Business : BDC Blog News

Why CBD Products

CBD (cannabidiol) products are naturally occurring plant-based substances growing in demand for self-care and wellness over more chemically-laden options on the market. The cannabinoid demonstrates thus far a level of safety in which users are placing their faith, since research has not concretely evidenced the effects or long-term protection of

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5 Design Ideas For Your Bedroom This Coming Winter

Now that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, the weather is beginning to change. The sun is starting to set earlier, and it’s starting to get cosier inside. I know what you’re thinking – that’s no reason to decorate your bedroom! But wait! There are

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Things to Look Out for When House Hunting

When looking for a new home, there is a lot of pressure. This is where you will live for the foreseeable future. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the need for it to be perfect.  Find a home comes with a long list of desirables. Everything from location to garden

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6 Signs Your Business Needs A Trucking Partner

Whether you’re in manufacturing, wholesale distribution, or in the retail sector, there comes a point when you’ll be needing a trucking partner. When your business scales up and need to transport bulky supplies and orders from one point to another, then you might consider working with a trucking company. Below

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The history and legacy of Bradford’s manufacturing industry

Despite its unassuming and at times unflattering reputation over the years, the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire was once a northern powerhouse of epic proportions. Not just the most affluent city in West Yorkshire, Bradford was also, at one time, one of the most prosperous cities in the world

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New Community Connections Programme Unveiled

A new, national, engagement programme supporting communities across Scotland to recover from the COVID pandemic through heritage, has been launched by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).  Community Connections is a new unified framework working with community groups and organisations across Scotland todeliver a range of collaborative projects through sharing resources, networks, knowledge, and expertise. The aim is to show how the heritage that matters locally can play a vital role in supporting the post-pandemic recovery – often in surprising and creative ways.   The programme’s initial focus is to develop  projects around the following key areas:   health and

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4 pro tips on how to design awesome commercial environments

Designing successful interior spaces for commercial environments is arguably both an art and a science. While the space should be cost-effective and work efficiently in terms of layout and traffic flow, it also needs to capture the imagination of the customer, reflecting the ever-changing expectations of your target audience and

