Brighton web technology company Cohesion has been acquired by US digital giant Acquia

Acquia Acquires Cohesion to Accelerate the Creation of Digital Experiences

Only Acquia Customers Now Have Unprecedented Creativity and Speed for Building Digital Drupal Experiences

Digital experience company Acquia has acquired the UK-based Cohesion, creator of DX8, the first enterprise-grade, low-code Drupal website builder. With this acquisition, content marketers and site builders with minimal coding skills can create Drupal websites up to 4X faster, according to user testing.

Drupal is the most powerful and flexible platform today for building digital experiences and managing website content. With Cohesion DX8, Acquia continues to invest in technology for creating on-brand Drupal websites. Cohesion DX8 offers the in-browser creation of themes, layouts, and pages to empower designers and marketers to quickly build beautiful new sites.

“Businesses need to launch, manage, and update their websites quicker and more efficiently than ever before,'' said Dries Buytaert, Acquia co-founder, CTO, and chairman. “This acquisition allows Acquia to continue simplifying the way organizations of all sizes build, style, and design websites. Using Cohesion DX8 will be a complete game-changer for many; it will enable organizations to launch Drupal websites much faster, while still offering unprecedented creative freedom, brand consistency, and governance for digital marketers and content authors.”

By bringing Cohesion DX8 into the Acquia product portfolio, customers and partners, as well as digital marketing teams and agencies, can now create scalable websites from scratch on Drupal in a fraction of the time of traditional development. Cohesion DX8 can also uniquely help large multi-brand organizations with dozens or hundreds of Drupal websites, providing brand consistency across all websites while empowering regional creativity. With Cohesion DX8, Acquia is the only Drupal company that lets organizations quickly create and modify sites, layouts, and templates using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.  

Markus Hugenbach, head of digital marketing platforms at Bayer, said, “Bayer has screened the market searching for an enterprise website builder capable of handling thousands of sites. Cohesion DX8 has the capability to create standardized websites at scale without the need for developer involvement, thereby transforming our website operating model. Since we are also an existing Acquia customer, Cohesion DX8 complements the Acquia product suite by adding a powerful low-code site builder. The combination of the Acquia and Cohesion DX8 solutions together accelerate Bayer forward.”

Acquia harnesses the power of new innovations to empower the world’s most ambitious brands to create customer moments that matter. Cohesion DX8 shares Acquia’s vision for digital experiences, resulting in best-in-class website editing capabilities and the ultimate productivity kit for Drupal. Through this acquisition, organizations will be able to get the most out of Drupal to build, edit, and optimize sites and respond to client requirements in a leaner way.

“Cohesion’s vision was to revolutionize the way Drupal websites are built through low-code, visual solutions,” said Drew Griffiths, Cohesion CEO and founder. “With the addition of Cohesion DX8’s technology, Acquia will make it possible for organizations and agencies with demanding requirements to launch websites faster, while maintaining consistency across multiple brands, regions, or divisions. This allows technical resources to focus on more complex functionality, so organizations can spend more developer time on high value areas of the website and less time pushing pixels.”

Acquia’s acquisition of Cohesion DX8 follows Acquia’s May 2019 acquisition of Mautic, the world’s only open marketing automation and campaign management platform, which allows Acquia customers to automate, personalize, and measure the entire customer lifecycle.

Cohesion DX8 is available today. For more information and for pricing, please contact Acquia. Additional resources include:

• Acquia Blog

• Video Demos

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• Careers

High growth business event – the future of sales, marketing and influencers is here

High growth business event – the future of sales, marketing and influencers is here

The focus of Brighton Chamber’s next event for high growth businesses will be marketing

We’ve all seen them. Brilliant people launching brilliant products or services that the customers absolutely need/want. And then in a year or so - or sometimes months - they disappear. Why?

Mostly it’s lack of cash. This lack of cash may be from lack of investment, but often that lack of investment has been caused by the same thing.

Regardless of how much you invest in fancy people, business plans, offices, shiny brands, unless customers buy what you’re marketing to them you’re dead.

This is the problem. In a lot of organisations sales and marketing is seen as either a poor relation, a block box of opaqueness that magically produces clients or two siloed divisions that are overpaid or spend too much money.

Our panel has been pulled together as a team of experts successfully driving forward their businesses with superlative marketing and sales. They’ve taken the old models and shaken them up into something that’s often scarcely recognisable.

Join us to:

• understand what a sophisticated marketing and sales ecosystem looks and feels like

• see how content marketing creates relationships both in advance of - and for a long time after the initial sales transaction

• learn how the age of influencer marketing is very much upon us - if not already evolving into something else

• establish what metrics, measures and analytics are vital to judge the effectiveness of the sales and marketing function

• understand the importance of organizational mission and purpose in sales and marketing

• marvel at the array of channels that must be pushed to drive total sales and marketing effectiveness

And there’ll be time for discussion and questions, facilitated by Si Conroy from Scarlet Monday.

Our panellists include:

• Dr Dave Nicol, Founder of VetX

• Marlon Bouman, Head of Creative at All Conditions Media

• Myles Anderson, CEO and Co-founder of Bright Local

• Bethanie Mardon, Marketing Director at RocketMill

Join the discussion about what the future of sales and marketing looks like, and what this means for resourcing these roles. And consider with our panel whether Seth Godin’s assertion, ‘Marketing is the act of making change happen. Making is insufficient. You haven’t made an impact until you’ve changed someone’ is true.

Date: 19 September

Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Venue: Barclays Eagle Labs, BN1 4QU

Tickets: https://high-growth-sales-marketing-and-influencers.eventbrite.co.uk

Gingerman Restaurant Group celebrates 21st anniversary with the opening of their fifth restaurant

Gingerman Restaurant Group celebrates 21st anniversary with the opening of their fifth restaurant

Despite the well documented challenges facing the hospitality industry the Gingerman Group, a Brighton based restaurant business, is thriving and celebrated its 21st birthday with the opening of a fifth outlet.

Ben McKellar, was born in Brighton in 1973 and studied at City College in Brighton before leaving at the age of 18 to gain experience at restaurants in France, the UK and New York. Once he had mastered his trade he decided to return home to Brighton to start his own business.

The Gingerman Group was started in 1998 by Ben with wife and business partner Pamela, when they took on their flagship restaurant close to Brighton seafront, the Gingerman.

Over the next 20 years the company has expanded to four Ginger-branded sites in total, one of which includes luxury guest accommodation, The Ginger Pig and Ginger Rooms in Hove, The Ginger Dog in Kemptown and The Ginger Fox a few miles outside of Brighton.

The company continues to evolve and in April the Gingerman Group opened a new dining concept in the heart of the Brighton Lanes, the Flint House, A modern restaurant and bar with a focus on fast turnaround food – tapas, street food style but still of great quality. The restaurant also has a cocktail bar and rooftop terrace.

Ben McKellar said: “After gaining experience as a chef in some of the most exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, I decided it was time to return home to Brighton and open my first restaurant, ‘The Gingerman’.

The business has done well and I believe the secret to this is that we have always tried to look long term by concentrating on the three most important elements of any business, quality, service and price.

Also, having the freehold for the majority of our premises gives us the freedom to adapt. It means that we can support smaller and more local brewers in the community, creating a wider choice which our customers appreciate.”

Ben and Pamela are committed to helping other business to thrive and have developed a growing consultancy business supporting other restauranteurs with their operations and strategy. They are already working with some big name brands including Compass Group and Zoe Ball’s online food website.

The company has diversified further with ‘Ginger at home’ where Executive Chef Ben Mckellar creates and cooks a bespoke 5 course tasting menu for customer gatherings in their own homes.

The Gingerman Restaurant Group has a long standing relationship with Barclays, with the bank providing the finance for much of the expansion of the company.

Tony Forster, Relationship Director, Corporate Banking at Barclays, said: “Part of the reason that Ben and Pamela have been able to continue their growth despite the headwinds facing the industry is that they have concentrated on their core offering – higher end food, while also diversifying into accommodation and private dining.”

It’s been a pleasure to support their ambitions and I look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Brighton firm features in Britain’s top 100 tech list

Brighton firm features in Britain’s top 100 tech list

This weekend, The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 has featured Brighton-based firm MPB in this year’s ranking of the most exciting and fastest-growing tech companies in Britain. MPB, which is an online platform for trading in and buying used camera gear, employs 120 people in Brighton and New York City.

Matt Barker, founder and CEO of MPB, says “I’m delighted MPB is flying the flag for Brighton in The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100. Brighton has always been a vibrant, innovative and exciting place to live and work, and that’s certainly reflected in this company. And the Brightonians who work here.”

“I’m incredibly proud of all my teams here at MPB, from dispatchers to devs, marketing to maintenance. MPB was included in the list before, in 2015, and it’s great how far we’ve grown since then. We’re all excited for the steps ahead.”

Barker started MPB in 2011 as a graduate, trading on eBay in his bedroom. The company now employs 97 people, working in central Brighton and Hollingbury. An additional 23 employees work in New York City, where MPB has an office and is opening an operational centre - funded by a recent £9m investment from Acton Capital Partners in Germany.

MPB is on track for revenue in excess of £40m this year. The online platform is used by 135,000 photographers and filmmakers across the UK, Europe and America. There are around 4,500 different cameras and lenses available to buy - all of which are second hand.

This year’s Tech Track 100 companies achieved average sales growth over three years of 105% a year to a combined total of £3.4bn. They employ 18,200 staff, having added 13,200 employees to their combined workforce over the period. The full league table is published as a 10-page supplement within the business section of The Sunday Times on 8 September, both in print and in the digital edition, and on www.fasttrack.co.uk.

You can access the MPB platform at www.mpb.com

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Government urged not to overlook Greater Brighton

Government urged not to overlook Greater Brighton

The new chairman of Greater Brighton is urging government ministers to visit the City Region and provide the resources to help this part of the UK unleash its economic potential.

With the Prime Minister promising to help all corners of Britain boost productivity, Councillor Daniel Humphreys has written to secretaries of states in five Whitehall departments pressing the case for investment in the south east.

Within his letters, the Greater Brighton chairman highlighted the great strides already made by the City Region, securing more than £160 million of funding which has unlocked £2 billion of private investment.

However, he warned that the region was often overlooked - meaning key obstacles to growing the economy, such as transport, housing and low productivity, remained in place.

With extra support, funding and levers, Cllr Humphreys claims the City Region will be able to deliver quickly on its one aim: to bring jobs and prosperity to the area which covers much of the Sussex coast, from Brighton north to Gatwick.

Cllr Humphreys, who is also Leader of Worthing Borough Council, writes: “The Prime Minister in his first speech in Downing Street outlined his desire to unleash productivity in every corner of the United Kingdom.

“I commend the Prime Minister for this ambition, however it should not be assumed all parts of the South East are realising their full potential.

“In Greater Brighton we have our challenges, such as low productivity, housing, affordability, a lack of commercial space, congested transport infrastructure and pockets of low skills.”

He adds: “The needs of our region are often overlooked. However, given access to the right levers and the support from the Government we can realise your ambitions to deliver the housing, inward investment, transport and digital infrastructure the region needs and strengthen our economy.

“We want to build on successful public and private investment into the City Region. With support we could achieve results better and faster, not just for the benefit of the City Region but the wider benefit of the south east economy and the UK as a whole.”

The letters were sent to the Department for International Trade; Department for Transport; Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

As well as making the case for new powers and investment, Cllr Humphreys also explained more of the work of the Greater Brighton board, which is currently made up of six local authorities of different political persuasions, businesses, two universities and a growing international airport.

Recently it agreed a new five year plan which outlines the ambition to become a City Region which is international, creative, connected, talented and resilient.

