Monthly Archives: August 2024

Business & Property News, News

Over one third of homeowners plan to move house in the next 12 months following increased confidence in UK property market

Over one third of homeowners plan to move house over the next 12 months following increased confidence in the UK property market, according to new research from leading self storage provider, Ready Steady Store.

The research, which surveyed members of the public on their perceptions of the UK property sector following the General Election outcome, also revealed a further 22% of homeowners are currently undecided on a house move.

Despite this, 39% of consumers believe the UK property market will actually improve under the new Labour Government, with 35% reporting increased confidence in the market, and 31% ‘somewhat confident’ new policies will actually help first-time buyers to climb onto the property ladder.

Although 42% of consumers have reported that the General Election outcome has neither decreased or increased their confidence in the UK property market, a massive 76% believe the Labour Government should prioritise housing affordability.

 

This research comes as the Bank of England slashed interest rates for the first time in four years, with the base rate reducing O.25% to 5% – automatically driving down mortgage rates from large high street lenders Halifax, Santander and NatWest.

 

Other key takeouts from the research include:

  • 33% of consumers believe high interest rates and high property prices are the biggest challenges facing the UK property market
  • 34% of consumers believe lowering interest rates would have the biggest impact on the property market, with 33% believing an increased housing supply would improve market conditions
  • 26% have reported an increase in property prices in their local area since the General Election with 54% advising they have stayed the same
  • Only 26% of respondents believe that interest rates will continue to decrease over the next 12 months, with 28% believing they will remain stable

 

Discussing the research, Mehran Charania, Director of Ready Steady Store, said: ‘The UK property sector has faced considerable challenges in recent years amidst volatile mortgage rates and uncertain market conditions. However, the proposed housing policies from the new Labour Government combined with a reduction in the Bank of England base rate has clearly increased confidence, as affirmed by our research.

“As such, I think many homeowners previously uncertain about a house move will now take the plunge and put their property on the market, driving both sector and economic uplift as a result – so watch this space.”

 

Established in 2005, Ready Steady Store is a fast-growing self storage provider with cost effective storage units located in the Midlands, and South, North and East of England.

With a total of 23 stores, Ready Steady Store prides itself in offering cost-effective and flexible self storage solutions to aid the house moving process.

 

For more information, visit: https://www.readysteadystore.com

Appointments

Keysource makes senior appointment to support service for investors

Keysource, the leading global specialist in data centres and critical environments, has appointed David Franczak to support its standalone Lender Technical Advisor (LTA) service which provides financial institutions with technical due diligence, including environmental and social monitoring, for investment opportunities associated with the data centre market.

The Keysource LTA service provides lenders with a comprehensive view of a project’s technical aspects, evaluating against industry standards for financing, constructability, and operability.  In his new role David will work with the team, acting as a link between the lenders and the borrower, engaging with both parties to identify risks that might influence the viability, or affect the cash flow of the Data Centre project, and offering strategic advice on how to avoid, or mitigate those risks.

Prior to joining Keysource, David was a Senior Consultant at PTS where he worked on numerous projects providing technical and operational data centre facility due diligence and audit services, including comprehensive risk assessment commentary.

Commenting on his appointment David said: “Our role as an LTA is to provide lenders with a one-stop-shop solution, identifying and assessing risks throughout the investment cycle. The expertise within the wider Keysource team of end-to-end data centre services, including equipment suitability and the construction process, enables us to adopt an unrivalled holistic and comprehensive approach to our advisory services.”

“The data centre sector remains an attractive option for investors with continuing strong demand versus a lack of supply, driven in part by AI, digital transformation and 5G uptake which is generating higher levels of data traffic which in turn generates growth in demand for IT infrastructure and the requirement for more storage and processing power. Whilst there are challenging factors such as limitations in power availability, space and skills, returns remain strong for digital infrastructure capital investments. However, this is a highly complex sector, and investors can benefit from specialist independent advice to enable them to assess the appropriate risk-return profile for their projects,” said Stephen Whatling, Group CEO at Keysource Group Ltd.