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Business : BDC Blog News

Why CBD Products

CBD (cannabidiol) products are naturally occurring plant-based substances growing in demand for self-care and wellness over more chemically-laden options on the market. The cannabinoid demonstrates thus far a level of safety in which users are placing their faith, since research has not concretely evidenced the effects or long-term protection of the compound in an official capacity. Look here for details on how these products work if used daily. Clinical studies are ongoing, with results released regularly showing more proof leaning towards efficacy in the wellness capacity for the cannabinoid. The public at large speaks volumes in favor of the many benefits seen from the properties of cannabidiol with routine use. In combination with the populace’s propensity for “green methodologies” to self-care and a fading stigma regarding CBD being lumped in with “illicit drugs,” these details create a desire for more people to use the compound. Thus, the incredible level of popularity we see among the industry today. Why CBD Products Studies reveal that the population as a whole demands CBD products on a grand scale. The market is booming, to say the least, and has predictions to escalate exponentially over the next several years despite an official statement from researchers evidencing the efficacy or safety of the substance. Outside an “official” status, reports from clinical studies lean towards the efficacy of the properties in many instances and speak for the safety of the substances, only not in the long term. Human trials are also minimal. Regardless, people are willing to take risks based on overwhelming anecdotal studies revealing positive results across the board. It seems more users prefer a “green methodology” to self-care, and more are finding CBD less of a threat as the stigma surrounding the herb begins to wane. That leads to an increase in popularity (and demand) as more people find reasons to incorporate the cannabinoid into their regular routine. Some reasons for usage include: –          The Medical Community Is Becoming Aware With the increase in research and more studies revealing positive results, the medical community and veterinary practices are taking notice. Many healthcare practitioners are beginning to recommend CBD options to their patients for assistance with symptoms associated with specific conditions like stress or sleep challenges. Because more recommendations are coming from these industries, manufacturers in the CBD realm concentrate their efforts on developing quality products for more affordable prices to make the items accessible so the demand can be met. You can now find inventory in many online pharmacies with users in states where CBD is legal, having the luxury of placing orders from the comfort of home with orders delivered to their front door. With greater access, more people can take advantage of the cannabinoid than had the opportunity before. –          Legalization Helping With Hesitancy Because more policies are developing to legalize hemp-based product use, more people are comfortable in taking that initiative where before they may have been hesitant. Still, not all countries or states within the U.S. have become legal for the use of hemp-related options. With the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp-based products were legalized as far as production, transportation, cultivation, selling, etc., as long as these contain merely 0.2% (Europe) or 0.3% (U.S.) of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the cannabinoid responsible for intoxication with marijuana. Following the Bill’s enactment, many states automatically chose to legalize CBD hemp-based products, except Nebraska and South Dakota, where there seems to be a gray area. Please check your state and local guidelines before indulging in any cannabidiol products as a precautionary measure. –          Increasing Media Attention The greater level of medical attention has sparked the population’s interest, helping to squash the stigma that follows CBD. It hasn’t faded altogether, but it is beginning to wane to a significant degree. Since content has a way of informing the masses in droves, people can educate quickly on what the compound is, the benefits and effects, and what point research has established with their studies. Due to their diligence, these platforms are responsible for eradicating some of the misconceptions that follow the cannabinoid, including the fact that it’s a non-intoxicating compound, unlike THC. CBD leans more towards self-care and wellness with minimal side effects. The web and social site platforms help inform and educate the public showing why the substance is worth a try, plus mentioning what the potential downsides are in consuming the substance. Not everyone will react the same, with some having the possibility for sensitivity. That would entail stopping with signs of side effects, which are typically minimal. Again, it’s not an exact science at this point yet, except to say, side effects pass quickly, an overdose is not a possibility. Final Thought People today are more interested in a “green methodology” to self-care, and CBD (cannabidiol) fits that medium. With clinical studies releasing reports that “lean” towards the properties’ efficacy in a wellness capacity and anecdotal reports phenomenally boasting the benefits of the compound for self-care, potential users are finding these alone reasons to at least try the products. But when you add the medical community taking notice and the stigma giving way slowly to a legitimacy, particularly with legislation that says “let’s legalize,” it gives less reason for concern and more confidence and comfort with a trial use. No one wants to put something adverse into their bodies. We all want to be safe and proactive with self-care. When reasons begin to add up to cannabidiol being a welcome addition to a self-care regimen (find out if you can incorporate products into your work schedule https://cbd.market/cbdblog/can-employees-use-cbd-oil-in-2021/), responsible people begin to listen.

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Over 112,000 UK trade businesses have been set up since the first lockdown

More than one in ten of the UK’s lockdown businesses are in the trade industry  Over 20,000 new businesses focus on the ‘development of building products’ – a fifth of all lockdown trade companies  Per capita, Aberdeen has seen the greatest number of trade start-ups since March 2020  Since the first Coronavirus lockdown was announced on 23rd March 2020, over 112,000 trade businesses have been set up in the UK, new research has revealed.  The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, analysed over one million rows of Companies House data1 and found that more than one in ten (11%) of all businesses set up during the pandemic (1,019,970) are in the trade industry.  Of the 112,047 new companies in the sector, almost a fifth (19%) focus on the ‘development of building products’, with 20,753 start-ups – more than any other trade category. Similar projects also take up the next three spots, with ‘construction of domestic buildings’ and ‘commercial buildings’ both making the top five.  Companies specialising in ‘electrical installation’ are not far behind, with 8,194 new businesses, while ‘plumbing, heat and air-conditioning installation’ firms also feature highly.  The ten most common categories for trade businesses established since the first lockdown are:  1) Development of building projects – 20,753  2) Construction of domestic buildings – 16,278  3) Other specialised construction activities – 9,395  4) Construction of commercial buildings – 8,763  5) Electrical installation – 8,194  6) Other building completion and finishing – 8,151  7) Plumbing, hear and air-conditioning installation – 7,299  8) Other construction installation – 6,146  9) Landscape service activities – 3,685  10) Painting – 3,090  Other popular trades, such as roofing (2,612), joinery (2,226) and plastering (1,589) have also seen many new enterprises.  These lockdown companies are spread out across the UK, but, while London inevitably has the most new trade businesses (24,977) due to its size – almost eight times as many as the next city, Birmingham (3,175) – Aberdeen has the most per capita.  With 163 new companies and a population of just under 230,0002, there is one lockdown trade start-up per 1,403 people in the Scottish port city. On this metric3, Southend-on-Sea takes second place and top spot for England, followed by Bath.  The top five UK hotspots for lockdown trade businesses are:  1) Aberdeen – 163 (one per 1,403 people)  2) Southend-on-Sea – 132 (one per 1,402)  3) Bath – 94 (one per 1,102)  4) Edinburgh – 488 (one per 1,076)  5) Belfast – 273 (one per 1,056)  Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect, said: “The pandemic has brought many challenges to businesses, but it’s great to see that it has also created some opportunities, with lots of tradespeople starting new companies.  “Setting up a business can be tricky at the best of times, so these individuals deserve tremendous credit for making it work during lockdown.   “If you’re thinking of following their lead and starting your own trade company, we’ve partnered with Rick Smith, Managing Director at an insolvency and business rescue specialist, to provide expert advice on how to do so.” For expert tips on how to set up a trade business, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/expert-tips-for-setting-up-a-new-business  

