
ESSEX
BUSINESS PODCAST
The Essex Business Podcast is for business leaders that are looking for practical advice, tips and inspiration from peers across the county and beyond.
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PODCAST
EPISODE 40: CHRISTMAS TRADING – STILL THE SAVIOUR OF THE RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY YEAR?
Amidst the festive aroma of mince pies and satsumas, we explore the significance of Christmas as the pivotal lifeline for the retail sector.
The widespread belief suggests that the holiday season is a decisive make-or-break period for many businesses. However, we examine whether this notion still holds true, or if it has evolved into something of a myth.
Reporter Chris Penhall talks to Sara Tupper, Chelmsford BID Manager, on how the city centre retail scene gears up to get tills ringing during the Christmas season, and Helen Wood, Manager at Colchester Waterstones looks at the importance of Christmas on the retail/hospitality sector.
Plus, Laura Muncey, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Anglia Ruskin University, provides a broader economic context to the discussion, exploring how external factors such as inflation and global events may be influencing Christmas trading in Essex.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
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Sara Tupper, Chelmsford BID Manager
chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/chelmsford-bid -
Helen Wood, Manager at Waterstones, Colchester
waterstones.com -
Laura Muncey, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Anglia Ruskin University
aru.ac.uk/people/laura-muncey
MORE EPISODES
EPISODE 37: TOWN/CITY CENTRES - OPEN FOR BUSINESS?
We discuss the future of town and city centres, focusing specifically on Colchester where town centre businesses have just voted for the renewal of the Our Colchester BID (Business Improvement District). Are town and city centres dying on their feet or are they merely going through a period of reinvention?
GUEST SPEAKERS
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Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Family Business United
familybusinessunited.com
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David Boyden, Managing Partner at Boydens Estate Agents
boydens.co.uk
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Robyn Holmes, Managing Director of Prime Appointments
prime-appointments.co.uk
EPISODE 38:
APPRENTICESHIPS - THE ANSWER TO OUR SKILLS PRAYERS?
As another batch of apprentices embark on new careers, and with apprenticeships available in just about every subject you can imagine, we ask whether apprenticeships are key to solving the skills shortages affecting so many sectors of business.
GUEST SPEAKERS
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Hannah O’Brien and Toni Parrish, Employer Engagement Officers at Adult Community Learning Essex (ACL)
aclessex.com -
Debianne Messenger, Work Based Learning Manager at Career Track
tendringdc.gov.uk/jobs/career-track-apprenticeships -
Carol Magnus at Tendring District Council
tendringdc.gov.uk/atoz/apprenticeships
EPISODE 39: GETTING THE BEST OUT OF HYBRID WORKING
Hybrid working is now considered to be the new norm in many sectors, so in this episode of the Essex Business Podcast, we explore how employers can get the right balance and maximise productivity whilst simultaneously ensuring their employees are fully engaged with the business.
GUEST SPEAKERS
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Lis McCormick, Director at McCormick Consultants Ltd
mccormick.ltd -
Sarah Humphryes, Assistant Marketing Manager at Birkett Long
birkettlong.co.uk -
Dr Stephen Simpson, Elite Performance Coach
drstephensimpson.com
BROUGHT TO YOU BY RICKARD LUCKIN
Working to support individuals and businesses alike, Rickard Luckin ensures every step of the journey towards your ambitions is backed by clear, objective and tailor-made tax and accountancy advice.
Find out more at www.rickardluckin.co.uk