Eyecare, Midlands, News, West Midlands News

New Merry Hill eye care provider launched in style

An independent eyecare brand which has created 15 new jobs has opened its doors with a commitment to serve the community with a new and unique service.

EyeCare Merry Hill was launched by Dudley Deputy Mayor Pete Lee and Directors say “it’s the first of its kind in a major shopping outlet throughout the West Midlands”.

Around 100 people attended the launch which also featured tours of the new premises.

Director Gobind Dubb said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along to our launch and for the interest in our new services which has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The convenient location of Merry Hill and the easy manoeuvrability inside the spacious practice allows the surrounding community access to a excelled level of care through innovation and patient centred care.

“The new practice includes eight consultation rooms, refreshments bar and easy to access dispensing stations allowing patients to experience the best in class eyecare.

“Having experienced the level of care, choice and service in major opticians chains, we want to make sure our patients and customers experience the very best.

“We pledge to provide the best eye care journey available. Our expert Optometrists and amazing team will be on hand to help and are very much committed to being an independent, neighbourhood eyecare provider.

“We include comprehensive tests for children as part of a general consultation and these are free until the age of 16. Our technology allows us to manage a growing condition of Myopia in the general population and help with slowing its progression.

“This is one of a number of unique services we can offer to put our patients first. As Gobind is a Qualified Independent Prescriber, this makes a real difference as our service is much quicker and more tailored than having to make a doctor’s appointment or get stuck in a lengthier process at a chain of opticians. This also means we can also offer a lot more choice frames and other products across various ranges rather than being limited to one chain’s suppliers.

“We also have a dedicated on-site call centre so that we can support our customers in offering unrivalled service.

“We have the largest collection of children’s frames in the region and more than 300 options for sunglasses, with or without a prescription.

“Our frames can suit every budget starting at just £59 alongside the collections from designer brands such as Oakley, David Beckham, Prada and many more.

The new store’s opening comes five years after Raven first met Gobind, at the time they were still studying. Raven opted to pursue a career in entrepreneurship and joined forces with Gobind’s s vast qualifications in optics-related Medical Retina and Glaucoma.

Jonathan Poole, Centre Manager at Merry Hill, added: “It’s fantastic to see two local entrepreneurs choose Merry Hill as the launchpad for their first practice, joining an ever-growing range of new openings at the centre. EyeCare Merry Hill brings something that we’ve never had before at the centre, best in class eye care couple with high quality eyewear, born from over a decade of industry experience.

“The new practice will offer our visitors unrivalled choice and convenience for all their needs – whether that’s quick and reliable eyecare services, quality glasses for everyday wear, or stylish sunglasses for holidays abroad.”

EyeCare Merry Hill is currently offering £10 eye tests for adults and free eye tests for children.

For more information see: https://eyecaremerryhill.com/ or call 01384 8822211.

 

Fashion, Marketing & PR, News

International marketing agency Eskimoz celebrate European Search Awards win for luxury French fashion house, Sandro Paris

Leading international marketing agency, Eskimoz, have scaled growth across nine countries for luxury French fashion brand, Sandro, culminating in a silver award win at this year’s European Search Awards for Best Use of Search in Fashion.

The agency has worked with fashion house, Sandro, since 2022, as the brand sought to target nine European markets, including France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain, alongside further strengthening its online presence through an integrated, multilingual approach to SEO.

Eskimoz’ strategy, which was also shortlisted for both the Best Use of Search in Retail and Ecommerce and the Best Pan-European Campaign, included an in-depth website redesign project, paired with an optimised editorial strategy and technical SEO audit, as well as further off-site SEO optimisations including link-building.

Struggling to increase its visibility in a highly competitive luxury market, Eskimoz sought to synchronise Sandro’s marketing strategies to achieve its international expansion goals.

Since working with Eskimoz, Sandro’s Google search results visibility has increase by 920%, while the revamped content strategy gained the brand important positions on non-branded keywords and a boost to qualified traffic, generating a 45% increase on its SEO ROI.

The marketing agency’s award-winning multilingual strategy has solidified Sandro Paris’ presence across its target markets, covering all aspects of its conversion funnel.

