Business

IT HAS been in the same family for more than 75 years. Now Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands has new owners. The Frost family, led by directors James and Jeremy Frost, have completed the sale of the business to The Blue Diamond Group. The new owner already runs 44 garden centres across the UK and in the Channel Islands and has pledged to maintain the Frosts heritage, reputation and brand. The deal completed yesterday (Thursday, August 1). The Blue Diamond group’s chief executive Alan Roper said: “Frosts Garden Centre is a thriving and respected family business with a unique brand and excellent reputation within the local community. Blue Diamond is proud to be the new owner of this aspirational garden centre. “We intend to protect its heritage and core values whilst driving the business forward into the future and are delighted to welcome Frosts into the Blue Diamond portfolio.”..

If you can remember what the former Debenhams and Next Beauty and Home retailers used to look like, these behind-the-scenes images demonstrate the dramatic transformation needed to welcome Midsummer Place’s new retail and leisure. These exclusive images show that the former retailer units have been ‘stripped out’, taken back to their original ‘shell’ status, and reconfigured ready to create three new stores – the highly anticipated Lane7, Flannels, and new Sports Direct. Due to open later this year, the Frasers Group, renowned for its diverse retail portfolio, is set to make a grand statement with a new Sports Direct store. This flagship location will feature the world’s most coveted sports and lifestyle brands, including footwear, clothing, and equipment, as well as popular names from Frasers Group’s ecosystem such as USC, Evans Cycles, and GAME. Lane7, the premium bowling and leisure brand, will unveil its 18th UK location, which will be..

Now in their 14th year, the Soldiering On Awards continue to celebrate outstanding achievements within the Armed Forces community. Spanning twelve categories, including Family Values, Business Start-Up, and Animal Partnership, these awards recognise the extraordinary contributions of ordinary individuals. The selection process, led by Co-Chairs of Judges Lt Gen (Ret’d) Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE and Debra Allcock-Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change, involved a distinguished panel of independent judges who meticulously selected 36 finalists from an exceptional pool of nominees. Each category has three finalists. Ryan Evans, director of MK Loft Boarding Ltd, is a finalist for the Business Scale Up Award, which is presented in partnership with the LSEG Foundation. This award honours individuals or groups within the Armed Forces community who launched a successful new business venture before January 1, 2022, and still maintain at least 50% interest in the enterprise. Ryan, who left the..

Experience the excitement of playing on the legendary turf at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this summer. On June 5, the Northampton Saints will host their Corporate Touch rugby tournament, offering a fantastic afternoon of team-building through rugby. Businesses from across the region are gearing up to compete on the main pitch at the Gardens. The day will feature a BBQ and DJ, providing plenty of opportunities for interaction, bonding, and networking with colleagues, friends, and other businesses. Each team must consist of ten players, including a minimum of two women. Teams will compete for the latest piece of silverware, playing at least four matches throughout the afternoon. There are still spots available for you and your colleagues to join the tournament. Here are the details: Saints Corporate Touch 2024 Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Time: 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM Location: Main Pitch, cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens Price:..

It may be small, unused, overgrown and unloved… but that small parcel of land on your property that you have never really known what to do with could prove to be a goldmine. Developers across Milton Keynes and the wider region are searching for available land on which to build. And if you are thinking about selling, take some professional advice on your options from a leading estate agent in the city. Thomas Connolly Estate Agents is already advising property owners across the borough. There is a range of possibilities, which can include simply selling off land to the developer, working with the developer so the new building is one you are happy to have next door or, indeed, to build your dream new home on the plot before selling your current property. “So many people have side gardens that they never use but they probably do not realise that..

Milton Keynes, UK – April 30, 2024 – MyMiltonKeynes, the City Centre's Business Improvement District (BID), reports retail sales across the City Centre in March 2024, showcasing a robust 5.4% year-on-year increase, driven by a rise in customer numbers. Data collected, capturing in-store debit card spend throughout the City Centre, reveals that monthly retail expenditure in March 2024 reached £30.9 million, up from £29.2 million during the same period last year. Year-to-date figures further illustrate a growth of 1.6%. Milton Keynes' performance stands in contrast to the national trend, which has witnessed a decline in March 2024 sales of 5.4%, with year-to-date sales down by 1.8%. Customer numbers reached 373,000 in March, a 9% increase on the previous year. Notably, over half (53.1%) of sales originated from individuals outside the borough of Milton Keynes, an uplift of 2.2% from last year. While the fashion sector led in terms of total..

Looking for somewhere in central Milton Keynes where you can grab a quick coffee, enjoy a lazy lunch with friends, throw a birthday party or simply catch up with your mates? The time is right to check out the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – Central, which is just a short walk from the railway station. While out-of-towners and event organisers have already discovered just what is on offer at the 173-bedroom hotel there are many more ‘locals’ missing out on the venue’s facilities. There is no need to check in to one of the hotel’s 173 bedrooms. This is a hotel with an open-door policy to casual visitors or those looking to plan an event from a christening, family party or funeral wake. The Open Lobby, serving Starbucks, is open all day and through to the evening for visitors who may just want a coffee, or a meal chosen from..

