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The Top Up Shop is a community-based initiative that runs each Saturday Morning throughout the year at various Ipswich locations. For the small cost of £2, customers can go to the shop and fill up a recyclable bag with goods to supplement their weekly shop. There are no qualifying conditions and no referral is needed: they welcome everyone. The shop has been running successfully for 7 years and caters for as many as 70 shoppers per week covering many postcodes with in the Ipswich area. To keep running the shop relies on donations from local supermarkets, grants and donations… which is where we are delighted to be able to step in. Pat Lewis, Source One chairman, comments: “I grew up on the Chantry estate in Ipswich, my Mum still lives there, and so getting the chance to provide some support to those that need it in the community is special to me.” “The Ipswich Top Up Shops is a brilliant and, sadly, a much-needed initiative with so many struggling in the UK with food prices. We are delighted to be able to give some financial donations to this initiative, particularly to the St Francis with St Clare, Hawthorn Drive, location where I went to discos in my youth!” The Peace Café In addition to the Top Up Shop, The Peace Café is another brilliant project that was launched to provide a warm space for those who were in the fuel poverty bracket. The idea was that it provides a warm space with hot food and drink to our customers. The café provides a lounge type atmosphere with comfortable seating coffee tables and side tables. There are newspapers to read, a jigsaw to do, a craft table, music playing board games etc. They also help people get access the internet for looking for jobs, housing or filling in forms. Since its launch, a community has developed among these people and friendships have been formed that may never have happened… as a result the café continued beyond the cold winter months as loneliness plays a big part in a person’s well-being. GPs are connecting with us and social subscribing is part of the success… hopefully helping the users to feel good about themselves and being aware of others in these uncertain times.

Robinsons Brewery announce another year of increased operating profits despite the challenging economic climate that the hospitality and brewing industry has faced. The sixth-generation Stockport-based family brewers generated an operating profit of £5.9m and invested a further £7.7m across their 249 tenanted and managed pubs. Recently the company further consolidated its family shareholder base by concluding a share buyback. Sixth-generation family members and Joint Managing Directors, Oliver and William Robinson, commented: “2022 was a year of challenges across our sector and across the UK. Although we had the first full year without significant coronavirus restrictions in place, we faced new challenges. Brexit arrangements impacted on worker availability, the lasting impact of the pandemic and the cost increases caused by the war in Ukraine hitting utility and food costs particularly hard. We saw our business affected by difficulties in recruiting new team members across all areas of the business from chefs to engineers. Like many businesses, these pressures have driven up our operating costs. We have risen to this challenge and are investing in our systems and processes to improve efficiency and performance across the business; whilst simultaneously developing our consumer offering and our learning and development program.” In this challenging economic climate, Robinsons has maintained a strong performance in the market. The family brewers increased sales by approximately 20% in 2022, rising from £63.3m (2021) to £83.1m comparing favourably with our pre-pandemic sales of £75m in 2019. The increase in turnover for the brewers delivered an operating profit of £5.9m, noticing a growth in trade as the country recovers from the impacts of the pandemic. Robinsons have continued their commitment to investing into their pub estate, this year almost trebling their investment figure (£2.8m in 2021). The company spent £7.7m on the development and improvement of 40 sites to achieve quality and enjoyable environments for their guests and licensees. This figure saw the family brewers invest £3.9m across their tenanted estate. Significant investments included the Shoulder of Mutton, Chapel-en-le-Frith and the Church House, Buglawton. The company has also acquired two new premises for their managed house division, in 2022 The Woodman Inn, Thunderbridge, West Yorkshire and more recently in early 2023, Hartford Hall near Northwich. The £3.8m investments across their managed house division included the Tatton Arms, near Manchester Airport and the Waggon and Horses, Eaton. The year also saw brewhouse plans come to fruition as construction work began at their Unicorn Packaging Centre in Bredbury with plans for the new brewery to be operational by 2024. The sixth-generation family directors commented: “We feel confident our business is well placed to develop and continue strengthening and investing over the coming years. The conclusion of the buyback of a number of shares from family branches less directly connected to the operation of the business is a significant moment for the business and family. It is the first time since the company was founded such an exercise has been undertaken. We are committed to continuing investment in our pub portfolio during 2023 and will continue to seek to acquire pubs, or small pub groups in exceptional trading or idyllic locations which align with our future business vision.”

