region producing it (the largest DOC in Portugal) has never been higher in my opinion, and being just a couple of hours north of Porto by car, Vino Verde is difficult to beat for a weekend’s wine touring.
The region and grapes
Vino Verde is in the northwest of Portugal and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the River Minho (Miño in Spain, with which it forms the boundary) to the north and Peneda-Gerês National Park to the east. It extends almost to the banks of the River Vouga south of Vale de Cambra. It has high annual rainfall so disease pressure is high. The climate is temperate maritime, with poorer soils and marked continental influence further from the ‘Costa Verda,’ the coastline north of Porto. Vineyards are mainly located on granitic bedrock with sandy topsoil for good drainage. Originally known for producing light, slightly fizzy, zesty wines, Vino Verde now produces high-quality, age-worthy whites that can certainly hold their own on the world stage.
A focus on excellence
Instead of the typical light-bodied, frequently off-dry, wines with a slight fizz often enjoyed soon after purchase, here I shine a spotlight on the sophisticated, dry, still, mid-range and high-end white wines
from leading single estates that highlight the stylistic range and impressive quality potential of Vino Verde. Saúde!
Two supermarket Vino Verde white wines…
1) CUBA AZUL ALVARINHO 2022
£10, Morrisons, 12.5%) | w: casaldeventozela.com |��Mogege
2) QUINTA DE AZEVEDO (SOGRAPE) 2023
£9.99, Waitrose, 12%) | w: sogrape. com/brand/Azevedo |��Lama, Barcelos
After sampling numerous affordable, slightly spritzy, low-alcohol Vino Verde wines at supermarkets recently, I found Azevedo’s mostly Loureiro wine, with 30% Alvarinho, and Cuba Azul’s all-Alvarinho to be standout choices. These dry, thirstquenching still white wines are ideal for a summer seafood barbecue and offer an excellent introduction to a drier and more sophisticated taste profile.
Three benchmark, singlevarietal whites from Vino Verde’s best producers…
3) QUINTA DO AMEAL LOUREIRO 2022
£11.45 - £13.95, N.D. John & Eton Vintners, 12%) | w: esporao.com/en/ winetourism/quinta-do-ameal-winetourism |��Refóios do Lima Sophisticated varietal Vino Verde bottles are increasingly available in the UK.
Look out for high-quality Alvarinho and aromatic Loureiro from Quinta do Ameal, a historic property with records dating back to 1710. Bouncing with energy in the glass, bolshy of length, textural (thanks to seven months on lees) and long, this crisp, mouth-watering, gently saline, spritz-less
“This lip-smacking, unoaked, age-worthy ‘Clássico’ Alvarinho has a distinctive mineral-like pulse and bursts with blossomy grapefruit, lemon balm, peach and orchard fruit
”Vino Verde has palate-tickling acidity and notes of acacia blossom, pear, orange, linden, pine, lime and bay leaf. It reminds me a little of Riesling. Will age well… Located an hour’s drive north of Porto and a stone’s throw from historic Ponte de Lima, Ameal’s a haven for wine tourism and leisure. A great place to discover the Lima Valley and Loureiro grape. Accommodation is available. e: reservas. ameal@esporao.com
4) SOALHEIRO CLÁSSICO
ALVARINHO 2023
£19.25 - £21, Whisky Exchange & Oxford Wine Company, 12.5%) | soalheiro.com |��Alvaredo Celebrated Soalheiro’s vineyards were established in 1974 in Alvaredo, near Melgaço, Portugal's most northerly town, overlooking the Minho River and Spain. Catnip for Vino Verde aficionados (Luís Cerdeira’s one of Vino Verde’s most talented winemakers), this lip-smacking, unoaked, age-worthy ‘Clássico’ Alvarinho (the first wine made by the family in 1982) has a distinctive mineral-like pulse and bursts with blossomy grapefruit, lemon balm, peach and orchard fruit. Classy, compelling drinking. Superb visitor experience! Stay at Casa das Infusões (organic herbal tea production too). e: enoturismo@soalheiro.com
5) PARCELA ÚNICA ALVARINHO, ANSELMO MENDES 2021
£36.99- £47.50, Delicias, Hedonism and Fortnum & Mason, 13%) | w. anselmomendes.pt/en |��Melgaço Anselmo Mendes ('Mr. Alvarinho') is a leading figure in Portuguese winemaking, producing outstanding, long-lived, mineral-driven wines in the Monção e
Melgaço region, near the Spanish border. You may not look at this distinctive white grape variety grown here (and, as Albariño, in adjoining Galicia) in the same way ever again.
