Business – Scotland Connected

Stafford firm Barcare Supreme becomes first UK distributor for the Nordik DriPod glass dryer range.

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:24:58 +0000

Stafford-based commercial catering equipment specialists Barcare Supreme have become the first UK distributor for the Nordik DriPod glass dryer range. The dryer is a landmark product, with high-grade stainless steel to withstand rust and corrosion, a common issue in competitor products. The appliances also improve draught beverage quality, reduce energy costs and improve hygiene by ruling out the need for cloth drying.

The agreement provides national sales, rental terms, and direct engineer support from Barcare Supreme. They will be joined by other distributors, yet to be announced by Nordik.

Andy Wainwright, Managing Director at Barcare Supreme says: “We are delighted to have been selected for this contract, which enables us to give UK hospitality venues a reliable and durable solution built for real bar conditions.

“Nordik is a prominent manufacturer of stainless steel products in the hospitality equipment sector, and they create appliances specifically to tackle hygiene and workflow bottlenecks in commercial bars and kitchens.

“Commercial glasswashers discharge baskets at temperatures above 60°C to achieve thorough chemical sanitisation. Bar staff unwittingly break this hygienic chain by hand-polishing wet glassware with cotton towels. Reusing a single cloth across two hundred glasses transfers bacteria directly back onto clean surfaces.”

He adds: “The DriPod removes manual cloth contact and lint residue completely. Internal energy-efficient high-speed fans force room-temperature air up into inverted glasses, cooling and drying an entire basket of glasses within minutes. This prevents hand drying, improves hygiene, and, as a non-thermal glass drying system, it speeds up the rate at which cool, dry glasses can be re-used in busy bars and hospitality venues.

“Each unit plugs into a standard 13A socket without requiring specialist electrical installation, hardwiring, or plumbing alterations, helping venues to control all-important costs.”

He continues: “The stainless steel specification for these Nordik appliances is key. Across the sector, many other drying devices are made from coated mild steel, and are prone to corrosion and rust. Corroded machines are often visible in a bar and do not promote customer confidence. Stainless steel means that these new dryers match commercial glasswasher standards, enabling them to resist chemical attack and rusting.”

Commenting on the partnership, Nordik director Andrew Pittwood says: “We are pleased to announce BarCare Supreme as the first in a number of distribution partners to be appointed by us. Partnering with Barcare Supreme gives Nordik an established national partner with deep technical expertise. They bring over thirty years of experience, in-house service engineers, and an outstanding reputation across the UK licensed trade. This agreement ensures that every DriPod unit comes backed by direct specialist support.”

He adds: “We chose Barcare because their end-to-end service model matches our commitment to product longevity. Alongside our other future partners, we will set a new standard for hygiene, reliability, and beer quality in busy hospitality venues across the UK.”

Andy Wainwright brings extensive sector experience, having worked in sales and servicing at dishwashing and glasswashing appliance manufacturer Classeq from the early 1990s until 2008.

Barcare Supreme operates as an independent UK-wide family business in Staffordshire, employing full-time in-house service engineers, to maintain high first-time fix rates, which are vital to their trade customers.

The DriPod 400 retails at £539.99 ex VAT (£647.99 inc VAT), while the DriPod 500 retails at £594.99 ex VAT (£713.99 inc VAT). Barcare Supreme offers both models with flexible all-inclusive rental options starting from £35 per month ex VAT.

Product details are available at www.barcare.co.uk/brand/dripod/. Rental packages are available at www.barcare.co.uk/rental-equipment/glass-dryers-rental/. Direct enquiries: 01785 247 267.

Building Consultancy Makes Move To Larger Newcastle Office

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:09:10 +0000

A growing Newcastle-based building surveying firm has relocated to offices 50% larger than its existing space, as the firm’s headcount and workload continue to build.

Lantern Building Consultancy has signed an eight-year lease on second floor premises at Generator Studios on Trafalgar Street, two years after first moving into the building.

The move follows a period of sustained growth for the RICS-registered practice founded in 2021 by directors Martin Smith and Alex Carter who identified a gap in the market for faster and more solution-focused building surveying advice.

The firm’s new office has been designed around open-plan working, with a dedicated breakout area, kitchen, reception and a number of meeting pods to support both team collaboration and client meetings.

The expansion comes alongside growth in Lantern’s team, which currently stands at nine, having recently strengthened its operational capacity with the appointment of Lauren Walker. The firm is targeting steady, sustainable growth over the coming years, including ambitions for further recruitment.

The move also reflects a strong financial trajectory for the business, which saw turnover grow by 20% last year and remains on target for further growth in the current financial year.

