Tag Archives: wrexham

Food & Drink, Foodie News, North Wales

‘Stay loyal’ plea from Llangollen food store in support of rural businesses

THE way in which people shop for food and drink has changed forever following the events of 2020.

And Wayne Siddall, owner of Dee Valley Produce in Llangollen, hopes more customers will stay loyal to the local businesses that stepped up to support their communities during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Supported by Taste North East Wales – taking place online this autumn due to Covid-19 – consumers are being encouraged to keep buying from artisan and independent producers across the region rather than rushing back to the supermarkets.

Wayne is disappointed to have seen a drop-off in home deliveries after an initial surge in March but is thankful to those who stuck with the Denbighshire firm, which opened in 2007.

“We have been here in Llangollen for 13 years but never experienced anything like this before,” said Wayne, who runs the wholesale and retail firm with partner Samantha.

“We use as many local producers as we can and like them saw a big rise in the number of home deliveries during the first lockdown, while the pubs and hospitality side of the business completely shut down.

“At one point we were working from 7am until 9pm and had 60 orders a day, and as we were packing whatever people requested rather than set boxes it was very time consuming.”

He added: “But things are not like they were, on some days now we have less than 10 boxes out for delivery, which is disappointing.

“I would definitely encourage people to keep buying from local firms because we really need it, especially in the run up to Christmas and into 2021.

“Some of the house orders we were doing in the first lockdown have stayed with us but not many new ones have come back on, so business has been down by around 50%, especially during the ‘firebreak’ period here in Wales.

“A lot of people changed the way they approached food and drink and their weekly shop and have stuck with it, while others raced back to the big supermarkets.

“For those who have stayed with us we appreciate it and thank you – we will all get through this together and hope more customers will look to buy locally at what is a vital time for all industries.”

The second annual Taste North East Wales is taking place online this year after organisers Clwydian Range Food and Drink and Llangollen and Dee Valley Food and Drink, with the support of Cadwyn Clwyd, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the local authorities of Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire, decided to host a virtual celebration to ensure the health and safety of participants.

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Coordinators Robyn Lovelock and Jane Clough said shopping local and supporting local businesses is so important for many reasons.

“Firstly, we are keeping our towns and communities vibrant,” said Robyn.

“Small independent shops make for a great shopping experience and keep our communities alive. In better times it is a chance to meet friends and neighbours and develop a relationship with the people we are buying our food from.”

Jane added: “Successful shop keepers and producers will buy services from local tradespeople and money circulates in a sustainable way.

“Locally produced food and drink is great for environmental sustainability and food security. Reducing food miles plays a big part in reducing our carbon footprint and Covid-19 has shown how potentially fragile food chains can be when food is travelling long distances.

“When we buy locally directly from the producer we know how and where it is produced and that instils great confidence. Producing and consuming locally has so many positive benefits.”

For more on Taste North East Wales, follow them on social media @taste_blasu or email taste.blas@gmail.com.  Alternatively, visit the website: www.tastenortheastwales.org.

Visit www.facebook.com/deevalleyproduceltd or email deevalleyproduce@gmail.com for more on Dee Valley Produce.

Business News, coleg cambria, Education News

Solicitors and college unite to launch virtual business series for companies coping with Covid

AN AWARD-WINNING business school is hosting a series of virtual breakfast events to help industry leaders face the challenges of Covid-19.

Cambria Business School – part of Coleg Cambria – is hosting six sessions with leading companies offering free guidance and support in response to the challenges of Covid-19.

The first covered employment law during the pandemic with Claire Brook and Michael Redston from Chester-based solicitors, Aaron & Partners.

The second takes place on Wednesday December 9 with mental health and wellbeing professional, Cheryl Parker.

Business Development Manager Amanda Holmes said the programme will bring together industries bi-monthly to share best practice and advice when they need it most.

“Given the ever-changing landscape in employment law – especially at the present time – we felt a virtual question and answer session would support our local businesses and partners and allow us to engage virtually,” she said.

“Over the coming months we will discuss numerous topics and welcome representatives from leading organisations, offering advice and sharing expertise.

“It is free and open to employers across the region, so we look forward to welcoming as many as possible to the next event. Now more than ever we need to come together.”

Cambria for Business is focused on collaboration and delivery of apprenticeships, short courses, professional development, access to funding and helping to develop and upskill the workforce of tomorrow.

Employer Engagement Officer Gari Thomas said: “Having Aaron & Partners as a key collaborator in the sessions will allow the college to impart specialist knowledge from a sector-leading business.

“Claire and the team are always so supportive of such events and we are extremely grateful for their input and time.”

