ISSUE 115. October 2014

B U S I N E S S

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Have you heard...“This is Limehouse. If you like what you see, you will love the hidden details.”See those stunning details at neptune.com/limehouse

neptunehailsham.comAVAILABLE AT: Neptune Hailsham Neptune House, North Street, Hailsham, BN27 1DQ 01323 849 483 info@neptunehailsham.comPICTURED: Price of this Limehouse Kitchen; island and complete wall run including cabinets not in shot is £11,500. This is our most advanced design yet with 60 registered designs and 9 patent applications.

Sussex Life_OS_JUNE_2014.indd 1 06/05/2014 15:32:57

ISSUE 115. OCTOBER

4 PROPERTy

8 WHAT HOUSE?

10 NO.32

16 INTERIORS – SWEET DREAMS

19 BUSINESS NEWS

21 AMANDA HORLINGTON

22 THEO PAPHITIS

25 SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS

26 MIND yOUR OWN BUSINESS

29 NOEL PRESTON

30 MOTORS WITH DANNy COBBS

32 SOCIETy PHOTOS

ADVERTISING MANAGER - DAVID HALL david@absolutemagazine.co.uk

ADVERTISING MANAGER - SARAH PROCKTER sarah@absolutemagazine.co.uk

MANAGING EDITOR - SAm HARRIngTOn-LOwE sam@absolutemagazine.co.uk

DEPUTY EDITOR - DAnIEL wHITE dan.white@absolutemagazine.co.uk

SENIOR DESIGNER - FRIDA CLEmEnTz frida.clementz@absolutemagazine.co.uk

COVER SHOTPhotography: www.7two9.com

Shot on location at No.32

Contents

2216

30

ContentsOCT.indd 2 28/09/2014 22:23

- HOMES|COLUMNISTS -4│ JUNE 2014

Absolute-JUNE2014.indd 4 20/05/2014 16:32

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SALES & LETTINGS 01273 323000 30C WESTERN ROAD, HOVE BN3 1AF

brices sales & lettings

Brunswick Terrace, HoveBEAUTIFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED, A TRULY STUNNING DOUBLE FRONTED first floor BALCONY flat situated directly on HOVE SEAFRONT with extensive DIRECT SEA VIEWS. The property comprises entrance hall, 22’5 x 18’10 DRAWING ROOM with three CEILING TO FLOOR SASH WINDOWS, 21’8 KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM, three DOUBLE BEDROOMS, DINING ROOM/BEDROOM, THREE FULL WIDTH BALCONIES, MASTER BEDROOM with three CEILING TO FLOOR SASH SOUTH ASPECT WINDOWS, EN-SUITE BATHROOM 15’4 and SHOWER ROOM, separate WC.

offers in excess of £750,000 share of Freehold

Brice's.indd 2 28/09/2014 22:28

SALES & LETTINGS 01273 323000 30C WESTERN ROAD, HOVE BN3 1AF

brices sales & lettings

Brice's.indd 3 28/09/2014 22:28

DE-BUNKING THE MYTHS ABOUT SHARED OWNERSHIP

M any first-time buyers believe they will never be able to buy a home of their own. With all the adverse news

surrounding the property market it’s no wonder people get dismayed. But there is a very affordable option available through shared ownership. Lynda Clark, editor of First Time Buyer magazine, explains how it works.

Shared ownership is an excellent option for first-time buyers who do not have a large deposit. The scheme enables buyers to purchase a share of the property, which is usually between 25% and 75%. The owners then pay a subsided rent on the remaining share. This reduces the amount needed for the deposit and also the mortgage.

There is an option to buy more shares over time and ‘staircase’ to full ownership. As you buy more shares the subsidised rent reduces and finishes when you eventually fully own the property.

Shared ownership is available to first-time buyers and previous homeowners that have sold but cannot afford to buy their next property outright.

• You don’t have to be a key worker or in social housing to be eligible.

• If you earn or have a household income between £20,000 and £60,000 you could be eligible.

• You can buy alone or with another person as long as your joint incomes don’t exceed the maximum earnings bracket.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRIcTIONS

ON WHO cAN APPlY?

• Each applicant is assessed individually, but there are eligibility criteria.

• Generally, applicants must live and work within the area they want to buy in.

• You must be a first-time buyer and be buying as an owner-occupier (not buy-to-let).

• If you already own a property, a sale must have been agreed before you can qualify for shared ownership.

• If you don’t meet the criteria there are other options available and it is advisable to contact your local Help to Buy agent (www.helptobuyese.org.uk, 03333 214044) who will assess your housing needs and advise what to do next.

WHAT SORTS Of HOMES ARE

AvAIlABlE THROUGH SHARED

OWNERSHIP?

Shared ownership homes do not compromise on quality or location. There is a big choice of properties available including apartments, houses, maisonettes and family homes in all parts of the country as well as in central London.

WHAT RIGHTS AND

RESPONSIBIlITIES DO YOU HAvE?