Lantern’s expanding workload spans a broad range of sectors and clients. The firm is currently managing over £1 million of work for Entain Group, alongside three new supermarket schemes in Newcastle and Northumberland.

Elsewhere, the team is delivering a refurbishment of educational space for a provider in Rotherham and overseeing the creation of a relocated post office in Spennymoor on behalf of the franchisee.

Lantern also continues to support Northumberland County Council on its extensive housing portfolio, including feasibility studies on redevelopment opportunities, and also provides surveying support to Bernicia Group.

Commenting on the office move, Alex Carter, director at Lantern Building Consultancy, said: “As we approach our 5^th anniversary, this new office is a real statement of intent for us. We’ve grown steadily since we started the business in 2021, and this move gives us the space to keep building the team.

“Staying at Generator Studios was an easy decision, it’s a great environment for our people and it says a lot about the kind of business we want to be. With a strong pipeline of work across the region and beyond, this feels like the right moment to invest in our home and set ourselves up for the next stage of growth.”

Max Bertin who joined the firm in 2025 and was recently promoted to associate director, added: “We’re thrilled with our new office, it’s a fantastic working environment for the team. The range of working areas and meeting pods gives us fantastic flexibility, and with room to grow, we’re excited about what’s ahead for the firm.”

Lantern Building Consultancy works with property owners, occupiers and investors across the UK, advising on everything from building condition and design through to construction management.

Structural Repairs scores perfect 100% across every metric in Achilles UVDB Verify audit – for the second year in a row.

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:53:33 +0000

Specialist structural repair firm Structural Repairs has joined a select group of UK companies to hit maximum marks in the utility sector’s most recognised supplier assurance scheme.

The Yorkshire-based firm achieved a perfect 100% score across every metric in its latest Achilles UVDB Verify audit, placing the specialist structural repair and rehabilitation company among a select group of UK businesses to reach the milestone.

It is the second consecutive year the award-winning firm has achieved the feat.

The Achilles UVDB Verify audit is the UK utility sector’s most recognised supplier assurance programme, giving buyers in energy, water and infrastructure confidence that their contractors meet the highest standards.

Structural Repairs was assessed on its management systems, policies and practices in four key areas: Health and Safety, Environmental Management, Quality, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Roger Line, CEO of Structural Repairs, said: “Achieving full marks in such a demanding audit is a tremendous accomplishment. It demonstrates to our clients and partners that we work to the highest standards in every area, with safety, quality, environmental responsibility, and sustainability at the heart of everything we do.

“For utility sector buyers, a result of this kind offers clear assurance that a contractor’s systems stand up to independent scrutiny. For Structural Repairs, it reinforces a long-standing reputation for excellence and gives clients further confidence that projects will be delivered with integrity, professionalism and care. It also underlines the company’s position as a trusted, forward-thinking partner in the utilities and infrastructure sectors.”

The result follows a significant period of success for the business. Structural Repairs recently won the Best Large Business award at the National Entrepreneur Awards 2026, presented at the Entrepreneurs’ Circle National Convention at the ICC Birmingham. The company is also a finalist in the Doncaster Business Awards 2026 and is developing a new facility in Doncaster to support its continued growth and the delivery of increasingly complex structural repair and rehabilitation projects.

Structural Repairs has grown into a specialist name in structural investigation, repair, strengthening and rehabilitation, taking on increasingly complex projects across highways, marine and coastal infrastructure, industrial sites and the wider built environment.

That growth has been backed by continued investment in specialist engineering capability.

Mr Line added: “The market is changing and the structures we work on are becoming increasingly complex which is another reason why this Audit success is so important to us. Ageing infrastructure, asset deterioration and the need to extend the life of existing structures all require a very different level of technical expertise – all of which we can deliver.”

“Our focus is now on building on those capabilities while keeping our business practical, responsive and focused on delivering solutions that work in the real world.”

Ideas Fest shows the entrepreneurial community is stronger than ever, says Champions (UK) plc managing director.

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:53:33 +0000

The entrepreneurial community is stronger, more connected and more energised than ever, according to Matthew Hayes, Managing Director of Champions (UK) plc.

Mr Hayes was speaking following his experience of Ideas Fest, which is described as “Glastonbury for entrepreneurs”.

“I’ll admit it: when I first heard Ideas Fest described as ‘Glastonbury for entrepreneurs’, I thought the idea was bonkers. Business and festivals did not seem like a natural fit, but having experienced it for myself, I realise that I was completely wrong,” said Hayes.