Claire added: “I am very pleased to provide regular employment law webinars for Coleg Cambria’s partner employers covering the latest updates, particularly relevant in these times of increased uncertainty and rapid change.  I look forward to the next event in December.”

To register for the next webinar, visit www.cambriaforbusiness.eventbrite.com

For more information on Cambria for Business, see the website: www.cambria.ac.uk/business

coleg cambria, Education, Food and Drink

Sweet partnership between leading college and pudding firm serves up success

A SWEET partnership between Coleg Cambria and a pioneering bakery business is serving up success for its staff.

The college has been working with The Pudding Compartment in Flint to upskill team members through the Skills for Employers and Employees (SEE) project.

Managing Director Steve West says the collaboration boosted morale and has given individuals the confidence to progress within the company.

It has been a challenging year for the business – as it has for all sectors due to the Covid-19 pandemic – but Steve says they have adapted to strengthen their position.

He himself has been nominated for an SME National Business Award in the Business Hero category, and during the first Coronavirus lockdown was lauded for launching the A Million Thanks campaign, a social enterprise which delivered ingredients to home bakers across the country who were unable to access them due to panic buying and the initial shortage of supermarket supplies.

A former learner at Coleg Cambria in Connah’s Quay – previously Deeside College – he is honoured to have been selected for the prizegiving at Wembley Arena next Spring and thanked the college for its support over past years.

“I was nominated by the college for the award, so it’s a huge source of pride for me and I’m very grateful,” said Steve.

“My connection with Deeside goes back almost 30 years to when I was a student there, so to be working in partnership with them to help my team develop their skills has been fantastic.

“As a result, we have taken several on as permanent staff, welcomed apprentices and work experience placements and together the relationship has developed. It’s been great.”

Having started his academic journey on a HNC in Mechanical Engineering, Steve entered the baking sector 13 years ago.

He now employs up to 25 people and plans to launch a new arm of the firm – the Creative Bake Company – in the near future, supplying cakes, cookies and sweet treats to national clients in a variety of new sectors, notably independent retailers and coffee shops in addition to their regular customers in tourism and travel.

“We make everything in-house and use local produce, it is a very artisan process and that is important to me,” said Steve.

“Like many businesses we adapted and diversified this year to keep things going; it’s been tough for everyone, but I have managed to retain all of my staff and we will move forward together.”

Yvonne Evans, Assessor for Food Manufacturing at Coleg Cambria, said the alliance with The Pudding Compartment is an example of their links with leading names in industry.

“We were delighted to be able to nominate Steve for the Business Hero award because of the incredible efforts he made for the community during the lockdown, and are thrilled to see he has made it onto the final shortlist,” she said.

“We bring education together with numerous sectors through the SEE programme, providing opportunities for staff to develop their skills and work towards their future career progression.

“Our long-standing partnership with Steve and The Pudding Compartment is an example of that, and we look forward to working together for many years to come.”

For more information on the SEE project at Coleg Cambria, visit the website:

www.cambria.ac.uk/business/see-funding/

Visit www.thepuddingcompartment.co.uk/ for more on The Pudding Compartment.

Care, Education, North Wales

Specialist school unveils new sixth form and plans for future growth

AN INDEPENDENT care and education business plans for further growth after an excellent Estyn inspection.

And Bryn Tirion Hall School has unveiled a new sixth form at its Caergwrle site to meet demand and support vulnerable children with special needs as they prepare for their future careers.

Principal Paddy Prendergast revealed they have recruited six new teachers and learning assistants since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic and welcomed five new children in past months.

Having started with one pupil when the organisation was launched in 2008, they begin this academic year with 54, now covering two sites, the most recent of which opened in Bersham, Wrexham, last year.

A period of steady and sustainable growth has been welcomed by parents, carers, local authorities, partner institutions, and Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, which gave them an excellent rating earlier this year.

Paddy was delighted with the outcome and said the spirit of togetherness and strength among the workforce is what enables them to make a real difference to the lives of youngsters who hail from challenging and traumatic backgrounds.

“This is a sector which isn’t really talked about for many reasons, but over the years we have grown and grown and soaked up the issues of children with complex needs, supporting local authorities when they need it most,” he said.

“Together with our staff – who are incredibly resilient and focused – we can provide opportunities for the pupils to break down the barriers to their learning, unlocking success.”

“There are so many unbelievable kids here who have turned things around because our staff have persevered, listened and worked with them, stuck with them and believed in them – that’s when they make progress.”

The dad-of-one added: “We have invested heavily in the new Bersham Road school as it was quite run down when we took it on.