It was fermented and aged in 400-litre new French oak barrels for nine months with lees stirring, resulting in a delightful
combination of orange blossom, flint, hazelnut, white peach, and subtle notes of smoke and vanilla. Long and complex, it’s a study in restraint and deliciously gastronomic. As good as it is now, this will continue to improve for some time yet. Guided visits/tastings at Quinta da Torre in Moreira. enoturismo@anselmomendes.pt 1 2 3 4 5
3 The percentage of red wine production in 2023 (over 80% was red in the late 1960s), primarily for the local market, ideal for oily codfish dishes, roasted/grilled sardines, and rojões
9 The number of Vino Verde subregions
45 Grape varieties allowed 87.3 % of Vino Verde wine sold in 2023 was white wine (9.4% for rosé)
96 Million litres of Vino Verde were produced last year
1908 The year Vino Verde DOC was first demarcated
1999 Since 1999 Vino Verde DOC has included sparkling wines (labelled ‘espumante’) made by the traditional method and bottledaged for at least nine; sparkling wine accounted for only 0.3% of production in 2023
17,268 Hectares of vineyards, the largest Portuguese DOC (Kent, the leader back home, has just 1033 hectares)
Source: Comissão de Viticultura da Região dos Vinhos Verdes
Follow James on Instagram @ QuixoticWines
Stockist availability was accurate at the time of publication; for current availability refer to wine-searcher.com
Chapel Down hosted an exclusive soirée at its restaurant The Swan last month and Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine was invited along to enjoy the evening…
The drizzle didn’t dampen the spirits of guests who descended upon Chapel Down last month for an evening of fine wine and delicious food at the vineyard’s award-winning restaurant The Swan.
Part of the I’ll Be Mother Group - which also owns The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells and Kingdom in Penshurst - The Swan is one of the area’s most popular restaurants thanks to its adventurous menu and stunning location.
We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to showcase our restaurant and create such a memorable experience for our guests
After being treated to flutes of fizz, while jazz singer Laura Lawton performed, guests then indulged in Moroccan-spiced chicken, paired with pistachio and apricot couscous, onion seed flatbreads, and Baba Ganoush.
"The Swan Soirée was an amazing success," said General Manager Kate Woodward. "We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to showcase our restaurant and create such a memorable experience for our guests. This event is a testament to our dedication to providing exceptional dining and event experiences, and we are excited to continue this tradition moving forward."
The talented team at Zorba’s Meze Grill reveal the secret recipe to their ongoing success…
Zorba’s Meze Grill, located on Upper Grosvenor Road in Tunbridge Wells, has been serving utterly delicious Turkish and Mediterranean food, since 2017.
Owned by Sedat Zorba it originally started its culinary life as a café, opening in 2008, but sixteen years later it is now one of the town’s go-to restaurants and also boasts a first-class take out service which was launched during the pandemic. Its menu’s hallmarks include perfectly chargrilled meats, tempting platters of Mediterranean meze treats, a buzzing ambience and fantastic service. Here we speak to team Zorba about what makes them the original and the best when it comes to serving up genuine Turkish food…
Tell us about yourselves…
We are a Turkish Restaurant serving honest, high-quality Turkish food in an authentic setting. You can enjoy the full Turkish experience at our restaurant, which has a fantastic atmosphere
that creates an unforgettable dining experience. We have 120 covers and are available for lunch, dinner, private parties and even Sunday roasts! We are currently rated the number one Turkish Restaurant in the whole of Kent. In 2008 we opened as a Cafe, but then, in 2017 we saw the opportunity to become the first Turkish Restaurant to open in Tunbridge Wells.
As a business what would you cite as your biggest challenges?
We would have to say it’s staff shortages. We recruit skilled, experienced chefs and managers directly from Turkey which helps us give the authentic taste of our country but in the current climate it is difficult.
What is your forecast as a business over the next 12 months?
We think we will grow by 20% over the next year. We hope we will achieve this by continuing to offer quality ingredients, a varied menu and a vibrant cocktail bar. We have an open-plan kitchen, a lovely
interior and friendly staff. Some of the local competition has also closed which means that people who love Turkish food will discover us eventually. And once they have been once, they always return!