As the leaseholder, you have the same rights and responsibilities as most homeowners. This usually means you are responsible for repairs inside the property while the managing agent takes care of external and communal areas and the outdoor space. To cover the costs of any outside work that might be necessary, there is a monthly service charge.

To find out everything you could want to know about buying a home then visit the WhatHouse? website www.whathouse.com

8│ OcTOber 2014 - ProPerty|Feature -

What House.indd 2 29/09/2014 10:15

One tO lOOk Out fOr:

Haweswater Place, CrawleyThis one bedroom, ground floor apartment is just three miles from Crawley’s town centre and enjoys peaceful surroundings. The apartment sits within a popular development and is available for resale on a shared ownership basis. The contemporary apartment is finished to a high spec and has a smart, fully fitted kitchen and open-plan living/dining area, with doors opening to the communal gardens. Three Bridges station, with fast services to London and Brighton, is 1.5 miles away, which makes the apartment perfectly located for getting about. It is priced at £90,750, which is based on a 55% share of the full market value of £165,000.www.affinitysutton.com

OCTOBER 2014- ProPerty|Feature - │9

What House.indd 3 28/09/2014 22:34

NO32.indd 2 28/09/2014 22:41

What is No.32? It’s an all-encompassing restaurant, bar and late night venue in the heart of the city. With live music and DJs you can eat, drink and dance.

What style is the interior design of No.32? The interior is a modern interpretation of an American diner with European and British influences. The interior design also reflects the balance of our three elements by mixing old and modern; using the right texture and colours.

What makes No.32 special? No.32 is an all-in-one venue in which you get sophistication but where you can also come in for a casual coffee. It has the right balance of ambiance for a restaurant, bar and club, which I don’t think any other venue has in Brighton.

Why have you made the change from Havana to No.32? I wanted to create something different and it was very difficult to use the Havana brand to create something more inclusive and diverse, which No.32 has. Havana had such a strong image of exclusiveness that I found it really hard to tamper with that image.

How important was designing the right interior? It was incredibly important as, having created Havana with a classic beauty, I felt like I was in competition with myself not to create anything less. In a funny way, this is Havana part two. It was a struggle for months trying to come up with a plan when I don’t know how to draw; having to do it all in my head. It resulted in a lot of sleepless nights but I think it has been well worth it, as we have created something very unique for Brighton and for our customers.

What challenges were involved when transforming No.32? There were financial challenges as well as emotional challenges. For example, having to get rid of the classical strong features of Havana, which has been there for 20 years, was tough especially considering

Photography by www.7two9.com

DELIVERING DIVERSE DESIGNBrighton’s Havana restaurant was recently transformed into the all-in-one No.32 and Daniel White sat down with owner Ben Samandi to find out what to expect

NO32.indd 3 28/09/2014 22:41

32 Duke StreetBN1 1AGBrighton

www.no32dukestreet.cominfo@no32dukestreet.com

01273 773388

that many people loved its style. The job was done over such a short time. In just under four weeks we completely transformed the building, which took a huge effort.

How will the style fit in with the culture of Brighton? It is a diverse venue that should suit a wide range of clientele and hopefully it will become an institution which goes on for another 20 years, as Havana did.

What has been the major impact from the launch of No.32? The love the people are giving it and the genuine happiness I see in both my staff and our customer’s faces. I feel I have done Havana justice.

How did you first get started in the hospitality industry? I started a small take-away selling burgers at 24 years old; 25 years later we now have gourmet burgers on our menu. Between that time I ran a number of well known venues in Brighton and Hove.

What would you say your best business move has been? Founding Havana at the age of 28. I dreamt of creating the best restaurant in Brighton at the time and I believe I did so and I continue to follow that dream.

During your time within the industry, how do you feel hospitality design has evolved over the years? It has changed from being very grand or tacky to diverse looks. Now it’s less grand and tacky all the way around and is shifting to the middle ground. Fine dining is now a small percentage of the market and the middle ground market and the café culture is a large portion of it.

How have your tastes and inspirations changed over the years? My taste has become more refined and sophisticated but incredibly relaxed. I find inspiration in everything I see; movies, travels, pop culture and from just what I like.

What are the current trends in restaurant interior design? From my personal view I think the industry look is big, less stuffy and more relaxed.

How do you try to break the mould? The best way I know is to stay true to what I believe and where I believe the market is but while keeping a sense of style.

What are the biggest challenges in the hospitality industry today? Making money and keeping the cost down, while keeping the prices competitive.

What does the future hold for No.32 and yourself? I would love to expand on No.32, maybe to 72 or 62 and maybe even to LA or New York. I feel positive about the future and there are many exciting possibilities.

“The job was done over

such a short time. In just

under four weeks we

completely transformed the building, which took a huge effort.”

