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World Options expands Northampton office

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Danielle Waterhouse has joined the team at the Northampton office of World Options as a Sales Executive.

Part of MBE Worldwide, World Options is the largest retail group of franchised shipping services companies in the UK. The World Options shipping portal allows business customers to compare quotes from the leading carriers, and to send and track shipments, with customer service provided by a dedicated account manager.

Northampton businessman Matt Patten launched a World Options franchise in May 2022, and is seeking to grow the business further, servicing businesses across the UK.

Welcoming Danielle to the company, he said: “We are very pleased to welcome Danielle aboard.  She joins us at a great time. With the global economy becoming more connected and with the boom in e-commerce, the courier industry is a growing market so it’s a great sector to build a career in.

“When shipping parcels worldwide, businesses can be confused by the number of options available and can often stick to one courier service, even though that might not be the best option for every package they send.

“World Options offers customers the opportunity to ship domestically and internationally with the likes of DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT and more. We help businesses choose the right option for every shipment, and our bulk-buying power means customers pay a competitive price for their shipping –  cheaper than they could negotiate for themselves, whether that be for parcels, pallets, freight transport, documents or imports, either nationally or internationally.

On commencing her new role, Danielle said: “I am very excited to be joining the team at World Options. Many businesses find international shipping confusing. We ease the pain by providing one point of contact for the courier options we offer customers, and by providing customers with proactive information on the status of their shipments to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems.

“Matt and I commit to answering all phone calls within three rings, and World Options has extended service level agreements with all the main courier companies, so we can provide our target customers with more support than if they were dealing with shipping on their own. And of course, given the volume of business we are doing across our network – with all couriers, our customers not only receive excellent customer service but competitive pricing as well.”

World Options Holdings Ltd manages three brands in the UK; Mail Boxes Etc., PACK & SEND and World Options, providing e-commerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers. Companies within the group now maintain and support over 260 franchisees, generating combined annual revenues of £80m.

World Options Holdings is part of MBE Worldwide, which in 2022 served over one million business customers globally, generating Euro 1.3 billion of system-wide gross revenue through its network of over 3,150 business solution centres in 52 countries, and Euro 22 billion of gross merchandise value traded through its PrestaShop e-commerce solutions.

Topping out ceremony at Preston’s £45m+ Animate leisure complex 

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

A topping-out ceremony has been held to mark the highest point of the build at Preston’s Animate leisure complex, the latest milestone in the £45 million+ scheme, one of six major projects planned under Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme. 

Preston was awarded £20.9m from the Government’s national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021, and the Harris Quarter is a unique part of the city centre undergoing a £200m investment programme to transform its historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering.

Animate is being brought forward by Maple Grove Developments, part of Preston-based contractor Eric Wright Group, in partnership with Preston City Council.

The leisure complex is being built on the site of the former indoor market and car park and is due to open to the public in early 2025.

Almost fully pre-let, Animate will feature an eight-screen cinema, a 16-lane bowling alley with a gaming zone, five family restaurant units, a food hall, a public realm, a competitive socialising unit and a 164-space basement car park, with national leisure brands including Hollywood Bowl, ARC Cinemas, Zizzi, Cosmo, Las Iguanas and Loungers already signed up as tenants.

Those attending the topping out included Cllr Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, Adrian Phillips, chief executive of the City Council, John Chesworth, chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board and Karen Hirst, managing director of Maple Grove Developments.

Councillor Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, added:

“Animate is the flagship project of the Harris Quarter regeneration programme, heralding a new era for Preston and its residents. Owned by the city council to benefit local people, the construction of Animate has involved local contractors and enhanced the skills and learning of young people with essential on-the-job experience.

“Crucially, such development and regeneration forms a key part of the council’s commitment to Community Wealth Building, designed to create a resilient and inclusive economy to benefit the whole area by offering an opportunity for local people to take back control while working with local institutions.”

John Chesworth, Chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board, said:  

“The topping out represents another key moment in the delivery of Animate and in the ongoing renaissance of Preston as we progress our wider plans to create places for people.  

