Group MD to speak at new construction sector networking event in Lincoln

Tracey Glew

The group MD of one of the leading businesses in surface preparation will be the guest speaker when the Construction Leaders Club launches its networking events in Lincoln.

Tracey Glew, who founded Lincoln-based The Preparation Group in 1991, will be giving a presentation about setting industry standards.

She will be talking at the pilot event on 15^th September, which marks the expansion of networking and business growth organisation the Construction Leaders Club into the city.

The organisation has been running successful networking events and programmes for professionals working in the sector in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire areas for the past four years.

Now it is taking its proven formula to Lincoln and hoping to successfully bring together those in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and the surrounding districts who work in the construction sector or in a business associated with the construction sector.

The inaugural session, which is being sponsored by The Preparation Group and held at the company’s Training Hub at Preparation House, Deacon Road, Lincoln, is to be held from 10am to noon on 15^thSeptember.

“Since founding The Preparation Group, Tracey has grown the business to become a leading business in surface preparation and we are delighted that she will be speaking at our launch event in Lincoln,” said business growth expert Terry O’Mahony, who founded and runs the Construction Leaders Club.

“We are looking forward to taking our proven formula of connecting businesses and their professional teams into the Lincoln area – giving those who work within the construction sector and associated professions the chance to network and to find out more about each other and the services they provide, as well as discovering more about the business growth and development opportunities offered by the Construction Leaders Club.”  

As well as monthly networking events, Construction Leaders Club also runs development programmes and workshops for individuals including a Mastermind Programme, aimed at business owners and senior decision makers, and a Rising Stars Programme for high potential individuals who want to step-up to the next level. New courses on each programme are expected to begin this Autumn.

The organisation, which is supported in Nottingham by Nelsons Solicitors, insurance and risk brokers Arthur J Gallagher and audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM, who will also be sponsoring the Lincoln event, earlier this year became what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

Tracey Glew heads up an organisation that has grown to become a market leader in surface preparation. The Preparation Group specialises in the full preparation of any surface from concrete to marble. It has completed jobs worldwide and worked in such prestigious and high-profile locations as Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Manchester United’s ground. The firm has operated in factories, supermarkets, airports, ships and hangars for multi-billion-pound jets. 

It is now a centre of expertise - providing environmentally friendly solutions for preparing, cleaning and finishing almost any surface in any market sector, as well as providing training.

Tracey said: “I am looking forward to welcoming the Construction Leaders Club to Lincoln and to the headquarters of The Preparation Group. I am proud to be the guest speaker at this inaugural event in Lincoln, and I hope the construction sector in the area supports it and finds it a useful way to network and build contacts and associates.”

For more details about the Construction Leaders Club or to book for the trial event on 15^th September in Lincoln, which costs £30 and includes Danish pastries and coffee, and will offer plenty of time for networking, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit  http://www.constructionleadersclub.com  

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Grant secured for historic town thanks to Focus Consultants

Interpretive design by PLB Projects
 

Focus Consultants has helped to secure a major Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant which will play a key part in showcasing the heritage of an historic Norfolk town. 

Experts at Focus supported the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk in its successful second round bid to the HLF, which resulted in a grant of £1,850,600 being awarded for improvements in the historic quarter of King’s Lynn. 

The grant is part of a cash injection of just under £5million which will fund two exciting projects that will enhance the King's Lynn St Margaret’s Conservation Area, remodel the Saturday Market Place and restore the town hall complex as a centre for the cultural life of the town. 

Focus has now been appointed to project manage the delivery of the Stories of Lynn project – a scheme to bring to life the stories of local people documented in the town’s impressive archive. King's Lynn was once a port of medieval importance, and the project will enable the story of the town's civic, social, economic and political life to be told.  

“We were very pleased to hear about the successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid, which Focus helped the council to develop and submit, and are now looking forward to bringing the ideas and plans to life,” said Mike Lee, associate at Focus Consultants. “The whole scheme will showcase King’s Lynn’s rich history, improve public access and will rejuvenate that area of the town.” 

Work is expected to begin early next year. 

