Birmingham Bullring shoe retailer Cloggs.co.uk celebrated their one year anniversary last weekend.

The 2000 sq ft Cloggs.co.uk store next to Selfridges in the Bullring opened in September 2009 and features touch screen internet terminals, which can display the full range of available stock.

Cloggs.co.uk is run by local brothers Nick and Chris Thomas, with business partner Damian Scarlett. It began life as an online retailer ten years ago and now stocks more than 20,000 items, including big brands such as FitFlop, Birkenstock, Converse, Crocs and they are official authorised retailers of genuine UGG® Australia.

“The last 12 months have been tough for a lot of companies in the footwear market but there has been substantial consolidation in the sector, which has helped to lift sales, particularly for specialists like us.

“We have deliberately made our store different by incorporating many of the features of our online shop, such as free next day delivery and all the same deals and discounts.

The team behind Cloggs.co.uk has more than 35 years’ experience of trading on the high street and began operating online over ten years ago. Cloggs.co.uk now stocks more than 20,000 items across specialised departments covering: womens shoes, womens boots, womens sandals; mens shoes, mens boots, mens sandals; as well as boys shoes and girls shoes. Other popular brands include: UGG boots, Converse, Birkenstock, Hunter Wellies and FitFlop shoes. The Cloggs.co.uk Bullring store also recently won ‘Best New Store’ at the Drapers Footwear Awards 2010.

Visit the Cloggs.co.uk website at http://www.cloggs.co.uk/ for all the latest shoe ranges.

Health and Safety shouldn’t interrupt how you do business, but by making your business safer you can reduce your insurance and absence costs too.

Fire Risk Assessments
The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (2005)
40% of businesses never recover from the effects of a major fire with the loss of key staff due to temporary closure. The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (2005) now requires you to manage the risk of fire in your organisation, but do you really know what is expected of you?  The first hurdle to overcome is to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment; without one, your insurance company will refuse cover in the event that you make a claim. But for many businesses carrying out their own Fire Risk Assessment isn’t practical unless they have dedicated Health and Safety teams as well as guidance from health and safety advisors.

COSHH 2004 (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations
How the regulations affect your business
The COSHH Regulations require employers to manage the risk to staff and others who may be exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace.
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When it comes to commercial EPCs, North West Energy consulting offer a quick turnaround and a cost effective survey system using the latest software. They will show you how to use the information embedded within your Energy Assessment to benefit your business and save costs. This is something most of our competitors rarely do. By implementing recommendations, and managing resources wisely, you may be able to recover the cost of the EPC within months. Their fees are calculated on an individual basis, because all buildings vary in complexity and in the Heating and Ventilation systems in use. You can save on fees if you can provide accurate floor plans, with as much construction detail as possible, and by providing manufacturers data on your heating and ventilation systems. North West Energy Consulting are accredited by the BRE (Building Research Establishment), who ensure the standards are maintained and that they undergo ongoing continuing Professional Development and training. They also have access to their vast research library and receive updates on all new building technologies. They are also registered with the Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust, and have access to their resources.

The MailSave+ Optimisation Event, in conjunction with Themailingroom.com and TNT.

MailSave+ Optimisation Event is a complimentary, invitation-only event and places are still available at Village Hotel Elstree Wednesday 6th October 2010. You simply can’t afford to miss this if you want to get the most out of mail and postal optimisation.

What is MailSave+?
In today’s deregulated postal market all dispatch and facilities managers must look for the most cost-effective way to send out business critical documents. MailSave+ is a new and unique service that gives you the choice of postal provider and discounts when you send your mail.

Who’s it for?
Small to medium sized businesses and public sector bodies whose mail volumes do not meet the traditional pre-sorted or Cleanmail volume criteria.
Postrooms who want a cost effective service for non time critical traditional second class mail.

What are the benefits to you – the customer?
•    Reduced cost per item on every item
•    Lower volume thresholds attract discount on every item
•    Volumes can be averaged to meet collection minimums
•    Collections times that are convenient for you
•    A cost-effective and flexible way of achieving daily mail discounts

The Mailing Room is a leading supplier of mailroom equipment and consumables including franking machines, postal scales, folding and inserting machines and letter openers. The Mailing Room is brought to you by an alliance of FP Mailing (North West) Limited, FP Mailing (South) Limited and FP Executive Agency Limited.

For more information on MailSave+ from The Mailing Room, visit http://www.themailingroom.com

Llite is a Private Limited organisation based in New Cleveland Street Hull with further sites in North and North East Lincolnshire and Sheffield. Established in 2001, Llite was developed in response to local people not accessing local jobs in construction and allied trades. People from out of town were being brought in by the local construction companies. Llite wanted to turn that around so that local construction jobs were accessible to local people and Llite would help to supply learners with the skills and resources to achieve this.

Llite have since developed a workforce of 45, and are now the largest deliverer of construction training in Sheffield, Hull and Scunthorpe working with 1,200 clients per annum. Despite their growth, Llite are as passionate about developing local people and enabling them to achieve their potential as they were when first established.

James Epworth, Strategy Director of Llite said “The Construction Industry is a very good career option. For local unemployed people enrolling with Llite, learners will have the potential to develop skills in a range of Construction Industry roles. But it doesn’t stop there; we also help learners to find a job through our employability support services”.

Llite have an aftercare service which means once the learner has entered employment, they can still contact Llite to resolve any issues they may have. James continued “the aftercare service is proving to be a valuable resource to learners. If they feel they need further skill development in the future or any help or advice, then we have the facilities and resources to provide this”.

Learners enrolling with Llite will develop skills in the following trade areas:

• Bricklaying
• Plastering
• Joinery
• Plumbing
• General Construction Work
• Painting and Decorating

Llite works with a number of stakeholders including local colleges, Jobcentre +, LSC and HLC to offer these courses to local people. Llite assess each learner on their own merits, and their learning progression is very much tailored towards that individual. If the learner needs more practical skills, a qualification or if the learner has the skills but can’t get into employment – then Llite can offer them a service that best suits their needs. If the individual doesn’t have a CSCS card for example (a passport for construction sites) then Llite will make sure they have the skills to obtain one. James Epworth continued “This (CSCS card) is great for anybody who may have been made redundant in the Construction Industry fields. Obtaining this passport along with employability sessions can greatly enhance someone’s employment prospects”.

Llites Employability Quest teams includes life coaches, basic skills tutors and recruiters. They aim to develop learner’s confidence through learning, activities and events which encourage learners to develop achievable career goals.

In January 2007 Llite obtained a Grade 1 (outstanding) Adult Learning Inspection (OFSTED). It is a major achievement and one Llite is very proud of. Further achievements in Matrix and Investor in People awards were coupled with praise of how well Llite deliver and integrate Basic Skills into Construction training programmes.

HLC have recently awarded an Adult Engagement contract to Llite whose staff have also benefited from HLC services by attending a Level 3 IAG course.

Looking towards Llites future plans James said “Key flexible New Deal contracts are essential to sustain Llite. We are hoping to expand further into North East and North Lincs and develop programmes in conjunction with local schools and colleges. We hope to be further involved in the regeneration of Hull, building schools for the future, and supplying labour from programmes run here at Llite”.