& 1 City centre lingerie store set to a winning streak ...file/nottinghapost.pdf · the UK Trade &...
Transcript of & 1 City centre lingerie store set to a winning streak ...file/nottinghapost.pdf · the UK Trade &...
![Page 1: & 1 City centre lingerie store set to a winning streak ...file/nottinghapost.pdf · the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) ... lesson you3ve learned? We all have very different ... bank](https://reader033.fdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052711/5ad584ab7f8b9a177c8d1d77/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
34 Nottingham Post Wednesday October 9, 2013 NEP-E01-S2 EP01 NEP-E01-S2 EP01 Nottingham Post Wednesday October 9, 2013 35For breaking news go to nottinghampost.com For breaking news go to nottinghampost.com
BUSINESSPo s t Daily
City centre lingerie store set togive couple’s firm extra boost
Uni students hita winning streakSTUDENTS from The Uni-versity of Nottingham turnedout winners a Dragon’sDen-style competition duringthe UK Trade & Investment(UKTI) Entrepreneurs’ Fe s t iv -al in Manchester.
Ashutosh Pathak was part ofthe overall winning team, Bro-botics, and Ammar Mussajiand Thungdemo Ovung werepart of the 3D Life team thatalso won an award.
The enterprise competitionmarked the launch of The Siri-us Programme, spearheadedby UKTI, which aims to bringthe world’s best entrepreneur-ial talent to the UK.
The 12-month start-up sup-port and acceleration packageis open to students and recentgraduates with an early-stagebusiness idea or plan.
Successful applicants re-ceive a full range of supportincluding investment, a placeon a business accelerator pro-gramme, mentoring and logist-ical help with moving here.
The 3D Life team’s conceptwas for a sustainable andcost-effective water filtrationsystem for developing coun-tries. It secured them the mostinnovative prize.
Ammar Mussaji said: “Wi n -ning this award has given us allgreat confidence. Not only wasthis competition a great op-portunity to work as a team, itallowed us to each develop ourbusiness acumen too.”
AN INDEPENDENT lingeriechain which already has storesin Beeston and West Bridgfordhas opened its third store in thecity centre.
Jolie Lingerie, which stocksdesigner lingerie, hosiery,swimwear and nightwear, hasopened in Flying Horse Walk.
Customers are invited to alaunch event at the new storefrom noon until 8.30pm onTuesday, October 15.
The chain is owned by Jimand Brigitte Armstrong, whoopened their first shop in Bee-ston in 2004.
Their second store wasopened in West Bridgford in2008.
Amanda Mills, 34, of Den-bury Court, Mapperley, who ismanager of all three stores,said: “Flying Horse Walk is a
other shops. It’s nice to have atouch of luxury because it’s notoften that you have a properlingerie shop rather than a de-partment store.”
While the owners hope theirincreased physical presence inthe city centre will help boostsales, Jolie Lingerie’s onlinebusiness continues to growyear on year.
The website attracts busi-ness from all over the world,including customers acrossEurope, Australia and Amer-ica.
Web administrator ZoeBrindley, 23, of BridgnorthDrive, Clifton, said: “It’s goodto have the web business aswell as the store because we doget a lot of customers who arenot from the Nottinghama re a . ”
The firm also has Facebookand Twitter pages.
For further details visitwww.jolieling erie.co.uk
Getting ready for launch day: Amanda Mills, manager of Jolie Lingerie. PICTURE: DAN MATTHAMS C081013DA1-16
By Gemma [email protected]
W hat’s the name of yourbusiness?Apalts. We’re based in theFlying Horse Walk in Not-tingham city centre.
What is its product or ser-vice?We provide apparel fittingsand alterations.
Where did you get theidea from?We started as a women’sboutique shop and offeredour customers free fittingsfor the clothes they pur-chased. We soon found wewere getting more and morealteration requests for itemsnot sold in our store, whichmade us realise the demandand appreciation for whatwe did. So we moved on toopen a store solely for al-terations and fittings.
What did you have to do toget started?I sourced and invested heav-ily in machinery and equip-ment. This has allowed us toensure we can handle thebroad spectrum of altera-tions and garment materialwhich comes in.
How has yourproduct/service evolved?Our new business, Ice Dry
Cleaning, now sits alongsideAp a l t s.
What has the biggest im-pact on the way yourproduct/service changes?Current trends in fashiondictate the needs of our cus-tomers and how they wishto fit and alter clothing.
W hat’s been the biggestlesson you’ve learned?We all have very differenttastes in fashion, but it iswhat the customer wantsthat holds priority. After all,fashion is subjective. So it istrue to say that the custom-er is always right.
