The Franchise Magazine – The ‘Be Your Own Boss’ Magazine Celebrates 25 Years

The 25th anniversary edition of The Franchise Magazine, the ‘Be Your Own Boss’ magazine was published on September 24 by Norwich-based Franchise Development Services (FDS) and looks at the reality of becoming a franchise millionaire, http://www.thefranchisemagazine.net.

The magazine, the first in the UK written for people wanting to own a franchise, has helped more than 1000 franchisors to replicate their success both in the UK and internationally, giving over 10000 people the chance to run and develop their own franchise business.

Publisher Roy Seaman said: “Franchising is the safest way to start a business – some 90% of new franchise owners succeed. We pride ourselves in the reputation that we have developed with The Franchise Magazine for promoting some of the most interesting and genuine business format franchises.”

“Brands like McDonalds, Mars, Subway, Cash Generator, All Trades, Belvoir the letting agency and Molly Maid, work closely with The Franchise Magazine to recruit new franchise owners,” added Roy Seaman. “With a print run of 20,000, a further 70,000 digital subscribers and more than 100,000 visitors so far this year to the website, The Franchise Magazine is proving a vital resource for people who have been made redundant or have simply lost their job and are exploring franchising as a proven business opportunity for their skills, energies and ambitions.”

The 25th anniversary edition looks at owning brands like CeX (computer entertainment exchange), Domino’s Pizza, Ovenclean, Prokill, The Real Bean Coffee Company, Rush Hair and Beauty and new this issue, mobility retailer Ableworld, which is launching a national franchise operation. Also featured is Taylor of Bond Street, purveyor of luxury male grooming products since 1854, which is planning to develop international franchises.

FDS also publishes The UK Franchise Directory. The current editions features more than 1400 franchise opportunities. But such is the growth of the industry that potential franchise business owners can now choose from 1554 brands, 70% of whom are UK based.

To complement The Franchise Magazine and The UK Franchise Directory, FDS runs a series of free seminars for potential franchisors – ‘How to successfully franchise your business’ – the next dates are October 20 in Norwich and October 27 in Manchester and Reigate.

Other publications and websites in the FDS portfolio are Irish Franchise Magazine, Franquicias y Negocios (Spain), http://www.franchise-international.net, the only website promoting master franchise and area development rights worldwide and http://www.europeanfranchising.net profiling master franchise opportunities across Europe.

FDS head office is in Norwich tel. 01603 620301, enquiries@fdsltd.com, http://www.fdsfranchise.com, with regional offices in Manchester tel. 0161 926 9882, Litchfield tel. 01543 483509, Reading 0118 974 5115 and Reigate tel. 0845 372 2010.

EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival Wroxham Barns Sunday 26 September

Events and Activities at Wroxham Barns Sunday 26 September

Fourth Annual Scone Competition - enter your scones by 2.30pm, winners announced at 4pm (approx.). Four categories – plain, fruit, cheese and freestyle – any ingredients allowed!

Produced in Norfolk Taste the View at Uncle Stuart's Brewery - taste his Norfolk beers, 11am to 4.30pm.

Produced in Norfolk Taste the View at The Apple Shop – free samples of traditional Norfolk Cider and pure pressed Norfolk farm apple juice.

Free fudge tastings – just like granny used to make it! – at The Fudge Shop.

Country Food Shop – free tastings from our extensive range of preserves, pickles and chutneys – probably the largest selection in Norfolk.

Gavin Fisher of Watercress Lane Duck Eggs, Mattishall will be at Wroxham Barns offering tastings throughout the day, cooking scrambled duck eggs on site. There will also be buns made from duck eggs and Portuguese Duck egg custard tarts, one of the recipes on their recipe cards. There will be opportunities for visitors to purchase eggs, learn about duck eggs and the Watercress Lane Blue Duck scheme which is focused on safety and consumer knowledge, www.watercresslane.co.uk, tel. 01362 850254.

