Thanet business news: Reducing climate impact, new shop, Thanet Expo, legal industry guide, Pudsey collection, Garden centre grotto, casino and retirement build

The Knowlton team

Knowlton video & social media marketing agency

A small business started by two Margate brothers has been recognised for work to reduce its impact on the planet.

Knowlton, run by Lloyd and Dan Knowlton, was labelled a “pioneer in the SME sustainability space” in the  Carbon Footprint Report by Andrew Stevens of

Sustainability and Business Services LTD , working with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Lloyd and Dan say they are showing up big businesses by proving firms can prioritise their people, local community, and the planet without sacrificing “traditional business success”.

Lloyd said: “It’s important that we find a way to balance the traditional success of business with their impact on the planet, their local communities, their customers and of course their employees. Knowlton’s positive impact plan and climate positive commitments proves it is achievable even for SMEs.”

Lloyd and Dan

Lloyd & Dan Knowlton say they recognised that change was needed in business to prove that a financially successful business can also be a business that has a positive effect on its people, community and the planet.

Knowlton’s Positive Impact Plan has led to changes as large as Knowlton drastically reducing their carbon footprint and offsetting the remainder of their carbon footprint by funding climate positive projects around the world, and as small as introducing a “biscuit budget” for the Knowlton team.

Lloyd said: “Profit shouldn’t be prioritised over people and perhaps small businesses need to lead  the way as many large businesses are reluctant to make this change.”

Knowlton also supports local schools and colleges with work experience placements, sponsoring awards for students, and offering advice at career events. They say they have ambitious plans to grow significantly over the next 10 years which will provide a number of jobs for local people.

The Carbon Footprint report says “This is a company that pays full attention to its environmental impact and seeks to strike a balance between its activities and their impact on the planet. This approach is commended and puts Knowlton amongst the pioneers in the SME sustainability space”

More details on Knowlton’s plans can be found on their website: https://knowltonmarketing.co.uk/sme-sustainability-pioneers/

Lux Brand Outlet

A new store has opened in Westgate.

Lux Brand Outlet Store stocks homewares, clothing and more, with luxury goods at outlet prices.

It is based at 50 Station Road. Find the facebook page here

Thanet Expo

Academy FM is organising Thanet EXPO on Wednesday 26th October, 10am – 3pm at The Royal Harbour Academy, Marlowe Way, Ramsgate. The event will showcase the wealth of great businesses, education, community groups, charities, projects and more, available in Thanet. Plus, Academy FM studio tours, entertainment and refreshments.

Businesses and other organisations are most welcome to promote and sell on the day and there is an opportunity if they have job vacancies, to recruit.

The event is open to the public, entry is FREE, and we have invited students interested in further education and employment from across East Kent. There will be an interview hub available on the day, where businesses and voluntary groups can hold informal interviews.

The event will also have a pop-up workshop space, for both businesses and the public. The workshops will be: ‘Getting the Most Out of Social Media’, ‘Caring and Sharing’ and ‘Dealing with Stress and Disabilities in the Workplace’.

Exhibitor’s Spaces 2m x 2m are FREE, there is a small charge for larger spaces.

For more information and to book a stall, please contact Chris West, Business Manager: [email protected]

The Event is sponsored by Caremark Thanet

Boys & Maughan

Jonathan and Zoey

Boys & Maughan’s property litigation and family lawyers, have achieved listings in the 2023 edition of legal industry guide, The Legal 500, appearing in its rankings as amongst the best in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

The Legal 500 additionally identified Andrew Baker, Jonathan da Costa, Paul Reeves, Matt Champ, Zoey Arscott and Max Konarek amongst its individual Recommended Lawyers. Zoey Arscott, a Chartered Legal Executive and member of Resolution at the Canterbury Broad Street office has been identified as a Recommended Lawyer by the guide for the first time.

Giving examples of some of the noteworthy matters its lawyers have dealt with,Thanet-based  Boys & Maughan’s family lawyers are singled out for particular praise and described as having “a very high reputation for the quality of their work and their high professional standards.”

Cases that commanded particular attention include advising on financial remedy proceedings after a long marriage, with assets in the region of £6-10m, leading a high-net-worth collaborative case involving a complex corporate structure with multiple companies and acting for a wife whose husband lives and work in China.

Team head Jonathan da Costa is described as “highly intelligent and skilled but with the human touch.” The editors refer to his particular specialism in financial issues and how Jonathan regularly advises high-net-worth clients on their business interests, tax issues, investments, property matters and pensions in the context of divorce and separation.

Describing the lawyers as “very down-to-earth but capable of working extremely hard when necessary”, the testimonials for Boys & Maughan’s property litigation team explain how they “field one of the larger teams in the South East… [and] provide a wide range of property-related services, covering everything from telecoms work to cohabitee disputes.”

Andrew, Senior Partner at Boys & Maughan, said: “Zoey Arscott is our first member of staff below partner level to feature in The Legal 500, so it was particularly pleasing to see recognition for her contribution this year.

“Our lawyers have extensive experience of assisting individuals and businesses across Kent and take a great deal of pride in their work, so this independent assessment of their skills and commitment is hugely appreciated.”

It’s the eighth time Boys & Maughan’s family team has been included in The Legal 500 and the firm’s property litigators have been listed for the third consecutive year.