“Most of the children are referred to us by local authorities and come to us from less than an hour away, so as we grow and are held up as a beacon of best practice I can only see more joining us.

“That’s also a big part of the reason why we decided to open up a sixth form at Caergwrle. It gives them that continued support post-16 as they look to study for vocational qualifications, continue their work experience and even progress onto A Levels, preparing them for their next steps in a familiar and supportive environment.

“We don’t want them to be lost to education and the possibility of a career because they’re not ready to leave or given the help they need. We tailor the education and care to each child, it’s not one size fits all.

“It’s a privileged position to be in, doing something we love and pushing boundaries, scrutinising and changing perceptions of what is a largely forgotten section of the education landscape.”

Estyn inspectors found that staff work together effectively to promote an exceptionally caring and inclusive ethos that successfully meets the needs of the pupils.

The report added: “They share a strong commitment to improving the life chances of all pupils and work closely with the school’s therapy and psychology team to reflect carefully on their own practice and ensure that their knowledge of individual pupils’ needs is informed by an up-to-date understanding of trauma-informed practice.

“As a result of the school’s carefully co-ordinated approach to the curriculum and the high quality of care, support and guidance they receive, most pupils make strong progress in their learning, wellbeing and independence.”

Career and Work-Related Education Manager Sarah Gaffney said the findings reinforce the foundations laid by the leadership team over the last decade.

“The organisation has grown but never lost its focus and commitment to the pupils and positive outcomes for them,” she said.

“To receive such a positive response from Estyn is terrific and gives us the confidence to continue working with our partners and the community to change the lives of these amazing young people.”

For more information, visit www.qewc.co.uk or follow them on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/BrynTirionSchool/

Hair and Beauty, Health

Clinic prepares to emerge from lockdown with new technology and innovative treatments

PURE PERFECTION CLINIC is preparing for life after lockdown by unveiling revolutionary new treatments and technology.

The award-winning Rossett clinic has been closed for months due to the Coronavirus pandemic and staff have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to support patients by offering free advice and guidance via online tutorials and social media.

Owner Sara Cheeney – who was crowned Aesthetic Nurse of the Year at the Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards last summer – says the health and wellbeing of employees and customers remains paramount, so social distancing measures will be in place when they reopen on July 13, and virtual consultations shall continue.

The clinic, based between Wrexham and Chester, is also introducing Hydrafacial Kerarive, a ground-breaking scalp treatment combatting hair loss, hair thinning and dry skin, unavailable anywhere else in Wales and the north west.

“Being in lockdown has been challenging, as it has for all businesses, which is why we have been communicating with patients and the public while in quarantine, helping them to look after their skin,” said Sara, from Llangollen.

“Their safety comes first, so guidelines will be in place for when people start returning to clinic, including a Covid-19 appointment protocol, social distancing, a hand sanitiser station and more.

“It will be a new way of working, but our dedication and commitment will be as professional as ever and we will be unveiling some exciting new packages and technology that will appeal to current and prospective patients.”

She added: “The Hydrafacial Kerarive is a treatment we had planned to introduce earlier this year, and it’s something both men and women will benefit from.

“It’s soothing and therapeutic, targeting hair loss and improving scalp health, which is a serious issue for many.

“We exfoliate the skin on our faces every day, but not the scalp, despite the build-up from products and shampoos. Keravive can prevent hair falling out and thinning, restore blood flow and remove debris, including dandruff.

“The results are quite phenomenal so we’re sure this will be a popular treatment in the months ahead.”

Pure Perfection has been lauded in past weeks for advising people struggling with the health of their skin – especially on their hands after continual washing – while in self-isolation.

Sara says it is vitally important that continues in the short term before customers return to clinic.

“A lot of people were unable to keep to health and beauty regimes while in lockdown, which in turn had an impact on mental health – that’s the feedback we’ve had,” she said.

“Beauty isn’t skin deep, and many people have felt down and unhappy because they’ve been unable to keep to their previous routines; reopening will be a relief for them.

“We can’t wait to see everyone when the time is right, but for now please stay safe and be sure when you do return to Pure Perfection it will be a safe, secure and welcoming environment for our staff and patients.”

Appointments are now being taken, with priority given to patients whose previous bookings were cancelled. Demand is so high they are recruiting a new aesthetician.

For more information about online consultations and to receive help and advice, visit the website www.pureperfectionclinic.com or follow Pure Perfection Clinic (@purepclinic and @pureperfectionrossett) on social media. Alternatively, call 01244 917259 or email hello@pureperfectionclinic.com

You can also join the Pure Perfection Club, an online community where you can discuss the aforementioned issues: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pureperfectionclub/