RAw BeeFhoney, mustard,

rye

SNowBALLchocolate ice cream,

coconut

ScALLopScharred cabbage,

smoked butter

cHARRed MAckeReLpine nuts, rye

12│ OctOber 2014 - INTERIORS|RestauRant -

NO32.indd 4 28/09/2014 22:43

Head Chef Mat Hudson

CHarred MaCkerelpine nuts, rye

OCTOBER 2014- INTERIORS|RestauRant - │13

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Sweet DreamsEnjoy a touch of cool class in your bedroom with a white antique AW14 interiors trend

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1. A range of bed linen by Yves Delorme Paris

2. Littlewoods Windsor Footstall £119

3. The White Company Symons Armchair in White & Pebble £1295

4. Occa Home Eichholtz Savile Row Cabinet £4840

5. Pierre et Coco Printed Mineheart ‘cowhide’ Rug £688

6. Swoon Editions The Camille bedroom dresser £299

7. Kelly Hoppen Your own monogrammed robe £75

8. Tesco Embroidered bird cushion £16

9. Sainsbury’s Large Oval White Scroll Top Frame £10

10. Wilko Hourglass French Lamp £20

11. Bensons for Beds The Lancelot £499.99

OCTOBER 2014- InTeRIORS - │17

Interiors.indd 3 29/09/2014 09:55

Absolute-MAY2014.indd 45 23/04/2014 09:20

Business NEWS

THE FUNDING DENFunding for start-up businesses may never be the same again. After a successful trial in Brighton & Hove, The Funding Room has now been launched in Sussex, offering an online matchmaking service for start-ups and small businesses. The service aims to secure initial funding for a company which may not be able to access high street bank lending by introducing them to local investors. With similarities to the TV show Dragons’ Den, The Funding Room provides companies with the opportunity to find investors, and spokesman Phil Davies explains the concept. He says: “The company pitches to a local investor, either face-to-face or via an online video chat. If the investor likes what he or she hears and thinks the idea has ‘legs’, then they strike up a deal whereby the investor offers backing to the start-up business for a percentage of the turnover. “The service boasts an investor portfolio that spans many industry sectors so, no matter how obscure, all ideas may be considered.”

For more information visit www.thefundingroom.co.uk

SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS CONTINUE GROWTHThe entries for this year’s Sussex Business Awards are now in and looking bigger and better than ever. For the fourth year in a row there has been a ten per cent increase in entries and the judges will now begin interviewing their personal shortlist as the entries are whittled down to the final shortlist. Now celebrating its 26th year, the awards are the longest established scheme of its kind in the county and this year will feature around 100 businesses from 30 towns across Sussex, competing for 16 trophies. The final shortlist is decided by the judges in October and will be announced in the November issue of Absolute Magazine. Winning an award can make a massive impact on businesses, with increased company awareness and expert judge feedback offering great support as they look to expand their company’s grasp on the market. Absolute are sponsoring this year’s event and are proud to be partnering the prestigious competition that attracts the best of Sussex’s businesses.

The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 10th December at The Grand Hotel, Brighton and to buy tickets or for more information on the Awards, visit the website at www.sbawards.org.uk

NO GRAY AREA FOR BRIGHTON AUCTIONEERSBrighton-based auctioneer Austin Gray has defied the national trend by reporting a 94% success rate at its last auction held in July. With a sale total of over £3.6M, the company is optimistic following the result, especially when comparing it to many national auction houses that recently reported a 76% success rate. Nick Muston, Head of Austin Gray Auction, says: “We are excited with the way things are going and pleased with the results from our auctions in July. Now our prime objective is to keep the momentum we have built up for the sales. We just love the challenge.”

For more information or to access any Austin Gray auctions online visit their website www.austingray.co.uk

OCTOBER 2014- Business|News - │19

BusinessNews.indd 1 28/09/2014 22:51

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Amanda HorlingtonBOOST YOUR BELFIE

Amanda Horlington explains the best ways to make the most out of your selfie

Let us consider the Selfie; a self-portrait photograph typically taken with a mobile phone, posted on social media sites to garner attention, ‘likes’ and general praise from one’s peers. A

phenomena adored by A and Z listers alike, the needy and the egomaniac, the Big Brother contestant and Heads of State. Derivatives of the Selfie include ‘Welfie’ a workout Selfie; the ‘Drelfie’ a drunken Selfie and the ‘Belfie’; a most immodest picture of one’s derrière made de rigueur by the bungalow-bummed Kim Kardashian. Racing up the Selfie charts is the hospital or ‘Sickie’ Selfie brought to the populous by exhausted pop stars complete with drips in arms. As nothing appears to be too mundane or facile to be photographed I propose the ‘Toastie’, a breakfast based Selfie with which I plan to bore people to distraction.