Wroxham Barns tel 01603 783762, www.wroxhambarns.co.uk

National Franchise Week – UK Report Reveals Franchise Sector Growth

With more than 250000 people actively looking at owning their own franchise business and more than 1500 franchise brands expanding nationwide, Norwich-based Franchise Development Services (FDS) publishes the first comprehensive report reviewing all aspects of the UK franchise industry on Friday, September 24.

The report, produced by MBA students from the Norwich Business School at the University of East Anglia (UEA) launches National Franchise Week – September 27 to October 3. It demonstrates that franchising is the safest way to start a business – some 90% of new franchise owners succeed.

Roy Seaman, Managing Director FDS said: “The franchise industry’s good health is evident, so far this year 146 new franchisors have entered the market in the UK providing increasing opportunities for people to own their own business. The major banks with franchise departments are actively loaning money to the franchise sector. People who have been made redundant or have simply lost their job are exploring franchising as a proven business format for their skills, energies and ambitions.”

Local government is waking up to the potential for franchising to kick-start the economy. Ipswich Borough Council is running, with FDS, the first ever local authority sponsored franchise exhibition on November 10.

For potential franchisors, FDS runs a series of free seminars – ‘How to successfully franchise your business’ – the next dates are October 20 in Norwich and October 27 in Manchester and Reigate.

The report Insight: An Industry review of Franchising in the UK 2010 is the result of research by UEA MBA students and analyses historic, present and future trends in the UK franchise market incorporating the views of franchisors, franchise owners and banks with specialist finance departments.

Terry Kendrick, MBA Programme Director at Norwich Business School, said: “FDS and our team of four MBA students have produced an interesting report on a key business area. Together they have provided an insightful introductory overview for those looking at this marketplace – a great example of experienced university students working with business”

The report, costing £495, will be offered at £125 during National Franchise Week. It is available from FDS, tel. 01603 620301, email enquiries@fdsltd.com.

National Franchise Week culminates in The National Franchise Exhibition at NEC Birmingham on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2. More than 150 franchise brands are exhibiting at the show. FDS will also be at the show at stand A180.

A key element of The National Franchise Exhibition is the extensive free conference programme, which includes seminars by FDS. There will be two seminars each day helping owners of successful businesses to understand how best to successfully franchise their business.

All the speakers are experienced British Franchise Association affiliates and members of the FDS Franchise Consultancy team. They will cover all aspects of creating the Franchise Development Business Plan, including the infrastructure requirements and then how best to recruit franchise owners. Their advice and guidance is based on FDS’ 29 years of experience of working with the UK franchise market.

FDS, which was established in Norwich in 1981, has helped 1000 franchisors, including brands like Domino’s Pizza and Subway, to replicate their success both in the UK and internationally, giving 10000 franchise owners the chance to run and develop their own business, www.fdsfranchise.com, tel. 01603 620301, enquiries@fdsltd.com.

Cakes Galore! at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden

Sample Cakes Galore! at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden tearoom, South Walsham on Wednesday, September 29 from 3.30pm to 5pm. This EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival event also features cakes baked by Ninhams Ltd, Norwich based producer of traditional cake mixes.

Try as many of the famous Fairhaven cakes as you want – £4 per person (includes tea/coffee). Gluten free, diabetic and vegan options on offer.

Pre-booking advised tel. 01603 270449, email fairhavengarden@btconnect.com.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk. The garden is open daily all year, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.

There is wheelchair access to most of the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance; mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

Tour of Britain Cycling Norfolk – Broads Welcome in Wroxham

Riders on the Norfolk leg of the Tour of Britain cycle race on Thursday, September 16 were welcomed at Wroxham Bridge by the Broads Tourism Forum on Broads Tours’ Vintage Broadsman cruise boat.

