Collette Beckett, founder of Jetblack Clothing, wants to grow the brand’s overseas customer base, move into its own warehouse unit and build a team around her as the business expands.

The 29-year-old was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Chester Business Club Young Business Person Awards in July, five years after launching Jetblack.

Colette, who lives in Chester, Cheshire, said: “In five years, I’d love Jetblack to be a much more recognised name in independent fashion, not just in the UK but internationally too.

“One of my biggest ambitions is to really expand our international customer base and establish Jetblack as a go-to destination for occasionwear. I want us to be the brand that girls automatically think of when they’ve got something exciting coming up, whether that’s a holiday, festival, birthday, wedding or just a night out. Somewhere they know they can find something different that they won’t see everyone else wearing.

“On a more practical level, I’d absolutely love to outgrow our current stockroom and reach a point where we need our own warehouse unit. I think that would be such an exciting milestone and a real reflection of how far the business has come from its beginnings in my bedroom.”

Collette still handles almost every part of the business herself, from design and creative direction to marketing and customer service, and said building a team would be a major next step.

“Having spent so many years doing absolutely everything myself, the idea of bringing other people into the business is both exciting and a little daunting,” she said.

“But I think there’s only so far you can take something entirely on your own, and I’d love to have other creative minds involved who can bring fresh perspectives, new ideas and skills that I might not have myself.”

She added: “For me, growth isn’t just about increasing sales. It’s about building a brand that people recognise, connect with and genuinely want to be part of.”

Known for bold colour, unusual prints and embellishment, Jetblack deliberately produces its collections in small runs rather than chasing volume.

“We produce our collections in smaller quantities rather than mass-producing, which makes our pieces feel that little bit more exclusive,” Collette said. “Once a style sells out, there’s no guarantee it’ll be coming back anytime soon. You might have to wait until the following summer or get lucky and find one second-hand on Vinted.

“I think that creates a real excitement around our collections.”

She said the approach was also a conscious decision on sustainability.

“The fashion industry has a huge environmental impact, and I don’t want to contribute to unnecessary overproduction by creating large quantities of clothing that could end up sitting unsold,” she said.

“I’d much rather have a collection that sells out than a stockroom full of clothing nobody wants.”

The business grew out of the first Covid lockdown in 2020, when Collette was in the final year of a degree in Special Effects Makeup Artistry and had taught herself pattern making from YouTube tutorials.

With her nan living with the family while recovering from bowel cancer surgery, the household self-isolated for three months, and she began making and selling her own designs to earn money while unable to leave the house.

“I still remember my friend, who worked at the Post Office at the time, coming to collect orders from my doorstep so he could post them for me during his shift, because I couldn’t leave the house myself,” she said.

Jetblack Clothing officially launched on New Year’s Day 2021.

For years Collette made every garment by hand, but a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease towards the end of 2024 left her questioning whether the business could survive.

“I’d spent years building something I absolutely loved, and suddenly I was faced with the possibility that I might have to give it all up, not because I wanted to, but because my body simply couldn’t keep up anymore,” she said.

A loan from her mum funded the move into manufacturing her own designs in 2025.

“I genuinely couldn’t be more grateful to her for that lifeline. It wasn’t just financial support; it gave me the opportunity to continue doing something I love at a time when I was seriously considering whether I had any other choice but to stop,” she said.

“Without making that transition, I’m not sure I would have been physically able to keep the business going in the way I had been.”

Her condition is now much better controlled with treatment, though she said fatigue and other symptoms can still affect everyday life.

“I’ve had to learn to listen to my body, recognise when I need to slow down and prioritise what’s most important on the harder days,” she said.

“Crohn’s is something I’ll always have to navigate, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to stop me from building the future I want for myself or my business.”

This year has been Collette’s first full year without sewing the clothing herself, freeing her to focus on planning collections, content and marketing.

