Eco friendly venue and countryside retreat Beechenhill Farm is the beautiful location for a summer celebration hosted by a growing business group. Simply Great Britain is a members’ organisation which champions and supports outstanding independent businesses across the UK . Simply Great Britain founder Emily Whitehead, launched the Simply brand in Staffordshire and is now working with innovative independent businesses …

Actress and playwright Deborah McAndrew is to become the Gingerbread Centre’s first Ambassador, helping to support the Stoke-on-Trent charity and raise awareness of its work to support homeless families. Deborah, who began her career on the cobbles of Coronation Street, is a passionate campaigner for her adopted city of Stoke-on-Trent and an advocate of community art, using theatre to empower …

From Africa, via Bramhall, and made with love, former police officer Alex Anyakwo is cooking up a storm with his unique African sauces. A passion to explore the cuisine of his native Nigeria led Alex to start experimenting in his home kitchen on the outskirts of Stockport but a chance meeting with a Yorkshire farm shop owner led Alex to …

A Staffordshire architect has won a contract with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to design high quality social housing in the heart of the city. Croft Architecture has drawn up plans for 26 apartments and houses in Norfolk Street, Shelton. “There are several major benefits to the scheme,” said Croft Director Carl Croft. “It will transform a derelict site and provide both …

Following earlier favourable decisions in lower courts, a plumber has again won his legal battle for working rights in a Supreme Court ruling. Gary Smith had worked solely for Pimlico Plumbers for six years. Despite being VAT-registered and paying self-employed tax, the court confirmed that he was entitled to workers’ rights, rejecting Pimlico’s appeal against earlier decisions in Mr Smith’s …

Rydale Roofing has kicked off a landmark year of fundraising with a football tournament in Newcastle-under-Lyme. More than 60 players took part in the competition at Silverdale Athletic FC with each team of six donating £30 to Rydale’s 25th anniversary charity fund. It was the first big event of a summer of fundraising featuring a range of events and entertainment …