Author: Natasha Bloom

Food Drink Devon, one of the county’s leading food and drink organisations, has announced Greg Parsons, managing director of Sharpham Cheese, has been appointed its new chairperson. The announcement comes at a time when Food Drink Devon has recorded its highest ever membership numbers, meaning that it now represents more than 330 food and drink producers, retailers, hospitality venues and related businesses dedicated to serving up the best produce from the county. Commenting on this, vice chair Mike Young says: “We are delighted to announce Greg Parsons has agreed to become chair of Food Drink Devon, having served on the…

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BMW Motorrad had a lot of motorcycles on display at EICMA in 2019, but the one that caught our attention was the F 900 R. This is proper naked motorcycle and it shares it mechanicals with the F 900 XR. The bike is equipped with a new 895cc parallel-twin engine producing 103bhp and 92Nm of torque. Even the chassis, swingarm and main frame remain the same. The F 900 is brimming with equipment, featuring bi-directional quickshifters, LED headlamps with a cornering function and an electronically adjustable rear shock. The bike also gets BMW’s Connected app that gives you access to…

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Brexit and the pandemic have been disruptive for supply chains. Between new regulations, tariffs, and isolation and testing policies, importing and exporting products has been difficult. However, where disruption occurs, so too does the opportunity to seize new shares of growing and changing markets. By discussing how Brexit has affected trade between the EU and the UK, we can explore how the UK economy may experience local economic growth and how businesses should reinforce their operations to succeed in this new era of regulated trade. Why is Europe so important for British supply chains? Trading with the EU has played…

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We’ve all had our fair share of plumbing disasters, from blocked toilets to leaky taps. They range from the frustrating to the serious, but there’s one that always seems to happen in the winter – frozen pipes. This is a common cold-weather problem; pipes can freeze from -6° and below in as little as six hours. It’s also one of the most serious plumbing problems that can affect you – burst pipes can cause flooding and take your entire heating and plumbing system down. Here, we have some top tips on preventing burst and frozen pipes in the winter. Keep…

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If there’s anything being a responsible adult has taught us, it’s the importance of balance. Time management is a skill we learn to develop as we grow older, and it doesn’t just apply to our working lives. After all, along with a demanding career, we also have to juggle our social lives, get enough sleep, cook, maintain relationships, and have quality alone time. Are crazy hours affecting your relationship? It’s not uncommon to feel the pressure of our work and love lives clashing. On one hand, we may have a tough boss to impress or a looming promotion, and then…

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Now that most of us are going back to work after COVID-19 lockdown restrictions being partially lifted our dogs are finally being left alone after many months of their owners being in the house. Some dogs may finally enjoy having some peace and quiet for themselves, but some may struggle adjusting to being alone and could develop separation anxiety. We are not just talking about the occasional whimper when we leave the house, it is a serious condition. In this article we will discuss what separation anxiety is and some ways you could help ease your dog’s problems. Why might…

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After an enjoyable ride with your horse, it is important that your faithful companion can return and rest inside their stable in complete serenity and security. To guard and adequately protect them, it is wise first of all to take into consideration the greatest threats to the safety of horses: theft and fire. It may indeed be daunting to think that such ill-fated events could occur, though prevention is certainly better than cure. While they do not guarantee the complete protection of your equine companions and of your yards, the following safety measures will give you some peace of mind…

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Looking to start your own business? With the last fifteen months of lockdowns, working from home, and plenty of time for self-reflection, it’s unsurprising that many people are taking the chance to break away from their old jobs and paint a silver lining on this dark storm cloud – quitting their nine-to-five and starting their own business. But what business should you pick? Chasing the dream is one thing but making sure it’s profitable is another vital aspect too. So if you’re seeking start-up success, glance down the street and consider your corner shop. A love for local rekindled According…

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During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes of shoppers in the UK changed significantly as they developed a considerable sense of community. Rather than visiting the big supermarket on the edge of town, residents would visit their local corner shops and grocers, reigniting old habits. In April 2020, off-licences, greengrocers, independent convenience stores, butchers, and bakeries saw growth of 37.7 per cent. Research conducted by SnowShock, suppliers of slush machine syrup, looked into this shifting trend that is needed not only to support local communities but reduce our impact on the environment. Here, we will delve into this increased…

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The record for the largest amount of stamp duty collected in one month was broken in September with a record breaking £1.32 billion, say leading tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg Sean Randall the firm’s stamp duty expert said: “Almost twice as many house and flat sales completed in September than would normally complete in that month of the year, 165,720. This and the reduction of the stamp duty holiday have contributed to a £1.23 bn windfall for Rishi Sunak. He added: “The extent of the frenzy to complete sales before the loss of the holiday is evident. However, the figures for October should make sober reading, as they are expected to show that…

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