Can you offer any advice to any new hospitality businesses out there?
Our advice to any hospitality start-up would be to make sure you are prepared to work 24/7, continue to evolve with new ideas, and to ensure that the quality of your food never drops.
For more information on Zorba’s visit www.zorbamezegrill.com 2-4 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2EN. 01892 530051
Demelza, a local charity that provides outstanding care and support to children facing serious or life-limiting conditions in Tunbridge Wells and across the South East, launched a new fundraising initiative earlier this year at the Spa Hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
From July 2025, Trail with a Tale, a Wild in Art event presented by Demelza, will see the royal town dotted with individually designed sculptures from the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare, decorated by artists, creating a journey of discovery that will be free to visit, family-friendly and open to all.
The story of the hare and the tortoise is one of Aesop’s best-known fables, and particularly relevant to Demelza children and families, as it is a story which endorses the value of determination and resilience. Families who have children with complex medical conditions face different challenges every day and Demelza supports them and their families at every step – from first diagnosis and for as long as they are needed.
The trail will entice thousands of visitors to the town over the summer of 2025, generating income for retailers and
“ ”
Businesses, artists or schools wanting to find out more about the project can visit www.trailwithatale.co.uk
hospitality owners, and at the end of the initiative, the sculptures will be auctioned off, raising much-needed funds for Demelza.
Locally renowned artist Elaine Gill unveiled the very first design for the initial hare and Demelza are now on the lookout for talented artists to submit designs, which could be commissioned to design a sculpture, bringing their own unique spin to each hare, and brightening the streets of Tunbridge Wells.
Local businesses will be able to lend their support to children and families supported by Demelza, while maximising on the publicity surrounding the trail, by becoming a sponsor of a sculpture and being part of a networking group of likeminded businesses.
There will also be a complimentary
learning programme available for schools and community groups, who will be able to decorate smaller sculptures for display.
Hayley Richardson, Deputy Chief Executive at Demelza, said: “This is a new direction for Demelza and we are excited to be working with Wild in Art, bringing something new and familyfriendly to Tunbridge Wells. As well as raising awareness of the services we offer to children with serious or lifelimiting conditions in the local area, this initiative will generate income to support families to celebrate the joy in life, making precious memories during challenging times.”
South East based logistics company Octavius will be managing the installation of the artwork for Demelza.
Jamie Harrison, Octavius’ Highways Delivery Director said: “We are delighted to be able to support Demelza in the amazing work that they do. I have personally visited Demelza in Kent and it is clear to me that they passionately care about the families and children that they help, by providing a place and the support
for those that need it the most and during the most difficult of times. At Octavius, we are also passionate about supporting people and organisations in the places that we work in, so we are delighted to be the logistics partner for the Wild in Art project and deliver lasting benefit to the local community.”
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder Wild in Art added: “Our public art trails enable thousands of people of all ages to experience art by taking it out of traditional places and putting it into everyday life. The trails encourage exploration and drive footfall, benefit health and wellbeing and create a collective feeling of community and pride. It’s a fantastic opportunity for businesses, the creative sector, children and young people and the wider community to be part of a highly visible, collaborative and captivating project which will have significant impact.”
Businesses, artists or schools wanting to find out more about the project can visit www.trailwithatale.co.uk
Tunbridge Wells Fringe returns later this month for two weeks of cultural fun for all ages. Here its founder Debbie King reveals what’s on the action-packed schedule between June 29 and July 14 across a number of different venues…
Modelled on the worldfamous Edinburgh arts festival, the Tunbridge Wells (TW) Fringe started in 2021. Despite having to work around some Covid restrictions in its inaugural year it was a resounding triumph and as a result it has returned to Tunbridge Wells every summer since.
Now in its fourth year, the two-week festival returns to myriad venues across town to present a smorgasbord of comedy, live music, theatre and spoken word – and much more. And as usual there will be a mixture of free and feepaying attractions.
The festival’s founder and one of its co-organisers Debbie King reveals more about it: “The Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of creativity, showcasing an eclectic mix of music, comedy, theatre, and more. The festival is organised and run by volunteers dedicated to fostering artistic expression and community engagement.”
Debbie goes on to say that the TW Fringe is one of the most eagerly awaited events on Tunbridge Wells' cultural calendar and once again is set to captivate audiences.