We’re a nation of sun lovers and as soon as we get a glimpse of it, most of us strip off and bake ourselves senseless just in case we don’t see it again for a while! But are we doing enough to stay safe in the sun or are we neglecting the detrimental effects it can have? A reminder of what the sun can do and how to enjoy it safely: Positive Effects Sunshine activates a fundamental hormone in your brain called serotonin, this is what makes us feel focused and happy. Vitamin D helps to keep our bones strong and in its natural form, can only be obtained from the sunlight. It only takes 15 minutes of sunlight to gain the necessary daily amount so no need to overdo the sunbathing! When the sunshine appears we are more enthusiastic about getting out, walking the dog and taking on new hobbies which relieves the stress that builds up from our daily routines. Negative Effects Prolonged exposure to the heat of the sun can cause heatstroke and seriously damage your body, in particular when the body’s temperature reaches 40 degrees or higher. Most of us have experienced sunburn from exposure to direct sunlight. Sunburn can have long term effects that can potentially lead to skin cancer, so make sure you apply your sun factor! Sunlight can speed up the ageing process significantly as the UV Light can cause an irreversible change to the texture and elasticity of the skin which causes the wrinkles to appear. Living Life Outdoors Caribbean Blinds, UK designers, manufacturers and suppliers of the very finest external shading systems actively encourage you to live life outdoors and ensure their products are of the highest quality to enable you to do this all year-round while offering essential protection from the elements, in particular protection to your skin. All the fabrics featured on their external shading systems, are tested according to the UV standard 801. This testing method does not only consider the fabric when new but also how the fabric behaves under different weather conditions (ie extreme exposure to sun and weather). This helps to determine if the fabric keeps it durability and UV protection over the years. So how much protection do the Caribbean Blinds fabrics offer? UV 40 – Blocks 95% of UV radiation UV 60 – Blocks 97.5% of UV radiation UV 80 – Blocks 99% of UV radiation Even their lowest rated fabrics (light colours e.g. white) offer a 95% UV block, whilst their best performing shading fabrics reduce UV penetration by 99%, enabling you to enjoy the sun responsibly. Discover the comprehensive range of Caribbean Blinds External Blinds and Awnings that will enhance your outside space, providing a dedicated outdoor living area where you can relax, keep cool and most importantly stay protected.

2023 is turning out to be a highly successful year for Lincoln based entrance matting manufacturer Make An Entrance, whose Managing Director Stuart Burlton has been shortlisted for the sought after title of Institute of Directors, Director of the Year. The IoD Awards are designed to find the stars of UK business and leadership. There are 3 regional awards: North, Midlands, and the East and South, with directors being recognised in 9 categories such as: Innovation, Young, Family, and Sustainability. The story of the Make An Entrance journey is truly inspirational. Having started out as a simple e-commerce operation, today it has brought almost all production in-house to become a thriving UK manufacturing business and in doing so has prevented the traditional skill of hand-stitched doormat making from being lost. The team’s hard work was recognised earlier this year when they scooped the Business Transformation Award in the 2023 Business Champions Awards. This further nomination in recognition of Stuart’s particular leadership skills as an accomplished Managing Director is the icing on the cake for the family firm. The IoD said: "The calibre of entries has been consistently high this year, so it is a great achievement to be shortlisted. Congratulations!" Stuart Burlton, Make An Entrance Co-Founder said: "I am delighted to be shortlisted as a finalist in these awards. It is wonderful for me and the team to be recognised for all the hard work that has gone on, to transform ourselves from a humble online company 5 years ago to a full-blown UK manufacturer today. Success is a complete team effort, and my shortlisting is just a reflection of that, and is proof that manufacturing in the UK can succeed!!!" Winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at IoD Headquarters in Pall Mall, London on Friday 29th September 2023.