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Building Vs. Buying Your First Home: Assessing The Pros And Cons

Home is where the heart is. Every individual has a dream of having a place to call home, where they can live peacefully knowing that it’s rightfully theirs. As you seek to find a place of your own, one of the common dilemmas is choosing whether to purchase an existing house from a real estate company or have your dream home built from the ground up. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. For that reason, you have to assess both alternatives and choose the one that suits you the most. Below is a detailed discussion on building versus buying your first home, particularly their pros and cons. Building Your Own House Doing this from scratch is a good choice if you already have a piece of land you can use. You get to purchase all the construction materials and hire the contractor you want for the job. If you go with this option, here are the pros and cons you can expect. Pros Of Building Here are just some of the benefits of going for home construction: Customization: When building your house, contractors with vast professional experience, such as those from Jabconst.com, can help you design and erect a home with all the features you’ve been dreaming of. You can decide on things like the house’s theme, color of the walls, fixtures, overall layout, lights, and landscaping. For example, you can construct a basement that doubles up as a wine cellar, or ensure that the living and dining rooms have south-facing windows so you’ll be able to make the most of the light and heat coming from the sun. Latest Building Designs: Building your house from scratch gives you the liberty of making it as modern and energy-efficient as possible. You’re free to paint it in fabulous color combinations that boldly speak of modernity. You can also install the latest security devices to make your home safer and protect it from break-ins. Seldom will you find such features in old or ready-built houses. And if you do find them, they appear more of an afterthought rather than part and parcel of the original design. Reduced Maintenance And Repair Cost: If the builders do an excellent job, it’ll take quite some years before you start worrying about repairs or renovations. You don’t have to worry about an aging hot water system, a blocked drainage system, or a leaking roof as long as the construction was done correctly. You Can Choose The Best Builder: When constructing your house, it’s in your power to choose a company that you believe will do an excellent job. An ideal builder should frequently be available to discuss the progress of the project with you, listen to your concerns, accept corrections, advise you accordingly, and do quality work. Additionally, they should charge a reasonable amount of money and ensure that the construction is completed within the agreed time frame. Uniqueness: Building your own house allows you to pull out a never-seen-before design. Standing out from the crowd this way brings an incredible feeling of satisfaction. People in the neighborhood get to admire your sense of style, and your property might even become a source of inspiration to others who are looking to take the same route you did. Saves You Money: You can decide to use budget-friendly construction materials to save some cash. For example, instead of purchasing new timber for framing and cladding, you can go for reclaimed timber. In the same sense, you can subtly incorporate corrugated metal sheets in your home, a practice usually overlooked by many homeowners. Cons Of Building Despite the several advantages listed above, building a house comes with the following disadvantages: Delayed Occupancy: Building a house to completion may take several months or even years, depending on factors such as its size and the complexity of its design. During this period, you and your family have to stay elsewhere. Paying monthly rental fees and building a house at the same time might be discouraging as juggling between looking after your temporary home and overseeing the construction of your new one can be challenging. Higher Cost: Without a proper plan and good cash flow, the cost of building your home can skyrocket. That’s especially true if you purchase small quantities of materials throughout the course of the project because you’ll incur enormous transport costs. Also, if the workers unnecessarily spend a longer time than usual on site, you end up paying a lot of wages. Disputes With The Builder: Sometimes, disagreements may arise between you and the contractor if there’s a breach of the terms in the building contract. The builder you’re working with might exploit you by setting unrealistic prices of some construction materials, and then you only find out the truth later on. You’re likely to get angry at their dishonesty and confront them about it. Also, the contractor may deliberately work at a slow pace and fail to meet the agreed deadlines. If such disputes spiral out of control, you may have to hire lawyers to help solve the issues, and that’s both costly, time-consuming, and strenuous to deal with. A Messy And Muddy Building Site: Suppose you move into your new home immediately after the major areas are completed but before the exteriors are taken care of. You’ll have to bear with the usual mess found on construction sites—mud, bare soil, construction debris, and the like. Without enough patience, that sort of scene might just get on your nerves until everything’s cleared away. Differing Needs Between You And Your Partner: In the course of building your home, you’ll have to make practically endless decisions. Suppose you fail to amicably agree on some things with your partner because of different likes, tastes, and preferences. This can spoil the excitement and joy of constructing a new home. Buying A Ready-Made House Having covered the benefits and limitations of building a home, it’s now time to assess the upsides and downsides of buying a house. Pros Of Buying