“This year we have nearly 200 diverse
events hosted across 40 venues in the town. From traditional theatrical productions to feet-tapping music gigs, side-splitting comedy acts and avantgarde showcases, the festival offers something for every artistic taste and inclination.”
“The Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of creativity, showcasing an eclectic mix of music, comedy, theatre, and more. It is organised and run by volunteers dedicated to fostering artistic expression and community engagement
”The Fringe will take place from June 29 to July 14, and promises a vibrant celebration of creativity, encompassing music, comedy, theatre, and an array of eclectic performances.
“This year once again we have the support of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, who have supported us since the start. We are also working closely with Visit Tunbridge Wells and Creative Tunbridge Wells. We gained a Green Web Grant from Blue Charcoal and are sponsored by The Hive,” explains Debbie. “The festival is testament to the power
of community and volunteerism, as it is entirely run by dedicated volunteers passionate about enriching the cultural fabric of the region. By supporting the festival, attendees not only gain access to world-class entertainment but also contribute to the flourishing arts scene in Tunbridge Wells. The Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of creativity, diversity, and community spirit.”
In terms of highlights for this year Debbie says there is plenty to enjoy – for all ages.
“We are so lucky and proud to be joined by the Rotunda Theatre straight from the Brighton Fringe - these two amazing black box pop-up theatres in a bubble tent are going to be in the field opposite The Hare pub in Langton Green. They are called Bubble and Squeak: Bubble is 120 seats and Squeak 60 seats. They will be at the TW Fringe for the whole two weeks putting on many award-winning performances,” says Debbie.
“There will also be my own theatre group The Talentz appearing and our fabulous co-organiser and comedian Aimee Cooper will be performing at the Rotunda. See our website for many, many more acts.”
A brief scroll reveals these include a special Word Up event on July 3, local tailor Hardmen & Hemming’s Get Shirty podcast performed live on July 4, and the
fabulous Anglo French comedian Tatty Macleod who will be appearing at Trinity Theatre on July 10 with her show Fugue brought to you by Mum’s The Word.
“It’s going to be fabulous,” smiles Debbie. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit twfringe.com
“The
Clare Lush-Mansell from My Tunbridge Wells is your expert guide to all the fantastic events happening in and around the town every month. Read on to discover her top picks for the next few weeks…
1. The Kent Rum Train 22nd June
Join the 'Kent Rum Train' for a unique rum tasting experience at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells. Partnering with Anno Distillers of Marden, Kent, this event offers passengers the chance to savour three distinct Anno rums, complemented by canapés, while enjoying a scenic journey through the High Weald countryside on our favourite steam train. Additional rums from guest distilleries will also be available for purchase. Tickets include the train ride, three rums, mixers, a glass, and canapé - advance booking is required. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
2. Hever’s Home Front 22nd & 23rd June
Step back in time to wartime Britain at Hever’s Home Front 2024, a 1940s event offering an immersive historical experience. Enjoy authentic cooking, view displays of military vehicles, and browse stalls selling vintage wares and refreshments. Enhance your visit by dressing in period costume and completing your look with a visit to a 1940s hair salon. Participate in a lively dance lesson on the lawn to truly get into the groove of the era. Going as a family? There is so much to do at Hever! Including a visit to The Tudor Towers Playground, cooling down in the Water Maze and marvelling at the miniature model houses. (Please note that some rooms in the Castle will be closed until 25 June.) www.hevercastle.co.uk
3. Soul Train - Vince Dunn and the Funky Express
29th June
Get ready to groove all night long at Soul Train with Vince Dunn and The Funky Express! Taking place on The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, this live music event features an 8-piece band of some of the country’s top session musicians, delivering infectious beats from soul and funk to disco, Motown, and RnB. Dance the night away from 7pm to 10pm as they play iconic hits from the late 60s to today. Tickets are £7.50 online or £10 at the door without a restaurant reservation. Enjoy the event with a pop-up bar and spectator space, where foldaway chairs are welcome if space permits. Don’t miss this unforgettable dance party experience! www.thepantiles.com
4. The Summer Vintage Fair at Chiddingstone Castle
30th June
The Summer Vintage Fair returns to Chiddingstone Castle for its ninth year on Sunday, 30th June, from 10:30am to 4:00pm. This event features a vast array of French and English homewares, decorative vintage items, textiles, furniture, fashion, jewellery, accessories, pre-loved items, and gardenalia, making it a true festival of all things vintage.
