Anna
CONNECTING BUSINESSES ACROSS CHESHIRE
November / December 2021 Issue 3
www.paramountmedia.co.uk
Classic British Businesses that stayed true to their family heritage
New Covid-19 Medication renews hope
What does the colour of your car say about you?
New mental health disorder recognised across UK
UK Surgeons issue caution around plastic surgery abroad as travel restrictions ease
Paramount Shop Catalogue A sneak peek at some of the fantastic items available at
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Contents
September 2021 Paramount Press
Message from our editor With autumn here and winter well on the way, it feels like 2021 has flown by in a flash. Much like most businesses small and large, we at Paramount Media have had many challenges and made numerous changes to adapt and grow in a post-pandemic world. In this edition we celebrate business successes and discuss some challenges and stresses of the workforce and how to overcome them. But its not all work, with special lifestyle features and easy read articles to help you through your lunch break. As the festive season draws closer we give you a sneak peek at our new online shop with a showcase of some of our best selling items. Follow the link on page 38 to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and recieve exclusive discount codes for the fantastic items we have on offer. We hope you enjoy this edition and take some time to browse our christmas items, gifts and offers online at www.paramountmedia.co.uk/shop On behalf of all the team at Paramount Media, have a wonderful Christmas and we will see you all again in the New Year! Anna P.S Follow us on social media to see our monthly giveaways - you could win £100 voucher to spend in our online store! Good Luck!
Business Page 06 : ASDA & RangeMe team up to find innovative suppliers Page 08 : Where are all the female founders? Page 12 : Imposter Syndrome Page 16 : Pop-Up Power - The rise of pop up shops and events Page 21 : Decatlon UK unveils new community fund supporting active lifestyles Page 34 : Classic British businesses that stayed true to their family heritage Science Page 15 : Development of a new medication for Covid-19 renews hope. Health Page 11 : On screen route to illness Page 20 : New mental health disorder comes to light across UK Page 30 : Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Lifestyle Page 24 : Sleepwalking - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Page 25 : What does the colour of your car say about you? Page 26 : Most bizarre fears in the UK Page 28 : UK surgeons issue caution around plastic surgery abroad Page 33 : Vanlife travel in the UK Paramount Shop Page 37 : A sneak peek at the amazing products and bargain prices on offer in our new online shop
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Big four UK grocerAsdahas partnered withRangeMeto ensure buying teams have access to thousands of the most relevant products their customers demand. Through RangeMe’s global sourcing platform, Asda is aiming to increase the number of new and innovative products available in stores as it seeks emerging suppliers. Asda is the first of the big four grocers to join RangeMe since the platform launched in the UK last month. This gives Asda an opportunity to grow its supplier base while RangeMe firmly plants its flag in the UK. RangeMe first launched in 2014 and is used today by over 12,000 retail buyers in the UK, North America, and APAC region. It has quickly established itself as the industry leader for retail product discovery and sourcing, becoming the world’s biggest platform where brands can showcase their products to retail buyers. RangeMe helps retailers and their buying teams scale product sourcing efforts through streamlined submissions, easy to use discovery tools, and an industry standard pitch process. Buyers can then filter searches to find brands and products that meet their exact sourcing needs, allowing them to seamlessly connect and collaborate with suppliers, and offering curated collections to help identify and understand category trends and emerging brands. Ben Smith, Senior Director of Commercial Strategy at Asda, said:“We’ve already received hundreds of product pitches from really exciting, emerging suppliers as a result of our partnership with RangeMe. Through the launch of Asda’s incubator programme, we hope to work with some of these suppliers to get their products onto the shelves in our stores. We have a reputation for championing trend-led and innovative products, which this platform is enabling us to source at scale, so we can quickly find and introduce new products into our stores.” “Asda is an iconic British retailer and supermarket chain and we welcome them to our community of top retailers from around the world to transform their product sourcing experience. This is also an excellent opportunity for suppliers to connect directly with Asda buyers and showcase their products” saidNicky Jackson, CEO of RangeMe. Nicky Jacksonadded: “Our mission has always been to empower retailers and suppliers to be productive and successful whatever their objective. The platform offers retailers hyper local choices as well as innovative global options. We exist to help them offer an extraordinary experience for their customers.” Asda recently announced it will launch a supplier incubation programme, aimed at supporting more emerging brands, discovering innovative products and working with suppliers who might not come from a ‘traditional’ retail supply base but can offer something different to customers. The programme will utilise RangeMe to help source products, giving suppliers a front-row audience with one of the biggest names in retail.
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ASDA & RangeMe team up to find innovative suppliers
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Business
In 2013 Kelly Swingler had a successful career, yet she was burned out and missing a life with her family. Today she is the founder of The Chrysalis Crew and executive coach at KellySwingler.com. She helps women leaders prevent and recover from burn out
I have made no secret of the fact that after my burnout I continued in my corporate career and that is where I thought I would stay, until, three months after two operations in 48 hours, I heard myself say for the very first time that I wanted to start my own company. Never had I ever imagined that this was a path I would take. Firstly, I had no real idea what I would do, secondly I knew nothing about starting a business, and thirdly, my dreams of the super large global role that I would be able to take on once my sons were finished school was the thing that had kept me in my employed senior role. Within three months, I had left my six-figure salary, created a business that was aligned to my values and started to really focus on the change that needed to be made in the world of work. And seven and a half years later, I am still here and growing from strength to strength. Women need more options: Recent research carried out by Deloitte in their Women@Work report and the more recent report published by McKinsey in its Women in the Workplace report states that one in three women are either stepping away from their corporate roles or stepping down into a different role as a result of burnout. A few months into the pandemic, this figure was one in four and a year previous this figure was one in five. This is going to be a problem for the world of big business where it seems to be difficult for senior teams to grasp the value of having more women in senior roles. We know that organisations with more women on the board outperform those that do not, and yet with so many women wanting to leave or step down, not only does this impact the women in these roles, but their companies and their performance too. Through my coaching with senior professional women this is a constant quandary. Do they stay, feeling unfulfilled, burned out, exhausted and missing time with their families, or do they leave, and start up something for themselves? Something that gives them purpose and balance and energy and fulfilment? Even when they are starting a business women are disadvantaged: Starting a business is not easy. Keeping a business growing and thriving even less so. And with research showing that European companies with female-only founders receive less than one per cent of all VC capital investment despite the number of female-led companies almost doubling over the past decade - as reported by Yoppie - it seems that not only are women feeling forced to leave their corporate roles, but they are also significantly less likely to receive investment than their male counterparts. In 2019, I was recommended by the Institute of Directors (IOD) to participate in a funding panel for businesses in my local LEP (local enterprise partnership). It was a Dragons' Den type panel, without the comfy chairs and TV cameras, and the paperwork had already been submitted and shortlisted. The shortlisted companies would pitch, based on their submission to receive the funding outlined in their application. I was deemed more "harsh" in my scoring than many others on the panel even though I thought I was fair. It was not until I was later asked to then become a member of the Business Board, that I realised a lot of the shortlisted submissions, were in fact, also members of the Business Board, and all male. I had asked throughout the process how companies had been made aware of the funding in the first place, to be told that all local business owners had been notified repeatedly via email. As a business owner in the local area I had heard nothing and received nothing, and at the time, as my first business was growing, some investment to help with our systems development would have been ideal. I was not on the list and I contacted many other local business owners in my network to ask them if they had been notified about the funding. None had and we were all women. I started my company from ground zero. The pace at which I had left my job and started my company, having spent everything on a house just beforehand, meant I started with no financial cushion. And I had never approached anyone for money, loan or funding, and yet, as I learned through the pandemic, many of my peers had applied for and been granted funding of some kind since the inception of their businesses. What was I missing? Where were people getting this information? Why was this information not as visible to me as it was some of my peers? In late 2020, I was one of 100 featured women in the NatWest awards for women in business and at one of our Zoom updates, the 100 of us were told about the NatWest report talking about funding opportunities for women in business and what needed to be done to increase funding for women in business. At last progress! And yet what all of these reports clearly show is that somehow, women are still being left behind whether we are in work or starting out on our own. What is the answer? Firstly, we have to tackle burnout. We have to make changes so that women are not burning out at a higher rate than men. And this change has to come from two directions, the workplace and women themselves. The workplace needs to more inclusive. It needs to tackle the "token" woman and recruit us, develop us and listen to us as happens to the men in the room. Leaders need to stop ignoring the ideas of women unless they are spoken by a man. Leaders need to stop seeing flexible working patterns as a weakness. They need to stop thinking that the appearance of women is more important than our message. And the "difficult" women, need to be seen and encouraged just like the "strong" male leaders. A quick aside: I met with a very good friend of mine a couple of weeks ago. She is a finance genius, works for a large financial services company and a couple of years took a role in projects reporting to a strong female leader. Within a few months, the strong female leader was seen as difficult, bossy, unable to listen and not providing the right solutions. She was replaced. By a man. A man walks into meetings and gets into the middle of conversations, gives solutions that people may not like but that are right, and stands his ground. He is well respected, he is listened to, his "no messing around" attitude is admired and highly regarded. My friend stated the only difference between her two bosses are gender. The workplace still needs to change significantly. And if leaders can see that women will flex to juggle more responsibilities at home and at work to help eliminate burnout, they must also too, allow us to be more entrepreneurial in our role. Allow more space to test and experiment, to produce work that has a purpose and alignment with something bigger. What do women need to do? As for us as women, we need better boundaries. We need to believe in ourselves. We need to live and lead with integrity and we need to keep standing our ground. We cannot do this, disappointingly, without allies and leaders that listen. Because for many of us, we are already doing all of these things and still reaching burnout because we are being ignored, pushed out and stabbed in the back in our workplaces. I know this to be true for me and many, many of my clients and the data is saying the same. And whether women to choose to stay in the workplace or start out on their own, we need support, we need development, we need to be heard and we need the same financial opportunities as our male colleagues, be it through equal pay or equal access to and the receiving of funding. And it needs to start now. Women need more choices than to step out or step down. We need to be able to grow and flourish and to thrive not survive.
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Where are all the female founders?
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Business & Health
The average office worker stares at a computer screen for six or more hours a day without regular breaks, and probably sitting on the wrong kind of chair. And as a result, develops health issues related to this poor workstyle. But there are ways to reorganise the way we work to avoid chronic health problems. The average office worker in the UK, be the office at your work or in your own home, sits at his or her desk staring at a computer screen for six or more hours a day. But there are chronic health problems associated with this kind of workstyle – from poor desk health. To begin with, high workloads are one of the major factors preventing workers from taking regular breaks, and one of the main reasons that people are prompted to consider suing their employer. If there’s not enough time to take regular breaks then workers end up the whole day without stretching their muscles or giving their eyes a break. Or perhaps the workload is not too high, but the employee or the employer is convinced that one needs to sit still the entire time until the work is finished. Regardless, lack of breaks only leads to problems down the line – if you do not schedule appropriate breaks according to ergonomic guidelines, then some of the issues you may develop are regular headaches, eye fatigue and backache. It is vital that computer users take regular micro-breaks every hour. Just standing up and having a quick stretch will increase productivity and not lessen it. But it is not only the lack of regular breaks that can lead to issues – ergonomics play a large part too. Recent Health Safety Executive (HSE) data shows that in 2019, during the huge shift towards working from home, there were no fewer problems for office workers and were, in fact, 498,000 work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. Many of these were caused by keyboard work, with awkward or incorrect sitting positions or repetitive actions. Physical symptoms may have been related to types of equipment. For example, it’s been noted that users of CRT monitors were found to be twice as likely to have frequent headaches as users of widescreen LCD screens. Many people switched to working from home either without preparing a proper workspace and equipment, or unable to do so. As such, their health was not protected properly. Current recommendations include not only for people to get more educated about their ergonomic needs, but for employers to invest and continue investing in ergonomically friendly office and home working set-ups for their employees. A survey by EHSToday.com, involving 700 employees, concluded that only 20% of employees know the correct definition of ergonomics, even though 77% of them thought that ergonomics in the workplace was important. Often enough employees may admit to a lack of knowledge about how to improve their desktop environment, but then also have low levels of personal initiative to gain more knowledge or find a way to get better equipment. Many have not investigated healthy desktop policy or sought professional help, or complained to their manager and asked for a better desk, chair, phone or screen from their company, despite the high incidence of health issues. Meanwhile, employers could eliminate these issues instantly for many staff by promoting better desktop ergonomics. Sadly, the issue is not on many boards’ agendas, despite the potential for huge productivity gains. It is all about creating a culture within the organisation where this sort of behaviour is approved. The final issue to consider is work-induced stress and anxiety. In 2020, 79% of British adults in employment stated that they commonly experience work-related stress. That is 20% higher than 2018 statistics. But alarmingly it is the youngest office workers who are most at risk, with 16 to 24-year-olds working the longest screen hours and the least likely to take regular breaks. They are much more likely to suffer headaches than those aged over 55. They are also more likely to be worried about their work performance and lack confidence. The research shows that not only are we, as a workforce, plagued by chronic ill-health, but that we lack the will to change at both an individual and corporate level. So, although this topic has gained traction over the last few years, and more people seem to be aware of the importance of their physical and mental health, there is much more that still needs to be done.
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o you ever sit down at your desk in the morning and think to yourself, ‘What am I doing here? I don’t belong in this job. Am I a fraud?’? Well, if you do, you’ll be glad to know that you’re not alone. 62% of UK adults experience what is more commonly known as ‘imposter syndrome’. But what is it? A feeling that your accomplishments have occurred due to luck or good fortune, as opposed to your natural talent and ability, imposter syndrome is a theory that was first identified back in 1978. Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Innes detailed in a psychology paper that imposter syndrome was something uniquely experienced within women. However, since then, further researched has noted that this is something felt in men too — as the previous value suggests. Different individuals experience imposter syndrome in different ways, purely dependent on the person and the circumstance which they find themselves in. In this article, we look at the different types of personalities which develop the aforementioned syndrome and go on to delve into five different ways it can be combatted, helping you don your shirt and trousers with pride and confidence in the morning. The ‘super’ person These are people who continually push themselves to breaking point in an attempt to prove that they aren’t imposters. Success is the only measurement they know, and they begin to get stressed when they aren’t experiencing it. The ‘go-it-alone’ person These people feel as if they have to do everything on their own as asking for helping is a sign of weakness, acceptance of defeat, and ultimately, admittance that they are a fraud. The ‘genius’ These people are accustomed to taking things in their stride. When they find something too difficult or struggle to complete a task, they automatically assume that they aren’t good enough. The ‘expert’ They want to know everything and without it they are afraid to suggest their opinion or take otherwise calculated risks. They will refrain from putting themselves forward with task that sits beyond their level of guaranteed expertise in fear of looking stupid. The ‘perfectionist’ With this group, it’s 100 per cent or nothing at all. There could be one suggested amendment to a 200-page document, and they would take this as a failed project, feeling unaccomplished. But, what causes these feelings of inadequacy? ·38% assign impostor syndrome to self-doubt ·23% assign it to criticism ·20% assign it to asking for help ·16% assign it to comparing themselves to colleagues ·15% assign it to a lack of understanding in regard to what is expected How to combat these feelings of discontent? Talk it through The first thing you need to do is talk about how you feel. As we’ve previously noted, more than 60 per cent of the UK population experience the same feelings. A problem shared is a problem halved after all. Acceptance There is no denying that every once in a while, we get out of our depth — we’re only human at the end of the day. Realistically, you wouldn’t be able to learn if you didn’t have to, once in a while, step beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone. Accept that sometimes you will have to hold your hands up and say, ‘I’m stuck’, and things will get a whole lot easier. Learn to appreciate success Sometimes, for someone with imposter syndrome, the difficulty is not being able to appreciate success and recognise when they have performed well. This is particularly true for those who fall into the ‘perfectionist’ category. In order to overcome this dissatisfaction, you need to take a step back every now and again, realise your achievement, and pat yourself on the back. Create an image in your head of success Think of a changing room before a cup final. Beyond the 90 minutes, if we choose to focus our attention on football for example, the image in the mind of the players is one of glory. Visualise lifting the hypothetical trophy and don’t fixate on being branded as a ‘fraud’ along the way. Ask for help Do you think that the great leaders and winners of yesteryear, whether it be in business or politics, succeeded alone? No, is the answer. Winston Churchill was backed by the support of a nation, while Bill Gates was aided by the creativity and innovation of a strong organisation. Asking for help is by no means an acceptance of defeat. On the contrary, asking for help is an identification within that means you understand you have more scope to learn. Professor Sir Cary Cooper is a psychologist on organisational and workplace psychology, and he points to the fact that imposter syndrome can have a particularly adverse effect on performance. Cooper proposes: “Imposter syndrome can inhibit productivity and seriously impact an individual’s career progression”. However, he follows up with: “By regularly reminding yourself of your achievements and recent wins, you can put your feelings of self-doubt into context.” You will almost never find a situation where potluck is the sole reason behind your current position. Believe in yourself.