Speaking on their success at the 2024 European Search Awards, Sam Martin-Ross, UK Managing Director at Eskimoz said: “I’m thrilled that our team’s amazing work with Sandro Paris has been recognised at this years European Search Awards. As an agency specialising in multilingual and international campaigns, this award exemplifies everything we aim for at Eskimoz, and it’s been truly rewarding to see the impact our work has had on Sandro’s growth and online presence.”

Alice Bigot, Acquisition Manager at Sandro Paris, commented on working with the Eskimoz team, saying: “During our collaboration with Eskimoz, the agency’s expertise, agility and attentiveness has led to excellent results, both quantitatively with a significant increase in traffic and revenue, and qualitatively with better visibility of the brand on numerous non-branded queries. Our account manager is always attentive and proactive, and it’s a real pleasure to collaborate with Eskimoz as a human-centric and performance-driven agency.”

Founded by Andréa Bensaid in 2015 with the ambition to become the first self-funded unicorn, Eskimoz is on track to turn over 100 million euros by 2029. Central to this bold target is the firm’s aim to achieve an organic growth rate of 20% across the entire Eskimoz group, increasing turnover to 36 million euros, whilst also looking to recruit in excess of 40 new passionate digital marketing specialists to further bolster their talented team.

Headquartered in Paris, with international offices in Lyon, Bordeaux, Brussels, Madrid, Milan, London and Dusseldorf, Eskimoz continues to pursue its meteoric international development with a strategy based on a local presence supported by hundreds of native consultants who are able to meet the cultural challenges involved in successful multilingual marketing strategies.

For more information, visit: https://www.eskimoz.co.uk/

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IMAGE [L-R]:

Sandro Paris.

Food & Drink, Hospitality, Music, News, North Wales, Wrexham

Popular Wrexham Village Pub Gears Up for Annual Festival

A popular Wrexham pub is putting the final touches to its popular annual music and beer festival which attracts hundreds of people from across the region.

The Golden Lion in Rossett is hosting its ‘Live at the Lion’ festival from 23rd – 25th August. This will be the sixth year the free event has taken place. Last year over 2,000 guests attended throughout the festival.

This year’s Festival will launch with a themed music quiz night held in the pub’s famous Scandinavian-style tipi followed by a packed programme of musical entertainment which will see 15 acts play over Saturday and Sunday across two stages, the main stage and the tipi stage.

Allan Parrington, general manager at The Golden Lion since 2009, has established the Hydes-owned pub as a real community hub for the people of Rossett and surrounding areas. In addition to Live at the Lion, the venue hosts a free community cafe every Friday morning for local elderly and vulnerable people and also stages a hugely popular Christmas market over two weekends in November and December. The market will return for Christmas 2024.

Allan, who also doubles at the village Father Christmas and chairman of the village community council as well as running the Golden Lion, said: “We can’t wait for this year’s festival at the Golden Lion. Excitement levels are very high. It’s really important to us that this is a free event, as it makes it accessible to all, so parents with little ones can pop by for an afternoon drink and listen to the music and those that want a full weekend can stay as long as they want to.

“There’s usually a couple of thousand visitors across the weekend at various times so there’s a brilliant atmosphere and we’re expecting this year’s festival to be bigger and better than ever before. It’s lovely that our surrounding communities are so supportive of the event as it really does bring everyone together in a safe and enjoyable environment.

“This is festival number six and it’s gone from strength to strength every year with some amazing local and national acts now taking part. We’ve got a great line-up for this year. The Golden Lion loves being at the heart of village activity whenever it can and this is an important event in the local calendar. We’re also grateful for the continued support from Hydes in helping to make this happen.”

Managing director of Hydes Brewery, Adam Mayers said: “It’s great to see The Golden Lion staging its famous beer and music festival for the sixth time. As a very popular pub and one that really does play a crucial role in the community, we’re confident that Allan and his team will put on a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable festival for customers old and new. Hydes is fully committed to all of the pubs across its estate and festivals such as this help to distinguish our pubs from that of our competitors.”

Hydes, with its brewery in Media City, Salford, was formed in 1863 and supplies beers to wholesalers, pub companies and other brewers throughout the UK and a pub retailing estate of over 50 pubs across the North West of England and North Wales.

To find out more about Hydes Brewery visit https://www.hydesbrewery.com/

Martech, News, Social Media, Tech, Technology

Soreto acquires Oculizm, revolutionising brand advocacy to supercharge eCommerce

Soreto announces the acquisition of Oculizm, creating a revolutionary and exciting  technology platform for brands looking to leverage social advocacy.

Soreto is an award-winning referral marketing and social sharing technology backed by New Look founder Tom Singh. Soreto’s social referral platform allows a brand’s consumers to promote them with friends and family across social media and messaging platforms to drive sales, build loyalty and gain customers for life.

By integrating Oculizm into their suite of solutions, Soreto is now the go-to technology platform for leveraging trusted, authentic content to drive impactful brand experiences. Thanks to this proprietary technology, brands can now effortlessly turn UGC and Reviews into powerful onsite shopping tools.

Soreto’s CEO Peter Rowe, says: “It’s great to finally announce our acquisition of Oculizm, a leading UGC and Reviews platform. Their products are rooted in organic social media, making them a great fit with Soreto’s existing market-leading social referral technology. The acquisition enables us to expand our suite of solutions to further drive revenues for our clients and puts us at the forefront of consumer advocacy technology.”

Oculizm will be rebranded under the Soreto name and umbrella, and Oculizm founder Sean Hawie will take the role of CPO within the company.

 

Sean Hawie comments: “I’m delighted to confirm the sale of Oculizm, which I founded 6 years ago, to Soreto, an award-winning London-based marketing tech company. Oculizm provides retailers with onsite ‘shop the look’ galleries, using social proof to increase conversion and engagement. In 2023, Oculizm launched its reviews service, helping increase consumer trust further. These solutions are a great addition to Soreto’s offering, and I am excited to continue to grow all these products to build a leading Social Advocacy Platform.”

For more information please go to https://www.soreto.com

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Founded in 2018, Soreto is an award-winning referral marketing and social sharing technology that enables brands to harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Soreto’s social referral platform allows a brand’s consumer to promote them with friends and family across social media and messaging platforms. Soreto powers referral campaigns for over 200 brands across 36+ countries globally.

The Soreto team boasts a proven track record of delivering successful digital marketing campaigns across diverse sectors such as retail, travel, finance, utilities, and telecommunications.

For more information, visit www.soreto.com or contact us at info@soreto.com.

Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Telematics

3D Tracking and Queclink Wireless Solutions Launch All-in-One Fleet and Video Telematics Solution

3Dtracking has teamed up with Queclink Wireless Solutions to develop an all-in-one solution that brings together fleet and video telematics. The global telematics platform provider has integrated Queclink’s CV200 smart dashcam with its cloud-based software to provide a vehicle camera system with CAN bus connectivity that delivers advanced video capture, driver monitoring and tracking features.

“We are pushing the boundaries of telematics by seamlessly integrating with the latest and most sophisticated hardware technologies to deliver measurable fleet improvements,” says Noam Cimand, General Manager at 3Dtracking. “Our partnership with Queclink means we can tap into their proven expertise to develop this integrated camera solution that achieves all the benefits of fleet and video telematics.”

 

The CV200 is a 4G dashcam device that delivers fleet and video telematics functionality in a single unit, combining AI features with the ability to add a choice of secondary cameras and integrate with the vehicle’s CAN bus system. By accessing full tracking data, this all-in-one solution offers a viable and highly effective alternative to dual telematics systems that are currently deployed in most fleets.

Queclink’s CAN100 BLE adaptor will be used to capture and share critical information from the vehicle’s CAN bus system through the CV200 via Bluetooth including odometer, fuel level, engine speed and temperature, and RPM. As a result, 3Dtracking’s telematics platform will be able to calculate useful operational insight such as accurate fuel consumption, vehicle utilisation costs, and driver behaviour assessments.