“Having secured high-profile and established national leisure brands, Animate will provide an unrivalled offering of activities to drive footfall and wider economic benefits for Preston and surrounding areas.”

Karen Hirst, managing director of Maple Grove Developments, development partner of Preston City Council, concluded:

“This milestone in the delivery of Animate marks the highest point of the build and the successful culmination of the collaborative efforts of the client, design, and construction teams.

“Animate is an exemplar of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together in partnership to great effect for the wider community and economy of Preston.”

New website for leading Scottish tourist attraction

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Ireland Consulting has launched a new website for Forth Boat Tours following the success of its digital marketing campaign promoting the previous website for the award-winning Scottish visitor attraction.

Forth Boat Tours provides cruise packages along the Firth of Forth and Three Bridges, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has been voted Best Day Out in Scotland in the Days Out with Kids Awards and Best Hidden Gem in the Remarkable Venue Awards.

Launched in 2022 by a former group account director and head of client services at Fat Media, Kendal-based Ireland Consulting provides marketing consultancy, brand development, website development and digital marketing to clients across the UK.

On launching the new website for Forth Boat Tours, agency head Ian Ireland said: “It has been a real pleasure helping to modernise the digital presence of one of Scotland’s leading tourist attractions.

“Prior to the new launch, our work involved an initial period of technical optimisation to improve search engine visibility – a considerable task given the size and complexity of the website.

“However, within the first three months, we had improved average search positions by more than forty places and increased traffic to the website by more than two hundred percent.

“With the site optimised for search, we have now delivered a major overhaul of the website’s user experience and front-end design, aimed to maximise customer conversion of visitors to the site.

“With the new site up and running, we are now set to launch an extensive digital and social advertising campaign to drive further traffic to Forth Boat Tours various cruise packages.” For further information go to: www.irelandconsulting.co.uk or www.forthtours.com

Ireland Consulting delivers brand and website for Knox Thomas

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Kendal-based Ireland Consulting has delivered a new brand and website for machinery compliance consultancy Knox Thomas, which provides legislative, compliance, and health & safety consultancy to manufacturing companies throughout the world.

Following an initial marketing strategy and planning phase, Ireland Consulting has now delivered a full tactical suite of assets to the company, including branding, photography, copywriting and lead generation-optimised website, and is now retained for SEO services and digital consultancy.

Ireland Consulting founder and CEO Ian Ireland said: “Knox Thomas was founded to assist manufacturers navigate legal complexities, design and manufacture machinery in compliance with legislation and avoid pitfalls presented by regulatory requirements – therefore, easing the path to certification and market entry.

“We’re really pleased to launch the new brand and website, which is the culmination of a really fun and challenging project aiming to create a stand-out brand in what can be a very staid and dated marketplace.

“I’m pleased to say Knox Thomas ran with our ideas based on the robust strategy we developed hand-in-hand, and we are looking forward to working with them to develop their digital presence into the future.” For further information go to: www.irelandconsulting.co.uk

£10 Million achievement for Blackburn networking group

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

A Blackburn-based BNI chapter is celebrating after its members generated over £2 million in the last year, bringing the total amount of work referred within the group to over £10 million since its launch. 

Launched from a core group of just three members in 2014, BNI Infinity now boasts 21 members, meeting every Friday morning at the Hampton by Hilton, Blackburn.

The group is part of global organisation BNI, the world’s leading business referral organisation. With over 318,000 members in 77 countries, BNI provides weekly networking meetings for groups of businesses, who follow a focused meeting agenda that enables them to use their combined network of contacts to find business opportunities and referrals for one another.

Last year, its members in towns and cities across the UK & Ireland shared over half a billion pounds (£538m) of business between one another. Its chapters in Lancashire generated over £12 million in business for members in the same period.

BNI Infinity chapter president Ben Govier said: “The reason BNI is so successful is because its systems are built around building deep connections between individuals. That leads to the know, like and trust factor that is required to provide referrals into each other’s own valued contacts and connections outside the room.

“What further sets BNI apart is that all referrals are tracked on the app, so that members know exactly how much money they are making from their membership.”