Bells Motor Group outline the five things you need to know when buying your first electric car. With the electric car revolution in full swing and only set to get bigger in 2024, the number of people swapping their petrol or diesel car for an electric vehicle is increasing rapidly. Yet, despite predictions that electric vehicles will account for 25% of all new passenger car sales in the UK in 2024*, many people still have some niggling uncertainties around purchasing an electric car. To answer these questions, Bells Motor Group is providing their top tips to debunk the myths and help drivers figure out exactly what they need to charge ahead with their first EV. Clive Bell, Managing Director from Bells Motor Group said: “Drivers are welcome to drop in and speak with our expert team about purchasing their first electric car at any time, but for those too busy..

Naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham has congratulated Dominic Dyer on his selection as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the new seat of Buckingham and Bletchley. Dominic, who has been a resident of Milton Keynes for more than two decades, has had a wide-ranging career working in the agriculture, food manufacturing, plant science and conservation sectors. Unlike many conservationists, he became a wildlife protection and environment campaigner after a career in government and industry, using the skills he acquired in Whitehall, Brussels, and the corporate boardroom to fight for the protection of wildlife and nature at home and abroad. Dominic was CEO of the Badger Trust from 2013 to 2020 and is currently Policy Advisor and Wildlife Advocate at the Born Free Foundation. He is also a Board member of Wildlife and Countryside Link. "I must congratulate Dominic Dyer on being selected as one of the Parliamentary candidates in his..

Missing and failing teeth can be the source of considerable anxiety. Hiding your smile because of visible gaps or not being able to enjoy the foods you love can be so disheartening. Those with poorly fitting and uncomfortable dentures often report a dramatic drop in their general quality of life. Dental implants have revolutionised the replacement of missing teeth, offering solutions that are as natural as possible. Dr Sunil Passan of Northlight Dental addresses commonly asked questions for those considering implant treatment. What is a Dental Implant? Essentially, a dental implant is a small sturdy, titanium post that acts as the root would for a natural tooth. It is placed in the jawbone beneath the gum line, providing a base for a replacement tooth or teeth. Over time, the implant fuses with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation. This not only allows the implant to..

Welcome to Heald Solicitors’ guide on residential lease extensions. As experts in property law, we’re here to navigate you through the intricacies of extending your lease, ensuring your property retains its value. This guide covers everything from current regulations to expected costs and upcoming legal amendments. If you own a flat, it is most likely that you hold it as a long leaseholder. Owning a property in this way allows you to live there for a set number of years, when this period expires, you have to give ownership back to the Landlord. Most leasehold properties are sold with a 100+ year lease, with some having a 999-year lease, which is seen as a virtual freehold. However, if the lease term drops to less than 80 years, it can become difficult to sell or remortgage. This is because, in order to extend a lease of less than 80 years, you..

The Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce now spearheads the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards, spotlighting local business success and offering enhanced PR and marketing exposure to celebrate regional innovation and achievements. This year's SME Bedfordshire Business Awards have taken on added importance for everyone at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce. After several years as a major sponsor we are thrilled to be taking the lead in organising the Awards directly – a major milestone for the Chamber and a great addition to its already packed events calendar. Why did we do it? Because we believe we can provide local businesses a platform to have their successes recognised and achievements celebrated. We want to work more closely with the businesses who wish to enter and shine a stronger PR and marketing spotlight on entrants, sponsors and eventual winners. Chief Executive of the Chamber, Justin Richardson, said: “We have amazing and innovative companies throughout Bedfordshire,..

Your central heating boiler may be on the blink, a dripping tap is driving you to distraction or you need a new bathroom suite or gas safety check. At times like this you need a professional service from a qualified gas engineer or plumber. Able has built its reputation on delivering on its promises. The Milton Keynes based enterprise was set up in 2008 by senior engineer Matt Holtom. Since then, it has grown steadily setting high standards across a wide range of services from servicing boilers to fitting a wet room or tracking down a leak. Its client list includes some of the leading estate agents in Milton Keynes. Matt said: “Like us, estate agents want to give the best service. We will not compromise on quality to save costs or cut corners. We believe all our customers from homeowners to businesses deserve the very best service. “We understand..

A Buckinghamshire business hosted the biggest ever gathering of landscapers in the Midlands this week to promote “unspoken about” industry challenges and hot topics. George Davies Turf welcomed over one hundred gardening and landscaping professionals to its site in Milton Keynes as part of the British Association Landscape Industries’ (BALI) regional event, ‘Riding the Waves of Business’. The day included a line-up of presentations, inspirational speakers within the sector and Q&As covering mental health challenges in the industry, environmental changes, business recruitment, staff retention, personal development and more. George Davies, founder and managing director of George Davies Turf said: “There’s no question our industry is shifting due to a number of external challenges such as climate change, recruitment and skills shortages and even mental health, so we were blown away by the success of this event which was all about these usually unspoken about topics. “We don’t just provide a..

Last month, I had the pleasure of an invitation to a dining experience that has long been on my bucket list: Allium Dining. Allium at Manor Farm in Bourton is a celebration of all things local and delicious – two aspects that are of great importance to me as an avid consumer of all things edible. Situated in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, Manor Farm in Bourton is home to this gastronomic event lead by the culinary wizard that is Andy Tomlinson. As a huge fan of their daytime offering, The Larder Café, I knew that this was going to be a special evening. A little about Manor Farm… The Verey family have been farming at Manor Farm in Bourton for four generations and have been building a business that has the environment and local community at its heart. Having celebrated their centenary in October 2018, the farm has..