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5 Design Ideas For Your Bedroom This Coming Winter

Now that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, the weather is beginning to change. The sun is starting to set earlier, and it’s starting to get cosier inside. I know what you’re thinking – that’s no reason to decorate your bedroom! But wait! There are so many reasons you should. Having a cosy bedroom can help your health. So curl up in bed with a nice warm cup of hot cocoa, or even better – one of these 5 design ideas for your bedroom this coming winter. Bedroom Furniture Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, the winter months can be an unpredictable time. Your house could need renovation, and you may want to tidy up some areas that have become messy. It can be hard to decide on the best furniture options if you don’t have a general sense of what you want out of your bedroom. In addition to being functional, making winter furniture selections should also be an aesthetic decision. Will, your bed, be the place to curl up during cold snaps, or will it provide enough comfort for active people looking to get a jump on things in February? For quality bedroom furniture, visit Furniture In Fashion for great deals. Choose warm and rich colours for winter When it comes to your bedroom, you have a lot of influence on how the space looks. This is your space to express yourself. If you choose a bolder colour scheme for your bedroom, then you risk looking unkempt and made of money. Or if you go with a more subdued look, it might seem like you’ve sacrificed comfort for looks. If you want to look good, whether you’re in your pyjamas or slippers, make sure you choose a bedroom with Warm and rich colours for winter, which gives the rooms the soft hue needed for striking those winter-appropriate reactions. Look at wood tone colors for the flooring Rosewood is best known for its beautiful appearance. It has a warm colour and tends to fade naturally from light coloured woods like mahogany and maple towards dark woods like Balsam. The natural look is pleasing to the eye. If you want something that will have a strong appearance late in the day, then look for natural wood floors. When choosing a flooring colour, start with the woods, then look at the face and grain patterns of the logs for identification of when these colours are most appropriate. Add texture to your space with fur throws Pillows are easily one of the most popular accessories that people choose to put into their spaces. Fur throw pillows are the perfect way to add texture to any space you have. Whether you have a bedroom, office, or bedroom with nothing but fluffy pillows lying around, throw them on and instantly, you’ll have a cosy spot to curl up in front of. Fur throws are a fun way to embellish your home. They’re a practical way to get taller when installing decking or generally just give your home a cosy look. They can also be used to cover up storm damage or other small imperfections that would otherwise create big blobs or ripples in otherwise smooth surfaces.

