Harding Evans have recently advised on a Commercial Property matter for a new Yoga Studio & Coffee Bar in Cardiff Bay.

Vibes opened on January 12th and offers a range of classes suitable for all abilities, seven days a week. An independent venue which is owned and run by Jenny Jarvis, Vibes also boasts a coffee bar, (which is open to everyone, not just those taking classes) to help patrons relax, unwind and to feel “their best self”. In addition to speciality teas and coffees, the coffee bar serves a selection of superfood smoothies, fresh cold-pressed juices and a range of plant-based sweet and savoury bakes, with their central aim of being welcoming, sustainable and community focussed.

Harding Evans advised on general landlord and tenant matters in relation to the commercial property, along with negotiating the terms for the Harrowby Street premises, before drafting and completion of the lease. The whole process took approximately 3 months.

Explaining why she opted to instruct Harding Evans, Ms Jarvis said “Harding Evans came recommended by a friend and with one short phone call with James Young, I knew they were the right firm for me. From the get-go, Harding Evans were helpful and knowledgeable. Negotiating a commercial lease can be a complex process, but Harding Evans made it as seamless as possible, keeping me informed from start to finish”.

James Young, partner in Harding Evans’ commercial property team, added “it was an absolute pleasure to work with Jenny and secure this premises for her exciting new venture. Vibes is a great addition to Cardiff Bay and I am sure the local community will be making full use of the classes and the café in no time. I wish Jenny nothing but success”.

You can visit Vibes at Ocean House, Harrowby Street, Cardiff, CF10 5GA

Following the busiest time of the year for gift card gifting, experts at the Gift Card and Voucher Association (GCVA) estimate that UK adults will spend as much as *£122m from gift cards in January to combat seasonal blues and boost the economy.

Whilst retailers reported a rebound in sales in December, the forecast for the new year is less optimistic, with sales anticipated to decline 17% in the year to January. Consumer spending is also set to be hit by high inflation and the post-Christmas lull as many look to save, not spend.

However, with Global Data research finding that 54% of the adult population have a gift card to spend each year, and the number of gift cards in wallets peaking in January, getting customers through the door to spend their gift cards could be essential to increasing footfall and revenue in quieter periods. Furthermore, for cash conscious shoppers looking to limit spending, they can still treat themselves by making use of their gift cards.

Gift cards can play a key role in supporting small businesses in January, and research shows that gift card holders are keen to support their local high street. In the 2022 State of the Nation research, 28.8% of monthly gift card purchasers said that supporting local businesses was a motivation for buying gift cards and 26.4% said they will continue to purchase gift cards as a means to support local companies.

Businesses can also benefit from increased brand awareness and loyalty if customers are encouraged to spend their gift cards. Over half of those who have received a gift card over the past three years have been introduced to a new brand or organisation via this format, a figure that rises to 67.3% of Gen Z consumers. In addition, over half of those who are introduced to a new brand become regular customers.

Gail Cohen, director general of the GCVA, said: “GCVA data shows that 90.3% of customers will spend their gift cards within six months, with 98% typically spending them within a year. However, businesses should look to encourage consumers to spend as soon as possible. Gift cards are not a present for the top drawer and provide a valuable means to increase brand loyalty, introduce new customers to the business and boost January revenue.

“With a large number of consumers receiving a gift card over the Christmas period, be it from friends and family, an employer or as a loyalty reward from a business, there is huge potential to increase post-Christmas sales. Customers can be encouraged to treat themselves, online or in-store, to an uplifting gift to combat the January Blues, whilst supporting businesses at the same time.

“There are a number of ways that businesses could encourage consumers to spend their gift cards in January, for example, offering an extra reward or incentive to shoppers who spend in the first month of the year, such as a referral code or an additional voucher to encourage shoppers to return, build brand loyalty and increase brand awareness. In addition, businesses should increase in-store and online marketing to give consumers that feeling of elation when they remember that they have a gift card to spend.”

*£122m figure is based on number of adults receiving cards each year, the seasonal distribution of these cards being received, and an average value per card of £20.

Whether or not the UK is technically in recession, the cost-of-living crisis is certainly curbing consumers’ spending power. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, 93% of people report that their cost of living is higher than it was a year ago. This means that many businesses are facing a tough year ahead. With that in mind, UK sales transformation specialist Sales Talent has shared five actions that every small and medium enterprise (SME) owner can take in 2023 to enhance their chances of success.

