October 27, 2016 8.28 am
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Nic Dakin: Celebrating the fantastic small businesses in Scunthorpe
The then Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna MP worked with small businesses and small business organisations to bring Small Business Saturday to the UK in 2013. In the United States Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday; the major shopping days in the US after the American holiday of Thanksgiving. It is…
The then Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna MP worked with small businesses and small business organisations to bring Small Business Saturday to the UK in 2013.
In the United States Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday; the major shopping days in the US after the American holiday of Thanksgiving. It is primarily a celebration of retail and shopping!
I have been pleased to celebrate the fantastic small businesses of all shapes and sizes – not just retail – that make such a huge contribution to our area’s local economy.
As such I’ve always taken the opportunity of Small Business Saturday at the start of December to celebrate local businesses by giving them a shout out on my website, Facebook and Twitter. Such is the modern way!
Small businesses contribute a huge amount to our local community. I always enjoy visiting small businesses and learning more about the range of things that are going on.
Last month I was privileged to join Gail Spavin Financial for a celebration of 25 years in business locally at San Pietro – itself another successful local business.
Other small businesses I’ve visited in the last month include Little Tots Nursery and Fluent Coaching, further illustration of how diverse and rich the small business sector is!
And everywhere I go I’m hugely impressed by people’s enthusiasm, passion and energy. Too often we see the downside of things. In the richness of our small businesses we should celebrate the upside.
That’s why this year I’m calling on local people to join in with this celebration of small business talent.
People can nominate local businesses for one of two awards: the Champion Small Business award and Great Customer Service award by going on my website.
To be eligible the business needs to be located in the Scunthorpe county constituency which is Scunthorpe, Bottesford and the towns and villages to the south including Messingham, Scawby, Kirton-in-Lindsey and Hibaldstow.
Any nominated small business from outside the area will get a shout out from me for being valued by local people.
Nominations for the awards opened on October 19 and they will close on November 9.
Shortlisted small businesses will then be identified and a poll opened to select the winner on November 14th in plenty of time for Small Business Saturday on December 4.
I suppose my message is: let’s celebrate the fantastic people who work in our small businesses.
Even if you don’t nominate a business for my award why not say well done to a local small business?
A pat on the back is uplifting and costs us very little to give.
Let’s shout out for the brilliant people that work in the small businesses across our area. After all they give us so much!
Nic Dakin is the Labour Member of Parliament for Scunthorpe
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.