BNI Executive Director for Lancashire Louise Eccles said: “A massive congratulations to what BNI Infinity has achieved, going from strength to strength since its launch.

“While the membership has constantly evolved since 2014, BNI Infinity can proudly say that some of the biggest names on the Lancashire business scene have enjoyed wild success from their membership, whether they joined as start-ups or well-established names already.

“BNI itself has undergone many changes since BNI Infinity launched and we’ve introduced new technologies that mean BNI members are now better connected with peers across the globe than ever before.

“Our message is, if you’ve never tried BNI, come along and see what we’re about. If you haven’t tried it for a while, come along and see what’s changed. Our doors are always open to people who want to prosper and grow through a community-based teamwork approach to building their business.”For more information go to www.bnionline.co.uk

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone heralds careers fair success

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, was the guest of honour at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s Careers Fair on Thursday 29th February 2024. 

The event was attended by 189 enthusiastic young individuals for whom it offered insights into apprenticeships, training & development, and job opportunities, as well as guidance on overall health and well-being. 

The event was built on the existing collaboration between DWP and Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone and included contributions from a wide range of businesses, training providers, offering a comprehensive array of opportunities, including work placements, skills development, apprenticeships, and specialised courses. 

Training providers contributing to the event included, amongst others, The Prince’s Trust, Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning, Training 2000, IMO, Blackburn College, LEP, and NLTG.

In addition to career-focused opportunities, the fair collaborated with health providers to ensure a holistic approach to individual well-being, with contributing health providers including WHP, WHP Pioneer, Witton Park Greenhouse Project and Talking Therapies.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, said: 

“It was brilliant to attend Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s Careers Fair, meet the local team, DWP colleagues and local employers who are creating great opportunities for young people to succeed at work, and to chat to so many fantastic young people who will be a huge asset to the workplace.  

“We are dedicated to helping young people into work, which we know improves mental and physical wellbeing. We are investing £2.3 billion in mental health services and expanding our DWP Youth Offer to give more under 25s the best start to their working life.”

Blackburn Youth Zone Chief Executive Hannah Allen said: 

“The employment fair is a regular feature in Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s diary and builds on the constant work of our Youth Hub Team. Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone launched the first Youth Hub in the country in 2021 after, along with our partners, we recognised how Young People were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Since the launch, the youth hub has supported over 700 young individuals, with 220 finding employment and 280 accessing training opportunities.

“This success has been aided by our brilliant community partners, our growing patron network of 74 businesses and the local authority awarding the service UKSPF. 

“The Careers Fair, a pivotal event designed to illuminate the vast spectrum of opportunities for young individuals, was a resounding success. We are particularly grateful to our patrons Accrol Papers Ltd, Herbert Parkinsons Ltd, WEC Engineering Group, Kingswood Homes, JDS Trucks Ltd, Darwen Terracotta and Blackburn College, in helping make the event such a success. 

“Minister Davies’ was given a tour of the Youth Zone by a group of young people who have benefited from our employment services and are now in full employment. The minister’s presence brought significant value to the fair, and she was able to share invaluable insights and expertise on the opportunities and challenges within the employment sector.”

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is part of the national OnSide movement – a network of state-of-the-art Youth Zones in the most disadvantaged areas of the country who collectively see 50,000 young people through their doors every year, providing access to highly-skilled youth workers who empower young people to lead positive, fulfilling lives.

As a charity dedicated to young people, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone provides over sixty hours of services when schools are closed. 

With over 4,500 members benefiting, its provision takes place at a state-of-the-art centre in Blackburn and a satellite site in Darwen and also within the community. 

Core services are open for ages five to 19, with dedicated SEND and Employability services open to young adults up to the age of 25. For further information, go to www.blackburnyz.org

Leicestershire artist finalist in national art competition

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Leicestershire artist Matthew Turner has made the finals of a national Art of the Year competition organised by international packing and delivery company PACK & SEND.

Competition organiser PACK & SEND provides a range of postal, freight, courier, packing and removal services, operating through a national service centre network, and specialising in the shipment of fragile, large, awkward and valuable items.