Historical selfiesThe first Selfie was taken in 1839 by American photographer Robert Cornelius and in 1966 Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon, was the first man ever to take a space Selfie (Spacie) during the Gemini 12 Mission (surely a higher accolade). I’d like to think that that on completing his mass–energy equivalence Einstein would have tweeted: @OfficialEinstein Hey b*tches, comin @ ya – check my white hair yo! Oh yeah, new quantum space ‘n time thing #E=MC2. So, if you really want to interrupt those

perfect moments in order to capture them for infinity and possible embarrassment in the coming decades, here are a couple of apps to enhance your photos or even airbrush yourself into unrecognisable ‘like’ magnets.

mark eyes, nose width, lips and cheeks. The edit option allows you to be in control and more subtle about the enhancement process so the final image is not unrealistic. You can slim your face, lift cheeks bones, make your eyes larger and brighter, all without a costly trip to your friendly plastic surgeon.

frontbackPerfect for the on-location show off who’s always somewhere exotic or at that secret gig you were never going to know about. Frontback takes two shots, one from the phone’s main camera and one from the camera that faces the user, combining them into a single image to create a Selfie with more context. The app’s interface is simple and your glorious two-viewed snap can be easily uploaded straight from the app to one of many social media sites complete with any hashtag or location info you want to add. News Flash: Recent images showing the Nokia Lumia 730 have been leaked with the new mobile said to be designed specifically with the Selfie takers in mind with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. One of the early models is due to be sent to Mars as, rumour has it, Martian probe Curiosity Rover, bored of taking photos of rocks has stopped looking for signs of life and is now searching for a suitable bathroom in which to take a great Belfie.

Amanda Horlington is the founder of web design and internet marketing company Fusion Marketing. Contact Amanda at amanda@fusion-marketing.co.ukTwitter: @jiggertyjig

“Derivatives of the Selfie include ‘Welfie’ a workout Selfie; the ‘Drelfie’ a drunken Selfie and the ‘Belfie’; a most immodest picture of one’s derrière.”

Perfect 365 – one-taP makeoverAdvertised on Facebook, I gave this one a whirl and it turns out to be extremely good at achieving a flawless look. Having used Adobe Photoshop for many years I know that this little app is really impressive; seamlessly taking your image and smoothing skin, banishing blemishes and brightening eyes in seconds – something that even an experienced designer would take time to do.You have a choice as to how much control you want to have in the way of editing. Choose the ‘edit’ option and the image of your face is overlaid with blue dots or ‘key points’ to

OCTOBER 2014- business|it - │21

Amanda.indd 1 28/09/2014 22:57

Taking care of business

Photos: Matt Ryan

Theo.indd 2 29/09/2014 09:47

After a year away from Dragon’s Den, Sam Harrington-Lowe caught up with business guru Theo Paphitis to find out what’s been keeping him busy…

Watching Theo Paphitis working the room at the launch of his latest retail outlet, Boux Avenue in Brighton’s Churchill

Square, it’s obvious how much he loves what he’s doing. He speaks easily to everyone, without exception, from the immaculately-dressed PR team whipping round handing out Bucks Fizz and checking lists on their clipboards, to the photographers and journalists all circulating for a word or a picture. He happily stands for pictures with every single one of the girls working in the shop, as they line up in turn to stand next to him, smiling shyly whilst the others all take photos on their iPhones. He’s absolutely in his element, dealing with everyone with a smile, a joke. Finally I get to spirit him away for a quiet chat. Inevitably we start by looking at the comparison between Boux Avenue and his previous lingerie line, La Senza, which he sold out to Lion Capital for £100m in 2006. In terms of a brand concept, what are the differences, I ask. “You can’t really compare this to La Senza, it’s a totally different concept,” he explains. “I sold La Senza a long time ago now, and it did very well for a few years after we sold it. Then they started to reposition it. It became a lot younger, a lot brassier, brasher, lots of primary colours and at that stage we thought, you know what? There’s now a gap in the market for what’s been left behind.” La Senza’s decision to reposition was perhaps driven by the tough climate in retail, working through the worst years of recession, but ultimately it was a bad choice, with the business eventually going into liquidation two years ago and finally closing its stores earlier this year. Identifying this gap inspired the beginnings of a new lingerie brand for Paphitis and his team. “We decided that if we had a clean piece of paper, what would our perfect lingerie store look like? And Boux was born. Most of us are ex-La Senza and we had hundreds of years of experience between us, so we knew lots of things we would have liked to have before. We’ve got different changing rooms, the store looks very different, the technology inside the store, the way we display the product and the business plan.

It’s basically a really great product at Marks & Spencer’s prices. It’s very special. When you buy something here you get spoilt, you get service, it’s a great environment, you get nice tissue, box, bag. And you get home and you’ve really got a treat, something special. You put it on, you feel good. So there’s a lot more to it than just a piece of clothing.” Aside from launching Boux Avenue, which has a hugely successful website and multiple stores both here in the UK and overseas,

Paphitis has also bought Robert Dyas and Rymans – two high street brands that he admits “needed some work,” which is largely why he hasn’t been on our screens for a while. But Paphitis is proud to admit his love of the retail game, and it’s clear that it’s business, not stardom that drives him. “I retired last year from Dragon’s Den, I took a whole year off TV because of two things – I’ve got Boux, and I bought → Robert Dyas. So we’ve been really busy

OCTOBER 2014- Business|IntervIew - │23

Theo.indd 3 28/09/2014 23:00

After a year away from Dragon’s Den, Sam Harrington-Lowe caught up with business guru Theo Paphitis to find out what’s been keeping him busy…

Watching Theo Paphitis working the room at the launch of his latest retail outlet, Boux Avenue in Brighton’s Churchill