How has the businessg rown?Since opening, we havemoved from a small unitalong Byards Lane to a lar-ger unit within The FlyingHorse Walk. This has en-
BUSINESSPo s t Daily
Handelsbanken toopen new branchfor affluent suburbWEST BRIDGFORD’S status asone of Nottinghamshire’s mostaffluent addresses has receivedanother boost after a Swedishbank revealed plans to open abranch there.
Handelsbanken says it is ex-pecting to move into an officein the town by the end of theye a r.
The new office complementsthe bank’s existing branch inthe centre of Nottingham.
It will be managed by IanD av y s, a senior member of thebank’s team in the city.
Handelsbanken tends toserve clients who are eitherprofessionals or in business.
The firm claims to be dif-ferent to other banks becausemost of the decision-makingabout the finances it agreeswith customers is done atbranch level instead of by acentralised head office.
Handelsbanken doesn’t payits staff bonuses or have salestargets either.
Mr Davys said: “Business forus is going very well.
“We have always concen-trated on doing business loc-ally with good quality custom-
ers through a long-term rela-t i o n s h i p.
“That model has neverchanged, regardless of whathas been happening in thewider economy.
“It has stood us in good steadbecause these are the kind ofprudent customers who havetended to weather the stormbetter than others.
“The area we’ll be coveringfrom West Bridgford providessome excellent opportunities
bank NatWest in the East Mid-l a n d s.
He will head a team whichalso includes Richard Altoft,who will be corporate manager,and Julie Corthorn, who willbe individual banking man-a g er.
The new office will serve cus-tomers across south Notting-hamshire, and Mr Davys sayshe thinks the bank will benefitfrom an improving economy.
“While we tend to deal withpeople who are better placed toweather the storm, these arepeople who also tend to investwhen they see recovery com-ing,” he said.
“These are often quite con-servative people in the ap-proach they take to finance.But so are we.
“We have done very well inNottingham and we believe wecan do the same again withanother front door in WestB r i d g fo rd . ”
Originally from Sweden,Handelsbanken now has morethan 750 branches in 24 coun-t r i e s.
It has, for the last two years,been judged one of the world’sten strongest banks by finan-cial information providerBloomberg.
Scandinavian style: Ian Davys, from Handelsbanken, which is coming to West Bridgford.
We have alwaysconcentrated on doingbusiness locally withgood quality customers
Ian Davys
‘‘
The Big IdeaSaffron Leong explains how a boutiqueturned into the fittings service Apalts,based in Flying Horse Walk
Clothing service fits bill
Around 70 per cent ofwomen in the UK arewearing the wrongsize bra
Amanda Mills
‘‘
A YOUNG Notts entrepreneurwho is the UK’S sole importerof a flood protection system hasbeen showcasing his product ata series of exhibitions.
Simon Crowther, 19, of MainStreet, Woodborough, com-bines selling water gate bar-riers with studying a civil en-gineering degree at the Uni-versity of Nottingham.
He recently set up stands atan emergency services show atthe NEC in Birmingham and atthe Southwell PloughingM at ch .
Simon said: “The producthad an incredible amount ofinterest and, as a result, wehave some demos coming upwith the Environment Agencyand fire services.”
Simon’s flood protection plan fits in bag
bra to women in their 80s. Itstocks a huge variety of sizes,including bras in a 28 back to a46 back and from an A cup to aK cup.
The store also sells specialmaternity and mastectomy un-derwear, including softer bras.
Evening appointments canbe made at the shop for anybridal groups, first-time mumsor women who have recentlyhad mastectomy operationsand are not able to go shoppingduring the day.
And as lingerie is often apopular gift idea for husbandsand partners, Jolie Lingeriekeeps private customer re-cords of sizes to make the buy-ing process easier.
Lingerie stylist Meg Foxall,22, of Premier Road, Beeston,who previously worked in theBeeston store and is now at thenew Flying Horse Walkboutique, said: “T here’s areally different feel from the
abled us to greatly expandour workshop.
How will the businessevolve in future?We are currently workingon a new project – we ’resampling a small collectionof smart casual wear formen, which will launch un-der the Apalts label. It con-sists of shirts, blazers, out-erwear, chinos, tees andjeans, and we’re hoping tostock it online too.
How many people work inthe business?A small team of 10.
Do you have plans to ex-pand?
Yes – we ’re looking tolaunch SkinnyMyJeans.com,an online service wherecustomers can send in theirjeans for altering. The jeanswill then be posted back.
for Handelsbanken. We havealways enjoyed a good flow ofbusiness from the South Not-tinghamshire area and we arecommitted to introducing ourunique local relationshipbanking approach to more andmore businesses and individu-als locally.”