“The biggest difference now is that I’m no longer spending 12 hours a day behind a sewing machine, followed by another two hours of admin before finally going to bed!” she said.

“I’m so much more organised than I was this time last year, and I’ve been able to plan collections properly, work further ahead and make sure we’re launching at the right time for each season.”

Collette’s work to date was recognised in style earlier this year when she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Chester Business Club’s Young Business Person Awards.

She described winning the award as a huge shock.

“There were so many incredible applicants, including people who had been involved in previous years, that I genuinely didn’t think for a minute that I would win,” she said.

“To have that hard work recognised, particularly in my home city of Chester, meant so much to me. It was a really special moment, and I think for the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to feel genuinely proud of what I’ve achieved and everything I’ve overcome along the way.”

However, for many first-year students, living away from home also brings unexpected challenges, including dealing with damp and black mould.

Purpose-built student accommodation can be particularly susceptible to condensation, which creates the ideal conditions for mould to develop. With limited ventilation in some bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, moisture can quickly build up, leaving students struggling to keep their living spaces clean and healthy.

Here, George Edwards, CEO of Timberwise, the UK damp and timber preservation specialist, highlights the importance of understanding the causes of black mould and taking the right steps to prevent it from returning.

Why is black mould common in student accommodation?

Condensation is one of the most common causes of damp and mould in student accommodation. Everyday activities, including showering, cooking, drying clothes and even exercising, release moisture into the air.

When warm, humid air comes into contact with colder surfaces, such as windows and external walls, the moisture condenses into water droplets. If this moisture cannot escape through adequate ventilation, it can accumulate over time, creating conditions in which mould thrives.

The layout of student accommodation can make the problem worse. Bedrooms are often relatively small, with restricted-opening windows and en-suite bathrooms that rely on extractor fans to remove moisture.

George Edwards explains why tackling the underlying cause is essential.

“Condensation can quickly become a problem in student accommodation, particularly where space is limited and ventilation is restricted. Removing visible mould is only part of the solution. Students also need to understand where the moisture is coming from and take steps to prevent it building up in the first place.”

How can students prevent condensation?

Although students may have limited control over the design of their accommodation, there are several practical measures they can take to reduce moisture and minimise the risk of mould.

Using pan lids when cooking can help prevent excess steam from entering the air, while taking shorter or cooler showers can reduce the amount of moisture produced in the bathroom.

Where facilities allow, drying clothes in a tumble dryer rather than on radiators or indoor clothes racks can also help limit humidity.

Ventilation remains particularly important. Opening windows when cooking or showering, where possible, helps humid air escape. Students should also use bathroom extractor fans and leave them running for a while after showering to remove lingering moisture.

Improving airflow between rooms can also make a difference. Where appropriate, opening a bedroom door alongside a kitchen window may help create a through-draught that carries humid air outside.

For students experiencing persistent condensation, a dehumidifier may provide additional support by removing excess moisture from the air.

However, if condensation continues despite these measures, it is important to investigate whether other damp issues could be contributing to the problem.

What should students do if black mould appears?

If mould develops, students should address the moisture problem as well as cleaning the affected area. Otherwise, the mould is likely to return.

For small areas of mould, an appropriate mould treatment product may help remove visible growth. Students should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, ensure adequate ventilation and use any recommended protective equipment.

Black mould should not be ignored, particularly if it spreads or repeatedly returns. Exposure to damp and mould can contribute to respiratory problems and may aggravate conditions such as asthma.

“Prevention is always better than repeatedly treating the same problem,” says Edwards. “If mould keeps returning, it is important to look beyond the visible patches and identify the underlying cause. Persistent damp should not simply be accepted as part of student life.”

When should students contact their accommodation provider?

If mould persists despite reasonable efforts to control condensation, students should contact their university accommodation office or landlord.

Keeping a record of the problem can help. Students should photograph affected areas, note when the mould appeared and document the steps they have taken to address it.