Meet Clare Lush-Mansell, the creative force behind My Tunbridge Wells.
HAVING spent a decade working in PR and communications, Clare founded My Tunbridge Wells in 2015. The website showcases the best of local life, events, family days out and services in Tunbridge Wells. Clare works with many local brands, as well as national companies, that are looking to reach My Tunbridge Wells' strong and engaged audience. A globetrotter at heart, Clare grew up in Ireland and lived in Australia and Russia before settling in Kent. These experiences have infused her passion for travel, and she also loves meeting new people, singing and her cats. Join her journey on MyTunbridgeWells. com, Instagram and Facebook as she navigates parenting three children while exploring the beauty of Tunbridge Wells and beyond!
Enjoy an entertainment programme that blends vintage and Home Front themes with singing and dancing throughout the day. Local food specialists will provide delicious refreshments. Browse the stalls, enjoy the entertainment, visit the castle and its collections, and picnic in the grounds for a full-day experience. Tickets are £7.50 per adult and £2.50 per child. www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
The UK’s biggest touring food and drink festival is coming to Tunbridge Wells for a massive celebration and we can’t wait to be part of it! The Tunbridge Wells Foodies Festival features live music from pop star Peter Andre, iconic disco trailblazers Sister Sledge, and Symphonic Ibiza, offering a unique fusion of Ibiza classics with a live orchestra, plus many more bands throughout the weekend. Enjoy an array of delicious food and drink, live cooking demos from top chefs and bakers, and new attractions for 2024, including a family-friendly silent disco, a fun cook school, and an impressive fire pit. See you there? www.foodiesfestival.com
6. Festival of Nature at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Join in the Festival of Nature at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve on 6th July for a day filled with fun and discovery! Meet the dedicated volunteers, membership and conservation teams while enjoying locally produced cakes, hot food vans, and a mobile bar. There’ll be some awesome activities to get involved in, including pond dipping, natural crafts, planting, and wildlife camera trapping. Try angling, test your skills at the coconut shy, and enjoy
a birds of prey display. Explore wildlife arts and crafts stalls, handmade jewellery and candles, and see the latest electric vehicles and bikes. Participate in guided tours, bird watching walks, and exciting activities with Ninja Warrior. Event parking is available off-site at Knole Academy, with disabled parking on-site at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (usual charges apply). www.sevenoakswildlifetrust.org.uk
Crowborough Town Council will be hosting ‘Mini CrowFest,’ on 13th July - a one-day version of the original CrowFest from 2022. Taking place from 1pm to 9pm at Goldsmiths Recreation Ground, this free event features live music on a large stage with local bands and a smaller stage for DJ performances and workshops. Enjoy your favourite summer fair activities, including market stalls, food and drink outlets, and entertainment. New additions include an art gallery showcasing works from The Beacon Academy and Crowborough Arts, a children’s area with garden games and inflatables and a mini-fairground. Visit the ECO Hub for eco-friendly activities and a ‘beat the goalie’ competition. With various food outlets and two bars—one run by Gun Brewery Taproom and the other by The Little Langton Bar, Mini CrowFest promises to be a fun-filled day for everyone. @CrowFest
8. PYO Fruit
Lower Ladysden in Goudhurst, and Cherry Gardens Farm just outside Groombridge.
9. Connect with nature at Bore Place Anytime…
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly walk somewhere special, then a visit to Bore Place near Chiddingstone is a must! This organic estate, home to The Commonwork Trust—a charity focused on connecting people with natureoffers a playground, free parking and a milking parlour experience where you can see organic cows being milked and
learn about regenerative farming. Farm produce and ice cream are available from their Farm Gate, along with a new self-service vending machine offering milk with free syrups to create milkshakes. Explore several marked trails around the 500-acre estate, some accessible for allterrain buggies, and enjoy the rich wildlife on this organically and regeneratively managed land. www.boreplace.org
Fruit picking is in full swing at many of our local farms, offering a fantastic and budget-friendly outdoor activity for families around Tunbridge Wells. This enjoyable outing not only gets kids excited about eating more strawberries and other fruits but also provides a wonderful opportunity to see where food comes from. Combine your visit with a bike ride or nearby walk if you are hoping to fill up the whole day.. Some favourite spots of ours include Maynards in Wadhurst,
“Celebrate community at a local fete or fair in Tunbridge Wells this summer. Enjoy traditional shopping, live performances, fun family games and a variety of food and drink, all while supporting local charities
10. Summer Fetes & Fairs
Various dates
Celebrate community at a local fete or fair in Tunbridge Wells this summer. Enjoy traditional fair fun, shopping, live performances, family games and a variety of food and drink, all while supporting local charities. These budget-friendly events offer an ideal way to spend time outdoors with proceeds benefiting good causes. Highlights include Claremont Primary School PTA’s fete on 29th June (12-3pm) and Southborough Lions Gala Day at Meadows School on 30th June (14.30pm).