Square, it’s obvious how much he loves what he’s doing. He speaks easily to everyone, without exception, from the immaculately-dressed PR team whipping round handing out Bucks Fizz and checking lists on their clipboards, to the photographers and journalists all circulating for a word or a picture. He happily stands for pictures with every single one of the girls working in the shop, as they line up in turn to stand next to him, smiling shyly whilst the others all take photos on their iPhones. He’s absolutely in his element, dealing with everyone with a smile, a joke. Finally I get to spirit him away for a quiet chat. Inevitably we start by looking at the comparison between Boux Avenue and his previous lingerie line, La Senza, which he sold out to Lion Capital for £100m in 2006. In terms of a brand concept, what are the differences, I ask. “You can’t really compare this to La Senza, it’s a totally different concept,” he explains. “I sold La Senza a long time ago now, and it did very well for a few years after we sold it. Then they started to reposition it. It became a lot younger, a lot brassier, brasher, lots of primary colours and at that stage we thought, you know what? There’s now a gap in the market for what’s been left behind.” La Senza’s decision to reposition was perhaps driven by the tough climate in retail, working through the worst years of recession, but ultimately it was a bad choice, with the business eventually going into liquidation two years ago and finally closing its stores earlier this year. Identifying this gap inspired the beginnings of a new lingerie brand for Paphitis and his team. “We decided that if we had a clean piece of paper, what would our perfect lingerie store look like? And Boux was born. Most of us are ex-La Senza and we had hundreds of years of experience between us, so we knew lots of things we would have liked to have before. We’ve got different changing rooms, the store looks very different, the technology inside the store, the way we display the product and the business plan.

It’s basically a really great product at Marks & Spencer’s prices. It’s very special. When you buy something here you get spoilt, you get service, it’s a great environment, you get nice tissue, box, bag. And you get home and you’ve really got a treat, something special. You put it on, you feel good. So there’s a lot more to it than just a piece of clothing.” Aside from launching Boux Avenue, which has a hugely successful website and multiple stores both here in the UK and overseas,

Paphitis has also bought Robert Dyas and Rymans – two high street brands that he admits “needed some work,” which is largely why he hasn’t been on our screens for a while. But Paphitis is proud to admit his love of the retail game, and it’s clear that it’s business, not stardom that drives him. “I retired last year from Dragon’s Den, I took a whole year off TV because of two things – I’ve got Boux, and I bought → Robert Dyas. So we’ve been really busy

OCTOBER 2014- Business|IntervIew - │23

Theo.indd 3 28/09/2014 23:00

“Actually what people don’t realise

is that you’re not looking for a lucky break; it’s

going to be lots of hard

work.”

working on those and really put a lot of effort into the growth of Boux. I’ve just started doing a bit of TV again now, I’m on the One Show on Tuesdays nights, but it’s not my passion. I’m an accidental TV personality, it’s not what I started out doing. My passion is being here. This is what I get excited about, this is what I want to do, this is how I make my money. Retail is what I love doing. I enjoy shopping, I’m a shopaholic, I walk into everybody’s shops, talk to everybody, I want to see how people are doing things, how people are buying things. There are so many people involved in retail. You get such a fantastic cross-section.” It would be easy to assume that with such a large empire, and so many stores, that keeping in touch would be hard, but Paphitis is keen to emphasise how closely he works with his team. “Retail is detail. I know everything there is to know about this business, so whether it’s the lingerie business or Robert Dyas or Rymans, and we’ve got stores in Brighton for all these brands, it’s about getting the detail right. I’m incredibly hands-on, I attend trading meetings every Monday, where we review every single store, every part of the business. It doesn’t matter what we’re selling, there’s a huge amount of similarities. Retail is retail, whatever you’re selling, they just have idiosyncrasies. There’s still distribution, merchandising… just different people doing different jobs. “I get up in the morning and I can’t wait to start doing what I do. I work a full day – I don’t normally get into the office until 9, 9.30, but I won’t go home until late. It’s practically four or five nights a week around midnight. I’ll always be doing something. I am very active, I’m a fidget bum; I can’t go home and put my butt on the sofa and watch television. When I think about relaxing, sometimes when you love doing what you do, that is relaxing. There’s stress, of course there’s stress. But there’s big sloughs of your day where it’s actually, well, brilliant.” Paphitis is clearly match-fit and working his mojo on the relatively new brands that are his key targets at the moment, but as always, he’s got one eye on the future. He’s well aware of the way retail has changed over the years, demonstrating a shrewd understanding in the behaviour that drives the purchase and the importance of liaising with the customer base. “We’re always checking. We believe in retail, but we believe in multi-platform retail, that’s the key thing. When you look at Boux

for example, we’re an internet business really, with stores as our shop window. But whether you buy online or find a site, it’s all interactive. We’ve got an online VIP scheme which has got over half a million registered users signed up to it, who shop with us regularly so we can communicate with them, you know, fashion trends, product, special deals. Growing Boux as an international business is my big focus at the moment, because this time next year I’m hoping that we’ll have as many stores overseas as we’ve got in the UK.” Finally, I didn’t think I could chat to one of the most famous Dragons in history without asking for his advice for budding entrepreneurs. He’s pretty no-nonsense about it. “Fifty percent of all small businesses fail in the first two years. You know, people say to me, where do they get those people in Dragon’s Den, they don’t know their numbers, they don’t know what they’re doing; well welcome to the Great British public. Fifty percent fail. They’re no different to the ones that come on Dragon’s Den. It’s about making sure you know your business inside out, you’ve stress-tested it, done all the sensitivities and you’re passionate about it. Actually what people don’t realise is that you’re not looking for a lucky break; it’s going to be lots of hard work. And those three things - if you crack those, you’ve got half a chance.”