 

Vernon Bonser, UK Sales Director at Queclink Wireless Solutions commented: “Tracking from dashcams has traditionally been poor but with the high quality of our location and video data capture we can see our single system solution becoming a popular choice for fleets. Working closely with 3Dtracking we have integrated proven hardware and software to create the most comprehensive fleet technology solution of its kind. We have even gone as far as including our stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) functionality into the camera system to make the proposition even more compelling.”

 

“Our commitment to software development and hardware integration means we can quickly respond to the changing global fleet marketplace and deliver industry-leading technology solutions. We already monitor in excess of 500,000 vehicle tracking units, on behalf of more than 100 Telematics Service Provider (TSPs) worldwide, so it is crucial to partner with hardware specialists such as Queclink to shape future innovation and support our continued business growth,” adds Cimand.

News

College launches online summer support service for prospective HE students

A NEW online advice service will support prospective HE students in north east Wales this summer.

Coleg Cambria University Centre has organised sessions for learners via a new booking portal, offering guidance to anyone interested in studying for a higher education (HE) qualification, including advice on degree options, course recommendations, applications, funding and finance and more.

They take place across August and September with Cambria’s HE Partnerships and Compliance Manager Donna Pritchard, and Emma Hurst, Dean of HE and Access to HE.

Reflecting on the University Centre advice booking service, Mrs Hurst said: “This is a new option for prospective HE learners.

“Choosing the right course and navigating the application process can feel overwhelming so this takes some of that burden and worry away and gives direct access to expertise and advice ahead of the next academic year.

“Donna and I will be on hand to discuss any issues related to higher education at Coleg Cambria and are happy to answer questions on everything from student loans to course recommendations for anyone wanting to explore different careers or take the next step in their learning journey.”

Donna added: “We think the service will be especially valuable for anyone wanting to go through Clearing or planning to start a course this September but unsure which qualification will align with their aspirations.

“We work in partnership with leading universities and are plugged into industry across Wales and beyond so whatever it is you are looking for we will be able to help.”

Visit University Centre Advice Booking Service < Coleg Cambria for more information on the University Centre advice booking service and to book a slot on one of the upcoming sessions.

News

Raja launches ‘Nim’s…Naturally’ to capitalise on growing product range

One of the UK’s leading food disruptors has a new name after it announced it has passed the 65-product milestone.

‘Nim’s…NaturallyÔ’ has been registered by entrepreneur Nimisha Raja MBE to reflect the company’s growing range of products that have diversified from air-dried fruit and vegetable crisps to incorporate drink garnishes, botanicals, ingredients and edible teas.

This has seen the Sittingbourne-based business become the driving force in healthy products across several categories, all made using just one ingredient – a fact that has played a significant part in its year-on-year growth.

The company, which employs 18 people at its BRC-accredited factory, is also now preparing to launch a range of air-dried ingredients under its Let’s Cook and Let’s Bake brands.

“When we started it was all about our air-dried fruit crisps and that was reflected in our original identity,” explained Nimisha Raja, who launched the business in 2017.

“Whilst our crisps are still hugely popular, our new product development team has been in overdrive and we needed an overarching brand that touched on all the different things we make and supply into retail and food service, including Holland & Barrett, Pret a Manger, Zizzi and a host of others.”

She went on to add: “The one thing that is constant is that all our products are made using just ONE ingredient and that is why we wanted to trademark ‘Nim’s…NaturallyÔ’.

“I want shoppers to pick up one of our products – whether it is crisps, drink garnishes, ingredients or teas – and immediately know that it is 100% natural.

“They don’t need to turn the pack over to look at the ingredients label, they just automatically trust that anything with our logo has been carefully processed to retain great natural flavour and nutritional goodness without absolutely anything added to flavour, preserve or enhance the one ingredient products.”

From the moment Nimisha Raja sold her coffee shop and home in 2017, she had a vision for rewriting the rule book when it came to creating great tasting, natural snacks.

It started with air-dried fruit and vegetable crisps in eight different varieties, was followed by edible teas and has now expanded into drink garnishes, botanicals and ingredients sold in over 1500 outlets across the UK.

The ‘Nim’s…Naturally’ range brings many health benefits from being fat, allergen, gluten and dairy free, whilst also being vegan friendly and Kosher and Halal certified.