The grant application is the latest in a string of successful applications supported by Focus, which is based at Phoenix Business Park, in Nottingham and has offices in Holborn, London, Leicester, Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire. 

Since being founded 20 years ago, in 1994, the firm has helped to secure more than £925 million of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.0 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

For more information please visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk  
Press release issued by Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Overseas distributors and production partners sought by ‘water-into-beer’ developers Moonshine Drinks

A UK-based company which has developed an exciting new brew in a bag product that turns tap water into beers, ciders and wines is continuing its expansion plans by searching for overseas partners ahead of the launch of additional products in the range. 

Moonshine Drinks – an award-winning new and unique brew-at-home product with a worldwide patent – is revolutionising the market for creating drinks at home.   

Last Autumn the firm launched with a three-strong range of beers which are produced simply by adding water to the Moonshine bag to create quality, naturally brewed beer in around two weeks.

With growing UK sales and current interest in more than ten countries, a range of ciders and wines is planned for launch in Autumn 2014…. using the same ‘just add water’ technique.

Now Moonshine Drinks is looking for partners outside the UK to distribute the growing product range or even produce locally under licence in more distant markets. 

“As we prepare to launch into the next phase, this is a perfect time for overseas distributors to talk to Moonshine Drinks,” said Moonshine Drinks’ Richard Worrall. “We are now looking for retail or distribution partners who could generate sales outside the UK on a distribution or production licence basis.” 

The Moonshine beer bags are currently being sold in the UK through premium retailer Lakeland and via upmarket garden centres and stores, with about 300 outlets now stocking the product. The range includes: 

• Cheesemakers – a lighter, golden ale with a hoppy flavour
• Four Candles – a medium bitter, traditional malty British ale
• Dark Adder – a dark beer akin to a mild with a subtle liquorice flavour

All brew to about 4.2% ABV strength and are ready to drink around two weeks after the brewing process begins and last a further month. Each brew-at-home-system comes in a striking, space-saving tube, which contains a brewing bag with malt extract inside, a sachet of ‘Moondust’ (yeast/nutrients), a yellow brewing cap and instructions for use. 

The products pre-brew are inert, non-alcoholic (and therefore do not require a special licence to be sold) and have a year’s shelf life. Also suitable for vegetarians, they contain natural ingredients and are simple and fun to brew. The Moonshine beers produce 25 pints or about 14 litres of beer from just one bag and are the easiest way to produce craft beer at home. 

Two ciders (apple and perry/pear) and three wines (white Pinot Grigio, rosé Zinfandel and red Cabernet Sauvignon) are due to be launched in the Autumn to give a full range of drinks. 

The product, which was developed by Moonshine Drinks Ltd in conjunction with experts at The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, was awarded an innovation award from the Food and Drink iNet during its development. 

The Moonshine team works with one of the world’s leading malt suppliers, Muntons, to create the individual mix of ingredients which are the basis for such superb drinks. 

Distributors or potential producers who fit the bill and can potentially work with Moonshine Drinks should contact Richard Worrall on richard@moonshinedrinks.co.uk for more information. 

www.moonshinedrinks.co.uk

Press release issued by Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

BSP Consulting secures first overseas contracts

Civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has won its first international contracts with appointments on a major highway scheme and building project in Kurdistan. 

The company has secured work in the area as part of a major infrastructure development programme in the region. 

BSP has been appointed by the Ministry of Culture as checking engineer for a new theatre in the capital, Erbil. Work is due to get underway on site on the Holi Gel theatre project shortly. 

The firm has also been appointed to provide project management services on a road scheme in the region’s second city, Slemani. Work on the 40 km dual carriageway, between the towns of Dukan and Chwarqurna, features a number of bridges and is expected to take two years. 

BSP, which has its headquarters at Oxford Street, Nottingham, and branches in Derby, Leicester and Sheffield, now has two engineers in Kurdistan who are overseeing the work. 

“For a while we have been looking at opportunities in the Middle East in places like Abu Dhabi and more recently Kurdistan, and we are very pleased to have secured these two contracts,” said BSP managing director David Sumner. 

