Business owners and decision makers from Newark and the surrounding areas headed to the YMCA for Newark Business Club’s first meeting of 2025.
Chairman Simon Gabbitas welcomed everyone to the meeting on this cold and frosty morning and the roving mic travelled around the room, giving everyone the opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses.
In the first presentation, Robert Twigg of meeting sponsors Simons Developments and Tritax Big Box gave an insight into how a proposed new development will improve both the business and natural environment in Newark. Following an investment of £120 million in the Currys Distribution Centre in Newark, Tritax Big Box, a logistics and supply chain company, has proposed a new development of four units on land south of Sleaford Road in Coddington.
Planning permission has been granted for the first unit on the new site, which is due to be completed in April 2025. There are plans for a further three units on the same site, subject to planning permission.
In consultation with Coddington Parish Council, the establishment of a wildlife area adjacent to Coddington also forms part of the proposal, enhancing the natural environment and reflecting Tritax Big Box’s commitment to long-term investments in local communities.
If approval for the whole of the proposed new development is granted, 1,000 new, salaried jobs will be created, not only in logistics but also in other fields such as finance and marketing, offering an array of opportunities for local people. The new development would bring Tritax Big Box’s total investment in Newark up to £250 million.
You can view and comment on the planning application by visiting NSDC Planning portal and searching using the planning reference 24/02218/OUTM then select the “Make a comment” tab. For further information please email Jeremy Fieldsend.
Next on the agenda was the business card draw. The winners of a write-up each were first-time visitor Breeze Rowlands, a quality, health & safety and environmental consultant, and Lucy Painter of Funding Round, a regular attendee.
This month’s inspiring business book was recommended by Carrie Boughtwood of APT Legal. A copy of Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King was won by Jess Mitchell of Cook Stars.
New Member Spotlight: I am Breeze Rowlands a self-employed qualified Health and Safety consultant, with over 10 years’ experience in Quality ISO9001, Health & Safey ISO45001, Environmental ISO14001 and Information Security ISO27001 Management Systems. I work closely with businesses of all sizes and sectors to support the implementation of their management systems, ensuring compliance through detailed comprehensive audits, working across a wide range of industries, I have worked with businesses ranging from information technology and communications, warehousing, construction, test laboratory, engineering and manufacturing.
Using the ISO management system, I support businesses through a range of procedures, assessments, compliance and efficiency.
For further details of my experience please visit my LinkedIn profile and connect with me.
Breeze Rowlands
In this new section of the club’s meetings, all attendees booking a ticket before 5pm on the Wednesday before the meeting are included in a ‘wheel of fortune’ style spin. The winner gives a short presentation on their business in next month’s meeting.
This month, the two minute talk was from Catherine Powell, co-owner of Fusion Graphic Design. Catherine, who is originally from Sydney, Australia, and her business partner set up Fusion Graphic Design 20 years ago. During that time, they have worked on over 6,000 projects, helping their clients to create and update brands, design and build websites, design online and printed promotional materials, and more.
After table networking and a coffee break, Ben Poucher, the head of lighting and special projects, at local events company Peachy Events, introduced a video demonstrating the wide variety of projects in which his company has been involved. From carnivals and fireworks shows to graduation ceremonies, and from music festivals to Christmas events, Peachy Events takes care of stage set-ups, lighting, sound systems and other features in consultation with clients.
Immersive events are a speciality service, with Peachy Events providing automation, lighting and theming. A recent example was the Springfields’ Winter Wonderland Walk in Spalding, for which custom features, such as smoke tubes to enhance the misty atmosphere and neon tunnels, were delivered. Peachy Events works mainly with local businesses and organizations, including Lincoln Cathedral, St Barnabas Hospice and Lincolnshire Co-Op.
Sharron Marriott, head of awards and events at Iliffe Media Group, announced that nominations for this year’s Newark Business Awards will open on 23rd January. From that date, you can nominate local businesses for a variety of awards via the website: newarkbusinessawards.co.uk.
Local businesses can also get involved through sponsorship of the awards. For further information, contact sharron.marriott@iliffemedia.co.uk. This year’s awards ceremony will be held on 13th June at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall.
Among the closing announcements were several events for local businesses. Getting Started with Business Energy Audits – Reducing energy bills and Usage, a free one-day training course for local businesses, will take place at the Air and Space Institute on 6th February. Places can be booked on Eventbrite.
The next meeting of the Fernwood Business Community, a local business networking group, will be on 30th January at 10am at the Brews Brothers, Fernwood. Everyone who works from home is welcome to come along. The Lincoln Dining Club will also meet on 30th January at 6pm at Caffe Portico in Lincoln. All professionals are invited to this networking event. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
The next meeting of Newark Business Club’s Action Group will be held on 27th January at 6pm in the Organ Grinder pub in Newark. Anyone who is interested in campaigning for a better local business environment is welcome to attend.
Looking further ahead, events supporting local charities will include The Big Newark Sleep Out on 7th March in aid of the Newark Emmaus Trust and the YMCA, which both support homeless people. Save the date for the Great Gatsby Charity Ball, organized by the Children’s Bereavement Centre and Newark Emmaus Trust: 25th April 2025.
The next meeting of Newark Business Club will be at 6.45 am on 7th February at the YMCA.
By Roz Andrews, RA Writers For Hire Ltd and RA Book Editing
We are delighted to announce the following Patrons for 2025: Gusto Group|GXO in Partnership with Currys|Barcode Warehouse|Motorfinity|PeachyEvents|Radio Newark
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