The company has handled packing and shipping of artworks by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Banksy, Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Tracey Emin and Jeff Koons, and as an approved service provider to LAPADA, the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the UK, is a preferred supplier of art shipping services to galleries, collectors, dealers, artists and exhibitions around the world. 

Its annual Art of the Year competition celebrates the works of up-and-coming UK artists, with the winner receiving £250 vouchers to support shipment of their own art with PACK & SEND, as well as promotion across the international company’s own social media.

Whitwick-based artist Matthew Turner, came second place in this year’s competition with his space travel-inspired artwork, Saturn V.

Matthew’s art has been inspired by space travel since he first saw the Vostok rocket in 1995, while living and studying Art in Moscow. 

He says: “I studied for a Fine Art painting degree in the 1990s and had an opportunity to study at the Moscow Institute of Architecture at that time. The experience was very influential to me and my artwork and in particular the time I spent at the Moscow Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.

“The technology struck me, the art and the symbolism. I went on to explore my own use of symbolism and abstract forms in my painting.  I am also influenced by Cold War space race propaganda and Retro Sci-fi art and my intention as an artist is to work in the great tradition of Artists in the NASA Art Program and Soviet Cosmic School artist.

“In April 2022 I was honoured to be asked to exhibit my work at the Legends of Space live show in Lausanne, Switzerland, in association with NASA and Lockheed Martin and last year I organised and co-curated an art exhibition at Leicester’s Space Park.

“I am an elected artist member of the International Association of Astronomical Artists and I was recently awarded funding from Arts Council England to visit Kennedy Space Centre and meet with Bert Ulrich and artists from the NASA Art Program, develop my creative practice and deliver STEAM workshops in the East Midlands.”

Matthew said: “I’m really pleased to have my artwork recognised in this way by PACK & SEND, which has worked with some of the most famous and respected fine artists in the world.

“It’s great to see an international company of their standing supporting and championing artists at a grassroots level, helping artists like myself introduce their work to wider audiences.” 

For more information about Matthew’s art, go to www.matthewturnerartist.co.uk. 

MBE appoints Pivotal for expansion in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

MBE Worldwide has announced the appointment of Pivotal as Area Franchisee for Mail Boxes Etc. in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, a move that is anticipated to create up to 65 jobs across both countries over the next three years. 

Part of MBE Worldwide, Mail Boxes Etc. is the world’s leading third-party provider of shipping, fulfilment, print and marketing solutions to small and medium enterprises and consumers across the globe, with a network of 1,826 franchise locations in 48 countries.

In 2023, MBE Worldwide served over one million business customers worldwide through its multi-brand operations (Mail Boxes Etc. [except in the US and Canada], PrestaShop, PostNet, PACK & SEND, Spedingo.com, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, Print Speak, GEL Proximity and World Options), generating €1.4 billion.

Pivotal is a market-leading provider of cash and transaction management services across the UK and Ireland. With a growing customer base, Pivotal currently services more than 4,000 business customers operating from a network of accredited secure cash centre facilities. Pivotal’s services include cash in transit, cash processing, banking, ATMs, merchant services, secure storage, foreign exchange and engineering services.

Pivotal’s appointment as Mail Boxes Etc. Area Franchisee will see the company take over the support and development of the four existing Mail Boxes Etc. solution centres in the Republic Of Ireland (Dublin x 2, Cork, Killarney) and one in Northern Ireland (Botanic Avenue,  Belfast), while also aiming to open around 22 further solutions centres across Ireland over the next three years and a total of 40 over the next ten years. 

Mail Boxes Etc. UK managing director Mike Gratton said: “We are pleased to announce that Pivotal has been appointed as the Area Franchisee for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“This strategic relationship aims to provide enhanced support for Mail Boxes Etc. franchise partners across Ireland, whilst maximising opportunities to expand the network across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.”

Pivotal CEO Terry Hughes said: “We are very pleased to announce Pivotal has been appointed as Mail Boxes Etc. Area Franchisee for Ireland and is looking forward to providing sales and operational support to improve the performance of existing franchise partners.