“The downturn in the UK construction sector gave us the chance to fully explore areas overseas that were looking for British expertise. Our investment in this over the past few years is now coming to fruition, and we hope that further opportunities will be forthcoming.” 

Representatives from BSP have travelled to the Middle East on a number of occasions for a series of meetings and trade exhibitions ahead of securing the work.The contracts mark the first overseas developments undertaken by BSP.

“Since forming almost 15 years ago, we have gradually expanded as a company and we now cover the whole of the UK. The recently won work in Kurdistan is our first international development, however,” added David. 

As an oil-rich region, Kurdistan is investing heavily in infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, schools, housing and cultural amenities. The Kurdistan Regional Government has a large spending programme underway which involves major public schemes.

BSP is now registered to operate in the region, which is part of Iraq, and hopes to be involved in additional projects in the future, said David. 

The company provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services in civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents.

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

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

New ‘shop-in-shop’ launched for garden centres by SANLI (UK) Ltd

Lawnmower and garden products supplier SANLI (UK) Ltd is showcasing its new ‘shop-in-shop’ concept for garden centres at trade show GLEE 2013.

The company has devised special self-contained units which slot neatly into a display area – allowing garden centres to easily and effortlessly promote the Sanli range.

Customers can browse information on a touch screen and check out the equipment demo models surrounding the screen on an attractive ‘striped lawn area’.

After ordering, delivery is made free next day, direct to the customer.

“Few garden centres have traditionally offered petrol products such as lawnmowers, partly because these are technical products requiring specialised sales people and also the after-sales service that is required in the form of maintenance, servicing and repair,” said Sanli (UK) Ltd managing director Simon Del-Nevo. 

“The Sanli shop-in-shop, together with the after-sales care Sanli Helpline, overcomes these challenges – giving garden centres a convenient way in which to extend their range to encompass petrol lawnmowers and other garden equipment and create new sales.”

Sanli, which supplies a range of quality, good value, petrol lawnmowers and products, including brush cutters, chainsaws, hedge cutters, blowers and generators, has devised eye-catching 2m by 3m display units for garden centres which require just power and WiFi.

The shop-in-shops, which are delivered and installed working, will be unveiled for the first time at GLEE 2013, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 15^th to 17^th September. 

"The shop-in-shops require no garden centre staff involvement, as information is available from the touch screen and from the demo models surrounding the screen on the 'striped lawn area’,” said Simon Del-Nevo. “Delivery is made by Sanli, next day, free to customer, and all after-care is via the Sanli helpline and includes everything from telephone advice to 'back to base' for warranty work.”

Visit the Sanli (UK) Ltd stand in Hall 5, stand number 5D-38, for more information about the new shop-in-shops.

Sanli supplies almost 200 dealers across the UK, and prides itself on offering a professional Sanli helpline to customers, which is a valuable selling point for its products.

Its website www.sanli.co.uk has been designed to act as a resource for Sanli lawnmower owners, and features useful gardening and mowing information and advice, owner’s manuals and safety sheets, details about offers, product registration, as well as a ‘find a dealer’ search facility.

Press release issued by Nottingham PR agency Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Opportunities for food and drink producers

East Midlands food and drink producers have flocked to be part of a special Diamond Jubilee event in Mansfield next month.

All the stalls at Mansfield Jubilee Food and Drink Fair on Tuesday June 5th are booked, with a waiting list in operation.

Now East Midlands Fine Foods is inviting firms to take part in a food and drink marquee at the Festival of Heroes event in Grantham, which is being staged on July 7th and 8th.

The aim of the event, which takes place at the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, is to raise the profile of the Territorial Army, as well as raise money for Help the Heroes charity and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

A speciality food and drink marquee celebrating the best of British food and drink will be staged within the festival.

“We’re delighted that so many traders are keen to take part in the Mansfield Jubilee Food and Drink Fair, as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the town,” said East Midlands Fine Foods event organiser Toni Jarvis. “We’re now fully booked, but have a waiting list in case of any cancellations.

“However, there’s still space for traders who’d like to join us for the Festival of Heroes event in Grantham in July.”