www.mytunbridgewells.com
Claire Passos launched her upmarket campsite Caracol in 2022.
Since then the luxury retreat, which is located in a stunning spot in Groombridge, has proved to be a great success. Here Claire reveals more about its evolution from farmer’s field to glamorous glamping destination…
When did you have the idea to launch a glamping project?
It has been an idea I’ve harboured for a very long time. I always dreamt about setting up a glamping business and during Covid, while I was furloughed, I thought ‘it’s now or never’.
Why did you believe your idea had a chance of success?
We’re fortunate enough to live in a fantastic area with a multitude of activities, and incredible places to visit on our doorstep. I have a pretty good eye for detail and was confident that I could create a beautiful space for people to enjoy being at one in nature whilst having
all the creature comforts for a luxurious break away.
How did you acquire the land and how big is the space?
After seeing a lot on the BBC’s Countryfile about farm diversification I looked for ways that I could make it happen. I approached the local NFU who put me in touch with Michael who owns Groombridge farm Shop and New Park Farm. He is renowned for growing asparagus at his farm and had a fallow three acre field that wasn’t being used. It was absolutely perfect for what we were looking to do and given that we are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) it couldn’t have been any better.
Can you talk us through your journey from conception to completion?
After initial discussions we got the ball rolling with a pre-planning application to the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. It was crucial for me to understand how we could add value to the local tourism industry, and align our business and values to the community’s initiatives regarding health, wellbeing, biodiversity inclusion etc. Key to this was alignment with the High Weald Management plan in terms of providing opportunity for people to experience the natural beauty of the
AONB. After 18 months, and thankfully with no objections from the local community, we were given the go-ahead in February 2022. We opened to the public in June that year.
If you come to Caracol during the week you’ll benefit from visiting a number of fantastic places to explore during this quieter time – we are lucky to have so many activities on our doorstep
You’re looking to boost your midweek bookings. What are the benefits of coming then?
What valuable lessons did you learn from your first year in business?
That if you build it they do not necessarily come! Setting up a new business is tough and you have to be well organised and plan the priorities. My husband Ade took charge of the site set up, and I focused on the brand design, forward facing elements such as website, booking systems etc. We understood the importance of getting our brand style right from the outset, and worked with Big Orange Media, a professional agency to achieve this. I have now left my job there to work on Caracol full-time.
We are offering three nights for the price of two for midweek stays (T&C’s apply). There are a multitude of benefits including the peace and tranquillity of the site without it being too busy. There are a huge number of places to explore and visit during the quieter midweek days. We are lucky to have many activities on our doorstep such as gorgeous countryside walks, rock climbing, cycling routes, castles and stately homes. It's also a great place for businesses and corporates to take their teams for an away day, retreat or summer event. The space is very flexible and we offer a variety of packages to suit all needs.
The name Caracol is Spanish for snail and shell and so fits perfectly with our nod to nature and also resonates with a slower pace of life
You’re keen on partnering with local therapists, practitioners and hospitality professionals. Can you tell us a bit more about this concept?
Yes we are really keen to showcase the site and collaborate with local partners that offer health, wellbeing, creative and mindfulness activities. It’s a perfect place for a secluded event or retreat without any road noise or distractions. We are very lucky to have some incredible people in our community that offer wonderful experiences and I’m keen to showcase our space to highlight their amazing offers. We are also hoping to offer live music on Thursdays…
What do you believe Caracol’s USP is?
That we offer a unique escape in a vibrant wildflower meadow. Our bell tents and the site are thoughtfully furnished with upcycled and reused materials, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and values for increasing biodiversity. Immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility and discover a responsible and rejuvenating way to reconnect with the environment.
Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine’s charity partner for this year is Taylor-Made Dreams. Founded in 2014 by Suzi Mitchell after the death of her son Taylor, it helps children with life-limiting illnesses to access therapeutic care and achieve their ‘bucket list’ dreams. This month we discover how the charity has helped Holly achieve hers, courtesy of a visit to her favourite football club
Taylor-Made Dreams enables children with life-limiting illnesses to achieve their dreams. When we first meet a child that has been referred to Taylor Made Dreams (TMD), we talk through what their wishes and dreams are, where they would like to go, what they would like to do and if there’s anyone they’d love to meet. There are so many possibilities it can be overwhelming, so we can suggest possibilities: Is there a particular sport you like? Or a musician/singer? These questions can help us to learn how to make the wishes we provide as special as possible. Once we have a list of ideas, we can start to create the perfect time away for our TMD family.
This month we delivered one of these wishes for 13-year-old Holly. Holly was only recently referred to us this year through the Royal Marsden Hospital, after being diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma earlier this year. Once we met Holly, it was clear to see what a truly wonderful young lady she is, with lots of passions, one of which being football, specifically Brentford FC. After finding this out, we set about organising a full weekend trip to meet and watch the team play.
Last month, Holly and her family had access to a closed training session at
Holly was recently referred to us through the Royal Marsden Hospital, after being diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Once we met Holly, it was clear to see what a truly wonderful young lady she is, with lots of passions, one of which being football
“ ”
Jersey Road Training Ground to watch the players train. They met the manager Thomas and his team after training, and stayed for lunch afterwards with the CEO Jon.
The first day wasn’t fully over though because as an extra special surprise, Holly and her family also got to meet England Manager Gareth Southgate.
Sunday brought another packed Brentford FC day, with Holly and her whole family being gifted Brentford shirts, followed by a pre-match lunch and then watching Brentford play Newcastle from the Directors Box.
Holly’s mum told Taylor Made Dreams: “What an absolutely perfect weekend, we all had such an amazing couple of days, it was a money can’t buy experience, and Brentford FC made us feel so very welcome, which after a week of chemo was just so perfect.
“Thank you TMD for making two children (and some adults) so very happy. To see them with their heroes was incredible. It truly makes such a difference.”
TMD delivers days like this to help create magical memories for children like Holly and we are able to offer them thanks to our wonderful supporters.
As part of our Titanium Circle initiative, local businesses make a huge difference in our ability to deliver more and more wishes in the communities we support.
If you would like to help us deliver wishes like Holly’s, or find out more about the services TMD provides, head to our website taylormadedreams.org.uk or email us at: hello@taylormadedreams.org.uk
Famous auctioneer and antiques authority Mark Hill shares his passion for one of the country’s most famous antiques that boasts its origins in the local area…
People have visited the historic Pantiles for over four centuries. When they did, they may have bought a souvenir of their trip - a talisman to revive memories made, and to remind of health restored. The Victorians were greatly sentimental, and that’s something that’s still with us today, especially in a world that’s never moved faster. Another popular piece for Georgian or Victorian visitors would have been Tunbridge ware.
Typified by tiny tiles or tesserae, glued together to form a picture or pattern, some, such as the ‘perspective cube’ pattern, it still feels modern and contemporary today. But it’s the more exquisitely complex patterns of buildings or scenes that are the most desirable and fetch the highest prices - back then and today.
Appropriately, the largest selection of Tunbridge ware for sale in the world can be found in The Pantiles Arcade
The devil’s in the detail. The way Tunbridge ware was made is truly fascinating - and enormously time-consuming. Thin square or geometric-section rods were cut from differently coloured blocks of wood. These were glued together under pressure in rows to form a larger block, with the top displaying a picture or design comprised of the ends of the differently coloured tiny thin rods - like pixels on a computer screen or flatscreen TV, or the wording in a stick of seaside rock.
Some of the rods were washed in the waters of the Chalybeate spring to bring out and enhance their colours. Thin slices were then cut from the block and glued onto wooden bodies, like the top of a box or a tabletop, just like a veneer. From each block of assembled ‘stickware’, they’d get about eight veneers per vertical inch. The piece was then lovingly varnished with lacquers to both add protection and bring up the warm richness of the intricate wooden design.
Hence a repeatable, highly detailed picture or design could be added to anything with a flat surface.
The technique is said to have been developed by cabinet makers in Tonbridge, but moved to Tunbridge Wells (and a couple of other towns) some time after the discovery of the Chalybeate spring in Tunbridge Wells in 1606 by a courtier of King James I.
