Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) supports launch of fruit salsas

An East Midlands organisation that supports new developments in the food and drink sector is backing a firm’s plan to launch the first fruit-based salsas of their kind in the UK.

The Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) has awarded £2,250 Innovation Advice and Guidance funding to support development of Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas.

The four salsas have been created by Carron Smith, who runs outside catering company Cookies of Oakham. After winning an award for her initial product development of Purple Pepper at the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010, Carron is moving towards the official launch of the products.

Now she’s working with experts to find a way of maximising the shelf life of the salsas and is looking at the best packaging for her products.

The iNet, which links academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs, has granted funding to help Carron work with food technical experts at Nottingham Trent University. Cookies of Oakham is match funding the support.

“Since the products are made using only fresh and raw ingredients and there’s no cooking involved, challenges exist in extending shelf life sufficiently to produce a commercially viable product,” said Carron, who lives in Glenfield, Leicester.

The Nottingham Trent University experts will help her to determine the best ways for her salsas to be packaged to ensure that they have maximum shelf life.

“The iNet has been absolutely fantastic through all of this,” said Carron. “I couldn’t have done it without their support and without the support of Diana Thraves and Mike Dixon at Nottingham Trent University.”

Carron hopes that her Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas will be launching by the end of August – initially for sale to local delis and farm shops, and via food fairs. In the future she hopes to be selling the products direct to customers online.

Richard Worrall, Food and Drink iNet director, said: “One of the main functions of the Food and Drink iNet is to support the development of promising new products, and Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas fitted the bill perfectly. Carron has sought the advice of experts from concept through to development, and we are pleased to support her as she embarks on the final stages before product launch.”

The Food and Drink iNet, which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is one of four regional iNets that operates across the region. It has a pot of finance available this summer to provide match-funded support for eligible projects, which could be focusing on new products, accessing new markets or looking at new ways of working.

The Food and Drink iNet aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

For more information please contact the Food and Drink iNet on info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

If you need spares then talk to Sherwood Truck and Van's Kevin Brown

Commercial vehicle group Sherwood Truck and Van has appointed Kevin Brown as parts representative based at the company’s East Midlands HQ in South Normanton, Derbyshire.

As well as providing the quickest response possible when replacement parts are needed, he aims to develop new business and maintain relationships with existing customers.

The 39-year-old has 18 years of experience in the motor parts trade and was previously parts sales manager for a Midlands-based truck and bus dealer.

He will be responsible for supplying parts to the Derbyshire area.

Sherwood Truck and Van, now part of West Bromwich-based Guest Trucks, runs a 24-hour service with the capability to supply more than 15,000 parts to its dealership network.

The team can cater for a full range of vehicle makes and is currently running an Iveco Parts Price Challenge, promising to beat like-for-like prices.

Kevin, who lives in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, with his wife Sarah and three children, said: “As well as offering the best prices, it is important that we are able to react as soon as parts are required.

“My mobile phone is always on and we’re ready to respond to our clients’ needs.”

In his spare time he grows vegetables and keeps chickens at his allotment. He says he also “tries” to play golf.

Regional director responsible for the four Sherwood locations, Helen Waterfall, said: “It’s great to welcome Kevin to Sherwood Truck and Van.

“Keeping our customers happy and reacting when spares and new parts are needed is a crucial job in a competitive field.

“Promoting sales and marketing campaigns like our summer offers on original Iveco brake and clutch parts will be a key part of Kevin’s role as we strive to provide the best service possible.”

Guest Trucks is one of the UK’s largest independently owned commercial vehicle dealers and the single largest Iveco distributor.

The group now covers an area that includes the West Midlands, North Wales, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire, and Norfolk.

Its network includes 12 full service Iveco dealerships, supported by local agreements with an additional eight authorised Iveco repairers.

Sherwood is a leading supplier of new and used commercial vehicles, established in 1978. The company also maintains, services and repairs commercial vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and most of Cheshire.

Sherwood Truck and Van www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Union Black flies the flag with launch of premium quality, premium strength cider

Union Black, a new premium quality, premium strength cider is being launched into the UK’s off-trade market.