Pioneers of the English wine industry, Ridgeview continue to blaze the trail for sustainable winemaking as it has achieved B Corp accreditation, joining a global community of purpose-driven businesses. Following a rigorous application process, the Estate has proven to have some of the highest social and environmental standards, with a commitment to ambitious sustainability goals for the future. B Corp is underpinned by a philosophy of balancing people, planet and profit, using business as a force for good. For Ridgeview, becoming a B Corp is much more than a certification; it is an opportunity to join a network of like-minded brands paving the way for the global sustainability movement. Situated in the heart of rural Sussex in the South Downs National Park, Ridgeview considers itself custodians of the estate that they call home, with a duty to protect and preserve the land and the communities within it, for generations to come. Believing in business as a powerful force for good since they established their family business in 1995, the B Corp values have always been an intrinsic part of their DNA. Tamara Roberts, Ridgeview’s second-generation CEO states: “Joining the B Corporation community feels like coming home, and their values align completely with ours. We are a business built on a holistic approach to decision-making that is not solely focused on profit, but that which benefits our people and planet too. To be a part of the B Corp network, we can amplify and accelerate our positive impact collaboratively with other businesses, looking to ways in which we can do things better and differently. It’s about doing the right thing and supporting our business firmly with our values as part of a community of businesses with a common purpose. The job is not done and nor will it ever be, we need to continue to look to ways in which we can learn and grow.” B stands for Benefit for all, with the B Corp vision of an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet. Ridgeview joins 5,575 global businesses and 950 UK companies from a broad cross selection such as The Body Shop, Propercorn, Ella’s Kitchen, Hawksmoor and Ridgeview’s friends at Exclusive Collection, who have recently joined forces by planting a vineyard on their South Lodge site. Ridgeview is one of only 25 global wineries that are now certified as a B Corp including Symington Family Estates, Champagne Heidsieck, Bonterra and England’s own, The Uncommon, which produce English sparkling wine in a can. Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, says “We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community. Business is a powerful force and B Corps demonstrate that you can do good in any sector. Welcoming Ridgeview is an exciting moment, they have an opportunity to lead the way within the English Wine industry. We and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased to support Ridgeview in paving the way for a new way of doing things”. Following the accreditation of the vineyard and winery under The Wines GB Sustainability scheme in 2021, this B Corp announcement marks a new chapter in Ridgeview’s pioneering journey, proving it is serious about sustainability. With an overall B Corp impact score of 92.9, Ridgeview achieved notably high scores in areas such as ‘Environment’, ‘Ethics & Transparency’, ‘Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’, ‘Mission & Engagement’ and ‘Governance’. Ridgeview’s environmental performance, in the notoriously challenging B Corporation assessment, proved the company to be carbon negative across scopes one and two, with a commitment to becoming carbon neutral across all three scopes by 2030. Ridgeview’s sparkling wine was proudly served to global leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021 (COP26), has strong ambitions to lead the English wine industry to transform its social and environmental practices through a collaborative approach, working together as a positive force for change.

Surrey County Council has been awarded £997,843 to deliver improved facilities for walking and cycling throughout the county. The investment will see more cycle and walking routes being created across the county and the development of ‘Liveable neighbourhoods’. Liveable neighbourhoods are areas that are improved to be more people-centred with infrastructure and schemes such as 20mph zones that make it easier and safer to walk and cycle. Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth said: “We’re delighted that the government is continuing to support Surrey’s plans for walking and cycling improvements by awarding us more funding so we can continue to transform how residents and visitors travel around our county and give them the confidence to walk and cycle safely." “With 41% of Surrey’s carbon emissions coming from transport, choosing to travel more sustainably will also mean we can all play our part to become a net zero county by 2050." “This funding will complement a range of other schemes we’ve already implemented to improve walking and cycling facilities across Surrey. These include active travel schemes on the A23 in Redhill and Park Road in Stanwell, local cycling and walking plans in Woking, Reigate and Banstead, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Elmbridge, Mole Valley and Waverley, as well as a £50m investment to improve bus services and help grow user numbers.” Surrey County Council was awarded the funding from the Department of Transport’s Active Travel Fund (ATF4) which helps councils to develop better designed walking and cycling schemes. For more details about active travel in Surrey check out their website here