24│ OctOber 2014 - Business|IntervIew -

Theo.indd 4 28/09/2014 23:01

business event in the county

WITH THANKSto ouR

sPonsoRs

Wednesday 10 decembeR 2014THe GrANd bRighton

BUYTICKeTS noW

No.1

www.sbawards.org.uk buy online noW at

sussex@midnight.co.uk @sussexbizawards 01273 666200

This month, Treatment Rooms owner Clare Rogers is…

MINDING HER OWN BUSINESSPhotos: Julia Claxton

26│ OCTOBER 2014 - Business|Profile -

MYOB.indd 2 28/09/2014 23:06

This month, Treatment Rooms owner Clare Rogers is…

MINDING HER OWN BUSINESSPhotos: Julia Claxton Tell us who you are and whaT

you do I’m the owner and MD of The Treatment Rooms, Brighton’s largest and longest established beauty salon. Our doors first opened in 1995, and we offer a vast range of treatments that I have personally researched or developed. I was born in Brighton in 1963 and grew up on a local council estate. I went to school at Moulsecoomb and Falmer and then Brighton College of Technology, now City College, to study Beauty Therapy. I loved every aspect of it. As well as learning about treatments, our other classes were in making our own products, business studies and psychology. I was delighted to be honoured with a Golden Alumni a few years ago from the college.

whaT geTs you ouT of bed in The morning? Raising the standard of our service is an ongoing challenge for a perfectionist! I want the TR brand to be recognised not just locally but nationally. We have a good reputation in the industry and my aim is to keep that high so one day that can be taken further with someone wanting to open more salons and continue to develop The Treatment Range products. I see my role as building a platform for that to happen. The team of 28 staff at The Treatment Rooms has a good track record of longevity. Having a happy team is really important and understanding the work/life balance and needs of staff is something I feel we offer. I want the best for our clients and can only deliver this if I have the best from our staff. whaT mighT an average day look like? I am usually awake before my dogs. I always check my diary at the beginning of the week and before I go to bed. I’m not one to sleep in and like to have my days planned. I can clear a few hours of admin before 9am as I think more clearly in the mornings. I don’t have a PA but enjoy the direct contact with suppliers, trainers and press. I copy my managers in on everything so they know what is going on - communication is key and I can then pass the day-to-day running over to them.

I walk my dogs every day either down on Brighton beach, especially if there is a low tide, or in the beautiful Sussex countryside. I observe nature and link this into how our skin and health are affected with the change of season and daily weather. This helps me programme treatments to link with client needs. I also do yoga three times a week to balance my mind and body and have monthly acupuncture to maintain some sort of equilibrium in a very busy work life. I try and separate the days where I have meetings from the days when I’m treating.

whaT do you do when you’re noT working? My free time is spent mainly in the great outdoors. I love mountains and spend my holidays on high altitude treks or skiing. I’m also partial to some fine wine and dining, especially when experiencing exceptional service.

whaT are The besT biTs of The Job?I love seeing how my staff develop. We have a great track record for therapist retention and I like to think it’s because we are really supportive in developing their skills. It also helps that I’m a therapist myself. This goes hand in hand with seeing happy clients either less stressed than when they came in or seeing an improvement in their skin condition.

and The worsT? The complete opposite of the above. My standards are high and sometimes that can be too much pressure for some individuals. Some people thrive on pushing themselves to be the best they can and others are just happy to plod along. The latter doesn’t make the grade at The Treatment Rooms. whaT seTs you aParT from The ComPeTiTion? I think the fact that I am a therapist as well as the owner, meaning I have a complete understanding of the needs of a therapist as well as the client. I’ve been in the industry 35 years now and have seen the patterns and trends. The salon itself has great space allowing us to have changing rooms for men and women and a relaxation room.

A little more than most beauty salons but not the wet facilities you would get in a spa. if you were queen for a day, whaT would you Change?Locally I would scrap the budgeting system of the council and have one pot that was allocated to areas most needed. My priority would be to give a better wage to refuse collectors so they didn’t have to rely on overtime to have a decent wage. I would put more, and better, bins around the city and have extra collections (including midnight) during the summer, especially weekends and bank holidays. I would introduce on-the-spot fines to those leaving litter. And more powers than a queen are needed for this, but I would love to see cancer gone. Not just cured but gone, never to enter our bodies again. I don’t want to see any more friends and family suffer the journey of dealing with cancer.