Ian Russell, Chairman Broads Tourism Forum said: "We are delighted that the Tour of Britain route passed through the Broads. This is great cycling country for all ages and experience. We hope that many visitors will be inspired by the Tour of Britain to get on their bikes and explore the Broads cycling routes."

For information about cycling in the Broads see http://www.thebroadsbybike.org.uk. For other activities see http://www.enjoythebroads.com and http://www.norfolkbroads.com.

Dunston Hall Food & Beverage Director hits Marathon Trail for Variety Club

Paul Murfitt (40), Director of Food & Beverage at De Vere Dunston Hall, near Norwich is running his first marathon in Nottingham on Sunday, September 12 in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.

“The Variety Club Children’s Charity is the De Vere Group’s charity of the year,” said Paul Murfitt. “I decided that it would be a good challenge to have a go at a marathon and add some extra funds to the £10,000 raised by our golf day and ball in May. I have been doing around 40 miles a week and hope that this will be enough preparation!”

To support Paul, go to www.justgiving.co.uk/paul-murfitt .

The Variety Club Children’s Charity, http://www.varietyclub.org.uk/ was founded in 1949 to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. The charity has raised over £200 million in the last six decades, supporting more than one million children and young people. The Variety Club provides Sunshine Coaches, electric wheelchairs, days out, equipment for children’s hospitals and more.

For more information about De Vere Dunston Hall tel. 01508 470444 or visit
www.devere-hotels.com/our-hotels/dunston-hall.

Norwich 20 Group exhibition – ‘a must-see event for all art lovers’

Keith Roberts, Chair of Norfolk Contemporary Art Society has described Norwich Twenty Group’s (N20G) autumn show at John Innes Centre, Colney, as ‘a must-see event for all art lovers’. The exhibition, showcasing more than 120 works runs to Wednesday, September 15 and is open daily, 10am to 5pm, with free admission, www.norwich20group.co.uk.

“This has to be one the best 20 Group shows; a must-see event for all art lovers. The exhibition space is light, the 100 or so works are beautifully displayed, and the breadth of talent and technique displayed is really impressive. A great opportunity to see (and acquire) the best of Norfolk.” Keith Roberts, Chair, Norfolk Contemporary Art Society

“An intriguing, varied show of mature talents. Very good to see.” Comment in the visitors’ book

The exhibition features the work of more than 40 of Norfolk’s top artists, from traditional
figurative painting to abstract painting, sculpture, stone carving and imaginative site installations.

As well as the exhibition of large works, there is an opportunity to pick up many small items in the Art Bazaar. All Art Bazaar items are donated by N20G members to raise money for the group and are sold for £15.

New Members exhibiting with N20G for the first time are Martin Laurance, Keith Pomeroy and Julia Sorrell. N20G reviews the Final Degree Show at Norwich University College of the Arts each year and invites young artists of exceptional talent to join the group as 'licentiates'. This means they become members of the group for one year free of charge and are qualified to take part in exhibitions. This year’s artists are Emma Armitage and Lorna Johnson.

Rory McShane Chairman N20G said: “Our autumn exhibition celebrates the rich mix of styles and ideas coming from some of Norfolk’s top artists and is a colourful, energetic and original show.”

Norwich 20 Group
N20G was formed in 1944 comprising professional artists from the Norwich School of Art and Design. The group is no longer limited to 20 and now has more than 70 members, several of whom exhibit regularly in the West End and abroad. All aspects of the practice of contemporary fine art are represented e.g. sculpture, print, photography and painting.

Over the years the membership has included nationally known artists, for example, Bernard Reynolds and Jeffrey Camp. Colin Self has taken an active role as have numerous art historians and architects. Mary Newcomb, one of Britain’s best loved artists, famous for her visionary ruralist paintings, who died in 2008, was a member of N20G for many years. Her work often sold at exhibitions for around £20. It now changes hands for five figure sums. Current N20G members include Andy Campbell, David Holgate, Ros Newman, Vanessa Pooley, Louise Richardson and Laurie Rudling.