“The entrepreneurial community is stronger than ever, and the sheer scale and energy of that community genuinely surprised me. Twenty-five years ago, you would have struggled to bring together a room full of people who described themselves as entrepreneurs. Ideas Fest shows just how dramatically that has changed.

“Nothing replaces meeting face to face, and the appetite for genuine, in-person connection was clear throughout the event. Since COVID, people seem to value the opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships and spend time with other business leaders in the same room more than ever.

“The quality of thinking at Ideas Fest was exceptional. Whatever your area of interest, there was an opportunity to learn from people with genuine expertise. The breadth of subject matter and the calibre of the speakers made the event a rich source of insight for any business leader.

“Entrepreneurs still win by doing things differently, and innovation was front and centre throughout Ideas Fest. The essence of entrepreneurship is believing there is a better way, having the courage to pursue it and then proving that it works. That matters more than ever as artificial intelligence and other technologies reshape how we do business.

“A good idea means very little without excellent execution. Credit must go to Frankie, Dylan and the entire Ideas Forum team for bringing Ideas Fest to life. Having an ambitious concept is one thing, but delivering it well, earning widespread support and growing it rapidly is something else entirely.

“Ideas Fest challenged my assumptions, which is exactly what a worthwhile business event should do. It made me think differently about what a business event can be, while demonstrating the incredible appetite that exists for connection, ideas and collaboration within the entrepreneurial community.

“The concept works, the quality is excellent and the entrepreneurial community has embraced it. I was wrong about Ideas Fest when I first heard about it, and having experienced it for myself, I can say without hesitation that it is brilliant.

“The concept works and clearly demonstrates the remarkable strength and scale of today’s entrepreneurial community.”

Fashion boss warns supply-chain instability is costing its business an extra £20k a a year

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:53:33 +0000

The founder of British menswear retailer Dobell has warned that manufacturing, freight and delivery costs have become a permanent challenge for SME businesses operating internationally.

In the past year, this has meant an average increase of 2% to unit cost, which the business says they cannot pass on to customers in order to remain competitive.

Dobell designs its menswear collections in Britain and works with manufacturing partners in China to produce its suits and accessories. The business plans its collections almost a year in advance while managing changing shipping conditions, exchange rates, transportation costs and customer demand.

Mike Dobell, founder of Dobell, said businesses could no longer treat disruption as a one-off event or assume that international trading conditions would quickly return to normal.

He said: “Businesses once approached supply-chain disruption as something temporary that had to be managed until conditions settled down. The reality today is that instability has become part of the normal cost and complexity of trading internationally. It’s unrealistic for business owners to think the supply chain will settle anytime soon.

“When products are designed in Britain and manufactured overseas, decisions must be made many months before they reach customers. The smallest change in shipping routes, transportation costs, exchange rates or delivery times can create huge consequences throughout the business.

“This is especially challenging for SMEs, which compete in the same global market as much larger companies but often have fewer resources available and less purchasing power than bigger retailers. At the same time, customers understandably continue to expect high-quality products and the same delivery timings.”

Figures released this month from the Office for National Statistics show that 28% of businesses with at least 10 employees are concerned about international conflict affecting their supply chains over the next year, while 21% are concerned about shipping disruption.

Among businesses concerned about supply-chain factors, 53% expect the cost of sourcing materials to increase and 46% anticipate higher transportation costs.

The latest ONS figures show that supply-chain concerns have increased considerably over the past year. The proportion of businesses concerned about international conflict was 17 percentage points higher than in September 2025, while concern about shipping disruption had risen by 12 percentage points.

Dobell believes greater transparency is also needed around the role of international manufacturing. Although its products are designed in Britain, manufacturing takes place in China and involves specialist machinery, garment construction, washing tests and quality-control procedures before the finished products are transported to the UK.

Mike continued: “There can be a tendency to view overseas manufacturing purely through the lens of cost, but that overlooks the skills, technology and quality controls involved.

We work closely with our suppliers, including twice yearly trips to their factories and full vetting before we engage with a manufacturer. The relationships we have with our current suppliers are longstanding relationships built over 20 years.

“China offers considerable manufacturing expertise and infrastructure. What matters is that brands understand where and how their products are made, maintain the appropriate standards and communicate honestly with customers about the process.

“Businesses cannot prevent every international disruption, but the Government can provide greater stability at home. When so many external costs remain outside an SME’s control, clarity around taxation, employment costs and international trade becomes even more important.”

MPs back calls for tighter regulation in funeral sector in major boost for campaigners

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 05:40:39 +0000

A national campaign to raise standards in the funeral sector has secured cross-party political backing from three MPs.

The Funeral Officiant Authority (FOA), was launched in May by experienced celebrants Sacha Mulligan and Michelle Harvey, to vet and standardise funeral celebrants and ministers across the UK.

The FOA is fighting to introduce clearer professional standards for those conducting funeral ceremonies across the UK, and their work comes in the wake of a string of scandals.

These include the shocking case of Robert Bush who was recently jailed after admitting 67 offences, including 30 of preventing the lawful burial of a body.

At present there is no formal regulation preventing individuals from conducting funeral ceremonies without recognised training, vetting or accountability processes.

Now, in a major step forward, the FOA’s campaign has now secured the support of four MPs.

They include Mark Sewards, the Labour MP for Leeds and West Morley who has spoken publicly about this issue many times in the past.

He said: “Bereaved families deserve to know that everyone involved in their loved one’s funeral will act with care and professionalism. Any work that gives families greater peace of mind is welcome, which is why I support the Funeral Officiant Authority’s efforts to strengthen safeguards and transparency among funeral celebrants and officiants. As I continue to press the Government for full regulation of the funeral sector, the FOA’s work can improve standards and protect families.”

Those comments were echoed by Simon Hoare, Conservative MP for North Dorset. He said: “It is now abundantly clear that the status quo of a non regulated funeral and mortuary sector is untenable. As a Government Minister I saw first hand the horror of the failures in Hull. Working with colleagues across the Commons we are pressing hard for speedy regulation. The Government is listening and the Prime Minister has said action is needed. So, the question is not whether but when. Speed is of the essence if public confidence is to be maintained. That is what the campaigns are all about.”

The campaign is also being backed by Louie French, MP for Old Bexley, Sidcup and Welling and The Shadow Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport. He said: “Families should be able to have confidence that the person conducting a loved one’s funeral is properly trained, vetted and accountable. The FOA’s work to raise standards and strengthen safeguards is an important step towards giving bereaved families the professionalism and reassurance they deserve at an incredibly difficult time.”

Gareth Bacon, Conservative MP for Orpington, has also backed the campaign. He said: “This is a time of great vulnerability, and a celebrant enters a bereaved person’s home where they have sensitive information disclosed to them to enable them to understand the deceased person and their family and friends. This raises safeguarding issues.

“I would lend my support to a form of registration for celebrants and I am reassured to know that this is also the aim of professional Celebrants and Funeral Directors.”

Commenting on the MPs support, the FOA said: “We’re hugely grateful that Mark, Simon, Louie and Gareth are backing our calls to raise standards across the sector. “The Funeral Officiant Authority (FOA) is dedicated to helping families find trusted, professional officiants to deliver meaningful and personal funeral services.

“Through its carefully maintained database, the FOA is committed to supporting families with dignity, care, and professionalism during life’s most difficult moments.”

Anxiety, distractions and habitual speeders: The reality of British drivers

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:33:08 +0000

Over half (56%) of British drivers admit to speeding over the summer holidays, with 63% saying they habitually break the speed limit.
Almost three-quarters (71%) of drivers admit to driving tired, while 31% have used their phones while driving and 45% say they have been distracted by children or other passengers.
61% of people surveyed said they felt anxious driving on British roads

New data reveals that over half (56%) of British drivers admit to speeding, with 63% saying they habitually break the speed limit.

Not only are drivers regularly driving above safe speeds, but they also admit to being distracted while behind the wheel. Almost three-quarters (71%) admit to driving tired, 31% use their phones while driving and 45% say they have been distracted by children or other passengers while behind the wheel.

This worrying insight into British driving comes from a survey of 1,500 people using UK roads by OOONO, a company committed to making driving safer and simpler. These admissions of dangerous driving come in stark contrast to the 61% of people surveyed who said they felt anxious driving on British roads.

Younger drivers came out as the worst offenders, with a quarter of 18 – 24 year olds admitting to regularly going over the speed limit, compared to just 13% of 65+ year olds. They are also the group most likely to use their phone behind the wheel, with 40% admitting to it, compared to just 15% of 65+ year olds.

These distractions come at a cost, with nearly 2 in 10 (19%) British drivers saying they have received a speeding ticket in the past five years and 63% of those weren’t aware the speed camera was there until the fine arrived.

Mike Skyte, OOONO’s UK Country Manager, said: “Fines and penalties are inconvenient and easily avoided, but what people should be really worried about here is how many drivers are distracted on their journeys and zone out. Whether it’s a mobile phone, passengers, sat nav directions or simply tiredness, there are distractions around us every time we get behind the wheel. The encouraging thing is that drivers recognise these risks, which means there are simple steps we can all take to reduce them – from taking regular breaks and putting our phones away, to using technology that keeps us informed without demanding our attention.”

