North Northamptonshire Council have released the following statement on their website regarding Kettering Conference Centre:We are pleased to confirm that following ongoing discussions with North Northamptonshire Council and Phoenix Leisure Management, a decision in principle has been made subject to the various approvals required, that the Lighthouse Theatre, Arena Sports Centre and Balance Health Club will now remain open. We will be supporting with the transition of operations to Phoenix Leisure Management until 4 September 2023.As we have previously communicated, we have been running Kettering Conference Centre at a loss for a number of years. The sharp increase in energy...

28 June, 2023

A North Northamptonshire Council-led project which aims to improve the health, wellbeing and mental health of truck drivers has been Highly Commended at a prestigious national awards ceremony.The Council’s Wellbeing team, Environmental Health and Public Health teams reached the final of the MJ Awards 2023 in the Transforming Lives category for their work alongside Welcome Break in supporting HGV drivers using Rothwell Truck Stop.An event took place at the Truckstop in September 2022 where drivers were given opportunities to speak to the team, use body composition scales, and have their blood pressure checked, as well as two further supporting visits...

26 June, 2023

In a Harvard Business Review article in June 2019 companies with higher ethical standards experience greater customer loyalty, satisfaction, and referrals. So what is ethical selling and how do you apply it in your business. A new workshop is being delivered by Rupert Turton from Action Coach Oakham and Kettering to help local businesses understand more about ethical selling and it's one not to be missed! The Workshop is open to all businesses in the Northamptonshire area as Rupert delivers this 90 minute workshop adding value to local businesses by applying 3 steps. If you are a business looking to increase their sales...

26 June, 2023

A Northamptonshire-based financial planner has moved into a brand-new office following a period of rapid growth, which saw his turnover increase by 270% in just two years.Conor O’Sullivan, of O’Sullivan Financial Planning, has also had an influx of new clients, maintained profit margins and not raised prices following the pandemic.He has hired four new members of staff for the firm’s new Lamport Manor base.There are now three Certified Financial Planners in the firm, which puts them in the top five per cent of UK advisors, and Conor himself has recently been awarded the much-coveted Chartered Wealth Manager status.The team work...

26 June, 2023

In our final article around Customer Service, we ask the question "What customer service strategies can businesses implement to improve their response time ?"Here are ten ways that you could consider for your business:1. Implement omnichannel support:Customers should be able to reach businesses through multiple channels, including email, chat, phone, and social media.2. Use automation tools:Businesses can use chatbots and automated response systems to quickly address basic customer inquiries.3. Set response time goals:Establish specific response time goals for different channels and make sure they are communicated with customers.4. Hire more staff:Hiring additional staff can help businesses respond to customers more...

26 June, 2023

Are you looking to build a smarter business with Sage 200 ?Northamptonshire based Paradise Computing are inviting local businesses to discuss modern manufacturing trends, source expert advice, share solutions, solve common problems to key industry challenges and to see working examples of Sage ERP system solutions for Manufacturing. Guest speakers: The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): This independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) bridges the gap between academia and industry. David Myers and Kieran Mara will be talking about operational efficiency: Find out what the MTC do, funding opportunities and how their projects can benefit your manufacturing company. Attendees will also be invited to attend...

23 June, 2023

Two new grants have been announced by SEMLEP Growth Hub today for businesses in the South East Midlands area.The Growing Innovation Capital Grant scheme is open to enterprises to support their innovation ambitions.This grant is designed to help realise the area’s strategic economic aims, notably to strengthen innovation, support decarbonisation and assist with the commercialisation of ideas.  Enterprises successful in their application will have capital projects that support these aims.Grant allocations through the Growing Innovation scheme will be between £100,000 and £300,000.You can find out more by visiting here.SEMLEP has also launched a capital investment grant scheme for SMEs. The...

23 June, 2023

A Royal Air Force veteran has emphasised the importance of a supportive network when transitioning into the world of work after leaving the armed forces.To mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 24th June, Scott France has thanked Kettering-based recruitment consultancy Wills Consultants for their expertise and assistance in finding him the perfect position after he left his role as an aircraft technician.After serving 12 years with the military, Scott decided to return to civilian life and, following a resettlement course, put his newly written CV on LinkedIn and popular job website Indeed.His raft of skills and experience meant he was...

22 June, 2023

Top employers working with government at new Skills for Growth conference to address skills shortages and drive economic growth.The government’s Business Connect -Skills for Growth conference takes place today (22 June), hosting some of the biggest British and international companies to discuss how we can create a workforce fit for the future and address the urgent recruitment needs of businesses.The Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will speak at the event, alongside Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, Skills Minister Robert Halfon and Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake alongside the government’s independent skills policy adviser, Sir Michael...

22 June, 2023

HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate rise to 5%.The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 22 June 2023 to increase the Bank of England base rate to 5% from 4.5%.HMRC interest rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate.As a consequence of the change in the base rate, HMRC interest rates for late payment and repayment will increase.These changes will come into effect on:3 July 2023 for quarterly instalment payments 11 July 2023 for non-quarterly instalments paymentsInformation on the interest rates for payments will be updated shortly. How HMRC interest rates are...

22 June, 2023

The Franklins Solicitors LLP team, together with the 24 teams taking part in this year’s #Franklins50 challenge, celebrated last night (Wednesday 21 June) as they saw the total raised by the challenge since 2018 smash their £100,000 target.£20,000 was raised this year in three months and will provide the following support to each charity:Northampton Hope Centre: feed 750 households by purchasing 3 pallets of food which provide 250 families each with a hot meal or choice of food.Cynthia Spencer Hospice: provide 14 days of care for one person in the Hospice. Willen Hospice: pay to run the In-Patient Unit...

22 June, 2023