Mr Davys joined Handels-banken in 2008 after a careerspent mostly with high street
By Richard BakerBusiness Correspondent
fantastic location and it fits ourbrands as they are quite highend.
“We ’ve had sales every daysince we’ve opened but we nowneed to concentrate on gettingcustomers through the door.We are having a launch nighton Tuesday.
“We offer a very personalservice and all of the staff aretrained bra fitters.
“Around 70 per cent of wo-men in the UK are wearing thewrong size bra so it’s very im-portant that our customers goaway feeling comfortable.
“You can take a couple ofpounds off by wearing the rightsize bra.”
The shop competes with de-partment stores by offering apersonal service, catering for awide range of customers, fromgirls shopping for their first
The barriers comprise a sys-tem of close-fitting tarpaulin inwhich water pours in, provid-ing a self-deploying and strong,stabilised water barrier.
T hey’re the equivalent ofaround 700 sandbags and canbe packed into a duffel bag anddeployed quickly – 152 metresin less than two minutes.
Waterwonder:SimonCrowtherwith one ofhisimportedflooddefencewaterbarriers.
Travel
Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X.Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. Whenyou respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive suchoffers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.
YORKSHIRE DALESCHRISTMAS FESTIVALSDeparting 7 December 2013
PARIS AND REIMSCHRISTMAS MARKETSDeparting 6 December 2013
Head to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for a festiveweekend to remember! Step back in time at theDickens Christmas Festival in the little village ofGrassington and visit the lively town of Skipton, knownas the ‘Gateway to the Dales’, where the annualYuletide Festival and Market will be in full swing.Price includes:• Return coach travel from the local area• One night’s English breakfast accommodation in a
good standard hotel in the North West/Yorkshire• A visit to Grassington’s Dickens Christmas Festival• A visit to Skipton’s Yuletide Festival and Market• The services of a tour manager
There’s nowhere quite like Paris, especially atChristmastime! As well as having time to enjoy themagic of the French capital, we’ve included a visit tothe UNESCO World Heritage city of Reims which hostsone of the largest Christmas markets in Europe. Don’tmiss this great value, festive break.Price includes:• Return coach travel and ferry/Eurotunnel crossings• Two nights’ bed and continental breakfast
accommodation in a comfortable hotel in the GreaterParis area
• A visit to the Christmas markets in Paris• A visit to the Christmas market in Reims• The services of a tour manager
2 days from
£89per person
3 days from
£145per person
Call us on0844 472 4634
Or visit uswww.newmarket.travel/nep
Request a brochure online: www.newmarketbrochures.co.uk/nep
QuoteNEP
Call us on0844 472 4562Or visit us www.nottinghampost.reader.travel
QuoteNOT
TravelLONDON SHOWSTOPPER
3 days from
£200per person
Friday departures until March 2014BY RAIL
LONDON WEEKEND
3 days from
£170per person
Friday departures until March 2014RAIL SPECIAL
The price includes:• 2 nights stay with breakfast at a choice of3- and 4-star central London hotels, all located withinzones 1, 2 or 3 of the London Underground tube network
• Free time in London for shopping and sightseeing• Return standard class rail travel to London from Nottingham
London is known theworld over for its spectacular sights;royal history and traditions and fantastic shopping. So why notjoin one of our superb great value London breaks and enjoy aglittering weekend in our amazing capital city.
The price includes:• 2 nights stay with breakfast at a choice of3- and 4-star central London hotels, all located withinzones 1, 2 or 3 of the London Underground tube network
• A top priced ticket for a Friday evening performance of theshow of your choice
• Free time in London for shopping and sightseeing• Return standard class rail travel to London from Nottingham
Join us on this great value three day weekend break,which includes a top price ticket for a dazzling West Endshow. Choose from Dirty Dancing, Jersey Boys,Les Misèrables, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, War Horseand We Will Rock You as well as The Bodyguard
Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Prices are from, per person, based on two people sharing a standardroom unless stated otherwise and may have been rounded up or down to the nearest pound. Any applicable discounts have already been deducted. These breaks are subjected to availability, bookby dates may apply. Single rooms are also subject to availability and a supplement may apply. Prices and holidays are subject to availability and change, some holidays are subject to minimumpassenger numbers. Terms and conditions apply. Organised by Omega Short Breaks Ltd - ABTA Y5914 & Omega Events Ltd - ABTA Y590X. Subject to availability. These suppliers are independent ofLocal World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receivesuch offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.