The Treatment Rooms21 New Rd, Brighton BN1 1UF01273 818444www.thetreatmentrooms.co.uk

OCTOBER 2014- Business|Profile - │27

“Some people thrive on pushing themselves to be the best they can and others are just happy to plod along. The latter doesn’t make the grade at The Treatment Rooms.”

MYOB.indd 3 29/09/2014 00:41

What

Agents, developers and Brighton press celebrated the arrival of What House, the

largest UK house-building event, in Brighton & Hove

Where

The Grand Hotel, Brighton

WhyWhat House launched their first

Brighton & Hove property show at the Hilton Brighton Metropole in September

Who

1. Robert Searle (King and Chasemore) with Natalie Ashworth Thomson

(King and Chasemore)

2. Phoebe Oliver (Oliver Relations), Michael Rogers (Design Interiors)

and Delyth La Corbiniere

3. Ian Waddingham (QED structures) and Jo Menzies (RBS)

4. Mark Edmondson (What House), Lesley Lawrence (What House) and Paul Taggart

(Hamptons International)

5. Keith Osborne (What House), Stephen Maunder (What House) with Ed Williams

6. James Epps (Oakley Estate Agency) and Simon Cox (Oakley)

7. David Challinor (C-architecture), Antonia Phillips (Oliver Relations) and Joanna Camp (C-architecture)

8. Rob Bowden (Bowden Property Consultants), Robert Paine (Graves Jenkins),

Ed AllisonWright (Centurion Group) and Steve Haskew (Amodoma)

9. Antonia Phillips (Oliver Relations), Phoebe Oliver (Oliver Relations),

Jane Pearce (The Argus) and Lynn James (The Argus)

10. Roy Stannard (ZeroFiftyOne Media) with Rupert Bates (What House)

11. Andy Grimley, Phoebe Oliver and What House’s Daniel Hill

guestlist

Photos: www.snapitnow.co.uk

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GL.indd 1 28/09/2014 23:12

“Getting it right from the start is a real positive attribute for a business and one that may assist towards reducing premium costs.”

One of the most popular questions posed by our clients is about who is deemed to be an employee from an insurance point of view and are they covered by their insurance policy.

Questions such as…

“I’ve got someone on work experience, are we covered to have them?”

“I’m not employing anyone on our construction site, just using labour-only subbies, that’s alright isn’t it?”

“We’re not paying them so does that mean we’re not responsible?”

“The company next door are letting us have one of their guys to operate our fork lift as we’re short staffed today, whose policy will cover them if they get injured?”

Legal Requirement…All employers are required by law to have Employers’ Liability insurance (as per the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969). Businesses and/or individuals can be fined heavily if they do not hold such insurance or if it is not arranged correctly.

Who is an employee?An example of the definition of an employee within an Employers’ Liability section of cover under most insurance policies is as follows:

Any person while working for the company in connection with the business who is:

• under a contract of service or apprenticeship with the company.• a person under a contract of service or apprenticeship with some other employer and who is hired to or borrowed by the company.• a labour only sub-contractor and persons supplied by a labour only sub-contractor.

The above list is comprehensive but not exhaustive. If in any doubt, companies should always be certain their insurers are aware of all the people engaged by the business and all related activities are disclosed.

Other responsibilities…Those classified as employees do not only bring a responsibility to the business from an insurance perspective but also in respect of Health & Safety and Human Resources – essentially treating these people in the same

way you would your own direct employees for both the individuals and company’s protection.

In addition to arranging the correct legally required insurance, businesses also need to be compliant in other areas such as the:

• provision of contracts of employment.• provision and recording of training and supervision.• communication and implementation of a health & safety policy.• production and management of risk assessments and method statements.

Time and cost…It is understood there is a time and cost impact on a business in making sure the insurance and other responsibilities are put in place correctly from the outset. However, these pale into insignificance in comparison to the disruption, time and costs witnessed in defending a position, situation or claim when they happen!

Getting it right from the start is a real positive attribute and feature for a business and one that may either be a requirement of an insurance programme and/or assist towards reducing premium costs.

• a self-employed person performing work under a similar degree of control and direction as a person under a contract of service or apprenticeship with the company.• a driver or operator of hired-in plant.• a trainee or person undergoing work experience.• a voluntary helper.• temporary or agency supplied employees.

OCTOBER 2014- Business|COLumn - │29

For more advice please contact…

noel Preston, managing PartnerPreston Insurance Brokers, 11 Hollingbury Place, Brighton, East Sussex Bn1 7GET: 0845 129 7505m: 07887 404 473E: noel@prestonib.co.ukW: prestonib.co.uk

Noel PRESTON WHEN IS AN EMPLOYEE NOT AN EMPLOYEE?

Noel.indd 1 29/09/2014 00:44

30│ OCTOBER 2014 - Motoring|Review -

The Power To Love

Danny Cobbs plugs in the new Volkswagen Golf GTE Hybrid

“This may seem like an engineering PhD thesis waiting to be to be written, but the GTE is as exhilarating, and no more difficult to drive than a standard automatic GTI.”