Cllr Humphreys said: “The City Region is an outstanding and inclusive environment in which to live, work, learn and visit; comprising of historic market towns, the UK’s second largest airport , two world-class universities, a Premier League football club and iconic cultural assets.

“We work collaboratively to maximise opportunities to ensure that Greater Brighton is able to fulfil its full economic potential and support the growth and prosperity of the wider south east economy.

“Partners have secured more than £160 million in Local Growth Funding which is unlocking £2 billion of private sector investment and will deliver 18,000 new homes, 750,000m2 of employment floor-space and create 24,000 jobs.”

He ended the letters with an invite for the Secretary of States to visit adding it would be a chance to “see first-hand the excellent work we are doing and how by working closely together we can overcome the challenges we need to address”.

Brighton brothers recreate journey as child evacuees 80 years on

Brighton brothers recreate journey as child evacuees 80 years on

Two Brighton brothers yesterday (September 3) relived the journey they took eight decades ago as child evacuees, on the 80th anniversary of the declaration of WWII.

Barry and Gerald Gooders were evacuated to Brighton from their home in Thornton Heath, London when they were just 7 and 5 years old, after war was declared.

Yesterday they retraced their steps, catching a modern Thameslink train to Brighton Station, then a classic Brighton & Hove Buses’ Routemaster bus to Downs Junior School, which houses the only school air raid shelter open to the public in Britain.

The room fell silent as Chamberlain’s declaration of war was replayed on the radio at precisely 11.15am.

Barry said the day had brought his memories flooding back.

“I have to say, when I was on the train I did feel a touch of emotion, a touch of nostalgia. I’m pleased to be able to recreate it.”

He said he clearly recalled the day he was evacuated.

“Once we left all the weeping mothers at the school gates we were excited. It was a day out with friends and teachers that we knew.

"It seemed like an adventure. None of the nasties had happened at that stage, the bombs and the guns, so we didn’t have any foreboding.”

After their train arrived at Brighton Station the children piled on to a Brighton Hove & District green double decker bus to be sent to their host families.

Barry said: “They called the children from the bus, introduced them to the person in the house and we were just left there.”

The evacuees’ arrival by bus certainly caused a stir in Brighton.

“The locals in Upper Bevendean were agog. They’d never seen a double decker up there before!” said Barry.

Brighton & Hove Buses’ Managing Director Martin Harris said: “It would have been such an emotional journey for those children – terrifying and exciting at the same time.

"I don’t think any of us who haven’t lived through war can really imagine the enormity of it. It’s another reminder of the sacrifices that were made for us all during that war.

“We were privileged to be there with Barry and the children to recreate the journey he took with his brother all those years ago.”

Downs Junior School interactive air raid shelter museum, Take Shelter, is open to individuals and school groups for tours. The school is currently trying to raise money to improve access to the shelter.

For details: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-us-make-our-ww2-air-raid-shelter-accessible

Launch of the Brexit readiness fund for business organisations

Launch of the Brexit readiness fund for business organisations

• Last week, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom today unveiled a £10 million grant scheme for business organisations and trade associations to support businesses in preparing for Brexit ahead of 31 October 2019.

• The Business Readiness Fund is open to business organisations and trade associations throughout the UK.

• The funding will support events, training and the production of advice packs to assist businesses in making sure they are fully prepared for a Brexit on 31 October.

• Applications for grants will be accepted up to Monday 30 September 2019 and administered through the dedicated website: https://www.gov.uk/brexit-business-grants.

LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS RECEIVES SILVER AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SUPPORT OF THE ARMED FORCES

LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS RECEIVES SILVER AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SUPPORT OF THE ARMED FORCES

Family-owned funeral business CPJ Field has been awarded the 2019 Silver Employer Recognition Awards from the Ministry of Defence, celebrating the company’s continued support of members of the armed forces. The presentation, which took place on board the historic ship HMS VICTORY in Portsmouth, was attended by both Jeremy and Charlie Field, who received the prestigious award from The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson.

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) was launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant; a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. 22 businesses were awarded the Silver Award.

Charlie Field, Deputy Chairman of CPJ Field & Co commented:

“Receiving the Silver ERS Award is a wonderful recognition of our company’s support of the Armed Forces’ family. A number of our workforce have served in the Forces or are currently serving in the Reserve or Cadet forces; the skills, approach and positivity they inject into our working day contributes hugely to the overall atmosphere and culture of CPJ Field. It was an honour to receive the award as it highlights the value the Armed Forces’ community adds in supporting our customers on a daily basis.”

The fantastic Army Medical Service Ensemble welcomed guests to the Historic Dockyard and the evening culminated with the Beating Retreat, played by the superb Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth. The Salute was taken by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and Rear Admiral Mike Bath, Flag Officer Reserves.

Moving (costs) on up! Barclays Mortgages reveals the real cost of moving

Moving (costs) on up!

Barclays Mortgages reveals the real cost of moving

…but there are plenty of additional surprises!

With summer periodically the most popular time of year to move house, new research reveals the true cost of moving across the country, showing stark differences between cities.

Analysis from Barclays Mortgages shows the average upfront cost1 of moving home in the UK, including estate agent, legal and surveyor fees, land registry, EPC and stamp duty, is £7,641, on top of the purchase price. Meanwhile, the average unexpected associated costs2 can add up to £1,690, meaning homeowners are stumping up £9,331 on average in total home moving costs.

Upfront moving costs

The analysis looked at the average upfront cost of moving by city across the country, and found that costs vary significantly. Liverpool residents expect to pay just £2,787, compared to a whopping £22,417 spent in upfront costs for those looking to purchase a typical property in London.

For homebuyers also selling their own property, estate agent fees can play a major part in costs. For example, those selling a property in Oxford on average pay £5,783 in estate agents fees compared to £1,780 in Glasgow.

Stamp duty can equally cause a financial headache for those looking to move. In London, where the average house price is currently £482,200, homebuyers have to find typically £14,110 in stamp duty. House hunters in Oxford and Cambridge have on average similarly large stamp duty bills to pay too, with £10,365 and £11,130 respectively. But it’s not all bad news. Those looking to buy in Liverpool, where the average house price is £123,000, would not have to pay stamp duty on a house of this value, under the current stamp duty threshold of £125,000.

On top of this, building insurance costs can amount to £107 and a survey – although not a legal requirement but recommended – will set you back a further £550. An energy performance certificate is a legal requirement, which adds an additional £90 on average.

Associated costs of moving

In addition to these largely anticipated costs, many home movers are being caught out with a number of unexpected costs, including childcare, self-storage, decorating and pet-sitting fees. Indeed, nearly one in two (47 per cent) say they have incurred such costs as a result of moving property3.

The most commonly unanticipated costs nationwide include buying new furniture that didn’t fit in the new home (43 per cent), decorators/DIY help (34 per cent) and the need to buy takeaways for the first few weeks after moving in the absence of a fully functioning kitchen (26 per cent). Bristol and Belfast pay the most in unforeseen costs on average, while London the least.

Hannah Bernard, Head of Mortgages at Barclays, said: “Buying a house is a huge financial moment and the lead up to your dream home should be as stress-free as possible. Our findings show that on top of the burden of expected costs, homebuyers are getting caught out by additional costs that aren’t included in the asking price.

“To balance the budget, try to plan ahead and really challenge what home move costs you could cut down, or better yet, if there are any you can cut out. Enlisting friends and family to help out could really save the pounds too. Our Barclays app helps customers plan ahead and see their payments in a calendar view, making it really simple to balance outgoings.”

The cost to wellbeing

Whilst the hidden financial implications are high, moving properties can also have a negative impact on mental health. Of those surveyed, 42 per cent admitted that moving home made them feel worried and anxious, while almost one in six (17 per cent) said that the stress of the move had a negative impact on their mental health.

Two-fifths (40 per cent) of home buyers believed it took them between three to six months to feel settled and in control again following a big move. Nearly half (46 per cent) named solicitor delays as the main factor impacting their mental wellbeing, with financial pressure (45 per cent) coming a close second.

The research also revealed that almost half (47 per cent) of homebuyers admitted to not being prepared for moving financially, underestimating the overall costs involved. This has resulted in 54 per cent admitting to needing to lean on family members for financial support to deal with the unexpected costs of moving – putting additional strain on their mental wellbeing.

Hannah Bernard continues: “Whether it’s storage for belongings, parking and removal vans or even childcare, buying a new house can really take its toll on finances at a time when home movers will be feeling the pinch. We know that financial pressures are a principal contributor to stress and anxiety around a house move. Being prepared for any last minute costs is a first step to make that milestone as smooth as possible.

For further information on Barclays range of mortgages, go to: http://www.barclays.co.uk/mortgages

For more details on the Cost of Moving, go to: https://www.barclays.co.uk/mortgages/guides/real-cost-of-moving/

Paxton Opens World-Class HQ After Extensive Refurbishment

Paxton Opens World-Class HQ After Extensive Refurbishment

Global technology company Paxton has opened a new world-class Technical Support Centre at its head office in Brighton, UK.

Proving its commitment to investing in its Brighton home, the company has transformed Paxton House into a state-of-the-art facility for the 200-plus employees who are based there.

Paxton, which designs and manufactures smart security systems and has appeared in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list for two years running, moved to the site in Home Farm Road in 2004.

Since then, the company has seen rapid growth - profit has increased 25% year on year since 2012 – and has invested heavily, first building Paxton Technology Centre on the site 2017, before starting work on the refurbishment of Paxton House, next door.

As well as housing its world-class Technical Support Team – winner of the Best Customer Service category in the Brighton & Hove Business Awards 2019 - the new site provides a demonstration facility for customers.

Paxton CEO Adam Stroud said: “We’re so happy to declare our new Paxton House open. We know our Technical Support Team is the number one reason customers choose Paxton again and again. Our new working space encourages teamwork, creativity and support, which will allow the team to provide an even better service.

“Employee wellbeing was at the heart of the design – but we’re also looking forward to welcoming more customers to see what we do here, in terms of products, new technology and innovation.

“We’re doing some really exciting things and leading the industry in many areas - having a positive company culture, and an environment we can all take pride in, is integral to that.”

World-class support stats

• Paxton House is home to Paxton’s Technical Support Team

• The team receives 800 calls a day

• The team handle enquiries from customers in the UK, France, Germany, South Africa, USA and the UAE.

• It offers multi-language support - members of the UK team can speak French and German

• On average they receive 99% good customer feedback. The UK and US teams have broken their previous record by achieving 100% positive feedback in a single month.

For more details about Paxton, go to: http://www.Paxton.Info/4241

Plus X aims to create healthiest work space in UK

Plus X aims to create healthiest work space in UK

On average, people in the UK spend over 3,500 days of their life at work, that’s 35 per cent of their total waking hours and yet offices are often uninspiring places that hinder rather than help productivity.

Olga Hopton, Managing Director of Plus X Brighton, aims to change that. Supported by CEOs, Mat Hunter with a background in California-based IDEO and the Design Council and Paul Rostas, ex-investment banker turned entrepreneur, her goal is to create and manage the healthiest work space in the city and indeed the UK.

Plus X Brighton is the shiny new seven-floor innovation hub opening in January in a spectacular new building currently being fitted out as part of the wider U+I Plc regeneration of Preston Barracks on the Lewes Road.

There is more to the building than its world class design by Studio Egret West featuring the happiness colour yellow as the design principle.

Everything about the building’s design and the special features being created for its future members, has health and wellbeing in mind, from its nutritionally balanced and locally sourced café on the ground floor, to its stylish, ergonomic furniture and décor, to its spectacular roof terrace with abundant edible planting.

Olga Hopton moved to Brighton from Birmingham, where she had extensive experience in events and hospitality management prior to working on transforming the Bird’s Custard original factory into a media and creative cluster.

Formerly General Manager of the shared workspace PLATF9RM in Brighton, she moved on to advise developer U+I on work space design, including the £7m Victorian Power Station renovation in West London and the £15m Plus X Brighton.

As MD at Plus X Brighton, she is seeking to achieve the platinum WELL Building Standards Certification, which has the tagline “Buildings and communities that help people thrive”, ensuring that work spaces at Plus X are optimised for wellness, health and resilience.

To that end, everything must be taken into consideration including air quality, materials, light, biophilia – the new buzz word for greening and access to nature, water quality, community engagement and mental health support.

“We quite literally want to make Plus X Brighton the healthiest workspace in the country – a place where the environment aids positivity and productivity and the Plus X team will be fostering a nurturing environment as well as providing resources for members with tips on how to be healthy,” said Olga.

“I believe people react to their environment and it is possible to feel healthy and inspired in the work place. Plus X is there to make it easy so you can focus on what you do best - running your business.”

The Plus X team will regularly monitor air quality in the space, ensuring that it meets WELL standards. Details such as rosemary infused water served in the meeting rooms, proven to help focus and boost immunity, and essential oil blends available to aid positivity and focus, as well as weekly yoga and meditation, will all contribute to getting members’ creative juices flowing.

Biophilia refers to the inherent connection humans have to plants and nature.Studies have proven that when surrounded by plants, people’s happiness, focus and productivity improves, so Plus X has a ‘Biophilia strategy’ incorporating plenty of greenery allowing people to commune with nature both inside and out. Brighton’s first rooftop terrace featuring edible plants and herbs will be opening in spring for private events and members access to break out or enjoy as thinking space. Work spaces will also be flooded with natural light from large windows, as this is believed to support the circadian rhythm, improving people’s sleep-wake cycles.

Continued Olga, “As part of the WELL building standards, we are compiling a WELL Guide which will be available to all members in the space, helping them use the space for optimum wellness and we will also be curating a library of books that encourages and enhances mindfulness and wellness.

“Our extensive events calendar will include a rich variety of wellness focussed events and workshops, with yoga classes at the beginning of each week, so that partners can start their week the right way – focussed and intentional. We will also have classes on a Friday - these will be the perfect way to wind down and enter the weekend feeling refreshed. It is so important to switch off and take time out to recharge and thrive. I have discovered yoga at It’s Yoga Brighton just over a year ago and I can honestly say it has changed my life - Leena, my teacher always reminds me that it is the journey that counts and makes us grow. I think this is important recognition for many of the serial entrepreneurs and inventors that we work with.”

As one of the WELLness initiatives members will also benefit from access to Moment Pebbles, modelled from Brighton beach, encouraging those who hold them to remember to take a moment away from their work and to take a break from screen time.

Plus X has also partnered with Bird and Blend Tea Co to create ProductiviTEA, an exclusive fusion of yerba mate for alertness and productivity, lemon balm for stress reduction and rosehip and ginger for immunity and digestion.

Plus X believes that what is good for people is also good for the planet and Olga is a passionate advocate of all that is green and sustainable. She has partnered with Paper Rounds to provide a zero to landfill waste policy, has sourced a green energy supplier and eco cleaning products, as well as sustainably delivered local milk and Red Roasters direct trade coffee. The team at Plus X will also encourage green and healthy ways of travelling to work, with a new Brighton Bikes station just outside the hub.

Continued Olga, “Many of these ideas are ones that business leaders want to implement, but don’t have the time or knowledge to do so for their growing businesses. The value of situating your business at Plus X is that it’s the easiest way for you to take care of your team. If you are a business leader who is trying to build the best team you can, we believe that moving into Plus X can create a competitive advantage for you.”

Plux X has 53,000 sq ft of work space with room for over 550 people, including 11 studios for 4-20 people and bespoke turn-key solutions for 20+ size businesses. Memberships cost from £100 per month.

Opening January 2020, Plus X is the winning formula for business and social success.

Catch the Wave date added: Support for start-ups

Catch the Wave date added: Support for start-ups

On Thursday 17 October, Brighton Chamber is hosting ‘Grow your business faster and smarter’ as part of the Catch the Wave business support programme.

The session is for start-ups and young businesses in their first couple of years who want to consider their goals and gain a deeper understanding of what they need to thrive.

The workshop will include:

• Carrying out a business health check

• The ingredients for good decision making

• Ways to engage with your customers and clients

• A session with an accountant in which you’ll learn vital information on business structure and tax

The workshop will be run by Richard Freeman of always possible, a consultancy and projects company that supports place-making, skills development, business innovation and future-focused culture. Richard works with grassroots entrepreneurs, networks, big business and policy makers on sustainable growth and smart thinking.

Attendees will also hear expert accounting advice from Kreston Reeves and a business case study from Sarah Bennett Photography.

ABOUT CATCH THE WAVE 2019

Catch the Wave is a new business support programme for anyone in the city who wants to launch and grow a business. It includes affordable workshops, useful resources and expert mentoring sessions.

Designed and delivered by Brighton Chamber, Catch the Wave includes practical, interactive sessions and runs from July 2019 to April 2020.

Click here to book.

SHOREHAM PORT DELIGHTED TO WELCOME NEW STEEL COMPANY

SHOREHAM PORT DELIGHTED TO WELCOME NEW STEEL COMPANY

Barrett Steel, the UK’s largest independent steel stockholder, has taken an assignment of the lease for the steel premises at Shoreham Port on Tuesday of this week. Ten years ago, Shoreham Port invested in a modern state-of-the-art steel terminal with quayside facilities, which until this week had been leased out to John Parker & Son, who went into administration on Tuesday. Shoreham Port are delighted to welcome Barrett Steel to the premises, with their first shipment of steel expected to arrive in the coming week.

Having been established in 1866, Barrett Steel have over 150 years of experience in the steel stockholding industry and are at the forefront of the sector. This acquisition has resulted in the growth of the 6th generation family steel businesses network to 27 locations across the UK, providing Barrett Steel with an ideal base to service and support customers in the South of England.

In addition to the lease, the acquisition also sees Barrett Steel acquire extensive processing equipment on the site including shot blast prime and paint facilities alongside 6 additional Endeavour Saw-Drill lines. The move has also secured the jobs of over 50 employees from the previous site

Expansion into the South of England is the latest of many investments for the group in recent years, as Barrett Steel has encouraged the development of its Scotland and Ireland businesses as well as investing heavily in state-of-the-art processing equipment and ensuring a modern and efficient transport fleet across its sites. The group also pride themselves on their high levels of customer service as a progressive, problem-solving steel stockholder.

James Barrett, Group Managing Director at Barrett Steel commented: “This acquisition allows the Group to develop its presence in the South of England which complements our existing processing hubs in the North. We are excited to welcome the Shoreham team to our business and are positive about the future of the steel industry.”

Rodney Lunn, Chief Executive at Shoreham Port commented “We have had the pleasure of meeting many of the Barrett Steel senior management team over the last couple of weeks and are really pleased to sign all of the leases over to them, as we feel their vision and values for the future very much align with those of Shoreham Port. It is great to have such a strong and well respected partner running the steel facility.”

SEEKING THE BEST SUSSEX STREET FOOD OF THE YEAR 2020

SEEKING THE BEST SUSSEX STREET FOOD OF THE YEAR 2020

Having celebrated an exciting record-breaking year in 2019 with over 18,000 public votes and hundreds of entries, the Sussex Food & Drink Awards is now focusing on the year ahead with entries open now for the Sussex Street Food of the Year 2020 category as they must be received by 27 September 2019.

This hugely popular category was introduced to the awards five years ago and the panel of judges will be looking for exciting businesses creating artisan dishes with care and passion, to be eaten in a mobile situation and dedicated to using quality local Sussex ingredients.

Said Hilary Knight, co-director of Natural Partnerships CIC, who run the awards as a not-for-profit scheme to boost the local food and drink industry: “We’re looking for amazing and creative food served from individually styled and attractive mobile units with a clear message about what's on offer. The winner should be someone who demonstrates responsibility for the environment and food hygiene and sources as many local ingredients as possible.”

Sussex Street Food of the Year 2020 finals will be held in Horsham Carfax on Sunday 27 October from 10am until 4pm. Sponsors of this category, Horsham District Foodies supported by Food Rocks, will be organising the competition and wonderful market day, where the public can vote for their favourite to win.

Entrance is free and visitors will be able to enjoy live music, boutique shopping, pop up bars and artisan products, whilst soaking up the fantastic foodie atmosphere as ten of the very best Sussex street food vendors battle it out to see who wins the coveted trophy.

Entries for all other categories in the Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2020 open on 24 September and winners will be revealed and receive their awards on 29 April 2020 at a glittering BAFTA-style awards ceremony hosted by Sally Gunnell OBE and Danny Pike from BBC Sussex, including a spectacular seven-course Sussex produce banquet produced by Sodexo Prestige at the Amex Stadium.

SUSSEX STREET FOOD OF THE YEAR - Offering great food to be eaten in a mobile situation from an individually styled and attractive unit with a clear message about what's on offer. Someone who demonstrates responsibility for the environment and food hygiene and sources as many local ingredients as possible. Must attend at least three events in Sussex from April to October 2019.

Go to www.sussexfoodawards.biz now to enter your Sussex Street Food business.

Barclays launches £100,000 unsecured lending for SMEs on its app and online banking platform

Barclays launches £100,000 unsecured lending for SMEs on its app and online banking platform

In a High Street banking first, Barclays has launched £100,000 unsecured lending for SMEs on its award winning app and online banking platform, with thousands of SMEs set to benefit from access to faster finance.

With two fifths of SMEs surveyed (44 per cent) saying they would have more confidence in applying for a loan if they could see a pre-assessed limit, Barclays is offering over 360,000 customers pre-assessed limits on their digital channels.

The limits for unsecured digital lending have increased to £100,000 from £25,000 for thousands of clients, with funds typically received in the account within 24 hours.

In 2018 Barclays funded a new start-up every four minutes, with a total of £2.8 billion of loans boosting small businesses. The bank recently unveiled a package of support for businesses as part of its Backing the UK initiative and to mitigate the impact of Brexit uncertainty, with a £14 billion dedicated lending fund, and a series of over 100 clinics providing business advice and guidance hosted by the bank’s network of 1,500 relationship managers.

Ian Rand, CEO of Barclays Business Banking, said: “Every day we talk to thousands of SMEs about how we can support them to grow their business, and our team of relationship managers are out and about visiting offices and homes up and down the country.

“Now, with the launch of £100k unsecured lending on our app and online banking, we’ll be able to go even further to support businesses with exciting scale-up plans to borrow what they want, when they want.

“With pre-assessed limits of up to £100k, clients can follow just six simple steps and receive the money in their account normally within 24 hours.”

Last year the bank also announced a partnership with MarketInvoice, Europe’s leading peer-to-peer lender, which enables businesses to get funding against their outstanding invoices, unlocking fast access to cash.

For more information on Barclays Business Banking, visit: https://www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/

MPs BACK CALL TO END LITTER CHAOS

MPs BACK CALL TO END LITTER CHAOS

The A27 Clean Up Campaign has received the backing of three MPs and all Council Leaders from across Sussex in its quest for Highways England to take over responsibility for litter removal on this major highway which runs through East and West Sussex.

The group of Sussex residents has written to the Transport Secretary pointing out that the current system doesn’t work whereby local councils are responsible for removing the litter but Highways England is responsible for cutting back the vegetation and strimming the grass.

If the verges are strimmed before a litter pick, the shredded litter and plastic becomes too small to collect. It therefore becomes embedded in the soil which in turn affects not only the surrounding wildlife and flora but also over time the water table and later the sea. It also causes blockages to roadside drainage channels and leaves unsightly plastic blown along the roadsides.

Another problem is the amount of litter which is blown into nearby fields, leading to this being shredded during combine harvesting and ending up in the hay used for animal feed.

The A27 is a national trunk road owned by Highways England yet local authorities receive no funding for litter picking it and have to pay Highways England’s contractors for the necessary road closures. Co-ordination between Highways England’s contractors and local authorities is expected to happen to enable litter picks to take place during other maintenance works but invariably this proves impractical leading to some parts of the road being strewn with litter for most of the time. In some places litter has not been picked for nearly 3 years despite this being in contravention of statutory responsibilities.

Commenting on the call to action, Neil Kerridge, Co-Chair of the A27 Clean Up Campaign said: “The poor condition of the road has seen a marked deterioration over the last few years with a substantial increase in roadside litter, grit and other debris. It’s an eyesore for everyone who travels along it, hence the increasing number of complaints, not only from local residents but also from domestic and foreign visitors. Whilst more needs to be done to prevent the litter happening in the first place, through education and enforcement, we need to ensure that the system for removing the litter is as efficient and effective as possible.

“Each of the local authorities and MPs with whom we are working recognises that this is a serious issue which needs to be addressed at national level. We have therefore written to Grant Shapps MP, the new Secretary of State for Transport, requesting that he uses his powers under Section 86(11) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to transfer responsibility for cleaning the A27 to Highways England”

The Group believes that increased efficiencies will be achieved by combining all aspects of road maintenance under Highways England. Its specialist teams, protected by blocking vehicles or planned lane closures, could move seamlessly from one local authority area to the next without the need for liaison between differing bodies with differing priorities. This could be done on a continuous and repetitive basis to make maximum use of the capital assets employed thereby achieving regular and frequent cleaning.

Neil added “Clearly it will be important to ensure that Highways England’s contractors perform the litter removal task to required standards and that incentives and penalties are put in place to ensure that this happens. We are working with Peter Silverman of Clean Highways who is an expert in this field and together we hope to be the first area of many in the country where litter on the major trunk roads is not a national disgrace”.

The letter to the secretary of State for Transport is supported by MPs and Leaders of individual Councils:

1. Stephen Lloyd MP for Eastbourne

2. Maria Caulfield MP for Lewes

3. Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP for Brighton Kemptown

4. Councillor Neil Parkin Leader of Adur DC

5. Councillor Dr James Walsh Leader of Arun DC

6. Councillor Zoe Nicholson Leader of Lewes DC

7. Councillor Nancy Platts Leader of Brighton and Hove CC

8. Councillor E Lintill Leader of Chichester DC

9. Councillor Bob Standley Leader of Wealden DC

10. Polegate Town Council

If you’d like to find out more about The A27 Clean Up Campaign please contact the group via its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/A27-Clean-Up-Campaign or email: a27cleanup@gmail.com

Free online courses to support your business now available

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Funded places are limited and are delivered on a first come first server basis. Please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team if you have any questions.

End unpaid trial shifts in Brighton & Hove

End unpaid trial shifts in Brighton & Hove

BHCC is supporting a local campaign to end the practice of unpaid trial shifts in the city.

‘Say No To Unpaid Trial Shifts’ is a grassroots collective started by students in Brighton & Hove. The campaign group say using unpaid trial shifts during the job application process is unacceptable—a view that councillors endorsed unanimously in a notice of motion last year.

An unpaid trial shift is where an employer fails to pay for work which either makes money from a prospective employee or saves money for the employer. The Government issued new guidance as to what constitutes an unpaid trial shift in December 2018.

We have pledged to look at how we can help end the practice of unpaid trial shifts. From 1 August we will be gathering information from businesses and prospective job applicants to understand the scale and nature of the issue:

Business survey

Workers, students and young people survey

Why the council is taking action

Cllr Amanda Evans, Brighton & Hove’s Lead Member for Community Wealth Building said: “No-one should be expected to work for free so we want to collaborate with businesses and partners to put an end to unpaid labour that is unacceptable, unethical and unfair.

“The initiative is consistent with our support of the Brighton & Hove Living Wage campaign and an extension of our commitment to raise standards, celebrate good employers, retain good candidates and ensure all those working in our city can share in the wealth they are helping to create.”

The No Unpaid campaign group says unpaid trial shifts target young people, take advantage of vulnerable job-seekers and allow businesses (including many high street brands) to avoid paying wages, staff training and tax—and are therefore damaging the UK economy.

Of the people who responded to their recent snapshot survey, many reported unpaid trial shifts in the hospitality sector, but also highlighted major high street retailers, as well as other industries including cleaning and care work.

Tourism supports nearly 22,000 jobs in Brighton & Hove, with more than 1,000 businesses involved bringing over £800 million into the local economy. It equates to 7.5% of the tourism economy of the south east region*. An end to unpaid trial shifts in this sector will enable more people to share in the city’s economic success. Community wealth building is an aim of the city’s economic strategy introduced earlier this year.

*Source: Visitor Economy Strategy and Destination Management Plan 2018-2023

Surveys

Councillor Evans added: “Our surveys will build on the work of the No Unpaid campaign group by giving us local information that we can use to find practical ways of tackling the issue.”

Targeted communication with students and young people will start in September to encourage them to fill in the applicants survey.

Business survey

Workers, students and young people survey

Closing date for our survey is 31 October 2019.

No unpaid campaign

Campaign co-founder Frank Chamberlain said: “The work of young people is demeaned by the concept that we should be asked to work for free. Too many young people, competing in a saturated job market, feel like they have no choice but to undertake unpaid trial shifts, with no guarantee of a job at the end of it. On some occasions, it has become apparent that employers had no intention of offering a job at all.

