Springing Into Networking
Celebrating two years in the hot seat, Chairman Simon Gabbitas of Future Prospect Group welcomed around 85 businesspeople from Newark and the surrounding areas. The meeting kicked off as ever with the roving mic travelling around the room, giving everyone the opportunity to introduce themselves. Several first-time visitors were warmly welcomed to the club.
Annual General Meeting
Following Newark Business Club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), the club’s treasurer, Michelle Allen of Access Accounts, provided an update on the club’s finances. The club finished 2024 with a surplus and a healthy bank balance. With 98% of the club’s expenses being spent at local businesses and a portion of its income being donated to local charities, the club fulfilled its aim of supporting the community in the Newark area wherever possible.
The club plans to maintain the meeting entry fee of £10 per person during the rest of 2025 to keep it affordable for all businesspeople. It has also reduced the meeting sponsorship fee in a bid to encourage businesses with smaller budgets to sponsor meetings, with a few slots still available in 2025.
Looking to the future, Newark Business Club plans to develop a new website that will improve its communications with members. It will also include a bespoke ticket booking system that will reduce its administration costs. The club aims to continue to support local businesses and charities and organize more events for its members.
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Member Spotlight
Next on the agenda was the business card draw. The winners of a write-up each were Lauren Tinker of Richstone Park Financial Planning, a regular attendee and Sally Banton of Home-Start Newark, a first-time visitor.
Supporting Families, Strengthening Our Community: Discover Home-Start Newark.
For more than four decades, Home-Start Newark has been a vital local resource, offering free support to hundreds of families with young children facing disadvantage. Their commitment empowers parents and improves children’s futures through three core services.
At the heart of their work is the dedicated Home Visiting Service. Here, trained parent volunteers offer weekly in-home support, tackling issues such as parenting skills, child development, the impact of poverty, social isolation, and parental mental health. This one-to-one approach fosters trust and provides practical assistance where it’s needed most.
The twice-weekly Family Group in central Newark offers a vital hub for connection and development. Families benefit from developmental play activities, peer support for parents, a nutritious breakfast, and crucial access to local agencies. This nurturing environment acts as a stepping stone for families who may lack the confidence to engage with wider community services.
Recognising the importance of early education, Home-Start Newark’s ‘Step Up For School’ service is woven throughout their programs. This initiative equips families for their child’s educational journey by enhancing parental skills and confidence in their role as their child’s first educator, alongside providing essential information and resources.
Families are referred through various routes, with self-referrals also welcome. If your business is considering supporting a vital local charity or if you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact Sally Banton, Grants and Corporate Funding Officer, at info@homestartnewark.co.uk or visit Homestartnewark.co.uk.
You can make a tangible difference in local families’ lives today.
Who Gives a Book?!
This month, two books were given away. Dan Gibson of Nettl Newark and Grantham won a copy of The Only Salesperson in the Room: 52 Ways for Small Business Owners to Master the Art of Selling, written by Newark Business Club member Leisa Pickles, the founder of Find me the Leads.
Steph Lammond from Capture the Curious won a copy of Positive Networking by Mike Stokes, who ran a networking group of the same name in the local area for several years.
Action Group Update
Michael Hardy presented a round-up of news from Newark Business Club’s Action Group, which works with local authorities to make Newark a better place for businesses.
Following consultations with East Midlands Railway, there is now an hourly train service connecting Newark with Nottingham and Lincoln. Over the next five years, there are plans to increase this to two trains an hour and to introduce faster trains.
On the roads, work is underway on the southern relief road project off the A46. This is an 18-month project, which will mean that some short-term delays are unavoidable, but it will bring long-term benefits for the local area. The contractor, Skanska, is disseminating ongoing information so that local businesses can plan ahead to minimise disruption.
On the retail front, Newark and Sherwood District Council is providing grants for vacant spaces above town centre shops to be converted into residential apartments. A contemporary art gallery has received funding and will be opening on The Wharf in Newark in the next 18 months.
The next meeting of the Action Group will be held in the Organ Grinder pub at 6pm on 28 April. Everyone who would like to become involved with issues that affect the local community is welcome to attend.
Chairman’s Update
Chairman Simon Gabbitas thanked Newark Business Club’s committee for all their hard work over the year. Behind the scenes, a number of sub-groups meet regularly, including the events sub-group, which is currently planning a large summer event in July in collaboration with Lincoln and Grantham Business clubs and other organisations in the local area.
Newark Business Club is currently involved in a project with Newark College, whose students are making new sustainable wooden welcome signs and table number holders for the business club.
Simon announced that he will serve for another year as chairman of the club, after which he will have been chair for three years, which is the maximum term of office allowed under the club’s constitution. Therefore, in April 2026, a new chairperson will take over.
Two Minute Talk
This month, the Two Minute Talk was from Charlotte Mather, co-founder of The Health Barn at Hockerton, a new holistic wellness centre in a tranquil setting. Charlotte spoke of how a mindfulness course changed her life ten years ago, leading her to become a hypnotherapist. She related the fortuitous events that resulted in her setting up The Health Barn in collaboration with her two business partners.
The Health Barn is a relaxing and safe space that offers a variety of wellness activities and therapies, including yoga, journaling, meditation, mindfulness, acupuncture, sound baths and day retreats. It is the ideal place to take some time out for self-care and self-reflection, allowing you to return to your everyday life feeling refreshed and energised.
Announcements
Among the closing announcements were the Beaumond House Easter Fun Day, a day of Easter-themed entertainment and activities for children and adults, which will take place in Newark Market Place on 18 April.
Some tickets are still available for the Great Gatsby Ball, in support of the Emmaus Trust and the Children’s Bereavement Centre, which will be held on 25 April.
Looking further ahead, the Newark Duck Race, organised by Newark Round Table and the Children’s Bereavement Centre, will take place on 22 June. With 1,300 small ducks racing last year, it promises to be fabulous day out for the whole family. Sponsor a big duck for £80.
The Suthers School in Fernwood is looking for businesspeople who would like to engage with the school and inspire young people as part of the school’s careers education offering.
Santander Bank has announced that the opening hours of its Newark branch will be changing to Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30 am until 3.00 pm with effect from 30 June.
Next meeting
The next meeting of Newark Business Club will be on 2nd May at the YMCA, starting at 7 am.
Write Up by Roz Andrews, RA Writers For Hire
Thank you to Our Patrons & Sponsors
We are delighted to announce the following Patrons for 2025: Gusto Group|GXO in Partnership with Currys|Barcode Warehouse|Motorfinity|PeachyEvents|Radio Newark
Next Meeting – The next meeting of Newark Business Club will be at 7 am on 2th May at the YMCA.
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
