For our second meeting at our new home of the YMCA, Chairman Kevin Guthrie welcomed over 100 people with a packed agenda for the packed room. The roving mic gave everyone the chance to introduce themselves and it was great to hear so many new visitors had set their alarms extra early.
First up, one of our regular attendees and designer of our Newark Business Club logo, Paul Andrews from Brand Newark, shared his own origin story where his passion was born from an accident as a young child.
He shared how he came up with the branding of some of the local businesses we know and love. His simple, clever and creative designs have inspired many businesses. As well as branding and logos, Paul & Andrew can deliver web design, digital marketing, print based design services and marketing consultancy.
If you are looking for a refresh, or launching a new venture, contact Paul or Andrew hello@brandnewark.co.uk
Before taking his seat, Paul selected two business cards for the write ups. Claire Clements from Positively Empowered Kids CIC was our regular member selected and David Tilbury from Your Home Furniture was our first time visitor chosen.
Table networking was next on the agenda where each person had a minute to introduce themselves and their business a little better.
After networking, we had presentations from three local charities Framework, Wolfit Endowment Fund and Newark Women’s Aid. All fantastic causes and each with a very passionate advocate educating the room. After the talks, members voted on who they thought should receive a £650 donation made up of funds from Newark Business Club, Newark & District Round Table and a very kind contribution this month from Peachy Events.
And the winner – After some frantic counting, Simon Gabbitas announced that Framework were the charity chosen by members to receive the £650 donation which Ron Finnegan from Framework was pleased to receive.
After a break to grab some tasty breakfast and recharge the coffee cups, our next guest was Nottinghamshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Caroline Henry. Caroline was elected PCC in May 2021. Growing up near Giltrbrook, Caroline started work on market stalls and has brought the deal making skills she learnt there, as well as her business experience, to this role. After lobbying central government hard she has managed to secure around £3m for the Safer Streets initiative, the most of any other area across the UK. Caroline has also worked on repurposing some of Newark Police Station to include EMAS with savings generated by the development will be reinvested back into the communities served by Nottinghamshire Police and EMAS to help keep them safe and well. Caroline took questions from the room and if you have something to raise please email caroline.henry@notts.police.uk
Michael Hardy was next up with an Action Group update with some good news for Newark Castle train line. Michael visited Westminster to meet Mark Haper, Secretary of State for Transport. The meeting, arranged and attended by Robert Jenrick, was a success with Newark benefitting from 6 more trains daily during the week and 8 on Saturdays.
Before the close, Robert Jenrick echoed the success of the meeting at Westminster and took questions from members.
Newark Business Club are looking for a new chairperson. Kevin announced he is stepping down in April and if you are interested in finding out more, please contact chairman@newarkbusinessclub.co.uk before the end of February.
Newark Business Award winners, Positively Empowered Kids CIC (PEK) deliver early interventions to children and families that prevent mental ill health from taking root. The social enterprise was launched in 2019 by Jackie Wilson & Claire Clements, both who have lived experience of mental ill health in childhood.
“Our vision is to grow a happier and healthier world where children are resilient, compassionate and empowered to navigate life’s challenges and realise their potential”
Their 2022 Positively Empowered Kids Festival in Nottingham was a great success with 70% of the 1200 attendees being vulnerable families. The highlight was the SUPERHERO CAPE WALK, that promoted the importance of raising self-esteem in children.
Their next fundraising event will be held on National Superhero Day on 28th April followed by their Festival on 1st July, where schools and businesses can get involved to support children’s mental health.
PEK offers workshops and programmes such as youth voice, mindset, resilience and self-esteem, as well as resources, events and talks in the community, schools and businesses.
You can also check out their Amazon bestselling children’s books, ‘Spread the Smile’ self-regulation book series by Jackie Wilson, and ‘Put on Your Positive Pants’ mindset book by Claire Clements.
For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.positivelyempoweredkids.co.uk, their YouTube channel or email pekcic@gmail.com
Your Home Furniture are delighted to be part of the Newark Business Club community.
A family run business, we are proud to be delivering a wide choice of well-known brands including Parker Knoll Sofas, Harrison Spinks Beds and Wiemann Wardrobes, along with quality affordable furniture, for first time home makers, growing families and those who are changing their lifestyle.
Offering a more traditional opportunity to invest in the right sofa, mattress or armchair, the team at Your Home Furniture ensure that the customer receives expert advice and support – before, during and after their purchase.
Enabling customers to try before they buy, it is important to us that they receive the personal experience they want while choosing their new sofa or bed.
This is especially important now in the current economic climate when people want to feel confident in their purchase.
After all, our products are a highly personal, visible and tactile part of their daily lives.
Supporting delivery of a vibrant High Street Shopping Experience in Newark is especially important not only for the town centre customers, but also those who live in more remote areas but do not want to buy items online or travel long distances.
Launching just one month before the first COVID lock down we are now celebrating three years of successful trading and growing our support of the wider business community offering Newark Business Club Discount all year round.
Drop in and see the huge variety of bedroom, lounge, and dining furniture we have in store.
www.yourhomefurniture.co.uk 01636 859111
We are delighted to announce the following Patrons for 2023: Gusto Group|Funding Round|Reflect Recruitment|Barcode Warehouse|Motorfinity|PeachyEvents
We are pleased to advise you that we have a new home for our monthly breakfast meeting – YMCA Community and Activity Village , Lord Hawke Way, Newark on Trent NG23 4FH . Please park in the YMCA car park shown below with an arrow.
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