East Midlands Fine Foods, which promotes food and drink producers from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland, runs a number of food and drink events in the region, including the monthly Regional and Speciality Food and Drink Market in Nottingham.

Items on sale at the Mansfield event include exotic, fresh and cooked meats, pickles, cheeses, olives and baklava, cakes and coffee.

For more information about stalls call 0115 9758810. For details about the Festival for Heroes event in Grantham visit www.festivalforheroes.co.uk

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

Nottingham team act as personal tour guides for mobile phone app Pocket Britain

This Easter, thousands of tourists will be guided around some of Britain’s most popular tourist destinations with help from a Nottingham team.

Voice artists from the city were involved in putting together the audio for Pocket Britain – a free mobile phone app which gives visitors key information about an area, including venues to visit.

The app has recently been announced as a finalist in the Race for Apps final, a competition that aims to discover world-beating ideas for smartphone apps for visitors attending the Olympic Games this summer.

Created by app developer Pocket Places, the commentary, audio and sound effects for Pocket Britain were recorded at Nottingham-based Northbound Studios by musician and recording engineer Mike Giddins.

He used voice artists living in the city, but with different accents, to record the commentary.

And while many of the sound effects were recorded at specific venues across Great Britain, some of the more general sounds were recorded in Nottingham, with the River Trent featuring whenever the sound of water is used.

“The various members of the Nottingham team have played a huge role in the development of Pocket Britain, and in effect they will be guiding tourists and visitors around hundreds of venues across Great Britain this Easter,” said Mark Oakden, CEO of app developer Pocket Places, which is based near Norwich in Norfolk.

Mark, who is originally from Nottingham, went to the former Bilborough Grammar School and worked for many years at computer-aided design software company Pafec Ltd at Strelley. He has worked with tourist boards, heritage sites and other organisations across Great Britain to create the free mobile phone app.

His son Nick Oakden, from Hyson Green, wrote many of the scripts used in the app, which is a national destination guide that’s available literally at your fingertips.

Nottingham musician Mike Giddins, who has written music for TV and radio, worked with five locally based voice artists, including two students from the University of Nottingham and an actor originally from the north of England, to create authentic-sounding commentary.

“I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I do like attention to detail when it comes to sound effects,” he said. “When you’re involved in a project like this you have to be a people manager, you have to have an artistic angle on it and you have to have a technical angle on it.

“I’m very proud of the quality of the app. It’s great to think that people across Great Britain will be enjoying getting out and about and visiting hundreds of tourist destinations listening to our words.”

The mobile web version of Pocket Britain, which is free to download, is being continually updated and is available from www.pocketbritain.com via the Apple Appstore and the Android Marketplace. Users can either download the app or visit the website using their smartphone.

It features details about the best and most interesting places to visit around Great Britain, and contains more than 500 articles and thousands of photos.

It even allows users to send a free picture postcard to friends and family – sharing their experiences.

“We have worked with a wide range of organisations to put together the content for Pocket Britain,” said Mark Oakden.

“Each Pocket Britain article is in a consistent format, designed for a small smartphone display, and every article contains at least one photo, with many articles featuring further photos and even audio commentary.

“The app uses the location facilities of the smartphone to inform users what’s of interest nearby, including the history of an area and places to visit, and features useful information like opening times, entry prices and contact details.”

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

Our client Cherizena Coffee is looking for self-employed home-based sales agents

Our client Cherizena Coffee is a well-established specialist producer of premium, speciality and flavoured coffee beans selling directly to the public. To meet increased demand for the firm's distinctive product they are looking for flexible, keen, outgoing individuals or couples to sell Cherizena products at food fairs, shows, events and markets throughout the UK.

No experience necessary but you will need enthusiasm for meeting the public, a willingness to learn about and a passion to promote Cherizena products.

You will be your own boss and the work will be flexible to suit your own requirements. Work as little or as much as you wish and where you want to.

Earnings will be dependent upon the effort you put in, with trail commissions payable for continued sales. Full support, training and low priced start-up package available.

Drop a line to info@cherizena.co.uk if you want to find out more.

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