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Things to Look Out for When House Hunting

When looking for a new home, there is a lot of pressure. This is where you will live for the foreseeable future. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the need for it to be perfect.  Find a home comes with a long list of desirables. Everything from location to garden space has to be covered. When it comes to redesigning and making your home yours, the ideas start coming to the surface, and it starts to get really exciting!  While you may envision yourself working on DIY projects and renovating your home yourself, there are some things to look out for before you invest. Here are the essentials before you take the leap: The Size of the Project Before you start looking for a house, decide exactly how much you want to take on. Renovatinos take time and can become costly. After you have worked out the budget for investing, consider your budget for the work that needs to be done to the house. Think about how much time you have on your hands for these projects and whether or not you will take on the work yourself.  Deciding to work on your home is an exciting challenge, however, you have to know that you really can do it yourself. It’s a common mistake to get excited about renovating by yourself while house hunting and then realise it’s not possible. Plan the project out before you invest and include the potential cost of hiring workers too. Should you not have the money to start renovations immediately, think about how long you’ll be willing to wait to make them. If you invest in a home with a tacky bathroom that makes you cringe every time you walk in, you will want to know when you can redesign it. You have to factor in your happiness. Wear and Tear There are so many houses on the market that have potential. With a little vision and some knowledge of what is possible, you could transform down-and-out rooms into a beautiful living space.  Invite someone who is knowledgeable architectural design or construction to analyse what is possible. They will highlight any damage or issues that could result in calling pest control, or worse, further down the line.  Take your time and inspect the wear and tear of the house thoroughly before taking the leap and buying the home. Any hidden damage that you can’t see, could be detectable by someone knowledgeable. This could save on expensive repairs in the future.  Signs of Losing Patience House hunting can be exhausting. Hopping from property to property; seeing locations too far from work or neighbourhoods that don’t meet your requirements. After a while it can get you down. This is when impulse investments are made.  Take a break. Recalibrate and redefine exactly what you are looking for. If you haven’t already, get an estate agent involved. There is no way to peek into the future, but your new home is waiting for you. By taking time to work out how much you can take on, analysing what is possible with renovations, and having patience, you’ll find the home that you are looking for.

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The ultimate guide to building your dream open-plan living and dining area

Traditionally, a home would be divided into separate living and dining spaces. Today, however, homeowners’ tastes often call for one large, multifunctional space where all of the property’s required amenities for living and dining are integrated. So, could you build an open-plan area like this for your own home? The simple answer is yes – but you would have to navigate a fair few obstacles on your way to realising a combined space that would fit the above-mentioned description while also meeting your own needs. Consider your specific requirements Before you start sourcing supplies for your project, think about what you would personally like it to achieve from a practical point of view. For example, would you like to play music in it? Would you want it to include dedicated storage compartments? The Homes & Gardens website has advice for what you could do in either of these scenarios. You should also order materials based on the space’s intended design – such as by ordering industrial table legs if you are aiming for this kind of look. Look into whether you will need planning permission You could create an open-plan living and dining area by refitting existing space, building an extension or, indeed, doing both. However, your choice will affect what planning permissions, if any, you will need. While propertypriceadvice.co.uk notes that many local authorities allow certain extensions to be built to the rear of a property without any need for planning permission, you should contact your local planning authority before starting any work. Even just removing a wall can require planning permission. Take building regulations into account, too Even if your particular project turns out not to need planning permission, you should heed that all extensions would have to satisfy building regulations. These touch on all aspects of construction – including ventilation, insulation, heating and fire protection. Building regulations approval can be obtained by making a full plans application if you are set on substantial redesigns or by submitting a building notice application if the works will be minor. Figure out when to seek professional assistance For example, if your project will include a complicated extension, you might need to hire an architect who could help you with matters such as design and technical drawings. Meanwhile, if the dining part of your open-plan space is set to incorporate a kitchen, you should get in touch with a kitchen designer – ideally early in the project to help prevent time-consuming revisions later. Let natural light shine through where possible Accommodating sunlight in this way can help enhance the brightness and airiness of your new space. Fortunately, there are various daylight-enhancing measures you could take for it – such as installing glazing and a lengthy row of bi-fold or sliding doors. Alas, even after you have done all of this, sunlight could struggle to reach those parts of the space furthest from the glass – in which case, you could seriously consider adding roof lights or a roof lantern if either option would be practical in your particular situation.