A product conceived by Philip Warren and Will Austin at Union Brands Limited, more than one and a half million 500ml cans of the 8.4% abv cider have been sold since the launch in May.

Union Brands’ Will Austin said: “Produced in Herefordshire, at a press with a heritage dating back more than 150 years, Union Black is a traditional, high quality amber cider providing strength and refreshment presented in a contemporary package.

“Union Black is a drink for people who appreciate good cider.

“The Union brand is clearly positioned to its target consumer as edgy and alternative. We have an extensive marketing plan to communicate with our target market in a highly engaging way.”

Philip and Will have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sector, having worked in cider-making and brewing for over 25 years. They identified a gap in the market for a high quality cider at a competitive price offering consumers a better value proposition.

Novus Sales Ltd, which specialises in taking fast-growing and high-potential brands into mass distribution, has been appointed sales and distribution agent.

The recommended retail price of Union Black is £1.19 per can and £4.49 per 4-pack. The cider is available in cases of 24.

Union Brands is already working on extending the Union Cider portfolio alongside developing another exciting new concept in the alcoholic drinks category to be launched later in 2011.

For more information about Union Black visit www.unionblackcider.com


Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Croots Farm Shop birthday raises almost £1,200 for Derbyshire children’s charity Treats

Birthday celebrations at Croots Farm Shop in Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, have raised almost £1,200 for Derbyshire children’s charity Treats.

Staff at the farm shop and kitchen took part in a sponsored walk – clocking up 66 miles between them – and a luxury food hamper was raffled during a family fun day to mark the business’s third birthday.

The hamper was won by Edith Hough, of Hulland Ward, Derbyshire, a regular visitor to Croots’ award-winning butcher’s counter, deli and café.

Treats was set up 25 years ago to help under-privileged children in Derbyshire. It is one of Croots’ chosen charities for 2011.

Farm shop owner Steve Croot said: “It was a great effort by customers and staff. It’s great to have raised so much for Treats.

“The fun day included free face painting and a bouncy castle as well as a barbecue serving some of our award-winning sausages and meats.

“Earlier in the week staff pulled out all the stops, walking 66 miles in relays along the drive from the front of the shop to the main road and back. In all, we raised just short of £1,200.”

Online donations can still be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/Steven-Croot

Croots, based at Farnah House Farm, opened its doors three years ago and has gone from strength to strength. As well as the shop and café, it recently opened a plant nursery.

Its sausages and meat products have won numerous awards. Last year it was a runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards. The year before, it was named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops.

Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (café until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (café until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Sherwood Truck and Van’s Fiat Fiorino helps PCS Motor Factors to deliver

Sherwood Truck and Van, the East Midlands-based commercial vehicle group, has secured a deal to supply seven Fiat Fiorino 1.3 Multijet vans to car component distributor PCS Motor Factors.

From July, the mid-sized van will form the mainstay of the company’s 34-strong fleet after an initial six were acquired from Sherwood Truck and Van in 2010.

Confidence in the van was matched by confidence in the service provided by South Normanton-based Sherwood, according to PCS senior partner Steve Marsden.

“Everything Sherwood promised, they delivered,” he said.

“We can’t afford downtime. A vehicle off the road means a reduced service for our customers, and that goes directly against our philosophy. Sherwood understands that.

“They will service our vehicles at any time, 24 hours a day, and that’s of huge value. It’s the same with breakdowns. We haven’t had any yet, but I have every confidence Sherwood will respond if the need arises.

“Success in our business depends on four very important things. We have to be flexible, competitive and knowledgeable, but most of all we must be able to deliver when the customer needs us to – anything less is simply unacceptable.”

PCS was formed in Clay Cross, near Chesterfield, 33 years ago and supplies parts across the East Midlands.

Sherwood Truck and Van is part of West Bromwich-based Ian Guest Holdings, one of the UK’s largest independently owned commercial vehicle dealers.

The group covers an area that includes the West Midlands, North Wales, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire.