The University of Surrey has moved into the top 50 of Times Higher Education's (THE) Impact Rankings, which assesses global institutions against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Surrey has been ranked 46th in this year's THE rankings out of 1,591 participating universities. This also means that Surrey has moved into the top 10 of universities in the UK, ranking 9th in the country. The news was met by the University's Vice-Chancellor highlighting the crucial role universities can play in helping communities across the world tackle grand challenges such as hunger, clean water for all and gender equality. Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said: "The University of Surrey is committed to improving the health of our planet and the wellbeing of the living beings that call it home." "Through our recently-established Institute for Sustainability, we are pioneering a new way to address sustainability by connecting multidisciplinary capabilities and social goals to build a better future for our world. We're also embedding sustainability in our teaching, offering students a holistic education, and we will be launching a new sustainability course in September." "So, we are proud of our community's effort and contributions being recognised by this prestigious ranking." Four of the SDGs that Surrey submitted for the rankings were ranked top 50 and six were ranked top 100. Professor Bob Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, and Executive Sustainability Lead from the University of Surrey, said: "We are incredibly proud to have moved up nine places into the top 50 universities in the world. This achievement is a testament to the commitment of everyone at Surrey to make a positive impact on communities across the world, especially those that are most vulnerable."

In the past 12 months, UK commercial cleaning experts Cleanology took on 600 new staff, during a period of record-breaking growth that saw the company win new contracts in London, as well as spearheading a national expansion ranging as far afield as Scotland, Bristol and Oxfordshire. An acquisition in Wigan, Lancashire, added a further 400 staff to the books, bringing the total to 1,400. Dominic Ponniah, CEO of Cleanology , which has recently moved to new headquarters at Vauxhall Nine Elms, South West London – described the jobs created as vindication of the company’s strength, as well as its dedication to employee wellbeing. He said: “The figures speak for themselves – in 2022, our turnover rose to £25 million. But the jobs we have created are also worth talking about.” “The new contracts have offered real opportunities for progression among our staff – we have created more supervisor and managerial jobs, and almost exclusively used in-house teams to fill these roles. Added to that, over 90 per cent of all our staff are now paid the Real Living Wage or higher.” Through the expansion, Cleanology has been able to offer a consolidated service for businesses with sites at multiple locations. It is also introducing its commitment to sustainability, fair pay and innovation to areas outside London. Ponniah concluded: “The employment market is undoubtedly the most difficult I have ever seen for recruitment. But our growth shows that all elements of the chain link together. We focus on quality, and invest in our staff, and it is really encouraging to see that our clients share the same values. People choose us because they can see we are a family-orientated company focused on quality, that doesn’t cut corners. And we are growing.” The company growth has enabled Cleanology to move to brand new offices in London’s new skyscraper district of Vauxhall Nine Elms. The move has provided much-needed space, but also, in true Cleanology style, the company has included a brand-new training and induction centre for new starters and continuous professional development. Ponniah concluded: “Our journey began in Vauxhall 20 years ago, so returning to the area feels like a seminal moment. From our new office, I can see across the park to our old offices and it makes me realise just how far we have come as a business, almost a reflection of Vauxhall itself. Maturing, but still learning and developing every day.”