Find information at  www.boysandmaughan.co.uk

F Hinds Ramsgate

Family jeweller F.Hinds, Ramsgate has revealed its new Pudsey collection in partnership with BBC Children in Need.

This year’s collection launched in stores across the UK on Friday 21 October and includes an Alarm Clock (£16.99), a Trinket Box (£14.99) and a Money Box in the shape of Pudsey (£14.99), items will be available to purchase in store and online; 35% from the sale of each product will be donated to BBC Children in Need.

Project leader and Head of Marketing Natasha House said, “We are so excited to be releasing our very first range of products for BBC Children in Need. The charity is close to all of our hearts, and we are so happy to give it the focus that it deserves. We can’t wait to see how the funds from this partnership will go on to support the lives for children and young people across the UK.”

F.Hinds’ partnership with BBC Children in Need started in 2021 by selling Pudsey pin badges across their stores, and accepted donations on behalf of BBC Children in Need, to support the lives of children and young people across the UK. Following the success of 2021, this year F.Hinds has created three limited edition Pudsey products.

For more information please visit: https://www.fhinds.co.uk/

Ramsgate Garden Centre

Ramsgate Garden Centre has recently announced  details of its Santa’s Grotto event, which is a new experience for the centre. From December 3rd, Santa will be available to visit every weekend up to December 24th, when he must return to the North Pole before his journey around the world.

Upon arrival at the Winter Wonderland, the elves will greet you before taking you into the grotto. When meeting Santa, you will get the opportunity to take a photo with him and he will present each child with a special gift.

The fun doesn’t end with the grotto there are many fun games to play including ‘Hook a Penguin and then the elves will take you to the mailroom to post the important letters to Santa. Priced at £14.95 per child, the grotto is the perfect Christmas experience.

Kerrie Walker, Centre Manager, said “Our Winter Wonderland is a great family activity, filled with fun and a great way to create long-lasting Christmas memories. We are so happy to be hosting a grotto this year and can’t wait for the children to see the magical winter wonderland”.

Since announcing the grotto, the garden centre has been recruiting new team members to help with the Christmas demand. Over 900 children are expected to visit the garden centre for the grotto this season.

Tickets are on sale now, please visit https://britishgardencentres.com/santas-grotto-at- british-garden-centres/

Grosvenor Casino

Grosvenor Casino Thanet is reinforcing its commitment to responsible gaming with an initiative which sees dedicated team members offering confidential support to customers around safer gambling.

Known as the Player Protection Champions, team members from the gaming and entertainment venue on Margate Road are using the Safer Gambling Week campaign to remind its regular customers as well as new ones about the one-to-one advice it provides, as and when they may need it.

Grosvenor Casinos’ initiative sees Player Protection Champions offering all year-round support in venue. The champions regularly receive specialist training on how to identify concerning behaviour, alongside education on how to discuss specific gambling problems or issues with customers in confidence.

They also help their colleagues to take responsibility for spotting the signs of gambling harm amongst customers to help strive for an enjoyable gaming experience for all.

As part of its ongoing commitment, Grosvenor Casinos have made contributions to safer gambling agencies in 2022, including support agencies such as GamCare.

Natalie Kelly, General Manager at Grosvenor Casino Thanet, said: “The role of a Player Protection Champion is to help embed the training and education they receive into the everyday workings of the casino.

“A key part of this is getting to know our regular customers and building a natural camaraderie with them. Not only does this enable us to spot any potential signs but it also creates a two-way relationship with our regular customers who become confident enough to confide in us and seek help should they need it.”

Talk in confidence to a Grosvenor Casinos Player Protection Champion in venue or on the phone when you need it

For more information visit https://safergamblinguk.org/

McCarthy Stone

A new retirement community on Fairfield Road in Broadstairs has been named Pearson House in homage to renowned British novelist Charles Dickens, who famously frequented Broadstairs in the 1830s.

Under construction by McCarthy Stone, developer and manager of retirement communities, Pearson House is a nod to Mary Pearson Strong, a long-time friend of Dickens during his time in Broadstairs.

Dickens sought out the Kentish seaside town for fresh air and the town influenced some of his characters and themes in his books. From his Fort House summer home, perched high on the coastal hill, Dickens would often watch Mary chase donkeys from her garden to his amusement, and it was Mary who inspired the creation of the character Betsy Trotwood, in Dickens’ novel David Copperfield.

With the construction of Pearson House, McCarthy Stone aims to make as much of a positive impact on the town as the development’s namesake, Mary, did on Dickens’ work.

Sam Watkins, Divisional Sales Director at McCarthy Stone, said: “We’re delighted to announce this fantastic name for our new Broadstairs development. The name Pearson pays tribute to both the work of an extraordinary novelist in Charles Dickens, and those who inspired his work while he lived in Broadstairs.

“With Pearson House we aim to make a positive impact on Broadstairs by offering the older population a range of flexible Retirement Living solutions to suit their personal circumstances. Whether they prefer to buy outright, rent, or take advantage of the part buy, part rent option, retirees will feel right at home here.”

Once complete, Pearson Place will comprise 26 one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom retirement apartments and will enable the over 60s to stay connected to one another and maintain independent lifestyles.

To register your interest in Pearson House,  call 0800 201 4811. For more information about McCarthy Stone, visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk.