Chesterfield based manufacturer Robinson have developed sustainable packaging for luxury chocolate manufacturer Holdsworth’s Easter chocolate gifts.

Two limited edition Easter boxes have been produced for Holdsworth’s popping candy egg and Easter bunny treat bag. The packaging has been made from 100% post-consumer recycled paperboard and is widely recyclable. The clear viewing window is produced from recycled UK water bottles adding to the sustainable appeal.

David Sharples, Managing Director at Holdsworth Chocolates said:

“Whenever we produce packaging, including for special celebrations such as Easter, we aim to make sure all the materials we use are sustainable and can be recycled.”

“Sustainable packaging is a collective goal for both Robinson and Holdsworth. Our brand was developed on a passion for creating beautiful hand-crafted chocolates, using the finest of everything, that’s why it is so important that we invest in high quality sustainable packaging that reflects our values too.”

The packaging has been printed using six colours and is completed with foil blocking; the perfect finishing touch to add a stunning and luxurious feel to the design. As the Easter packaging was only needed in limited quantity, Robinson provided a small bespoke run for Holdsworth’s needs, making them the perfect packaging partner.

Jon Walker, New Product Development Director at Robinson said:

“Producing high quality, creative, engaging packaging for brands and retailers at an affordable price is key. Being an independent company means that we can be flexible to the needs of Holdsworth. We turned around production from design to delivery in just 3-4 weeks.”

If you are interested in purchasing Holdsworth chocolates for Easter you can order online at https://holdsworthchocolates.co.uk/

Robinson supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Dawson Radford Solicitors are excited to announce that we can now offer a new annual employment retainer service, DR-HR. Providing employment law & HR support for a fixed-fee, we can support businesses by ensuring that they are meeting their legal obligations at an agreed, affordable price. Saving you valuable time and work whilst being cost effective.

The relationship with employees is one of the most important for all businesses, and the law that relates to this relationship is constantly evolving. Making mistakes can prove very costly. It is crucial therefore that you keep up to date with developments and ensure that you have the correct documents and policies in place.

Our service includes ensuring that those essential employment documents are up to date and compliant; ongoing support that isn’t subject to monthly or annual time limits, preparation of any letters or documents needed to support an issue, training on a pre-agreed area of employment law, as well as discounts on the other legal services Dawson Radford offer.

Head of Employment Liam Kenealy says: “Employment law changes at such a pace that unless you are 100% focused on the area, there is no way you can keep up. It is important therefore that business owners have someone they can rely on to ensure they are, and remain, compliant in terms of their employment paperwork and processes. That is exactly what DRHR is designed for. We make sure that the employment & HR element of your business is taken care of, allowing you to focus on everything else.”

For further information on our DR-HR service, please call us on 01246 932 100 or drop us an email at hello@dawsonradford.co.uk

Dawson Radford supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Elliot Mather continue to demonstrate their growth and success as they announce the recent appointment of Nick Elliot as a Designated LLP Member. Nick will be heading up the corporate services for the entire firm with plans to expand the team, providing clients with access to an extensive range of business services.

Nick is a highly experienced Corporate Solicitor having qualified in 2008 and has worked at Elliot Mather for 7 years. His knowledge and expertise covers a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, along with a strong background in commercial property, and Landlord and Tenant work.

Commenting on his recent appointment as Designated LLP Member, Nick said: “During my time at Elliot Mather I have seen the firm grow from strength to strength and the firm now has thriving offices across the East Midlands in Derby, Nottingham, Chesterfield and Mansfield. I am delighted to become a Designated Member at the firm and I am excited about the further expansion of the Corporate Department and developing its growing reputation for providing a dependable and personable service to all our business clients”.

During his career at Elliot Mather, Nick has acted for a wide range of corporate clients and has had regular involvement in the negotiation of commercial contracts, as well as dealing with multimillion pounds share sales and acquisitions.

Nick is dedicated to delivering an expert and tailored service to clients, having the ability to provide assistance locally, regionally and even nationally. He assists clients with a comprehensive range of commercial and corporate transactions, having particular interest in: Share Acquisitions and Disposals, Management Buyouts, Shareholder and Partnership Agreements, Incorporations, Business Terms and Conditions and Asset Sales and Purchases.

Julie Page, Managing Partner and LLP Member said: “We are thrilled with Nick’s appointment as a Designated LLP Member. In his time with us Nick has been instrumental in the evolution of our commercial reputation and we are excited to see the continuation of this as Nick commits his future to Elliot Mather LLP.

Elliot Mather supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Sky-high inflation, energy price hikes and the war in Ukraine are creating “new unknowns” for businesses and creating a mixed picture for the East Midlands economy, new research reveals.

East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which gauges the health of the region’s economy, reported improvements across most indicators in Q1 2022 compared to the final quarter of last year when there was a drop in business confidence due to the Omicron surge.

Despite this, growth remains weak and there are warning signs for what may lie ahead as cashflow dropped into negative territory for the first time in more than a year and investment intentions are restrained.

Chris Hobson, director of policy and external affairs at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The latest QES presents a mixed picture for our region’s economy, as the wave of optimism that encountered the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions has been diluted somewhat by other factors that are weighing down on businesses’ ability to trade effectively.

“After spending much of 2021 trying to figure out two major ‘unknowns’ – the impact of both the pandemic and the UK leaving the EU – it had felt at the start of this year that we were now equipped to plan for and deal with these.

“Unfortunately, just as we were getting into the swing of 2022, new unknowns have arrived in the form of the terrible events in Ukraine, which has thrown a spanner in the works when it comes to understanding where inflationary pressures and energy prices will top out – not to mention the supply chain disruption this causes across Europe, which is felt in the East Midlands.”

More than 350 businesses across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire took part in the Q1 2022 survey between 14 February and 9 March.

Key findings from the survey for the East Midlands* included:

• No movement in UK sales between Q4 2021 and Q1 2022, with a net 27% of businesses reporting these increased in both periods, although there was an 8% rise in advanced orders between the quarters
• Overseas sales and orders were up by 7% and 10% respectively
• A net 20% of businesses increased their workforce in Q1 and a net 36% expect to do so in the next three months, representing a 3% and 1% growth respectively on the previous quarter’s findings
• More than six in 10 (63%) of businesses attempted to recruit but, of this cohort, four in five (80%) encountered problems with filling vacancies
• 30% of firms reported cashflow fell, compared to it improving for 27% – marking the first time it has fallen into negative territory for more than a year
• Two-thirds (66%) of businesses expect prices to rise in the next three months, a 4% increase on the previous quarter
• A lack of room at the margins means investment intentions in machinery are down by 2% compared to the end of last year, while there is only a 1% increase in intentions for investing in training between the two quarters
• Despite this, there was a 4% improvement in the proportion of businesses expecting turnover to increase (a net 62% of Q1 2022 respondents believe it will, versus a net 58% in Q4 2021) and a 3% rise for profitability (a net 31% of organisations now believe it will improve)

Chris said the figures were “encouraging” at first glance but, with many QES indicators relative to what has come before, must be viewed in comparison to a weak final quarter in 2021. At the time, there was uncertainty around the Omicron variant and inflation began to creep up.

The biggest concerns for businesses right now are declining access to cash and margins being squeezed by galloping inflation, the survey found.

“Net cashflow movement is down into negative territory again, suggesting the squeeze is coming on once more with inflationary pressures from all directions,” Chris said.

“Price increases are up on already almost sky-high levels and investment in machinery is down, limiting one of the tools that businesses have to respond to increases in demand and the need to introduce efficiencies.

“We have a heated economy in which demand is still high, but 37% of our region’s businesses are at full capacity and struggling to meet this because they can’t recruit enough staff or don’t have the confidence to invest. Ultimately, our economy isn’t able to grow as fast as it needs to.”

To read the full Quarterly Economic Survey report for Q1 2022, click here.