Regional director responsible for the four Sherwood locations, Helen Waterfall, said: “I am delighted that PCS Motor Factors has ordered from Sherwood Truck and Van again after being so pleased with the vehicles we supplied last year.”

Sherwood is a leading supplier of new and used commercial vehicles, established in 1978. The company also maintains, services and repairs commercial vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and most of Cheshire.

www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

East Midlands business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum stages its AGM

More than 130 professionals connected to the East Midlands food and drink sector took part in the annual general meeting and networking supper of business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum.

The Forum is one of the largest business support organisations in the region dedicated to the food and drink sector, with members across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

The annual general meeting and members’ networking supper, which took place at Kelham Hall, near Newark, is the flagship event of the organisation’s calendar.

During the event The Forum unveiled a new membership structure which it hopes will appeal to firms across the food and drink chain from producers and manufacturers through to distributors and retailers.

The new structure will also allow members to choose the level of support they need and to take advantage of new services that will be rolled out over the next year.

“The nature of business support is changing as a result of the political and economic landscape,” said Food and Drink Forum Managing Director Fiona Anderson. “However, we believe this makes our role as a sector-specific organisation even more relevant and even more important than ever for businesses.

“We have a commitment to the industry built up over 13 years. We know and understand the sector, and as a result we can offer services that are tailored to the industry’s needs and that help to achieve new orders, continued growth and access to new markets. We hope our new membership structure will appeal to existing members and also to others who work across a broad spectrum of the food industry.”

After the AGM, delegates received presentations from Sam Sangha, Managing Director of Nottingham-based importer and wholesaler of oriental foods Asiana Ltd, and his daughter Sandy Lathia, who is the firm’s Business Development Director, who spoke about bringing a product to market – describing how they developed and launched Siam Gold beer.

Head of Marketing at Pork Farms Ltd, Andy Napthine, went on to talk about Pork Farms’ brand relaunch, which came earlier this year as the brand marks its 80th anniversary.

This was followed by the Members’ Supper, sponsored by recruitment consultants Ambitions Personnel. Established in 1990, with 17 locations in the East Midlands, and currently supplying over 1500 temporary workers to the food industry on a daily basis, Ambitions Personnel believes that an organisation’s best ingredients should be its people.

The Food and Drink Forum is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, and is a membership organisation that supports the sustainable growth of the food and drink sector across the East Midlands.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the benefits of joining The Food and Drink Forum should call 0115 9758810 or visit www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Photo caption:
Left to right: Food and Drink Forum Managing Director Fiona Anderson, Head of Marketing at Pork Farms Andy Napthine, Business Development Director Sandy Lathia and Managing Director Sam Sangha, both from Asiana Ltd.

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Third birthday party fun at Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire to boost children’s charity Treats

Free face-painting and a bouncy castle will be among attractions as Croots Farm Shop in Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, celebrates its third birthday on Saturday. (June 18, 2011)

The family fun day will include the raffling of a food hamper in aid of children’s charity Treats and a barbecue selling delicious sausages and burgers from Croots’ prize-winning butchers’ counter.

Treats was set up 25 years ago to help under-privileged children in Derbyshire. It is one of Croots’ chosen charities for 2011. On Wednesday (June 15, 2011) staff took part in a 50-mile relay walk up and down the farm shop’s drive to raise money for Treats.

It is hoped that the two events will help to net hundreds of pounds for the good cause.

“In the three years since we opened we have expanded and now have an award-winning butchery, deli and café as well as a children’s play area and our recently opened plant nursery,” said owner Steve Croot.

“It’s great to be able to give something back and we’re inviting our loyal customers who have supported us since June 2008 to come along and join in the fun, and at the same time help us to raise money for Treats.”

Money is being collected in the shop and donations can be made online by visiting www.justgiving.com/Steven-Croot

Croots, which is based at Farnah House Farm, opened its doors three years ago – just as the recession started. But it has gone from strength to strength and attracts customers from a wide area.

Its sausages and meat products have won numerous awards. Last year it was a runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards. The year before, it was named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops.

The family fun day kicks off at 10am on Saturday June 18th.

Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (café until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (café until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk



Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

BSP Consulting appointed to Castleward Urban Village regeneration scheme in Derby

Civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has been appointed as part of the team developing the exciting £100 million Castleward Urban Village regeneration scheme in Derby.

The company has been secured to provide the full civil, structural and transport engineering services for the project.

Derby City Council named urban renewal and regeneration specialist Compendium Living as preferred partner for the regeneration programme, which will involve the construction of around 800 new homes on a 30-acre brownfield site, as well as new schools and community facilities. The overall scheme will take more than ten years to complete.

Compendium Living is a joint venture between Lovell, the country’s leading provider of affordable homes, and Riverside, the third largest Registered Social Landlord group in England.

“We are extremely pleased to have been chosen to work on this prestigious flagship project for Derby,” said BSP director Jef Todd. “It has tremendous potential for the city and is one of the most exciting developments we have been involved with in the East Midlands.

“The scheme will replace a brownfield area with a sustainable community between Derby city centre and the railway station.”

Work will start in spring 2012 on the first phase of the Urban Village scheme, which will include around 70 homes, 2,500 sq m of commercial space, community facilities, a central park and a boulevard between Derby railway station and the city centre.

Phase 1 will be built on land provided by Derby City Council and the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and helped by acquisitions financed by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Dave Bullock, managing director of Compendium Living said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen by Derby City Council as their preferred partner for this development, and look forward to helping create this exciting new community in the heart of Derby. Lovell has worked with BSP on numerous schemes throughout the region and we are excited to be working with them on such a prestigious development.”

Teams from BSP’s Derby and Nottingham offices are working on the project – providing the full civil, structural and transport engineering services including transportation planning, road and drainage design, flood risk assessments and bridge building expertise.

“We have involvement in many regeneration projects across the UK, both in the past and currently, and we are delighted to be bringing our expertise to a scheme such as this that’s close to home,” added Jef Todd.

BSP’s project leader for the scheme, chartered civil engineer Carol Ell, said: “The team is looking forward to the technical challenges presented by such a prestigious and interesting scheme.”

BSP provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents.

The company was launched in Nottingham in 1999 and now has offices in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Sheffield.

www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Croots Farm Shop, Derbyshire, scoops four accolades at the British Pie Awards 2011

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has scooped four accolades in the British Pie Awards 2011 including a gold for its popular steak and kidney pie.

The farm shop near Duffield also won a silver award in the dessert pie category for its rhubarb and cherry pie, and bronze awards for its pork pie and its little mutton pie.

The awards, organised and hosted by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, featured 619 pies produced by bakers and butchers from across the UK. Judges included food writers, authors and chefs.

“It was the first time we’d entered the British Pie Awards and the whole team at Croots is absolutely chuffed to win four awards, including a gold,” said Steve Croot, who runs the shop at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road.

“We were up against some really top quality competition, so to come away with a gold, a silver and two bronze awards is brilliant.”

The awards are the latest to be won by the farm shop, which opened three years ago. Less than a month ago, Croots took three golds and a silver award for its sausages and pies at the 17th Robin Hood Championship. And in February Croots won 16 awards for its sausages and pies at the BPEX regional roadshow at Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire.

“We won a gold award for our mutton sausages last month, and this month we’ve won an award for our mutton pie at the British Pie Awards, which is great because mutton is undergoing a real revival at the moment,” added Steve.

The award-winning pies are hand made at Croots by Margaret Robinson, who is deputy manager of the shop.

Last year Croots was a runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards. The year before, it was named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops.

Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (café until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (café until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Sherwood Truck and Van employee Greg Townley steps into group-wide role for Guest Motors

Commercial vehicle group Sherwood Truck and Van’s health and safety chief Greg Townley has been appointed facilities manager for parent company Guest.

Previously responsible for health and safety at Sherwood’s four sites – in South Normanton, near Alfreton; Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent; Lenton, Nottingham; and in Sheffield – he now takes care of 15 sites stretching from Sheffield to Cambridge.