This information can help the accommodation provider assess the issue and determine what remedial work may be necessary.

Ultimately, students should not have to live with persistent damp and mould. By taking preventative measures, recognising when a problem requires professional attention and reporting recurring issues promptly, they can help protect their living environment and wellbeing.

The findings come at a time when UK small business outlook is in the balance – with only around one in four (26%) saying they are forecasting growth for the final three months of 2026, set against 23% of enterprises fearing they will either contract or struggle to survive the winter months. 

A mood of caution is evident among small businesses, with the percentage looking to invest in business growth by creating new jobs halving over the last four years, falling from 28% in 2022 to 15%. Looking to strengthen their businesses in 2027, only 8% of small business owners say they are considering overseas expansion, while just 5% are planning to hire young people they can train and develop.

The new poll of a representative sample of 1,382 small business owners by Novuna Business Finance suggests the widespread fears over next week’s Budget are a reflection of the fragile underlying confidence among UK small business owners, many of whom feel they would be unable to absorb any further increases in costs or taxes. 

Key findings:

·      Whilst nobody knows what will be announced in next week’s Budget, the Novuna Business Finance poll gives an indication of the announcements that might be most damaging to small business confidence. The possibility of further rises to employer’s National Insurance (53%), VAT (47%), income tax (46%) and corporation tax (44%) were cited by small business owners as the Budget announcements that would most negatively impact the growth outlook and finances of their business. There was also concern over the impact of changing tax thresholds (25%), rising capital gains tax (24%) and the introduction of a wealth tax (19%).

·      Changes to business rates were also a major worry for 36% of small businesses – particularly for more established enterprises that have been trading for more than 20 years (57%).

·      Fuel costs remain a significant concern for many businesses. Nationally, 37% of small business owners said further taxes on diesel and petrol vehicles would negatively impact the growth outlook and finance of their business.

·      Further increases to wages for lower-income earners (26%) and the possibility of new rules for employers on flexible working and employee rights (22%) were also seen to be a challenge for some enterprises, particularly at a time when many are working to protect the stability of their cash flow while keeping rising costs and red tape under control.

·      Concern over pensions also featured, with 17% of small businesses expressing concern over any potential changes to salary sacrifice and pension arrangements in the 2026 Budget.

Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance comments: “The depth of concern over next week’s Budget, and the sheer number of issues small businesses are worried about, reflects the challenging economic environment in which they currently operate. Following the successive economic shocks from Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and more recently, the cost-of-living crisis, UK small businesses have been forced to adapt to rising costs and unprecedented market uncertainty. 

“Given the importance of small businesses to the UK’s growth agenda, we need a Budget next week that supports the SME community. In recent months, there has been a focus on giving the public some breathing space from everyday financial pressures. The message from small businesses is that they need support too. Positive announcements in next week’s Budget could go a long way towards boosting small business confidence and strengthening their ability to power economic growth and create jobs across the UK.”

Findings by industry sector

Autumn Budget announcements feared the most varied by industry sector:

·      Further rises to National Insurance were most feared in the  property/real estate (61%) and transport/distribution sectors (55%).

·      Further rises to employer’s National Insurance was most feared by small business owners in the  transport and distribution sector (68%).

·      The potential of increases to fuel duty was the biggest concern for small businesses in the construction (55%) and transport/distribution sectors (69%).

·      46% of small businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector were concerned about the prospect of changes to business rates. 

Novuna Business Finance provides funding solutions to SMEs and large businesses across the UK, including asset finance, stocking finance, block discounting and sustainable project finance. With an asset portfolio exceeding £1.9bn, we support sectors including transport, agriculture, construction and manufacturing with our Sustainable Project Finance team supporting major renewable energy and transport projects. In 2026 we were named Best Leasing and Asset Finance Provider at the Business Moneyfacts Awards. 

Novuna Business Finance is a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, part of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., one of the world’s largest and most diversified financial groups, with over 12 trillion yen (£57bn) of assets. 

The firm says millions of households are overcomplicating how they pay for their motors, getting caught out by high interest rates, complex trade-in valuations, and terrifying lump-sum ‘balloon payments’ at the end of traditional dealership deals like Personal Contract Purchase (PCP).

Instead, LeaseCar says motorists should adopt the same approach they use for their smartphones: pay a modest upfront cost, set a fixed monthly budget, enjoy the vehicle under full manufacturer warranty, and hand the keys back to upgrade to a newer model when the agreement ends.

The call comes as millions of UK families review their monthly budgets amid the cost-of-living crunch and look for predictable motoring costs without the headache of taking a massive hit on a car’s resale value.

Gareth Roberts, strategy director at LeaseCar, said: “Nobody buys a mobile phone expecting it to hold its value forever. You don’t sit around stressing over what it’ll be worth in three years’ time, and you certainly don’t haggle over its trade-in price in a shop. You just pay a clear monthly bill, enjoy the phone, and upgrade when your contract is up.

“Drivers are fed up with haggling over confusing finance deals, interest rate surprises, and huge balloon payments at the end of PCP agreements. With household budgets stretched and car tech changing faster than ever, people don’t want to lock their savings into a car that loses value the second you drive it off the forecourt.

“Treating a car like a mobile phone contract gives you total peace of mind. One simple monthly fee covers the vehicle, full warranty, and optional servicing—meaning no unexpected repair bills, no resale panic, and an easy path to upgrade every few years.”

According to LeaseCar, the rise of “car-as-a-service” offers an ideal route for drivers who want the benefits of a modern petrol, hybrid, or electric vehicle without taking on the financial gamble of long-term ownership.

By cutting out traditional forecourt markups and securing vehicles directly from major manufacturers, online leasing brokers allow drivers to lock in fixed, transparent outgoings from the comfort of their home.

To check out the latest vehicle leasing offers or compare monthly budget options, visit www.leasecar.uk.

New data from VQS reveals the surge in vehicle movement is driven by rising demand for new and used EV/hybrid fleets as businesses accelerate their transition to sustainable mobility.

An analysis of September delivery data highlights the rapid greening of corporate and leasing fleets. Out of all categorised vehicle movements, alternative fuel vehicles dominated transport requests, with over 4,500 hybrid and electric vehicle movements processed, accounting for over 63% of all fuel-categorised fleet activity.

For vehicle transport, hybrid electric models led the charge, followed closely by 1,551 pure electric and electric-diesel movements.

Major leasing and rental giants leveraged the network to execute seamless fleet updates, maintaining high operational uptime.

With an average journey distance of 125 miles, VQS completed over 7,200 movements in September alone. This high completion rate underscores the reliability modern fleet managers need to balance driver handover schedules, corporate remarketing, and end-of-lease returns without business disruption.

Simon Jackson, managing director at Vehicle Quality Solution, said: “Fleet operators today cannot afford logistical bottlenecks, especially as multi-powertrain fleets become the industry standard.

“Surpassing one million miles in a single month while prioritising EV and hybrid transitions demonstrates our capability to innovate and scale up to meet our customers’ changing inspection and logistics needs, as well as supporting their corporate sustainability goals.

“The data also reflects a maturing electric environment where sophisticated transport logistics are vital for keeping fleets agile, compliant, and environmentally forward-looking.”

Simon Jackson, managing director at Vehicle Quality Solution

British workers are in a dangerous financial position, as new research has revealed many don’t have savings or a money safety net to cover them if they were forced to stop work.

A study of 2,000 UK adults on behalf of national law firm Simpson Millar found 46% of workers would only be able to cover essentials for four weeks or less without an income, if an accident or injury left them unable to work.

More than one in 10 (11%) said they would not be able to cover their essential living costs at all, while just one in 10 (10%) could manage for more than three months.

The findings come as more than a quarter (26%) of UK adults say they currently have no money in personal savings.

Women appear particularly vulnerable to a sudden loss of income. Almost one in six (16%) working women said they could not cover their essential living costs at all if an injury stopped them working, compared with 6% of men.

Almost a third (31%) of women also said they currently have no personal savings, compared with 22% of men.

Younger workers are the least financially prepared for a loss of incom. Six in 10 (60%) 18 to 24 year olds said they could cover their essential costs for no more than four weeks, compared with 31% of workers aged 55 and over.

However, those aged 45 to 54 were the most likely to say they could not cover their essential living costs at all, at 16%.

More than half of workers in the West Midlands (55%), South West (54%) and Wales (53%) said they could cover their essential costs for no more than four weeks.

Workers in the East of England were the most likely to say they could not cover their costs at all without an income, at 14%, followed by the South East and Yorkshire and the Humber, both at 13%.

For those who have already experienced an injury or accident, the financial impact can be significant. Among people who had experienced an injury affecting their ability to work, a road traffic incident or an accident in a public place, 42% said they had been left financially worse off.

This rose to half (50%) in the South West and 49% in the North West. At city level, 55% of people in Plymouth who had experienced an injury or accident said they were left worse off financially, followed by 51% in Manchester.

Faced with unexpected costs following an injury, half (50%) said they would cut back on social activities and almost four in 10 (39%) would spend less on food shopping.

Women were particularly likely to say they would cut their grocery spending, at 43% compared with 34% of men.

Susan Vanden, Partner in the Personal Injury team at Simpson Millar, said: “An injury can take someone out of work overnight, but the bills don’t stop at the same time.

“For a lot of people, there simply isn’t a big financial cushion there. A few weeks without their usual income could be enough to put real pressure on household finances, and especially when everyday costs still need to be covered.

“We know that financial pressure can have a knock-on effect on recovery too. If someone is worried about paying their mortgage, rent or food bill, it’s understandable that getting back to work and earning again can quickly become their priority, even when they aren’t fully recovered.

“Where an accident or injury wasn’t your fault and was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. Compensation isn’t just about the injury itself. It can also cover loss of earnings and help meet the costs of treatment and rehabilitation.”

Concerns about legal costs are the biggest barrier that could stop Brits making a personal injury claim if they were injured because of somebody else’s fault, new research has revealed.

A study of 2,000 UK adults on behalf of national law firm Simpson Millar found 16% said concerns about legal fees would be most likely to stop them pursuing a claim.

One in eight (12%) said not knowing what their rights would be could prevent them taking action, while one in 10 (9%) would be put off because they believe the process would take too much time.

However, a third (34%) said nothing would stop them making a personal injury claim if they were injured because of somebody else’s fault.

Older people were much less likely to be put off making a claim.

Almost half (48%) of those aged 55 and over said nothing would stop them, compared with 17% of 18 to 24 year olds and 18% of those aged 25 to 34.

Younger adults were more concerned about the amount of time involved. Some 14% of 18 to 24 year olds said a claim being too time-consuming could stop them taking action, compared with 6% of those aged 55 and over.

A lack of understanding about their rights was also more common among the youngest respondents, with 17% of 18 to 24 year olds saying this could prevent them making a claim.

Women were almost twice as likely as men to say not knowing their rights could put them off, at 16% compared with 9%.

Concerns over legal costs themselves were much more evenly split, at 16% of women and 15% of men.

In Wales, one in five (20%) said concerns over legal fees could prevent them making a claim, followed by 18% in both the South East and East Midlands.

People in the South West were the most likely to say a lack of knowledge about their rights could stop them, at 16%.

At city level, almost a quarter (23%) of people in Plymouth said concerns about legal fees could put them off making a claim, while 22% said the same in Edinburgh.

Bristol recorded the highest proportion who said not knowing their rights could prevent them making a claim, at 18%, followed by Sheffield and Cardiff, both at 17%.

The potential barriers come despite the financial impact an injury can have.

Among people who had experienced an injury affecting their ability to work, a road traffic incident or an accident in a public place, 42% said they had been left financially worse off.

Half (50%) of those in the South West who had experienced an injury or accident said they were worse off afterwards, rising to 55% at city level in Plymouth.

And among respondents whose most recent injury affected their ability to work, one in four (25%) said they received no financial support following it.

Mark Howarth, Partner in the Personal Injury team at Simpson Millar, said: “It’s concerning that so many people are being put off finding out whether they have a claim, because of worries about cost, time or simply not knowing where they stand.

“Many people don’t realise that most personal injury claims can be funded through a No Win, No Fee agreement, so there are no upfront legal fees to pay. You also don’t need to understand your rights or the legal process before getting in touch. That’s what a specialist solicitor is there to explain.

“An injury can have a serious financial impact, particularly if it stops someone from working. Where it was caused by someone else’s negligence, compensation can cover more than the injury itself, including lost earnings, treatment and rehabilitation costs, and other financial losses.

“Whether it’s the cost, the time or not knowing your rights, none of these should stop someone from getting advice and finding out what support may be available to them.”

Four in 10 Brits say they have risked their health at work because they could not afford to take time off, new research has revealed.

A study of 2,000 UK adults on behalf of national law firm Simpson Millar found 39% agreed they had risked their health at work because they could not afford to take time off.

The figure rises to half (50%) of 25 to 34 year olds and 49% of those aged 35 to 44, compared with 30% of people aged 55 and over.

Men were also more likely to say they had risked their health because they could not afford time off, at 42% compared with 37% of women.

In Wales, 44% said they had put their health at risk at work because they could not afford to take time off, while the figure stood at 42% in both the South East and South West.

The study also found three in 10 (30%) UK adults have raised a concern at work about the risk of physical injury, including accidents, hazards or unsafe conditions.

Men were more likely to have spoken up, with 36% saying they had raised a concern compared with 24% of women.

Four in 10 (40%) 25 to 34 year olds had raised a workplace safety concern, making them the most likely age group to have done so, compared with 23% of those aged 55 and over.

In the North West, 35% said they had raised concerns, followed by 34% in the East Midlands and around a third in both London and the West Midlands.

At city level, four in 10 (40%) people in Plymouth said they had raised a workplace safety concern, while the figure stood at 37% in Manchester and 36% in Liverpool.

But raising the alarm did not always lead to action.

Among those who had raised a concern about the risk of physical injury at work, more than a third (36%) said no changes were made as a result.

That rose to 46% in both Scotland and Yorkshire and the Humber. At city level, six in 10 (60%) people in Edinburgh who had raised a concern said no changes were made, along with 59% in Norwich.

Younger workers were also more likely to say speaking up had failed to lead to change. Among those who had raised concerns, 44% of 18 to 24 year olds and 45% of 35 to 44 year olds said nothing changed.

For those who are injured and unable to work, financial support is not guaranteed either. Among respondents who had experienced an injury affecting their ability to work, one in four (25%) said they received no financial support.

Matthew Trusch in the Personal Injury team at Simpson Millar, said: “Nobody should feel they have to put their health at risk simply because they can’t afford to take time away from work, but these figures show that is already happening.

“It’s also worrying to see people raising concerns about physical risks at work and feeling that nothing changed afterwards. Employees need to be able to flag something they believe is unsafe and know that it will be properly looked at.

“Employers have responsibilities when it comes to keeping people safe at work. Accidents will happen, but there is a difference between an unavoidable accident and somebody being injured because a known risk wasn’t dealt with or reasonable steps weren’t taken to protect them.

“If someone is injured at work because of another person’s negligence, they may be able to make a personal injury claim. That can include compensation for the injury as well as financial losses such as time away from work and the cost of treatment or rehabilitation.”