By the time you read this Apple will have launched the iPhone 6. Fanatics, nerds and techy-types have been camping outside the Apple store in London for

days now, and for one sole reason; to be the first to own the latest device for mobile communications. And they’ll get it home, open the box, fawn over it, fire it up, and then wonder why they put their life on hold, spent days braving the elements, having to pee in a Starbucks Styrofoam cup, and all for a phone which isn’t that much cleverer than the one it supersedes. It’s not like the first iPhone, where Steve Jobs revolutionised the mobile phone. He made it smarter, easier to use, and more beautiful than anything we had ever seen before. Maybe it’s me, and perhaps I’m a bit old and cynical about these matters, but haven’t we reached a sort of impasse when it now comes to mobile phones? We could say the same thing about cars. Or could we? If we’re talking about the majority of engines which drive today’s new cars, then, up to a certain point, probably yes. However, if it’s plug-in hybrids we’re discussing, then that answer is a little less clear. There’s a new breed of hybrids on the way, and Volkswagen are leading the advance with

the new Golf GTE. The theory behind the Golf GTE is not actually that radical - cars with both a combustion and electric engine combo have been around for years. What makes the GTE so special – and if we’re going to use the mobile phone as a metaphor – is the advancement in its electric drivetrain technology; the difference is as blatant as analogue is to digital. There is, however, a sense of familiarity which also makes the GTE so utterly brilliant. This defiance and quest to ensure it remains nothing other than a hot hatchback is as intelligent and forward-thinking as the technology which decides the exact moment to seamlessly engage its 1.4-litre TSI 150bhp petrol engine. The 101bhp electric motor, which has been integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, is the default source of power; meaning there’s nothing but an eerie silence and a smugness of zero emissions as you start to drive off. And it’s good for about 31 miles and up to 80mph. Then, thereafter, the engine management takes over and left to its own devices it’ll quietly get on with job in hand; switching between the two engines, or harnessing them both, to give some very admirable performance figures – 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, a top speed of 135mph, 176mpg,

Motor.indd 2 28/09/2014 23:39

Specificationengines: 1.4-litre petrol and electric motorprice: £28,000 (est) after £5000 Govt grantpower: 201bhp (combined)torque: 258lb ft0-62mph: 7.6 secondstop speed: 135mphMaximum electric-only range: 31 milesco2: 35g/km

and total range of 580 miles on one tank of fuel. Within the hybrid-mode menu there is the option to ‘battery charge’, which isolates the battery energy in anticipation of a pure electric power journey later on. Hooking it up to a domestic electric plug socket will take about three hours to fully re-charge, or there’s the internal regenerating system which acts like a glorified alternator by exploiting lost brake energy together with power from the 1.4-litre engine. This may all seem like an engineering PhD thesis waiting to be to be written, but it really isn’t. The bottom line is the GTE is as exhilarating, and no more difficult to drive, than a standard automatic GTI. At some stage car manufacturers had to say, “Given the technology we have available to us today, this is as good as plug-in hybrids will ever get”, and that’s exactly where VW are with the GTE. So unless something monumentally more advanced arrives in the meantime, this Golf will remain one of the best plug-in hybrids currently on the market.

Motor.indd 3 28/09/2014 23:39

WhatAround 80 representatives of Sussex businesses

gathered together for the launch of the Chestnut Tree House biennial Business

Awards.

Where

Crawley Town Football Club

Why

Sarah Arnold, Corporate Fundraising Manager for Chestnut Tree House, said,

“Every year, hundreds of businesses raise thousands of pounds to help us continue

providing care to children with life-shortening illnesses and their families, and we want to thank them and give something back.

“We are inviting businesses to nominate themselves or name individuals in their

organisations who have put in extraordinary effort to raise funds to help us.”

Who

1. Chestnut Tree House Linda Perry and Hugh Lowson with a Business Award trophy

2. Chestnut Tree House Terrina Barnes and Anita Cotton Lloyds TSB

3. Lorrie Maslen and Darren Pollard of Quality Care Insurance

4. Chestnut Tree House Linda Perry with Poppy Szkiler of Quiet Mark

5. Matt Turner of Creative Pod with Oliver Delaunoy and Rob Morgan of Bloc Hotels

6. Gemma King of Vivid Marketing with Neil Laughton Great British Bath Tub Race

7. Jenny Dach of M&S Brighton with Anita Cotton of Lloyds TSB

8. Trevor Harman of HSBC, Leeann Connor from Gatwick Diamond Business Association, Anne

Whatley and George Desilvo of Thomas Eggar Ltd

9. Brian Dell Angmering Friends Group, Chris and Rebecca of Dell Gallagher Health Insurance

and Brad Dell

10. Chief Executive at Chestnut Tree House Hugh Lowson with Simon Payne of Blue Forest and

Tony Clark of ECE Architecture

11. Amy Saunders and Hazel McMillan from Avios Group

guestlist

Photos: www.grahamfrankspics.co.uk

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GL-Chestnut.indd 1 29/09/2014 10:18