“Given so many people, young people and otherwise, rely on a secure income, this practice is both unethical and exploitative. We hear horror stories of nine hour shifts and ridiculous anecdotes of compensation being given in the form of bread, beer and even spices. Even short unpaid trial shifts are time-consuming, and force vulnerable jobseekers into working for free. This is not acceptable in today’s society.”

Frank added: “We want ethical employers to help us raise awareness of this unacceptable practice by pledging not to undertake unpaid trial shifts. To date, more than 100 businesses have done so.”

Mark Turner from the GMB trade union said: “This is a very important campaign and the GMB is pleased to be part of it. This arrangement of unpaid trial shifts needs to be totally eradicated because it particularly disadvantages young people within society. We welcome that the council has signed up to this along with the city’s three MPs and we as a union will continue to campaign at a local and national level.”

Unpaid trial shifts can be reported to HMRC who investigate claims on a case by case basis. No Unpaid has simplified this process by providing an easy-to-use complaint letter-generator on its website. ACAS also provide free, confidential help and advice for workers.

A WARM WELCOME TO ‘HOSPITALITY APPRENTICESHIP WEEK’

A WARM WELCOME TO ‘HOSPITALITY APPRENTICESHIP WEEK’

Showcasing Career Opportunities in the Hospitality Sector

The Hospitality Sector, with the support of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), is delighted to launch the first Hospitality Apprenticeship Week. Running from Monday 5th to Friday 9th August, this inaugural event aims to provide a fresh opportunity to celebrate apprenticeships in the sector and to bring the whole hospitality community together to showcase the positive differences that apprenticeships can make to individuals, to their employers and the wider economy and we would like as many businesses as possible to get involved.

The hospitality industry offers some of the most exciting, diverse and rewarding careers in the U.K. It is the 3rd largest sector, employing more than 3.2 million people across every community and it continues to grow. With forecasts identifying the need for an additional 1 million employees over the next two years, we need to consider how these new recruits will be sourced.

Coupled with this, the U.K. Government recently launched its first tourism-sector deal, designed to prepare the country for an expected increase of 9 million visitors per year. Part of the deal will support the creation of an additional 10,000 apprenticeships for people building careers in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Hospitality Apprenticeship Week provides an ideal opportunity for employers to come together and engage with school and college leavers to showcase the variety of career opportunities available within the hospitality sector. One of the key focuses of this campaign is to shift the perception among young people and their parents that hospitality roles are limited to low paid, part-time jobs and to encourage them to recognise that apprenticeships provide multiple opportunities to forge a strong career path, involving a range of invaluable skills.

“There are increasing challenges in recruiting and an expected shortfall in labour, due to demographic changes, both in an ageing population resulting in fewer young people and migration. The industry recognises its responsibility to help improve the image of careers in hospitality and to invest in training and skills development. Apprenticeships are a key part of promoting hospitality as a career of choice and providing an alternative pathway into senior level roles, as well as entry level.”

https://www.worldskillsuk.org/come-on-in

Trash-to-treasure event helps transform Brighton and Hove from a ‘Food Waste’ into a ‘Food Use’ city

Trash-to-treasure event helps transform Brighton and Hove from a ‘Food Waste’ into a ‘Food Use’ city

Brighton and Hove food businesses received top tips in reducing, redistributing and recycling at a special event to help food leaders play their part in tackling the environmental threat presented by food waste.

The event, organised by Brighton & Hove Food Partnership with the Surplus Food Network, generated a host of ideas to help Brighton and Hove transform into a ‘food use’ city. It also marked another step forward in the city’s efforts to be named the UK’s first gold-awarded Sustainable Food City.

Food waste has been described as an environmental, moral and financial scandal. Wasting food has a huge impact on carbon emissions because of all the energy that is used in its production, transportation and processing. If global food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases after the USA and China.*

Recycling as a last resort

The event, ‘Turning trash into treasure: rethinking food waste’, was held at the Brighthelm Centre in central Brighton. It saw 100 city caterers, retailers, food producers, suppliers and manufacturers, and the managers of cafes, hotels and pubs hearing the case for prioritising reducing food waste, before redistributing and repurposing it – and only finally recycling it as a last resort, instead of disposal.

Participants shared ideas and experiences with inspiring businesses such as Toast Ale, which turns old bread into beer, Moshimo restaurant, which uses food-sharing app Too Good To Go, pop-up surplus food cafe The Real Junk Food Project Brighton and food-sharing app Olio which helps surplus food find a good home.

They also heard practical advice from food waste and sustainability experts, third-sector organisations and policy experts.

Vic Borrill, Director of Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, said:

“This was the latest in a series of events designed to motivate and inspire people to take positive action around food – and this one about taking action around food waste is critical, as the current news declarations of a climate emergency show.

“It was very exciting to see how our city’s food business community embraced the 3Rs of reducing, redistributing and repurposing, leaping at the opportunity to rethink food waste.

“It has given us a wealth of ideas to take forward to deliver a strategy to become a ‘food use’ city, which will be included in our bid to be the UK’s first gold-awarded Sustainable Food City.”

Surplus Food Network

In the last year, event co-organiser the Surplus Food Network has saved over 1,090 tonnes of surplus food from going into the bin by distributing it to people in need.

Beth Parry, Fareshare, said:

“Working as part of the Surplus Food Network has enabled us to prevent more surplus food from going to waste and to feed more people in need.”

Paul Loman, Non-Executive Director of The Real Junk Food Project Brighton, said:

“The Surplus Food Network is a great example of the benefits of collaborative working. The City of Brighton and Hove should be proud of this ground-breaking initiative.”

The ‘Turning Trash into Treasure’ event was supported by recycling company Paper Round and Brighton and Hove City Council.

* Information from WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme.

Follow the conversation around the gold Sustainable Food City bid via #GoldFoodCityBid