As Newark Business Club gathered at 7am on the first Friday of October, one thing was on everyone’s mind: “It’s so dark in the mornings now!”.
Yes, with winter is on its way, the last meeting in British summer time seemed like a gloomy one but thankfully, the members arrived in good cheer to share their latest news, updates and events.
Leading the meeting was club Vice-Chair, Simon Shaw who brought guests up to date on a survey that was carried out among members. While the executive team will go through the results in detail, one thing that’s jumped out is the desire for an additional date in the diary when members can meet and network even if they can’t commit to our regular club meetings.
One idea that the team liked is to have these extra meetings held at different locations and workplaces each month. With that in mind, any businesses that would like to host one of these meetings should contact a member of the executive.
While Newark Business Club always welcomes new faces, for October, November and December, newcomers can come along for free. Several new businesses came along this month and we’d like members to invite more friends, colleagues or contacts to come to the club in the coming months. Newcomers will also be able to enter the business-card drawer for a free write-up in this newsletter.
This month, the draw winner was Claire Brennan from Hire a Hubby in Southwell. Hire a Hubby is a property maintenance service providing a complete handyman service for homes and commercial properties. Whether it’s repairs or renovations, the team are able to help. The ‘hubbies’ are police checked, fully insured, carry photo ID and offer a 100% workmanship guaranteed to provide complete security and peace of mind. Visit www.hireahubby.com/southwell
The sponsor of this month’s meeting was Chris Oakes from OAX Life Coaching. A former paratrooper, Chris thanked the club for their welcome and the support members have given him since he started his company in January. Chris also shared stories from his background and described the work he does now, helping people set and achieve their goals.
Putting Newark on the map
James Fountain, the chair of Newark Business Club’s Action Group took to the stage with two serious issues on his mind. First was the shocking news that Newark no longer appears on the BBC East Midlands Today weather map.
James said he’ll be campaigning to put Newark back on the map and since the meeting, he’s even taken this up with Andy Whittaker & Sarah Julian on BBC Radio Nottingham so watch this space (somewhere between Nottingham, Mansfield and Grantham).
The second issue he raised is the need for continued political pressure for the construction of a new eastern bypass around Newark to reduce the pressure on the “agony corridor” on the A46. The Action Group would like the support of businesses across Newark as they campaign for this and to help make members’ voices heard, draft letters for government will be uploaded on the to NBC website (www.newarkbusinessclub.co.uk).
We encourage members to download the template, personalise them and send them to parliament or Robert Jenrick’s office to make sure the bypass doesn’t fall off the agenda before Budget Day on October 29th. The Action Group’s next meeting takes place on the 22nd October at William Saunders and all are welcome.
Inside the factory
The final speakers for the meeting were Tim Parker and Tim Constantine from NSK Europe Ltd. You may have driven past their gates at Brunel Business Park and wondered what goes on inside, and the answer was fascinating. Showing that manufacturing is alive and well in Newark, the company, which has been in Newark for 118 years, has increased its headcount by 33% in the last 18 months. In that time, the company has also increased output by around 70%. Impressive!
Surprisingly, if you drive a VW, Seat, Skoda or Audi, the wheel hubs and steering systems have a good chance of having been made at their site in Newark and they also make a wide range of bearings and other component parts.
The next Newark Business Club meeting is on Friday 2nd November at the Everyday Champions Conference Centre and, remember, newcomers come free!
Sponsor a Meeting
Want to see your name on the big screen? Please contact Simon Shaw, Club Vice Chair, to find out more about our sponsorship opportunities. For a one-off payment, you will get 10-minutes in front of a range of businesses at one of our meetings and we’ll use your logo and business details in our marketing materials.
We’ll also give you a shout out on social media and share images of your presentation during the meeting before writing you up for a feature in the Newark Advertiser.
Join the club
New to the area? Just set up your own business? Or in a new role? Why not join us for our next business club?
We’re a group of supportive, welcoming and approachable people representing a range of different disciplines and businesses from across Newark and the surrounding area.
Each meeting takes place at the Everyday Champions Centre in Newark on the first Friday of the month, 7am-9am. Entry is £7 and includes free tea and coffee, with breakfast rolls available to purchase during the break.
Got a question about joining us? Get in touch via social media and ask a question or read through some of our recent updates on our website. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/newarkbc or search for Newark Business Club UK on Facebook.
In the meantime, you can find out more about the club and sign yourself up to receive our newsletter via the website: www.newarkbusinessclub.co.uk.
By David Sykes – Carrington Communications
Carrington Communications is a PR agency based in Lincoln with a strong client base in Newark. They specialise in traditional public relations, helping companies to reach the audiences that matter to them through the media. They also offer SEO and social media management. Clients include startups, SMEs, charities and large organisations.