The high point of Tunbridge ware production was during the mid-19th century, when visitor numbers were bolstered by the inexorable rise of the middle classes, the arrival of the railways in 1845, and the introduction of public bank holidays in 1871.
At one point, the industry was worth millions of pounds in today’s money, and produced wares for other popular tourist destinations around the country, such as Brighton, Yarmouth and Rye. Major makers included the Wise family, Edmund Nye, and Thomas Barton, and some pieces can be attributed to a maker from the style or design, or use of certain woods, such as green oak. Original makers’ paper labels or marks add a financial premium as well as making a piece more desirable.
Wood is good!
In excess of 200 different types of wood were used, with the density of tiles ranging at the most detailed end from anything between 180 and over 300 tiles per square inch. Although some woods such as bird’s eye maple and satin birch were more commonly used, some are scarce. A unique tea caddy made from Japanese or American Tamo ash wood sold for £320 last month. Unusual shapes make a difference too.
You can get in on the action for as little as £60. That’ll buy you a small box, and who doesn’t like a box?! They’re endlessly and eternally practical, even today, for storing everything from paper clips to smartphone paraphernalia, jewellery or watches. Although useful boxes were a major mainstay, makers produced everything from tables to writing slopes, trays and sewing tools, to musical instruments and even yo-yos! In general, the larger the piece, and the complex and greater the surface decoration, the better. More is more!
Although the market has cooled over the past 20-30 years, making Tunbridge
ware more accessible to us today than ever before, prices for the rarest items are high - a highly decorated, rare sewing box table with integral writing slope can fetch £20,000.
Appropriately, the largest selection of Tunbridge ware for sale in the world can be found in The Pantiles Arcade in the heart of The Pantiles. This selection has been enhanced by the recent consignment of the Professor Flavia Swann collection, one of the largest and most important privately owned collections ever built.
Come and visit the The Tunbridge ware Room at The Pantiles Arcade in The Corn Exchange to see an unparalleled collection for sale, and look out for our first auction of the Professor Flavia Swann collection, to be held in October this year.
The Pantiles Arcade at 49 Lower Walk, The Pantiles is open from Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am – 5pm. More details can be found at thepantilesarcade. com, or by calling 01892 322 777. To buy online, visit scottishantiques.com.
For valuations or to consign items for auction, email mark@markhillauctions. com or call 01892 574 310 to set up a free appointment.
P- a talisman to revive memories made, and to remind of health restored. The Victorians were greatly sentimental, and that’s something that’s still with us today, especially in a world that’s never moved faster. Another popular piece for Georgian or Victorian visitors would have been Tunbridge ware.
together to form a picture or pattern, some, such as the ‘perspective cube’ pattern, it still feels modern and contemporary today. But it’s the more exquisitely complex patterns of buildings or scenes that are the most desirable and fetch the highest prices - back then and today.
Trained in Vegas. Ready for the world. The driverless IONIQ 5 robotaxi.
ware was made is truly fascinating - and enormously time-consuming. Thin square or geometric-section rods were cut from differently coloured blocks of wood. These were glued together under pressure in rows to form a larger block, with the top displaying a picture or design comprised of the ends of the differently coloured tiny thin rods - like pixels on a computer screen or flatscreen TV, or the wording in a stick of seaside rock.
The vehicle is not available for purchase.
waters of the Chalybeate spring to bring out and enhance their colours. Thin slices were then cut from the block and glued onto wooden bodies, like the top of a box or a tabletop, just like a veneer. From each block of assembled ‘stickware’, they’d get about eight veneers per vertical inch. The piece was then lovingly varnished with lacquers to both add protection and bring up the warm richness of the intricate wooden design.
paraphernalia, jewellery or watches. Although useful boxes were a major mainstay, makers produced everything from tables to writing slopes, trays and sewing tools, to musical instruments and even yo-yos! In general, the larger the piece, and the complex and greater the surface decoration, the better. More is more! Although the market has cooled over the past 20-30 years, making Tunbridge
ware for sale in the world can be
for sale, and look out for our first auction of the Professor Flavia Swann collection, to be
can be found at thepantilesarcade. com, or by calling 01892 322 777. To buy online, visit scottishantiques.com.
For valuations or to consign items for auction, email mark@markhillauctions. com or call 01892 574 310 to set up a free appointment.