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6 Signs Your Business Needs A Trucking Partner

Whether you’re in manufacturing, wholesale distribution, or in the retail sector, there comes a point when you’ll be needing a trucking partner. When your business scales up and need to transport bulky supplies and orders from one point to another, then you might consider working with a trucking company. Below are some of the signs that it’s time for your business to have a trucking partner. 1. Your Business Is Expanding When business is good, it is only a matter of time before expansion will be in the works. Once this happens, you may need to eventually transport supplies or goods to distributors and retailers across various cities and states.  Are you in food manufacturing and would need to frequently transport goods across state borders or within a state’s boundaries because of a business expansion? If yes, then you’ll need a trucking partner that specializes in interstate trucking.  Whether your business is doing interstate or intrastate commerce, there’s a trucking partner that can fit your needs. You can learn more about interstate vs intrastate trucking to help you determine the best trucking partner for your business needs.  Interstate commerce refers to selling, buying, or moving products and services across state borders. On the other hand, intrastate commerce is any trade or transportation within a state. Both of these types of businesses include running long-haul loads. 2. Your Products Are Getting In-Demand  Do you have seasonal products that are in demand at certain times of the year? For instance, if you create Christmas decorations and you need to supply warehouses and stores in different states, then you need a trucking partner to load everything and deliver loads to their intended destinations.  While you can buy a utility vehicle and deliver retailer orders by yourself, it’s best to work with a trucking company that can deliver bulky goods in one trip and assign somebody (field employee or subcontractor) to manage deliveries in a specific place of destination.  In this way, you avoid spending a lot of money shipping all orders by yourself or paying each parcel to a courier. Aside from that, professional truckers know how to load, handle, and discharge various goods or products safely. 3. You Need To Handle Heavy-Duty Materials  If you recently added a line of business such as a material handling equipment business, you would need the help of a trucking company to transport racks, workbenches, stacking frames, trolly lifts, and other equipment from point A to point B without so much stress and hassle. Trucking service companies have the right tools and equipment to load heavy-duty devices inside a truck and bring them safely to their final destination.  4. Stricter Border Protocols  Border control stations are sometimes strict with protocols because of legal, health, and safety issues. Hence, heavy loads should be transported by qualified vehicles such as trucks with proper credentials and permits to ensure full compliance.  So, it’s about time to work with a trucking company if you read or hear tightening of borders across the country to avoid transport delays and costly business flow disruption. 5. Stricter Safety Transport Client Requirements  If you have new clients with stricter transport requirements for the goods they’ve ordered, then you need a reliable trucking partner to adhere to this demand. Or if you simply want to protect your goods, hiring a trucking company is your best option.  You can save money from buying a truck or renting one and driving it by yourself. A good trucking company has expert drivers who can drive your goods safely across borders.  6. You’re Moving  If you need to move headquarters, you might need to also haul plenty of office supplies and heavy-duty equipment from your old place to your new business establishment. You can avoid spending a lot of time, money, and energy coming back and forth by simply hiring a trucking company to help you move.  How To Choose A Trucking Partner You need to make sure that your prospective trucking partner has been in the business for at least three years. It’s also recommended to select a trucking company with experience transporting the types of products you have and one that stays abreast with the latest trucking trends, especially in automation.  Take time to research the company as well, including its services, rates, and customer service. You need to make sure that you’ll work with a legitimate and reliable trucking company with the appropriate credentials, permits, and licenses to avoid trouble. Conclusion If you have an expanding business or your products are growing in demand rapidly, a trucking company can help you with logistics. Managing a large business without a trucking partner can be challenging. Whether you’re into interstate or intrastate commerce, a trucking company can help you move a high volume of goods from one area to another without so much hassle. 

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The history and legacy of Bradford’s manufacturing industry