The 50-year-old joined Sherwood Truck and Van in May 2010 as health and safety/projects co-ordinator based at the company’s Nottingham site. His new appointment follows the acquisition of Sherwood Truck and Van earlier this year by West Bromwich-based Ian Guest Holdings.

He lives in Hucknall, near Nottingham, with wife Beverley and two children, 13-year-old Elizabeth and 11-year-old Jeffrey. He also has a 23-year-old stepson, Gareth.

His is now responsible for site maintenance and security, prioritising repairs, obtaining estimates and renegotiating contracts with suppliers. He will also be co-ordinating health and safety, waste control and considering the business’s environmental impact.

Greg said: “This role shows that Guest is willing to adopt best practice. I was already being used to cover the role for Sherwood so it made sense for me to take on group-wide responsibilities.

“Bringing everything together will allow other line managers to focus on their primary roles.

“I’m currently clocking up about 350 miles a week getting around the sites but I know this will increase as the role develops.”

Greg started work as an apprentice light vehicle mechanic with a firm in Nottingham, worked with a main dealer for 16 years becoming a master technician, before spending eight years with another motor group at branches in Nottingham, Leicester and Northampton.

He then worked for a Leicester dealership as after sales manager, and spent the three years before joining Sherwood Truck and Van working for a multi-franchised dealership in Lincoln as service manager and health and safety co-ordinator.

Regional director responsible for the four Sherwood locations, Helen Waterfall, said: “It’s great to see someone from Sherwood moving into a group role following the acquisition.

“I know Greg will use his talent, knowledge and expertise to boost efficiency and cost effectiveness.”

Ian Guest Holdings is one of the UK’s largest independently owned commercial vehicle dealers and the single largest Iveco distributor.

The group now covers an area that includes the West Midlands, North Wales, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire. Its network includes 12 full service Iveco dealerships, supported by local agreements with an additional eight authorised Iveco repairers.

Sherwood is a leading supplier of new and used commercial vehicles, established in 1978. The company also maintains, services and repairs commercial vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and most of Cheshire.

Sherwood prides itself on its service pedigree with a stock holding of more than 15,000 lines, a fully equipped accident repair centre and 24-hour roadside support.

www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com

Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Two new directors for East Midlands civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting

East Midlands civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has appointed two new directors.

Structural engineer Carl Hilton and civil engineer Jef Todd have been promoted to the Board with immediate effect.

Carl, who is based in BSP’s Nottingham office, has been with the firm for six years and has more than 22 years experience in construction working for consultants and developers. A chartered structural engineer and project manager, Carl will be playing a key role in the coordination of services across the company, as well as developing the business within key sectors.

Jef, who previously worked for consultants and house builders, joined the firm in 2001 and is based in BSP’s offices in Derby and Sheffield, but operates across the company. Highly experienced within the Registered Social Landlord (RSL) market, Jef’s new remit is as business development director.

“The Board of directors is delighted to welcome Carl Hilton and Jef Todd,” said BSP managing director David Sumner. “Their appointments are in recognition of their hard work and success in helping to develop the business over recent years.

“Their appointments strengthen BSP’s Board of experienced and proactive directors and will help to take the business forward.”

BSP provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents.

The company was launched in Nottingham in 1999 and now has offices in Oxford Street, Nottingham, Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester and Vincent House, Solly Street, Sheffield.

For more information visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Speciality food and drink producers invited to take part in Loughborough English Food and Drink Festival

Artisan food and drink producers from across the UK are being invited to take part in Loughborough English Food and Drink Festival.

The event is returning for a second time on Sunday June 26th after being launched in April.

Now organiser East Midlands Fine Foods, which is running the market on behalf of Charnwood Borough Council, is inviting applications for stalls.

“We hope to have a wide range of producers, from craft bakers to artisan chocolatiers,” said Jo Taylor, events co-ordinator at East Midlands Fine Foods. “We hope to be selling everything from speciality cheeses to top quality meats, and all sorts of items in between.”

The festival will be held in the Market Place, Loughborough, in the centre of the town, between 10am and 4pm.

For details about stalls, call East Midlands Fine Foods on 0115 9758810.

Visit www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk