There’s another wonderful weekend of weather on its way and we cannot wait!
Things always feel better in the sunshine and we can’t wait to sip something cold in a sunny beer garden! It’s wonderful to see so many bars and restaurants expanding their outdoor spaces and roads being closed off to encourage a more continental kind of café society. We’re all for it – let’s hope these changes stay for the long term!
We’re no longer dreading Monday’s now either with the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme launching meaning half price food at many of our favourite eateries at the start of each week. It’s vital we support our independent venues as well as our big chains. Everything has its place in the economy and as we’ve seen no one is immune to effects of the pandemic; no matter how big or how small.
So, enjoy the weekend weather, enjoy some amazing food at old favourites and new discoveries and stay positive!
Jon, Kevin and the #FUFighters
PS. Well done for those that spotted last week’s typo! What is it they say that gives you hairy palms?- blame lockdown!
OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE
What do you call a poetry reading dinosaur?
A Thesaurus
DEVELOPERS CALL FOR ASSISTANCE FROM DISABLED COMMUNITY WITH EMPOWERING NEW APP
A trio of Leicestershire tech-entrepreneurs have launched an appeal to Leicester’s disabled community to get behind a brand-new app that aims to share knowledge within the county and improve accessibility.
The app, Access Rating (CIC), hopes to empower both users and venues by listing and independently reviewing which of our city and county businesses are truly accessible to those with mobility needs. Fundamental to the app is the unique ability for users to post reviews and comments about venues they have visited and experiences they have had.
It is hoped that this bank of experiences will then empower more people, helping them overcome obstacles often unseen by more able-bodied individuals – be that as seemingly simple as drop kerbs, accessible lifts, or suitable toilet facilities. Their slogan is: “The power to improve disabled access, one rating at a time”.
Free to download and easy to post reviews, the app has been founded and developed over lockdown by a trio of Leicestershire-based entrepreneurs – all with their own personal mobility needs: Mark Esho – an award winning entrepreneur and number one ranking author; Richard Copson and Jignesh Vaidya.
The app is available to download now here
ATTENBOROUGH ARTS RELAUNCH ONLINE CLASSES
Attenborough Art Centre’s well-loved creative courses will be resuming with online classes starting late September. The new courses will be accessible digitally, with classes accessible as a mix of livestreams and pre-recorded classes. This mean that although the Attenborough Art Centre building will remain closed, more people than ever will be able to access the courses.
The classes will be a mix of digital-only courses; click and collect classes with creative packs available to be picked up from the art centre, and blended learning where learners will attend classes one-week in and one-week at home. This blend of course styles means that people will be able to find a course and style of learning that suits their personal needs.
Find out more at www.attenborougharts.com
FREE BUSINESS MENTOR SESSIONS WITH DMU BUSINESS EXPERTS UP FOR GRABS – HERE’S HOW:
DMU is a resource for Leicester’s business community, now more than ever following the news that the city is facing two more weeks of lockdown.
To help support business leaders at this unprecedented time, DMU’s Leicester Castle Business School is offering free coaching and mentoring with its business experts Andrew Nicholson and Alex Morgan.
Between them they have decades of experience in working with corporate clients, freelancers and companies helping them to set business goals and plan ahead. But don’t just take their word for it. One of Alex’s clients is Amanda Cole, commercial director of marketing and communications company Hundred Brands, a B2B multi-national.
“It’s tough at the moment. Going through unprecedented times, is going to bring up a lot of issues for business people,” said Amanda. “Having someone to talk through options will help bring clarity.”
Amanda first met Alex when she was brought in to help the company’s new management team develop and introduce organisational culture change. Her coaching was so effective that they retained her services and Amanda said working with Alex has paid off professionally and personally.
She said: “Coaching has allowed us as a management team to see where our strengths and weaknesses have been, and I personally still refer back to some of the work Alex and I did right at the beginning. Sometimes you can get stuck and go round in circles because you are too close to a project or a problem. A coach can help you to take that step back and reflect.
“The other thing that I have personally found useful is learning to deal with what is in your control zone, and what isn’t. You have to ask yourself ‘can I do something about this’. If you can’t, let it go and that has been something that has helped me focus on what I can influence.”
Amanda still meets regularly with Alex both as part of the management team and as she plans her career goals throughout the year. She added: “It really is important. When you think you haven’t got the time to meet with a coach, then that’s when you probably need it most.
“Alex has helped us as a company and me personally and if businesses get the chance to be coached by her for free, they should take it.”
DMU is offering free mentoring and coaching to Leicester businesses to help them through this unprecedented time.
How do I apply? All we ask is that you are 100% committed to your own personal development,
100% committed to your business, are able to be open and honest about your current business goals, be willing to discuss and debate with your coach/mentor, Willing to be challenged by your coach/mentor and be willing to make achievable and motivational goals for yourself and your business. If you would like to apply, please email [email protected]
GRAB A TINNY FOR A PICNIC
Add some panache to your picnic with these ready to drink cocktails in a can from Aldi. Delicious gin cocktails come in three magical medleys: juicy Plum & Pink Grapefruit, punchy Chilli & Ginger and classic Traditional Gin and Berries for just £1.19 a can.
Those looking for a low-calorie fix can sample their new Nordic Wolf hard seltzer range which offers a lower-calorie alternative to beer and alcopops.
The range includes 4 flavours: bittersweet but juicy Lemon, tangy Strawberry & Lime, the sweet yet sour Cranberry & Cherry and the refreshing summer cooler, Raspberry & Blackcurrant for just £1.29 per can.
WHAT’S THE STREET VALUE OF YOUR NAME?
Taking the art of procrastination to a whole new level, a new tool from Barratt Homes reveals every street in the UK that contains you name, along with the price you would pay to live there.
The online tool lets you find out how close you are to your name’s nearest street and check out the average property price for every street in the database. It turns out, ‘Alec’ is the most valuable name with an average street value of almost £6M. If your name is Alisha, you can pick up a property on your street for an average of £35K.
Check it out here: If you wanted to prolong the procrastination why not Google Streetview the highest and lowest value streets – not that we’ve done that or anything…;-P
CINEMAS REOPEN ACROSS THE COUNTY
Cinema’s are starting to reopen across the county with a selection of new and classic movies to entertain over the coming weeks including Disney Pixar’s Onward! Cinema De Lux at Highcross is booking now for screenings on Friday whilst Loughborough’s Cineworld is open now for classic showings. There’s no word as yet on Leicester’s Odeon, Vue or Phoenix.
Find show times for Cinema De Lux here
Find show times for Cineworld here
STOP PRESS – ENJOY DRIVE IN CINEMA AT MARKET HARBOROUGH SHOWGROUND
Throughout August, a pop-up drive-in cinema will be making its home at Market Harborough’s Showground with screenings including Grease, Jurassic Park and Joker. Sound will be streamed through your car radio and a waiter service concessions stand will also be available.
Find out more here
SPACE CENTRE TO REOPEN ON 8TH AUGUST
Leicester’s National Space Centre is over the moon to be opening its doors to the public once again on 08 August. The centre has made many changes to support safe distancing, including significantly reducing the number of tickets available each day, so booking in advance is essential (including Annual Pass holders).
Full details of all changes made and essential information for visitors can be found on the National Space Centre’s website – www.spacecentre.co.uk
LEICESTER’S UNIVERSITIES UNITE TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES
Small and medium businesses affected by COVID-19 in Leicester are to benefit from the expertise of two of the Midlands’ top business schools – De Montfort University’s Leicester Castle Business School and the University of Leicester’s Business School – as part of a £20million government package to help small businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19 in the long term.
Both Universities have been accredited to run the Small Business Leadership Programme (SBLP), a government funded programme to help support SMEs thrive post-coronavirus and support leaders of small businesses in the coming months. The programme is fully funded by the Government and free to all businesses. The practical syllabus provides local business leaders with access to small business and management experts from both Business Schools.
Delivered online through a structured course of eight x 90-minute webinars over the course of ten weeks, the Small Business Leadership Programme will provide the knowledge needed for businesses to tackle crisis situations. It will also provide businesses the opportunity to strengthen their business network. Participants will develop strategic leadership skills and the confidence to make informed decisions to boost business performance.
For more details and to register, click here.
EAT OUT TO HELP OUT STARTS IN THE CITY
Running through to Monday 31st August 2020, ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ is available at restaurants across the city with guests invited to dine as many times as they like, Monday to Wednesday, every week in August and receive a 50% discount on food & non-alcoholic drinks, up to a maximum of £10 per guest. Make sure you go out and support your favourite eateries or why not try somewhere new like Orton’s Brasserie in Orton Square? See some of the businesses taking part in the scheme here
JAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT ARTISAN JAM MAKERS
With juicy blackberries already ripening on bushes, Rutland’s Rosemary Jameson knows good jam; she’s been making it since she was old enough to hold a spoon and she is now on a mission to make sure artisan jam makers are supported within their communities.
Rosie is currently hosting the world’s first online jam festival via Facebook and as part of it, she has launched her “Jampaign” to get out and about and start jamming!
For more information and to join in the festivities or swap crops, Rosie is inviting people to join her Facebook Group – “Preserve IT!” where she will be posting videos and competitions and running live jam making sessions and workshops.
THE APPRENTICE’S ‘QUEEN OF MEAN’ OFFERS ADVICE TO EAST MIDLANDS ENTREPRENEURS
Linda Plant, one of Britain’s most successful business leaders and a regular on BBC’s The Apprentice, will be sharing her rags to riches story and business advice at a Prince’s Trust online event on 6th August. Targeted at young entrepreneurs, attendees will be inspired by Linda’s business expertise, while also acquiring the confidence to grow or start trading.
The online event will be hosted by Hadi Ibrahim and Cordell Jeffers, an entrepreneur and Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador. As well as hearing from Linda Plant, attendees will also have the opportunity to be mentored by Linda and ask questions.
This free online event runs from 6pm- 7:30pm on 6 Aug. Click here to register.
£20M BUILDING FUND AWARDED TO LEICESTERSHIRE
The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Ltd. (LLEP) has received £20 million from the government’s Getting Building Fund which will be allocated to four key infrastructure projects.
Following an appraisal process, the LLEP Board of Directors recommended that the St Margaret’s Regeneration Gateway including a renewed bus station; the SportPark Pavillion 4 at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park; access improvements at J23 M1 A512 into Loughborough and the Charles Street Transport Hub that’s designed to create strong links between the railway station and Leicester’s two bus stations would all benefit.
The four projects were chosen based on their impact on the region’s economic growth, both in the short and long-term, and their strategic fit to current economic priorities.
TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY FOR DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2021
With tickets going on sale this Friday at 9am, Download Festival has announced KISS, BIFFY CLYRO and SYSTEM OF A DOWN as its 2021 headliners, plus many more of the world’s most exciting bands in rock, punk, hardcore and metal. Deftones, KORN, Steel Panther and The Distillers will return for Download 2021, with even more yet to be announced. The three-day festival takes place on 4-6 June 2021 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire.
Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 7 August here
WINNING IMAGES REVEALED BY LOROS
LOROS Hospice has unveiled the spectacular winning images in its photography competition to create the LOROS 2021 Calendar, including an urban canal towpath and a very inquisitive cow.
The twelve winning images were submitted by local amateur photographers who wanted to use their talents to support LOROS. Many of them had personal connections to LOROS and memories which inspired them. The calendars will be available to purchase from October.
LEGO AND NATIONAL TRUST LAUNCH HUNT FOR UK’S ULTIMATE YOUNG EXPLORER
The LEGO Group UK and Ireland and National Trust have teamed up to launch their first ever Young Explorer competition, inspiring kids across the UK to get creative in the outdoors this summer.
Budding explorers aged 12-and-under are being encouraged to create the most imaginative and adventurous nature scenes – using LEGO Bricks, LEGO Minifigures and the great outdoors – to be in with a chance of winning. Once the scene is created, parents can submit their offspring’s’ creative scenes on Facebook, along with a caption explaining the creative story behind the image, using the hashtag #LEGOYoungExplorer.
As well as securing the coveted title of LEGO ‘Young Explorer’ for 2020/21, the winner will also receive a plethora of prizes – including a year’s supply of LEGO sets, a free 12-month National Trust family membership and a bundle of National Trust story books!
Entries will close on 9th September For more information on the competition please visit https://www.facebook.com/LEGO
THE HUNT IS ON FOR THE UK’S CUTEST CANINE
Think your pooch has what it takes to be crowned king or queen of the canines? To celebrate International Dog Day on Wednesday 26th August, greeting cards company thortful.com is on the hunt for the UK’s cutest canine.
To enter, simply share a photo of your dog on thortful’s Facebook competition page to be in with the chance of winning an illustration of your dog. The top 10 will then be shortlisted and it will be up to the British public to decide who they think the cutest pooch is.
Motivational Quote…
Life is not a fairytale.
If you lose your shoe at midnight you’re drunk.