Liam Shuker Paramount Media Journalist
Paramount Media November 2021
www.suresafeelectricals.co.uk
or almost two years now, Covid-19 has been ravaging the world, claiming about 4.7 million lives, as of today, according to Worldometers.info. Despite the various vaccines, new variants are still being discovered. However, beyond vaccines, there is a great drive towards developing antiviral medication like Codivir, which medical experts consider as one of the most advanced drugs in their capabilities. The antiviral medication Codivir by Code Pharma recently received emergency approval for use in many countries, after it was proven to be effective against the disease. This development is a solid line for the world facing the fatal epidemic in the last 100 years. Zyon Ayni, an international businessman, founder and CEO of Dutch company Code Pharma, is behind this development. Ayni founded Code Pharma in 2014. Recently, Hadassah Medical Center joined as one of the company's partners. The company is based in the Netherlands; it owns and operates research and development centers in several countries worldwide, including Israel. Ayni said: “From day one, I saw the business and social potential. I was allowed to operate in a market that directly affects public health, and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Since then, I have never given up. I continued to invest”. The Breakthrough Codivir was initially developed to treat HIV patients and approved by the Democratic Republic of the Congo government. With the Coronavirus outbreak, the medication was given to patients as part of a trial at the local hospital. The doctor who treated these patients noticed that they recovered quicker than those not treated with Codivir. Based on the doctor's report and unprecedented results, the drug was transferred to the VRS Institute in London for a culture experiment. This action was to validate doctors' hypotheses about the medication's antiviral efficacy against Covid-19 and Influenza. The laboratory results were unequivocal - the medication inhibits the virus by 90-100 percent, so it is an effective antiviral medication against the SARS-CoV-2-2 virus and other RNA family viruses. Brazil records Success in Phase I After receiving the lab results in London, the company underwent a controlled trial in Brazil. The trial was carried out on patients who received two doses each day for 10 days, after which all patients showed rapid recovery over 6-48 hours and were discharged from the hospital by the third day. Where do we go from here? "The company is preparing for a massive Phase II trial, which will be carried out on three continents and soon begin in South Africa, Spain and Brazil. The trial will include between 130-200 patients". Zyon Ayni adds that "very soon, we plan to conduct further trials regarding the effect of the medication on other types of viruses." Following the success of Phase I and the state of emergency globally, the company has received emergency approvals from several countries. Also, the company is in contact with the FDA and expects to receive the emergency approval soon. Thus, the company headquarter is working vigorously and preparing for massive medication production in several manufacturing facilities in various countries worldwide to meet the high demand expectations. Zyon Ayni said: "We are negotiating with manufacturers around the world. With the successful completion of Phase II, we anticipate that most countries in the world will approve the medication under emergency approval. We are preparing for a broad global response in a short time; a move to ensure the company captures the world’s largest market share in a brief period". There is a consensus today that humanity will have to live with the virus and its many variants. Although vaccines are being introduced, they are still one step behind the growing mutations. Hence, the world awaits a more effective solution to the epidemic. It is a critical move that will save economies waging a real struggle for survival between closures. Ayni’s conclusion on the interview goes thus: "it is important to understand that Codivir is the antibiotic of the viruses; a medication that will change reality as we know it today."
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Peloton pop up store in Colorado
Pop-up Power: The Rise of Pop-up Shops and Events
Communications Manager, UK Greetings
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A
s the world evolves and becomes more digitally focused, and everything can be ordered and delivered within the blink of an eye, it becomes more difficult for brands to stand out against their competitors. Younger consumers are increasingly craving novel and interesting experiences, and combined with the changing landscape of the traditional high street having to battle the online giants, you have the perfect scenario for the pop-up economy to prosper. So, what exactly is a pop-up? In short, pop-up shops are stores that ‘pop up’ for a limited time to achieve a particular goal. They are short-term outlets that allow businesses to test out their brand and product delivery before establishing a long-term physical retail store. This type of retail is becoming more common as brands look for unique and engaging ways to increase awareness while giving them the opportunity to experiment with less risk. The benefits of establishing short-term physical locations Retailers most commonly opt to open a pop-up in order to generate buzz and awareness of their services, offerings, or even just their brand. However, pop-ups can also increase sales and social media engagement, as well as boosting online visibility, as a result of positive customer engagement and expansion of reach. With a pop-up being temporary by nature, customers are a lot less likely to delay their purchasing, just in case they miss out! Setting up for a limited time in a temporary location in an area that generally has high footfall can give your consumers a sense of urgency and drive sales quickly. Taking that ‘FOMO’ one step further, a pop-up event is a great opportunity to show off a new product or range launch. Not only do you generate excitement, but consumers are also more likely to attend and purchase to ensure they’re able to get their hands on a product before it sells out! From clicks to bricks – how e-commerce can benefit Pop-ups can be especially beneficial for e-commerce businesses because they offer brand exposure in a new space with the intention of attracting an audience that wasn’t being captured in previous marketing efforts. It can also be a great tester project for e-tailers looking to experiment with brick-and-mortar spaces, providing an understanding as to how their brand might perform in this type of market. Although the digital evolution has catapulted the number of consumers purchasing through online platforms, a large number of retail sales are still occurring in store, and as COVID-19 restrictions started to lift in the UK, shopping centres saw footfall dramatically increase. Physical retail opportunities, even if temporary, should be considered by online stores as part of their strategy to build awareness of their brand and to incorporate a new sales channel. Pop-ups allow e-commerce businesses to translate their offering easily to a physical store while experimenting with their desired shopping experience. This can be done without having to commit to a long-term design and expense. Transitioning from an online-only space to a pop-up retail location can also drive more online traffic through the building of strong customer experiences, new audiences, and retention and loyalty with existing valued customers. Big players in the pop-up game Anyone can open and create noise through a pop-up, from a small independent greeting card supplier to a luxury fashion giant. Some of the best pop-up events are those that go one step further than simply displaying products and bring a fresh idea to a brand’s expected offering. Chanel famously opened Coco Cafés in numerous locations around the world. The luxury fashion brand invited consumers to experience mini-makeovers and sample newly launched fragrances, all while enjoying a drink. The perfect shopping-day treat! A two-day pop-up store in Barcelona saw sports giant Adidas reveal an EQT gaming room. Visitors were able to experience the latest in Adidas’ innovation and new designs while being able to take advantage of exclusive features and a range of games machines. Great fun for any e-sports fan! It isn’t only fashion retailers that have created memorable pop-up experiences. Mexican pale lager brand Corona – who are well-known for its relaxed, good-time vibe – constructed two pop-up social escapes in Barcelona and Sitges, featuring a restaurant, yoga sessions, and live music, all in a paradise-like, luscious environment. Functional and aesthetic displays are essential for creating an effective pop-up shop, says Gabriella Peace, Communications Manager of UK Greetings, a greetings card publisher that offers strategic display planning to its customers. Gabriella said: “Pop-up shops and displays aren’t just about selling products; it’s about creating an experience that reflects your brand and its values. Pop-up shops and displays should always be tailored, allowing customers to recognise value not only in your products or services, but also in your presence in the world. “Pop-up retailers and brands must acknowledge factors including sales data, demographic information, caption balance, price points, and design when curating their store space. By doing this, you can further boost your brand recognition and value, achieving maximum revenue and results.” Developing an omnichannel presence that incorporates experiential pop-up locations is an intelligent strategy for any retail business. However, the landscape of physical retail is very different to the digital sphere, and as a result, a lot of direct-to-consumer e-commerce businesses are hesitant to commit to physical locations without testing the waters first. But with copious amounts of retail space now available as a result of the pandemic closures, it’s no wonder that pop-up shops and events are on the rise for businesses attempting to offer something interesting. Agile thinking will continue to prompt new initiatives as retailers re-build.
Gabriella Peace
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In partnership with Art-Invest Real Estate, sporting goods retailer Decathlon has announced its new Health and Wellbeing Community Fund, developed to sponsor physical activity and local sporting partnerships. With the investment set to replenish each year for the next five years, both the retailer and real estate firm will be submitting a total of £200k to the fund throughout the period. The money will go towards supporting local residents in London’s Canada Water by sponsoring initiatives, events and activities dedicated to the pursuit of an active lifestyle. Recipients of the fund were directly chosen by local residents, who were asked to offer suggestions for sports and activities that required investments. Further recommendations came from the ongoing Canada Water Dockside project, which is currently facing a six-year development plan that will contribute towards Canada Water’s town centre. Initiatives selected by the community fund will all be available to local residents and will optimise the use of existing local facilities. Delphine Mazillier, Decathlon UK’s community impact manager, said in a release: “Canada Water was the site of our first UK store and is our UK headquarters, so this five-year partnership shows our commitment to serving the local community is as strong as it has ever been.”
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Decathlon UK unveils new community fund supporting active lifestyles
Post Traumatic Embitterment Disorder PTED bares some similarities to PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is currently recognised in the USA and across some parts of Europe but until recently has not been widely recognised within the UK. The disorder focuses on the embitterment of an individual after a ‘traumatic life-changing experience’ such as job loss, divorce and conflict with family and friends. PTED does not conform to the normal criteria for PTSD and other traumatic disorders despite having similar symptoms. Remorse, anger, frustration and helplessness are all symptoms of PTED. People suffering from the disorder can often become obsessed with the events that have happened to them and can refuse to believe they hold any responsibility within it. Dr Michael Linden, a German psychiatrist, conducted a study in into the emotions which surround PTED. He states that the disorder is ‘one step more complex than anger, They’re angry plus helpless. PTED patients might not fit the formal criteria for PTSD and can be clinically distinguished from it, prompting the description of this new and very separate health disorder’. People living with PTED can find it difficult to function normally in day-to-day life. Like people suffering from other mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, they can withdraw themselves from society and social settings and become reclusive. In extreme cases, if left untreated, sufferers can turn to self -harm and suicide. PTED can often be mistaken for ‘work-related stress’ which sees thousands of people signed off from work duties each year. Christine Pratt, Founder of The National bullying Helpline claims this term is ‘vague and unhelpful’ and is not a sufficient description of the true emotions being felt by that individual. Christine Pratt says; ‘Clearly, PTED is all embracing and life-changing. Embitterment needs to be seen as a unique emotion in its own right. It is an extremely serious and debilitating mental illness. These people are trapped in the past, unable to move on with their lives. Anti-depressants and mediation is not the answer.’ The National Bullying Helpline offers advice and guidance on bullying in various areas of life. They hope that the term ‘work-related stress’ can be replaced with something more in depth and comprehensive that will allow those suffering from it to get help and recover from it. Pratt says ‘the embittered mind does not compromise. The embittered mind blames others for causing their ill health. Effective PTED therapy is about coaching and retraining the mind.’ A pilot study found that cognitive behavioural therapy showed positive changes to PTED sufferer’s condition. The use of ‘wisdom therapycoaching’ allows the individual to alter their view of the world, themselves, of others and the future, therefore changing their outlook on life as a whole. Christine Pratt added, ‘when this syndrome is fully recognised and understood by healthcare professionals in the UK, I believe that we can save lives’,
New mental health disorder comes to light across UK
Health & Lifestyle
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In a new poll launched this week,81%* of UK drivers stated that colour is key when it comes to choosing a car. But what does that colour choice reveal about the person behind the wheel? Conducted by leading fuel brand, JET- that are currently running a ‘Yellow World’ campaign,1500 drivers from across the UK were asked a number of questions to explore a correlation between car colour and character- with some surprising results. According to the research, black cars are the most popular (25%) followed by blue (18%), silver (16%) and white (12%). At the other end of the spectrum - yellow, pink, orange and gold cars are much rarer on the road but no less revealing about the person behind the wheel. When asked to state their primary personality trait, close to half (43%) of green car drivers describe themselves as ‘happy’ followed by white car drivers (31%). Confident drivers are most likely to be found in orange cars (31%) with those who consider themselves to be ‘cautious’ to be found in blue cars (23%). And if you’re looking for optimists, then look no further than pink and black car drivers - with a combined 43% considering themselves to be optimistic. Yellow cars are rare on the road - but if you see one, the research has revealed that the person behind the wheel is most likely to be ‘curious and adventurous’ (29%). And the rebel? Check out the gold car drivers - 14% cited their primary characteristic as ‘rebellious’! Commenting on the study, Áine Corkery, Manager, Brand, Phillips 66 Limited says “The ‘Yellow World’ content, a continuation of ourKeep on Movingcampaign and brand idea, is inspired by the blue and yellow branding that has become synonymous with JET. As a driver-first business we are always keen to know as much about our customers as possible and we thought it would be fun to explore the link between car colour and character – with some illuminating results!”. Key findings: - 81% of UK drivers stated that colour choice when choosing a car is ‘very important’ or ‘somewhat important’ - ‘Happy’ is the most cited characteristic among UK drivers - Grey car drivers are most likely to be ‘calm’ - London drivers are the happiest - Drivers from Yorkshire are the most optimistic - Adventurous drivers are most likely to be found in Northern Ireland - Drivers who are 65+ are the most confident
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Known commonly as sleepwalking, somnambulism is believed to affect between 4% and 10% of adults and as many as one in five children. Essentially a wiring problem with the brain, sleepwalking occurs when a person is disturbed during sleep and their primal instincts are kickstarted without the conscious part of the brain getting into gear. It is commonly believed that sleepwalkers are ‘acting out’ their dreams however sleepwalking occurs earlier in the sleep cycle than the REM part of sleeping involved in dreams. In many cases of somnambulism walking does not, in fact, take place. Often the sufferer will sit up and look around as if awake before falling asleep again. In other cases, sleepwalkers have been recorded as eating, urinating, dancing, having (or attempting to have) sex, talking, cleaning or even sending emails or driving. And contrary to the expectation of zombie-ish walking sleepwalkers will open their eyes and walk quite normally, often fooling onlookers in to thinking that they are awake. Several cases have reached the courts in which somnambulism has been used as a defence. In Canada a man was acquitted of bludgeoning his mother in law to death and attempting to murder his father in law while in this country a woman was found not guilty of attempted murder after holding a pillow over her mother’s face whilst sleepwalking. Equally worryingly is the use of sleep sex, or sexsomnia as a defence in rape cases. However, experts believe that sleepwalkers pose little threat to society and are in fact more likely a danger to themselves, with numerous stories of sufferers falling to their deaths from balconies or open windows. So, if you or a member of your family sleepwalks what do you need to know? First of all, sleepwalking is relatively common in childhood but tends, more often than not, to peter out by the age of fifteen and even in those who continue sleepwalking therapy and counselling can occasionally help to overcome the issue. How? Sleepwalking is sometimes connected to traumas or stress in everyday life and overcoming those stresses will see the sleepwalking cease, often for good. If you’ve seen a recurrence in sleepwalking since the COVID-19 pandemic affected us all, that may be the exaplantion. On the other hand, for those who have inherited the tendency to somnambulism there are very few treatments. Some doctors may prescribe short acting tranquilisers while hypnosis has also been successfully used along with anticipatory awakenings. For the most part though sleepwalkers will go untreated and ‘treatment’ will instead concentrate on making the sleeping environment safe by perhaps fitting stairgates and removing electrical cords, or any other item which could cause a fall, and ensuring windows are locked. Prevention of sleepwalking is not always successful but there are certain changes which can be made including avoiding alcohol and minimising stress as well as being sure not to allow yourself to become overtired. With careful control of one’s lifestyle sleepwalking can become little more than an occasional inconvenience.
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Sleepwalking - symptoms, causes & treatment
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Brits have revealed their most bizarre fears - with buttons, balloons, and the colour yellow making the list. Researchers who polled 2000 adults to reveal the nation s eclectic mix of phobias with trypophobia - the fear of small holes – and nlaiguphobia – the fear of tin openers both featuring. Nomophobia – the fear of being without your mobile phone – is also a popular phobia – as is arachibutyrophobia – the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. Heights, spiders, snakes and enclosed spaces topped the list of most common fears, along with dentists, ghosts and the dark. It also emerged that 77% of adults have a phobia of something – with 15% admitting to having what might be considered an unusual fear. A spokesperson for craft beer makers, Beavertown, which commissioned the research, said:“It s no secret that fears like spiders and heights are common. “But knowing that things like peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth and being without your phone top the UK s list of fears really is revealing as to what we now find scary. Other obscure phobias included the fear of belly buttons – omphalophobia, trees – dendrophobia, and the colour red – erythrophobia. The study also identified some of the challenges of living with a fear, with 35% worried their phobia makes them appear too weak to others. Which might explain why 24% of those with a phobia have attempted to keep it secret from loved ones. Furthermore, 36% of participants said their phobia made it difficult for them to socialise, while 23% have sought professional help to overcome their phobias.
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UK surgeons have seen a marked decline in ‘botch jobs’ performed abroad over the past 18 months, both in the NHS and private sector Caution is being issued for patients considering post-lockdown medical tourism deals and offers UK surgeons have provided a checklist for those considering surgery abroad With the further easing of travel restrictions coming into effect, UK surgeons are issuing caution to those considering cosmetic and medical procedures abroad. This comes after UK surgeons have seen a marked decline in the amount of revision surgery required from patients who have undergone surgery abroad over the past 18 months, both within the NHS and in private practice. Dr Bessam Farjo, Hair Restoration Surgeon at the Farjo Hair Institute, is one of the surgeons who is particularly concerned about seeing vulnerable patients lured in with cheap offers now the travel industry is opening back up. “Hair transplants when performed correctly by a doctor in a safe setting can be transformative for the patient. However, it’s no secret that certain destinations abroad have been at the heart of a growing market of cheap medical tourism targeting vulnerable hair loss patients” he says. “At the Farjo Hair Institute we’ve seen a marked decrease in revision cases from hair transplants performed abroad this past year and I can only hope that we don’t see a rise again now travel restrictions are being eased.” This issue seems to be across the board when it comes to cosmetic surgery. “I have other surgeon colleagues who echo this concern. It’s absolutely paramount for anyone considering surgery abroad to thoroughly do their research before booking a flight/procedure.” One such colleague is Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Mr Naveen Cavale, who operates both within the NHS and at his private practice, Real Plastic Surgery. “In the NHS, the reduction in ‘botch jobs’ from procedures carried out abroad since the pandemic started has been quite stark” he says. “I’m not looking forward to seeing poor patients who have had cheap plastic surgery abroad coming in with serious health complications again - all of which is a cost to the NHS - now that travel restrictions are starting to be lifted” he says. “Something else to be aware of if you’re considering having cosmetic surgery abroad is that you won’t be able to seek legal representation for medical negligence from UK lawyers, as it’s outside of their jurisdiction” says Mr Cavale. Dr Bessam Farjo agrees with this. “I think it’s important that people who are considering surgery abroad are fully informed. It’s often the case that patients who have come to us at Farjo for revision surgery haven’t received the level of treatment or care they were expecting when getting their procedure done abroad, so we want to arm people with the right knowledge to prevent this from happening. There are absolutely qualified and reputable surgeons based in medical tourism hotspots such as Turkey. I have colleagues based there who are just as upset by the situation and are actively lobbying the Turkish government to bring in stricter regulations to improve ethics and standards. Sadly, there are still a lot of cowboys so patients need to be extremely vigilant when choosing a clinic, whether that’s in the UK or beyond.” The cost of cheap surgery abroad can be life-threatening too. “If there is a complication post-surgery once the patient is back home, it can have devastating effects” says Mr Cavale. “Take for example, if someone went abroad for a cheap breast augmentation, but once they’re back in the UK there’s an issue like a blood collection around the implant which may very well require urgent surgery and care. A surgeon in a different country isn’t necessarily going to be much help because of the distance, whereas if it was in the UK with an experienced surgeon, we would be able to get the patient back in quickly to remedy the situation. It’s situations like this where the NHS has to step in as a complication like this can be life-threatening” continues Mr Cavale. Dr Bessam Farjo and Mr Naveen Cavale’s parting advice? Write a checklist of questions to ask any clinic (both UK and abroad) you are considering surgery with. If they can’t sufficiently answer the questions and you have doubts, it’s probably better to seek an alternative.
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Sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Most people live such hectic lives that it comes as no surprise to find 1 in 10 people are suffering from persistent tiredness. Follow this advice for a better sleep routine.
Most people live rushing about from morning to night. So it comes as no surprise to find that at any given time, one in ten people are suffering from persistent tiredness. How often have you heard your friends say “I just feel tired all the time”? Women are more likely to be affected than men are, but severe tiredness is a common reason for either one for visiting their GP. With our stressful, busy lives, most people experience tiredness sometimes. Following some rest and relaxation and a good night’s sleep tiredness generally disappears, leaving us refreshed and ready to face our usual activities. But for some people tiredness becomes a way of life, a chronic problem that severely affects their ability to function on a daily basis. There are many possible reasons for chronic tiredness, but it is often due to a combination of factors. Tiredness can have physical triggers, such as a recent illness, pregnancy or breastfeeding. It can also be triggered by stressful situations, for example a recent bereavement, moving house, family or work problems. Stress and worry are tiring emotions. Facing a stressful situation can be draining, especially when you cannot see a solution to your problems. Feeling that you have no control over a situation may lead to frustration, irritability and tiredness. Shift workers, night workers and those with emotionally responsible jobs such as nurses are also more likely to suffer from problem tiredness. As well as well-defined triggers, there are other mental health factors that can increase your tiredness, or stop you from regaining your energy when you are tired and run down. Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety can make you feel more tired and can prevent you from sleeping properly. It can be temping to catnap during the day but this is not a good way towards establishing an improved sleep pattern at night. However, this is not an issue that needs to remain with you indefinitely. You may be able to overcome your tiredness with some simple measures. If you are having trouble sleeping follow this advice for a better sleep routine: Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Ensure that your bedroom is quiet, dark and comfortable and that it is neither too hot nor too cold. Don’t eat too near bedtime. Take time out to relax before bedtime – chill out to calming music or have a soak in a hot bath. Try to get problems and worries out of your head, perhaps by writing recurring thoughts down in a diary. Food and drink are important to how you feel too. Ensure that you get a balanced diet and eat proper meals even if you don’t feel like cooking. If you are underweight, gradually increase your portion sizes and your overall calorie intake. Cut down gradually on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evenings. If you are overweight, try to get your weight under control by becoming more physically active and eating less. Avoid crash diets. Being unfit makes you susceptible to tiredness. And being tired often means you don’t exercise enough. It is a vicious circle but you’ll feel so much better if you take steps to break it. Introduce physical activity into your routine, gradually increasing the duration and intensity. Start with just ten minutes a day and try to keep it regular. Walking is often the easiest exercise to begin with, but any physical activity that you enjoy and which fits into your lifestyle is fine. A small number of people suffer from prolonged, severe and disabling tiredness for which there is no clear cause. This is sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Doctors now recognise that this is an illness although they know less about the causes and treatment than with many other problems. If you think you may be suffering from these or from tiredness that you just cannot shift, make an appointment to see your GP.
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Travel
There are plenty of gorgeous holiday locations in the UK, from national parks, such as the Lake District, to the Welsh mountains, and from glittering Scottish lochs to numerous sweeping sandy beaches scattered across England. With staycations on the rise, what better way to spend a week or two of summer than holidaying in the UK. But, instead of opting for a traditional static caravan or holiday cottage accommodation, why not try something a little different: renting a campervan. The Rise Of The Campervan Homemade campervans are on the rise, with campervan specialist Quirky Campers at the forefront of the trend. The company hosts the annual festival Camp Quirky, where attendees are encouraged to camp in their own self-made van conversions and engage with a community of happy campers. Attendees can witness all types of vehicles, from ambulances to old army trucks, reborn as holiday campervans, and attend workshops to learn how to construct, insulate, wire and even plumb a home on wheels. As trendy as it is to build your own campervan, it can be costly and time-consuming. Renting one of these mobile homes, however, is ideal for a holiday. How To Make A Campervan Holiday Work One of the appeals of having a camper is free overnight parking, and one of the joys of being a full-time ‘vanlifer’ can be discovering and sharing safe camping spots. Sure, campervans are welcome to book into UK campsites, but if you’re looking for a low-cost holiday teetering on the wild side, then seeking out free spots is even better. A scan of Google maps for car parking spaces is a good place to start. Make sure you physically check out an area to see if a spot is available too, especially if it is an established campervan hotspot. For example, if you were to take a stroll down the Bude canal in Cornwall late afternoon, you are likely to find a line-up of campers already settled for the night. I t’s also vital to investigate your desired area before you park. Is there a “No Overnight” Parking sign? Are you in a residential area and likely to upset the locals? Have you pulled into a car park which is locked overnight? Always remember to respect the rules and play it safe. If in doubt, check out apps such as vanlifer favourite Park4Night, or wild camping website wildcamping.moonfruit.com to find safe spots to cosy up for the night. For peace of mind, you can check into a campsite or a designated campervan car park, which invites campers to park responsibly overnight (often for a small fee of £10 per night). The Tricky Bits The hard truth: not all campers are built with shower and toilet facilities. We are lucky enough in the UK, however, to have accessible public facilities. If you’re after a wash, pull up at a surfing beach to find showers (both indoors and outdoors) plus toilets, at a price of around 20p per use. If you prefer a bit more privacy, you can seek out local leisure centres and pay for a day pass. Not only can you grab a shower, but also a gym workout or swim if you’re lucky! Of course, if you park at a campsite, you will likely have these facilities thrown in for free. If you are “fortunate” enough to have a port-a-potty or compostable toilet inside your van, it is imperative that you learn how and where you can safely and responsibly dispose of your waste. Renting a campervan is a brilliant UK holiday for friends, couples, or even the whole family. Now the UK is your oyster, where will you pitch up?
Vanlife Travel in the U.K
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Setting up a business is no easy task. You need to go through papers of tedious bureaucracy and have to find qualified and cooperative employees to make the company thrive. Some owners have not looked far from home and populated their shop with family members instead. With a close-knit and harmonious environment, over the centuries, many businesses have become extremely successful. After all, “teamwork makes the dream work”. But when multinational corporations have come knocking on these high-performing businesses’ doors, families have been won over by offers they simply could not refuse. That said, not all companies have surrendered to appealing and hefty bids. Here we list a number of classic British businesses that have evaded the purchase by rich multinationals and who, to this day, are still controlled (at least to some extent) by the founding family. Specsavers Launched in 1984 by married couple Doug and Mary Perkins, Specsavers has reached international prominence in the space of one generation only. The husband and wife built their first kingdom of vision on the channel island of Guernsey. Needless to say, their glasses have jumped on a ferry and quickly gone places. Today, Specsavers counts over 1,300 stores across the UK, Europe, and even New Zealand. The Perkins were clearly farsighted! Fentimans Approached by a fellow tradesman for a loan which was never repaid, Thomas Fentiman became the owner of the business in 1905. With a special recipe for botanically brewed ginger beer to quench his customers’ thirst, Thomas delivered his drinks door-to-door using a cart and a horse. While the family-owned business has had to adapt to meet the demands of our everchanging world, the image of Thomas’ loyal dog – Fearless – shines on Fentimans’ bottles to this very day. Arnold Clark Automobiles This business has been going for over 50 years and is still in the hands of its eponymous family. The story goes that Sir Arnold was jobless after leaving the RAF in 1954, and to support himself, the Scotsman started repairing and selling cars. Joined by his children and grandchildren, the company then gradually added rental and dealerships to its car sales operations. Dyson Housework is rarely one’s favourite hobby. With inefficient and heavy vacuums, in the past, cleaning carpets was a bit of a nightmare. While working on another product, engineer Sir James Dyson spotted the opportunity to make vacuum cleaners more functional and easier to use. From a bright idea sparked in 1991, Sir James has turned his flash of genius into a successful family business that is famous all over the world. Swire Group A factotum in its own right, Swire is well-known for its airline Cathay Pacific and has its finger in many sectors such as marine services, property, beverages, and industrial investments. The business was set up in Liverpool in 1816 and now also has a power base in the Asia Pacific area, employing around 125,000 workers worldwide. Members of the founding family are still involved in the company, with businessman Barnaby Swire being Swire’s chairman. Pentland Group A fellow Merseyside family business that keeps going strong is Pentland, initially named ‘Liverpool Shoe Company’ when established in 1932. The firm was among the pioneering companies to find and import shoes from Asia. Owning household-name brands like Speedo and Berghaus and holding majority stakes in Reebok and JD Sports, this third-generation family business keeps going from strength to strength. Floris Founded in 1730, Floris is the oldest fragrance and toiletries retailer in the country. Juan Famenias Floris, a Menorca native who moved to London to seek fortune, secured premises in the quarter of St James’ and set up Floris as a barbershop. Homesick and missing the Mediterranean aromas, the business soon began making and selling perfume – and the rest is history. Today, the company is run by the eighth and ninth generations of the family. Whitechapel Bell Foundry Although the foundry closed in 2017, this 600-year-old family business deserves a special mention. Run until recently by the 26th generation of the founding family, the firm was established in London in 1420. In the late 1940s, the foundry was particularly busy replacing bells damaged or destroyed in bombing raids during World War II. In more recent times, however, following the popularity of TV drama Downton Abbey, the business produced an impressive amount of table bells for both national and international customers. In an ever-changing world, it is challenging for historical businesses to remain in step with the times. We hope you enjoyed this list of successful British firms that have endured the test of time while always staying true to their family heritage.
Classic British Businesses That Stayed True to Their Family Heritage
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