British Drivers’ Top Driver Distractions according to the OOONO survey include:

Mobile phones
Children in the back
Sat nav directions
Eating and drinking
Other road users
Radio and music
Passengers talking
Tiredness on long trips

Drivers want smarter, less distracting tech

Encouragingly, there is a strong desire for safer driving solutions, according to OOONO’s 2025 Driver Distraction Survey:

81 per cent of motorists said a system that warns them of upcoming road hazards in a minimally intrusive way would help them stay more focused.
Another 81 per cent agreed that being alerted to speed cameras in a non-disruptive manner would improve their focus.

OOONO’s CO-DRIVER device provides discreet audio alerts for speed cameras, traffic incidents and road hazards. Designed to be non-distracting and user-friendly, CO-DRIVER helps drivers remain aware of their surroundings without taking their eyes off the road.

ACS STAINLESS STEEL APPOINTS NEW CERTUS™ MD TO SUPPORT SAFER FACADE DELIVERY

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:33:08 +0000

Chris Holleron joins the business this month

ACS says the appointment will promote better-informed facade delivery under the Building safety Act

Yorkshire-based manufacturer ACS Stainless Steel Fixings has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Chris Holleron in the newly created role of MD of its Certus division.

The appointment comes as the Building Safety Act and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) raise expectations across the industry. Certus, a rigorously tested modular brick slip façade system with a 60-year design life, is designed to help clients navigate the BSR processes in a transparent, evidence-based way and is the result of ACS’s significant investment in R&D in recent years.

Speaking of his appointment, he said: “The Building Safety Act has rightly raised expectations around design information, technical evidence and accountability. Certus is well placed to help project teams respond to those expectations, with rigorous testing and a clearly defined approach from early design through to installation.”

Since launching in 2024, Certus has already proven itself on live schemes navigating the post-Building Safety Act landscape. At Hallsville Quarter in London, the system cut façade delivery time from 42 to 25 weeks – a reduction that speaks directly to an industry under pressure to move faster without compromising on safety. It has also been deployed at Leven Road – the latter comprising three radiused towers on a riverside site in Poplar where the second staircase amendment rendered the original façade design unviable; Certus helped bring the solution.

Chris continued: “Certus was born out of collaboration and is built around defined testing, technical evidence and clear installation training and guidance. That gives project teams the documentation they need to make informed decisions from design through to completion. With those foundations in place, we’re in a strong position to grow.”

“I’m proud to be appointed to spearhead it’s growth and to accelerate ACS’s role in the facade sector.”

Chris joins ACS following a series of senior roles at voestalpine Metsec, where, as Sales Director, he was responsible for the SFS and Metframe product solution areas, leading separate national sales teams across two distinct revenue streams. His earlier career also included senior roles with Hadley Group as Group product manager with involvement in the modular housing sector and Wienerberger as national sales manager.

His appointment follows that of ACS’ Non-Executive Director Stephen Ginger earlier this year; the pair previously worked together at Metsec, leading teams that provided tested solutions and technical support to help design teams develop safe, robust specifications.

David Flannery, Managing Director at ACS, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Chris to the business. His experience across the offsite and modular sectors, combined with his track record working alongside Stephen at Metsec, will help us strengthen ACS’s position as the partner of choice for architects, contractors and developers navigating this new regulatory landscape.”

Chris concluded: “Stephen and I have previously seen how strong technical evidence, design support and commercial focus can help build confidence in an offsite construction system. I can see the same potential within Certus, and I’m excited to help develop that opportunity at ACS.”

ACS Stainless Steel Fixings is the UK’s leading masonry façade solutions partner, delivering innovative, high-performance systems and supplying masonry support, brick slip systems, wall ties, channel and more to the construction industry. Operating from a state-of-the-art facility in Yorkshire, the 96-strong team delivers high-quality, British-made solutions to projects across the UK and overseas.

LIVERPOOL SKIN CLINIC FOUNDER FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR FINALIST!

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:28:15 +0000

A Liverpool skin clinic and software entrepreneur who rebuilt her life after losing everything has been named a finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the UK Small Business Awards.

Liverpool entrepreneur Paula Rimmer, founder of Plaxel Plasma Liverpool and My Consent Forms, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious national award after establishing a rapidly growing skin clinic business while simultaneously developing her own digital platform for the beauty and aesthetics industry.