Berry Recruitment Group’s inaugural Tony Berry memorial award for the business’s ‘combined top biller’ was won by Nicola Marshall from its Wild Berry Associates business in London. The company’s annual conference and award ceremony heard a tribute to its late chairman who died last year aged 81. He was among the leading businessmen of his generation and his drive and deal-making took him to the chairmanship of a £1bn-valued company. The award in his memory was presented by his son Spencer, the business development director, at the ceremony held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London. Staff from all of BRG’s near-40 branches from across England and Wales attended. BRG Managing Director Chris Chown said: “Tony introduced the awards evenings in 2009. He loved finding a great venue, getting everyone together, recognising some amazing achievements and having some fun. And that’s what we did.” “Although he is no longer with us, his legacy and values remain and he would be proud of how the company is progressing. And it was a pleasure to announce that the inaugural Tony Berry memorial award was won by Nicola Marshall who works at Wild Berry Associates and who has had a phenomenal year.” BRG’s latest accounts showed an 11 per cent increase in gross profits to £14.4m. In 1981 Tony Berry bought a controlling stake in Blue Arrow, a recruitment business in St Albans, Herts. He grew this company quickly and acquired a number of other businesses including Manpower and Brook Street. It was launched on the Stock Exchange becoming a FTSE 100 company and developing into the biggest recruitment business in the world. It sponsored Britain’s America’s Cup challenge in the late 1980s. Tony was once voted ‘best dressed man in the City’ and his generosity and largesse were legendary. In addition to his business interests Tony was a long-time director of Tottenham Hotspur and was club chairman in 1991-92. BRG, which Tony founded, has brands including Berry Recruitment, Wild Recruitment, Wild Berry Associates and First Recruitment Services.

HE Simm Group, one of the UK’s leading privately-owned Engineering & Services firms, has been awarded a place in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work list for 2023. Announced today (12th May) online, the list recognises companies in numerous categories for their commitment to being a fantastic place to work. HE Simm Group has secured its place in the ‘big’ employers’ category for companies which employ between 250 and 1,999 people. In fact, the company has been recognised as one of the top 40 most loved companies in the UK. PizzaExpress, Fat Face, and David Lloyd Leisure have been ranked in the top 10 best employers in the ‘very big organisation’ category, while Octopus Energy, Churchill Retirement Living and HE Simm Group were ranked as some of the best ‘big’ employers. EasyJet Holidays and Better Placed were celebrated in the medium and small organisation categories, respectively – amongst others. Gareth Simm, third generation family member, one of four grandchildren of the founder who work within the Group, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer, comments on the Sunday Times Award: “We are absolutely blown away that we have made this prestigious list. Having said that, it is a fitting tribute to everything that we have focused on over the years to ensure our culture is one of the best!” “Being recognised in this list in our 75th Anniversary year makes me very proud, and I am sure my grandfather would be too.” “It is very important to me, my wider Simm family and our Executive team that we look after our people, that they are happy to come to work every day and that our culture and the values that we live by help us to attract, recruit and retain talent.” This year marks the 75th Year of incorporation of HE Simm. The business – which is now highly regarded as one of the leading engineering and services firms in the UK – was set up in 1948 by Ernie Simm, off the back of him buying George Hockenhall Plumbing in Liverpool with a loan of £200. Ernie, shortly afterwards, renamed the company ‘HE Simm’ in honour of his father Harold Edgar. Since then, it has expanded to deliver specialist Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health (MEP) services to both long-standing and new customers nationwide. In more recent times, it brought all its Group companies together – under the banner of the HE Simm Group to offer a complete engineering and services package to its customers. It now offers MEP, fire & security installation, maintenance, offsite manufacture and H&S consultancy services to customers in sectors including residential, commercial, education, healthcare and custodial – to name but a few. Chris Longcroft, EVP Publisher, The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards recognise companies that create a happier and fulfilling working environment for all, by fostering engagement from their teams, yielding great business and performance in return. Wishing all of those companies who made the grade this year many congratulations.” Lord Mark Price, Founder of WorkL, said: “Many Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work, powered by WorkL. You should be very proud of your achievement of being recognised as one of the very best places to work in the UK. I have little doubt that these awards will help with both retention of your existing employees and drive recruitment of the best candidates into your organisations in the year ahead.”

After a decade of success, HMG Paints, the UK’s leading independent paint manufacturer, has renewed its Technical Partnership with Prodrive, one of the world’s largest and most successful motorsport and technology businesses based in Banbury, UK. The partnership, which began in 2013, has seen HMG’s range of paints and coatings appear on a number of iconic cars built and run by Prodrive in several global racing series and FIA World Championships. The most prestigious of which was the team’s win at 88th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance event in 2020 with Aston Martin Racing. The team’s cars use HMG’s Acrythane 4GTE paint system, and a colour developed by the HMG Advanced Colour Design Team. “We’re delighted to be renewing our technical partnership with Prodrive,” comments Paddy Dyson, HMG Marketing Manager. “The last decade has created some very special memories and we’ve been so proud to see our paints at such iconic events including 24 Hours of Le Mans, Six Hours of Spa and even the X-Games.” Even though Prodrive is renowned for running successful global motorsport programmes, including leading the 2023 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) with its Bahrain Raid Xtreme Team, and winning the 1995 World Rally [Drivers’] Championship with Colin McRae behind the wheel of the iconic blue Subaru Impreza 555, the new partnership will also see HMG support Prodrive in other areas of its business. For almost four decades the Prodrive group of technology and design companies has also showcased its skills and agile approach to developing innovative engineering solutions in the automotive, aerospace, defence, and marine sectors alongside the design and manufacture of advanced lightweight composites. “Prodrive’s enduring success has been based upon long term partnerships across all aspects of our business, and we are therefore delighted to be entering a second decade of collaboration with HMG who, for the last 10 years, have supported not only our motorsport programmes but also the development of our facilities. We look forward to many more years of success together,” added Richard Taylor, Business Development Director (Motorsport) at Prodrive. The manufacturer’s latest endeavour in both motorsport and automotive sectors, is the Prodrive Hunter Hypercar. A 600 bhp, four-wheel drive all-terrain adventure vehicle with unrivalled ability and performance across any landscape, the Prodrive Hunter road legal model was born out of the Bahrain Raid Xtreme racing team competition vehicle. The race car, with its striking red and white painted livery, is driven by nine-time World Champion, Sebastien Loeb, in the toughest motorsport series, the W2RC, which includes the notoriously dangerous and challenging Dakar Rally as one of its race events.

Robinsons Brewery have announced the launch of two new beers – Pilsner Unfiltered and Citra Pale Ale – which join their roster of award-winning cask ales and kegged beers which are served across their 230 pubs across the North West, Cumbria and North Wales. The first beer, Pilsner Unfiltered, which recently trialed under Robinsons’ new Unicorn Brewing brand, joins the likes of HELLES, Pitch and Hopnik, bolstering their core range of kegged beers. Pilsner Unfiltered is a 4.0% ABV new world lager which uses four authentic German hops and is brewed to traditional methods with a modern twist. By unfiltering, Robinsons allow flavours to fully develop resulting in a clean and crisp lager with a slightly sweet taste, hoppy aroma and a short bitterness. Sam Kennerley, Brands and Drinks Manager for Robinsons, said: “We recently launched Pilsner into our craft keg club range to gauge feedback on this new liquid from both our partners and our customers. The goal was always to create a great drink that spins the idea of what a Pilsner is slightly on its head. We were blown away by the positive feedback to the beer, some of which called it our best lager ever, so it felt only right that we now make Pilsner Unfiltered a permanent part of the Robinsons family of beers.” The unfiltered nature of the beer also provides Robinsons with its first vegan-friendly beer that will be widely available as part of their range. “Providing choices in our pubs is really important to us. Like everyone, we’ve seen the growth of consumers making healthier and eco conscious choices, so offering a truly vegan friendly beer is a great step forward for our own range of beers.” Along with Pilsner, Citra Pale Ale will join Robinsons’ core cask range after successful stints as a seasonal beer throughout 2022. Citra Pale Ale is a popular hoppy 3.4% ABV pale ale that is jam-packed full of delicious Citra hops that deliver a sweet, fresh and citrus taste. “Citra is a beer we are really proud of at Robinsons. Just like Dizzy Blonde, it started out life as a seasonal beer last year and was immensely popular throughout our pubs. With summer just around the corner, the time felt right to bring Citra back as a permanent addition to our award-winning cask ale range and provide a great lower ABV cask choice for our customers.”