“Plans for existing franchise growth include boosting the B2B and online offerings of our existing operations to supplement their already strong performance in the retail sphere.

“Our ambitious growth targets to introduce further Mail Boxes Etc. centres across Ireland will commence with two new imminent openings in the Belfast area, with a planned total of eight across Ireland this year.”

World Options expands Limitless PR contract

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Courier services company World Options has expanded its contract with Limitless PR to encompass two further brands.  

Part of Milan-based MBE Worldwide since July 2022, World Options Holdings Ltd manages three brands in the UK; Mail Boxes Etc., PACK & SEND and World Options, providing e-commerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers.

Delivering under these individual established brands and business concepts, the three companies, operating as part of World Options Holdings Ltd, together maintain and support over 260 franchisees, generating combined annual revenues of £80m.

World Options began working with Limitless PR in April 2023 to support its franchise growth and has now expanded the agency’s contract to provide similar support for Mail Boxes Etc and PACK & SEND. 

World Options Holdings Ltd managing director Mike Gratton said:

“We are pleased to report that we have experienced robust double-digit growth this year, consistent with our track record of steady demand increase for our services over the past several years. 

“World Options has seen a dramatic increase in entrepreneurial individuals who want to invest in a proven, life-changing business, whilst being their own boss and within a thriving sector. 

“Our services span domestic and international channels, and our commitment to simplifying shipping for our customers has removed common shipping barriers. Our monthly shipment figures for this year have consistently exceeded the previous year’s, reflecting our positive trajectory.

“Growth in the last year puts us on track for our UK target of achieving 30% year-on-year growth by collaborating as one cohesive network alongside our franchise partners.

“We are now working with Limitless PR to develop increased brand awareness and understanding across all our three brands, with a particular focus on franchisee audiences for each, to support our ongoing growth as a group.”

World Options Holdings Ltd managing director, Mike Gratton

World Options Holdings is part of MBE Worldwide, which in 2023 served over one million business customers worldwide through its multi-brand operations (Mail Boxes Etc. [except in the US and Canada], PrestaShop, PostNet, PACK & SEND, Spedingo.com, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, Print Speak, GEL Proximity and World Options), generating €1.4 billion.

Local artist finalist in national Art of the Year competition

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

An East Devon artist has been announced as a finalist in a national Art of the Year competition organised by international packing and delivery company PACK & SEND.

Beer-based Cath Gillingham has come third place in the competition organised by PACK & SEND, which provides a range of postal, freight, courier, packing and removal services, operating through a national service centre network, and specialising in the shipment of fragile, large, awkward and valuable items.

The company has handled packing and shipping of artworks by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Banksy, Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Tracey Emin and Jeff Koons, and as an approved service provider to LAPADA, the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the UK, is a preferred supplier of art shipping services to galleries, collectors, dealers, artists and exhibitions around the world. 

Its annual Art of the Year competition celebrates the works of up-and-coming UK artists, with the winner receiving £250 vouchers to support shipment of their own art with PACK & SEND, as well as promotion across the international company’s own social media.

East Devon-based artist Cath Gillingham, achieved third place in this year’s competition with her artwork Golden Pear in Mermaid Kiss, a mixed-media piece created with acrylic and oil pastel.

Cath Gillingham is a practising artist and completed a BA and MA in Fine and Applied Arts in her 20s. Cath’s work is predominantly still life with particular attention to flowers, vessels and fruit and her work has been featured in several group exhibitions in the South West.

Accepting her prize at PACK & SEND’s Bristol service centre, she said: “I’m really pleased to have my artwork recognised in this way by PACK & SEND, which has worked with some of the most famous and respected fine artists in the world.

“It’s great to see an international company of their standing supporting and championing artists at a grassroots level, helping artists like myself introduce their work to wider audiences.” 

Cath’s work will be on display at a solo exhibition, Broken Colour, 18-27th May 2024, 11-3pm, Beer Bomb Shelter, Fore St, Beer, Devon, EX12 3EG. You can find out more about Cath and her work, go to www.instagram.com/thelaughingredhead