“Whether we’re in the midst of economic growth of 0.1% or a contraction of 0.1% right now, the difference for businesses on the ground is minimal. The fact remains that consumers have less disposable income than they did this time last year. But there is still plenty that businesses can do to counterbalance the tough times.”

Paul Owen, MD, Sales Talent

Five actions every SME should take

1. Do better research

It isn’t time to panic and start desperately cold calling to try and drum up business. Instead, research shows that taking the time to research potential customers can pay dividends. According to the LinkedIn State of Sales Report 2022, 82% of top performing salespeople always carry out research before they get in touch with prospects. Pausing before picking up the phone and investing time in each prospect can make a big difference.

2. Invest in your staff

If a business is quiet, it’s the perfect time to focus on nurturing staff. Investing in a training programme can reassure teams that they have a long-term future with the company. It can also strengthen team and individual performance, ready for when things pick up again. There is always potential for staff to develop, so a programme of continuous learning can benefit both individuals and the business as a whole.

3. Be dynamic

While large companies can take weeks or even months to make decisions and implement them, small and medium-sized businesses have the advantage of being fast and flexible when it comes to decision making.

“Whether it’s a change of course, a new strategy, a training programme or anything else, a tough economic climate is the ideal time to be dynamic and put new plans in motion. Smaller businesses have the agility to experiment and adapt. If you and your business aren’t taking advantage of that, ask yourself what you could change.”

Paul Owen, MD, Sales Talent

4. Don’t wait and see

The greatest danger to a business that’s facing financial difficulties is to wait and see. Economic pressures can feel overwhelming, but this can cloud the potential to make changes and pursue local advantages. There is plenty on offer for small and medium enterprises around the UK, from micro-grants to free business masterclasses for owners. Finding out what is available locally can open up new avenues to move a business forward.

5. Stay focused on your ethics

Many small business owners start their companies because they are passionate about a particular product or service. It’s important to keep that in mind when times are tough, as operating in line with your principles is essential to long-term success. Not only can doing so impact your reputation – and with social media and sites such as TrustPilot, reputation has never been more important – but it can also ensure you feel good about what you do. And that is key to keeping a business going and remaining happy doing so over the longer term.

“Times are tough but that doesn’t mean that opportunities aren’t out there for small and medium businesses. Success might mean a change of mindset or refocusing on a new direction. Staying positive and keeping an eye on the horizon will be important in 2023.”

Paul Owen, MD, Sales Talent

For more information, please call Sales Talent on 020 3859 2000, email admin@salestalentuk.com or visit https://salestalentuk.com/

Salon for the Soul: Successful Halifax mental health community event returns for third time.

A Calderdale hairdressing salon and psychological therapist have joined forces to host an evening of mental health and wellbeing this February to give members of the local community the mental ammunition of how to feel safe in uncertain times.
Salon for the Soul is the brainchild of arts psychotherapist and social enterprise ‘Light of Mind’ founder Mary Franklin-Smith and Haris Tyler, owner of the boutique hairdressing salon Haus of Haris inside Halifax’s Westgate Arcade.
Salon for the Soul was first launched in September 2022 with subsequent events growing in popularity each time.

Delegate feedback from the first two events has included: ‘Listening to Mary speak. I found her inspiring, captivating, and genuine.’; and ‘It was so interesting the time just flew and couldn’t believe it when there were only five minutes left.’
The next event will be on 2 February 2023 from 7– 8.30pm. Guests will be offered hot beverages and cake and invited to sit and listen ton experimental talk focused on ‘how to feel safe in uncertain times’, exploring the present sense of internal safety when life feels scary and unknown.

Speaking of the event, Mary said:” Haris and I birthed the idea together during my hair appointments. He had a keen interest in mental health and our conversations were always around how he, as a hairdresser, would regularly hear a lot from his clients about their lives. Haris is used to caring for his clients on the ‘outside’ and as an arts psychotherapist, I am trained to help people have an embodied experience of their own internal mental health– both are incredibly important, and in these events, we are aiming on finding a bridge between an outside in and an inside out approach to wellbeing.”

“With NHS waiting times and a lot of uncertainty around the cost of living and post-pandemic life, we really wanted to explore how we could help the local community, on a small spectrum that wouldn’t cost a lot and give people a mental toolbox or a push in the right direction to find their inner peace,” continued Haris.

Tickets are priced at £15 each and places are limited to 30 people to create an intimate atmosphere within the salon. Sweet treats will be provided by local bakery Lucy’s Little Bakehouse.
To purchase tickets, please visit: Salon for the Soul: How to feel safe with uncertainty Tickets, Thu 2 Feb 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite