In the second meeting back at the Everyday Champions Centre, over 60 members of Newark Business Club were welcomed by Chairman Kevin Guthrie
This month’s meeting sponsor was Radio Newark and Ian McGregor took to the stage as the new voice of breakfast on our local station.
Radio Newark provides businesses a platform to connect with the local community as a trusted and friendly voice. The team, based within Barnby Road Academy, are active across lots of community events throughout the year including the Christmas lights switch on and the dragon boat race.
Paul Chadbourne, Sales and Marketing Consultant for Radio Newark would like to speak to any businesses wanting to engage with the local community. You can contact Paul on 01636 550533.
Before leaving the stage, Paul and Ian did the business card draw and Jen Heppell from Starchelle Communications was the first time visitor with Cate Martin from Beanblock Café our regular member out of the bowl.
After the networking, our guest speaker, Daniel Briggs of Motorfinity took to the stage to share his story.
After starting life as a stockbroker in London, like many, his life was turned upside down during the credit crunch and after a change of career, Motorfinity was launched, initially outsourcing to vehicle companies.
At the start of the pandemic, Daniel was faced with an option to either shut the doors or pivot. Thankfully, they chose the latter and their business moved to sourcing vehicles for key workers and the business grew from 6 to 33 staff in the last 18 months. The business is now moving to new premises in order to expand further.
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Michael Hardy delivered an update from The Action Group and through the Net Zero Carbon project he has managed to secure funding from the University of Nottingham for businesses who would like to calculate their carbon emissions in order to work out a plan for reducing them.
For the second month in a row, and proving why it’s so important to bring your business cards, the now award winning BeanBlock Café were selected out of the regular members bowl.
Located in St Marks Place, BeanBlock is Newark’s first Family Hub. A place that is perfect for the whole family with imaginative play opportunities, a very child friendly menu, great coffee, delicious cake, nutritious food and sharing platters.
BeanBlock was founded by Aliki Allen and Cate Martin, both mothers of young children, after frustrations of not being able to find a suitable place in Newark to dine with their children. A place truly “Designed by parents, for parents”.
A function room upstairs offers a variety of family classes such as baby massage, music and dance classes, children’s yoga, messy play sessions, adult exercise classes and much more.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am till 5pm, with Sundays dedicated to exclusive use events such as children’s parties, christening celebrations and baby showers.
School holidays are party time for all at BeanBlock with special guests such as Queen Elsa, Spiderman, Minnie and Mickey and lots of other characters attending the themed parties to dance and play with all the little customers. Next big event is Halloween with a friendly witch visiting, tickets for all events can be purchased at https://www.beanblocknewark.co.uk/shop.
What makes BeanBlock even better is that it is a not for profit organisation with profits going back to support family projects in the community. To date BeanBlock has provided meals to 162 families in need over lockdown and frequently provide free places to parties and classes to families in need or isolated from the community. BeanBlock has also been helped by the community it operates in, with a number of local businesses sponsoring the cafe
Looking towards the end of the year, Kevin announced a date for your diaries and a chance to expand your network with a joint networking event with Grantham Business Club. The event, to be held and Harlaxton Manor, will take place on Tuesday 7th December 6-9pm. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for further details.
Just before wrapping up this month’s meeting, Robert Jenrick MP took to the stage to answer some members questions and provide an update on his office’s focus.
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For sponsorship opportunities, contact chairman@newarkbusinessclub.co.uk