Despite its unassuming and at times unflattering reputation over the years, the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire was once a northern powerhouse of epic proportions. Not just the most affluent city in West Yorkshire, Bradford was also, at one time, one of the most prosperous cities in the world with an influence on industry and politics worldwide. Indeed, the strike at Manningham Mill textile factory from 1890-91 which sought to achieve better wages for workers reflected the wider socio-economic situation of the era and saw the introduction of the Independent Labour Party, a precursor to the Labour Party we know today.  But where did it all start? Whilst a modest settlement had existed in the area since the Anglo-Saxon period, Bradford really came into its own during the 19th century and the onset of the Industrial Revolution. The city’s plentiful sources of coal, iron ore and soft water saw its rapid expansion as a manufacturer of textiles, especially wool. Indeed, at one point, Bradford was referred to as the “wool capital of the world”. With the expansion of industry came the population boom and significant investment in the area which can still be seen today in the notable Victorian architecture such as Bradford’s impressive City Hall, the Wool Exchange and St George’s Hall. City status was swift to follow in 1897 as Bradford became one of the UK’s key industrial cities. Sadly, the significant loss of local life during World War 1 – particularly during the Battle of the Somme where so many of the 16th and 18th Battalions of The West Yorkshire Regiment, aka the “Bradford Pals” were lost – and the deindustrialisation of the manufacturing industry across the UK in the mid-20th century saw a decline in the textile industry. A shift in manufacturing towards emerging and developing countries like China who could undercut the UK industries thanks to low wages, lengthy working hours and untapped natural resources and the advent of mechanisation meant former powerhouses like Bradford could not compete or retain vast numbers of workers. Just like the former shipbuilding centres of the North like Newcastle or Sheffield in the wake of its declining steel industry, Bradford was hit hard by the challenges of unemployment and social and economic unrest in the post-industrial era. However, in the wake of this decrease in traditional industry Bradford has managed to pick itself up and dust itself off in recent years to diversify its economy. Whilst there is still a focus on the wool industry in the city, which has been revolutionised by new technological advances, the finance, chemical, electronics, engineering, manufacturing and retail industries have all taken up residence in the city in a big way and both Morrisons and Yorkshire Water now have their head offices in Bradford. This creation of vast numbers of new jobs plus significant reinvestment in the city centre has seen a new renaissance for Bradford, which is even seeking the title of UK City of Culture 2025 alongside its existing accolade of UNESCO City of Film thanks to impressive amenities like the National Science and Media Museum, the Alhambra Theatre, the Salts Mill and Bradford City Park. In addition to Bradford’s already excellent commuters links to nearby Leeds, Halifax, Wakefield, Harrogate and Manchester via the A647, A650, A658 and the M62, there are also plans to introduce a new high speed rail station rather fittingly named the Northern Powerhouse Rail station.   Today, many of the impressive former mills of yester year have also been given a new lease of life and have been converted into spectacular homes for the savvy house buyer. Whether it comes to young professionals wanting to take advantage of Bradford’s great transport connections, empty nesters looking for something completely different or a buy-to-let investment utilising the ready flow of renters in the city – including the 11,000 student population of the University of Bradford – Bradford is a great option when it comes to property. Indeed, property in Bradford is extremely affordable, especially compared to the national average of over £250,000. In Bradford, the average sold price of properties in the last 12 months was £144,774. A significant saving in comparison to the Yorkshire and Humber region (£224,312) and West Yorkshire (£217,982) overall. Particularly sought-after areas such as Scarcroft on the edge of Leeds (£671,638), Huby (£568,667) and Ilkley (£486,585).  Properties in the city of Leeds itself are also more expensive, with an average sold price of £231,734 in the last 12 months. And when it comes to the types of property on offer, terraced house will fetch in the region of £108,000, with semi-detached properties costing around £147,000 and detached properties about £264,000.

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New Community Connections Programme Unveiled

A new, national, engagement programme supporting communities across Scotland to recover from the COVID pandemic through heritage, has been launched by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).  Community Connections is a new unified framework working with community groups and organisations across Scotland todeliver a range of collaborative projects through sharing resources, networks, knowledge, and expertise. The aim is to show how the heritage that matters locally can play a vital role in supporting the post-pandemic recovery – often in surprising and creative ways.   The programme’s initial focus is to develop  projects around the following key areas:   health and wellbeing    skills and volunteering    creativity     climate change    community and destination regeneration     In addition to exciting opportunities to develop fresh ideas under the programme, participants can also gain access to HES’s vast network of professionals across Scotland  who are looking to help communities recover and thrive.    As well as devising and delivering a range of future collaborative projects, the new, dedicated HES programme will also provide a range of supporting initiatives to benefit local communities. These include a new online ‘Community Connections Forum’ hosting discussions, workshops, and events with HES employees and communities. This will provide an interactive platform for inspiring opportunities and growing collaborations.   The programme will also feature regular online discussion events entitled Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations,  bringing together volunteers, community groups and heritage professionals. The discussions among a partnership featuring HES, Archaeology Scotland, The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Scottish Council for Archives, and the Scottish Community Heritage Alliance, will aim to celebrate resilience within community groups and examine the connections between heritage and wellbeing, arts, and culture.   Elsewhere, Community Connections will also include HES employees delivering interactive talks to community groups, as well as encouraging partnership initiatives, volunteer engagement and community events.  Commenting on the programme, Alison Turnbull, HES Director of Development and Partnership, said: “Although the initial focus will be on helping with COVID recovery, as the prorgramme develops it will be about ensuring communities can confidently and easily access our knowledge and expertise, so we can prioritise our resources to make a positive difference - connecting and collaborating and using local heritage to have a positive impact across the country. “  Stephen Duncan, HES Director of Commercial and Tourism, added: “Our new programme is not just about the heritage sector, as we are looking at how we can provide a contribution to community recovery across a range of different sectors as well as different themes, such as health and wellbeing by using our Properties In Care and sites to inform and deliver activities, such as organised health walks around our green spaces for example.” 