“Sustainability is another big purchasing factor these days and this is something we feel really passionate about,” added Nimisha.

“We have been working towards achieving ‘Zero Food Waste’ for some time and finally achieved it in March 2023. This means that all 600 tonnes of fresh produce we use every year goes into our products, with the small amount (0.003%) that doesn’t sent to an anaerobic waste treatment plant and turned into energy.”

She concluded: “It was an eco-decision on our part, but it is also paying off financially in operational performance and the launch of new ranges that have come off the back of the ‘Zero Food Waste’ approach”.

The change in name has also seen a slight tweak to brand identity and the launch of a new website www.nimsnaturally.com.

Fintech

Bitpace Offers Innovative Crypto Payment Gateway for Businesses

Bitpace, a leading provider of cryptocurrency payment solutions, has been offering an innovative crypto payment gateway designed to revolutionise the way businesses handle transactions. As a licensed provider in the EU, Bitpace offers a seamless, secure, and efficient method for businesses to accept cryptocurrency payments, reflecting the growing trend and importance of digital currencies in the global market.

Cryptocurrency is increasingly becoming a preferred mode of transaction due to its decentralised nature, lower transaction costs, and faster processing times. By integrating a crypto payment gateway, businesses can stay ahead of the curve, catering to a broader customer base and enhancing their overall operational efficiency.

Key Features and Benefits of Bitpace’s Crypto Payment Gateway

Bitpace’s crypto payment gateway is designed to offer comprehensive solutions that cater to the diverse needs of modern businesses. From quick integration to enhanced security, this gateway provides multiple features that can significantly benefit your operations.

Quick and Easy Integration

One of the standout features of Bitpace’s crypto payment gateway is its quick and easy integration. Businesses can set up and start using the gateway almost immediately, thanks to its user-friendly interface and well-documented APIs. The integration process is designed to be seamless, ensuring that businesses can adopt this new technology without any significant disruptions to their existing operations.

Bitpace also provides comprehensive support to assist businesses through the setup and integration process, ensuring a smooth transition.

Security and Efficiency

Security is a top priority for any financial transaction, and Bitpace’s crypto payment gateway excels in this area. The gateway employs advanced encryption and security protocols to protect sensitive transaction data, minimising the risk of fraud and ensuring that all transactions are secure.

The gateway offers fast transaction processing, allowing businesses to handle payments quickly and efficiently. With global accessibility, businesses can accept payments from customers anywhere in the world, expanding their reach and market potential.

Competitive Advantages

Bitpace’s crypto payment gateway offers several competitive advantages over traditional payment methods. One of the most significant benefits is the lower transaction fees associated with cryptocurrency payments. This can result in substantial cost savings for businesses, especially those with high transaction volumes.

The gateway supports multiple cryptocurrencies, providing flexibility and convenience for both businesses and their customers. This versatility ensures that businesses can meet the diverse payment preferences of their global clientele.

Impact on Businesses and Future Prospects

Bitpace’s innovative crypto payment gateway has the potential to significantly impact businesses across various industries. By adopting this advanced payment solution, businesses can enhance their operations, improve transaction efficiency, and reduce costs. The ability to accept cryptocurrency payments can also help businesses attract and retain customers who prefer using digital currencies, thereby expanding their customer base.

As the adoption of digital currencies continues to grow, businesses that integrate crypto payment gateways will be better positioned to stay competitive in the evolving market landscape. The ongoing development of digital payment solutions and advancements in blockchain technology promises even more opportunities for businesses to innovate and improve their payment processes.

Embrace the Future of Payments with Bitpace

Bitpace’s crypto payment gateway offers a powerful tool for businesses looking to modernise their payment systems and stay ahead in the digital economy. With features like quick integration, enhanced security, and competitive transaction rates, Bitpace’s licensed services provides a comprehensive solution that addresses the needs of today’s businesses.

As digital transactions become increasingly prevalent, adopting Bitpace’s crypto payment gateway is a strategic move that can drive growth and ensure long-term success in the rapidly evolving world of digital payments.