A Solar Scheme and Going Green
As news of the general election results were rolling in, Chairman Simon Gabbitas welcomed members to the July meeting and kicked off the roving mic introductions.
Solar Farm & Supplier Opportunities
Today’s meeting was sponsored by Elements Green and Mark Noone, Head of Development UK, took to the stage to share news about the project along with the opportunities it brings to the local economy.
The first project is the Staythorpe BESS (Battery Energy Saving Scheme), a 360MW energy storage project that has been given the green light for planning. The second is the Great North Road Solar Park, a 1.1GW scheme to power approximately 400,000 homes.
The projects provide both direct and indirect benefits to the local economy from the application phase (2024-25), construction phase (2027-29) and during operation (2029-69). The scheme is generating jobs for locals plus opportunities for local contractors. Register your business here https://www.gnrsolarpark.co.uk/supplier-opportunities
The EG Academy launches in October 24 to provide renewable focused CPD courses and web based video content. It’s an opportunity for all business types to provide training to their staff as well as internships and funded partnerships. With 2GW of opportunity in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire now, and 20GW by 2035 (30m panels), there is immense potential for growth.
The NG+ Program will provide £1m per annum of varied community benefits including free energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, helping to save on bills. Phase 2 of the grant program is open now for applications – https://ngplus.uk/
Before the round table networking two business cards were selected for write ups in the Newark Advertiser and our newsletter. Congratulations to our regular attendee, Andrew Harris from the Chamber of Commerce and first time visitor, Clare Sears from Children’s Bereavement Centre.
The round table networking gave everyone chance to introduce themselves and their business to their group and after we headed into the refreshment break.
Last month we heard from 3 fantastic charities and Simon announced that the one our members chose for the donation was Me & Dee Charity. They will receive £350 from Newark Business Club and £250 from Newark & District Round Table.
Then we had Who Gives A Book?! and this month PI Leadership by Tony Brooks was recommended by Ian Stephens and won by Rachel Wilson from Children’s Bereavement Centre.
Member Spotlight – Clare Sears, Children’s Bereavement Centre
The Children’s Bereavement Centre is a local registered charity dedicated to supporting children, young people and their families through one of the most devastating times of their lives, the death or terminal illness diagnosis of someone important in their lives. The charity has been helping local families from across Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire for the last 20 years. Currently demand for the service is higher than it’s ever been so the charity has just expanded its fundraising team to raise the funds required to be able to support more families and are delighted to welcome Clare on board as the new community fundraiser.
Clare joins the charity from the financial sector and has always been passionate about supporting charities. Over the years she has completed a personal challenge each year to fundraise and arranged many events within the bank for all staff and customers to support. She looks forward to her new role and all the opportunities it will bring to raise both awareness of the charity and also funds to support their great work in the community. Whether you’ve already got an idea or would like some inspiration Clare would love to hear from anyone in the local community interested in supporting the charity and she can be contacted on 01636 551739 or on email clare@childrensberevementcentre.co.uk
A Good idea for Newark’s Economy
Our guest speaker this month was Jack Good from Reuseabox. Jack joined the family business around 12 years ago as it was struggling to make ends meet. After trying and failing to get another job it was by chance that they discovered that one of their neighbouring businesses paying to dispose of thousands of cardboard boxes. They then found another local business that was paying a lot for new boxes and Reuseabox was formed.
Nature is a circular economy, a tree grows from the ground and when it dies it returns back to the ground. Humans have created a linear economy where we create goods from stuff and then when we have done with it we send it to landfill, incinerated or exported. Sometimes it gets recycled.
A circular economy is the future of business and aims to eliminate, circulate and regenerate. Jack challenged us all to think about how Newark On Trent could be the first circular town and how our businesses and lives, could operate in a more sustainable way. How could you help Newark On Trent become the first circular town?
Driving Change with Local Business
Michael Hardy shared another Action Group update video and shared with the members information on the Long Term Towns Fund and BID. Trains between Nottingham and Lincoln will be back up to 1 per hour from December but still pushing for 2 trains per hour which EMR are supporting. The A46 works are still progressing and on course for spades in the ground for 2026.
The next Action Group Meeting takes place 22nd July 6pm at The Organ Grinder.
The final talk was from one of our patron sponsors, Gusto Group, and Steff Wright reminded us that despite the political change at Westminster, it’s up to businesses to drive change, something that Gusto Group have been pioneering since their inception.
Newark & Sherwood United are searching for a site for their community stadium project. The idea is to create a sustainable stadium of shipping containers to be used for men’s football, women’s football, cup finals, rugby, live music and even boxing.
A town centre location would bring more footfall into the heart of Newark and after reviewing various sites their preference would be Riverside Park. There is a demand in Newark for more pitches, especially as women’s football is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.
Not everyone can make our morning meetings which is why on 19th July we are hosting a Summer Social at YMCA from 6pm. There will be food and a little bit of magic, mind reading and mentalism so book your tickets at https://nbcsummersocial.eventbrite.co.uk
Our next morning meeting is on Friday 2nd August at 7am.
Thank you to Our Patrons & Sponsors
We are delighted to announce the following Patrons for 2024: Gusto Group|Funding Round|Reflect Recruitment|Barcode Warehouse|Motorfinity|PeachyEvents|Radio Newark
Next Meeting – YMCA Village Friday 2nd August 2024 6.45am
The YMCA catering team offer a range of delicious breakfasts which are available to purchase.
Please Book your tickets online
YMCA Community and Activity Village
Lord Hawke Way
Newark
Nottinghamshire NG24 4FH
For sponsorship opportunities, contact chairman@newarkbusinessclub.co.uk