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4 pro tips on how to design awesome commercial environments

Designing successful interior spaces for commercial environments is arguably both an art and a science. While the space should be cost-effective and work efficiently in terms of layout and traffic flow, it also needs to capture the imagination of the customer, reflecting the ever-changing expectations of your target audience and the commercial interiors trends of the moment. That said, unique interior design for offices, shops or restaurants is about more than delivering kerb appeal. While the exterior is obviously an important element, it’s all about creating curiosity and enticing people to come in. A positive first impression of your business can go a long way in establishing your brand authority in today’s competitive world. Here are four practical tips to achieve this. 1.     Create engaging spaces Interior design should be engaging – you want those who use the space to be uplifted and inspired and to love spending time there. What exactly this means depends on your business characteristics and values, and the tastes of your customers and staff. Take the example of a company with modern eco-friendly values. Deep, cool tones such as greys and charcoals, perhaps with a hint of green, could be a suitable colour palette. Add lighter neutrals such as taupe, stone and ivory to create balance and to keep the space both contemporary and relevant. Ideally, use colours that reflect your business brand to enhance its visibility. Use patterns to add visual interest to your commercial interiors. Large-scale geometric patterns on hard wearing luxury vinyl flooring, for instance, combine both practicality and style. For inspiration, take a look at this great selection. Making a striking impact on anyone who walks in through the door, it’s a great way to make a statement and give your business a strong personality. 2.     All eyes on your products and services One of the key reasons why the interior design of commercial spaces is so important is because it needs to satisfy the needs and wants of your (potential) clients. Showcase your product or service offering and use design to emphasise what your company does. Give your business environment the voice to speak directly to the customer and place your business ahead of the competition. There’s a whole arsenal of tools at your disposal to create the right interior design vibe. From colour schemes, patterns and fabric choices to furniture, fixtures and fittings, every design choice should focus on the client and the product. Without that key connection, your customers will lose focus and sales will drop as a result. 3.     The importance of space and layout While maximising the available space used to mean making your square footage work hard, in these pandemic-driven times it is more likely to mean spacing out your employees, your products and service offerings, and your customers. Reconsidering the existing layout could mean being more creative with storage units and organisation of the workspace and workflow. For instance, you could remove tall floor cupboards and install wall cabinets instead, using the floor space thus freed up to position extra desks for your staff to work from. Think multifunctional or modular furniture such as cabinets with slide-out seats, handy for impromptu business meetings. Chairs with tablet arms are another nifty idea to help space out employees and minimise congestion. 4.     Make your design accessible and inclusive Gone are the days when accessibility in building design was added as an afterthought, with features such as removable wheelchair ramps or special disabled toilets. Today’s commercial spaces have inclusivity at the core, meaning successful business interiors must be accessible to everyone in your target audience, able-bodied or not. The principles of Universal Design anticipate problems and eliminate them. Creating a space where everyone feels comfortable and their needs catered for may involve flexible office furniture and technology that can be tweaked and adjusted as necessary to suit the user, including height-adjustable office desks and moveable monitor arms, accessible plug sockets and underfloor cable management. For commercial buildings with multiple floors, it should go without saying that multi-level mobility should be your top priority. Have lifts in place so that older people or differently abled people can comfortably move around the building, and avoid steps and thresholds between different areas of the building as well as at entrance and exit points.

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