Author: Karen Contrino

BridgerPay, a trusted global payments operations platform, are launching Hands In’s split payments as part of their payment optimisation services. This will mean their extensive network of merchants are now able to split payments across multiple cards and between multiple individuals – natively within online checkouts. Multi Card payments BridgerPay merchants now have access to Multi Card payments from Hands In, where they can split their payment across two or more cards. By splitting payments across multiple cards, credit limits are no longer an obstacle to successful payments. Customers can choose this option within the checkout or have this offered…

In what was already a memorable year for the world’s number one coaching firm, ActionCOACH is celebrating after being named one of the UK’s top franchise opportunities. Ranking no.21 this year in the prestigious Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100), a title they will hold for the entirety of 2025, ActionCOACH continues to demonstrate its position as the most innovative company in the business coaching industry. Established in 2017, in partnership with HSBC, the EF100 has become the go-to franchising list. It highlights the industry’s standout businesses, ranking them based on diverse criteria, including financial performance, heritage, community contributions and their…

Showcasing Europe’s Finest Swimming Pools and Spa Projects of the Year The European Pool and Spa Awards, organised annually by the European Union of Swimming Pool and Spa Associations (EUSA), honour the most exceptional domestic (residential) pools, spas, and hot tubs within the Wet Leisure Industry. Each year, winners from across Europe compete for recognition in this prestigious event. Following the 2024 awards ceremony, Europe’s most stunning swimming pool builds and hot tub installations have been revealed. This marks the 12th edition of these esteemed awards, which concluded with a ceremony on Tuesday, November 19th, at Piscine Global in Lyon.…

CÉ LA VI, part of award-winning ADMO Lifestyle Holding (ADMO), is bringing its iconic rooftop bar-restaurant to West London in Summer 2025. Renowned for its modern Asian flair, it will be the brand’s first European outpost, located atop the Renzo Piano Building Workshop – designed Paddington Square. Opening in West London’s newest shopping and dining destination Paddington Square, the highly anticipated launch represents a milestone in CÉ LA VI’s expansion, with successful landmark locations already established in Singapore, Dubai, Taipei, and Tokyo. Soon-to-be the highest rooftop restaurant in West London, CÉ LA VI London—boasting an impressive square footage of 17,000…

Student Roost, the UK’s third largest provider of purpose-built student accommodation, has launched a new resident app, in conjunction with Kinetic, which enables residents to rebook their room, access 24/7 wellbeing support, report maintenance issues and create meaningful connections with their neighbours in an instant. The app was initially trialled at properties in Durham and Bournemouth and, following its success, has been launched across all 50-plus properties comprising more than 23,000 beds. When trialled at Student Roost’s Home Park property in Bournemouth, 70% of residents downloaded and engaged with the app ahead of its official release across the portfolio.…

 Open Property Group conducted research to see the correlation between the decrease in UK property sales and the rising demand for using Cash House Buying companies who can buy your property in as little as 7 days. For the first time since May 2020, UK property sales dropped below 30,000. In April 2024, the amount of properties sold across the UK was 32,690. New data has revealed the average number of days it took to sell a property in each area of the UK in [insert date/timeframe]. It found: –       Wales = 80 days –       London =…

I Love Decaf, the UK’s first-ever dedicated decaffeinated coffee brand, is celebrating a major milestone: a Great Taste Award for The Only Best Trillionaires Decaf Coffee. Launched in 2022 after years of development, the brand has firmly entered the decaf market with its exceptional flavour and growing success, holding a 4.8 Trustpilot rating. “Drinking decaf shouldn’t feel like a punishment.” David Holly, founder of I Love Decaf (https://www.ilovedecaf.shop), was inspired to create the brand after a personal journey to reduce caffeine: “I was drinking three litres of coffee a day before I decided to cut back on caffeine. But the…

On Thursday 14th November, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries hosted its annual conference, bringing together its network of franchises from up and down the country to reflect on their successes from the past year while looking ahead to what 2025 has in store. The event featured talks and workshops exploring emerging trends, new technologies and forward-looking strategies designed to provide valuable insights for those in early years education. The day-long conference took place at the historic De Vere Beaumont Estate, nestled in the historic heart of Old Windsor, and showcased a variety of workshops led by Monkey Puzzle’s head office team…

Celia Gaze, Founder and CEO of the Wellbing Farm, has been appointed as an Entrepreneur in Residence at The of Central Lancashire to help bring real-world business experience to its students. Celia’s appointment sees her join fellow new EIRs Lara Harrison, Founder & Managing Director of Superstar PAs Ltd and Michael Huckerby, Director of Huckerby Hotels. The three entrepreneurs have been handpicked to help the next generation of business leaders. The trio, who were announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week, will join seven current EIRs who are bringing real-world expertise and entrepreneurial practice to the School of Business’ students, academics and…

With Christmas around the corner, finding a gift that goes the distance can feel like a quest of its own. While some toys may lose their charm come January, certain tech gifts are built to be more than just holiday fun – they are designed to inspire, spark curiosity and keep kids engaged for months, even years, down the line. This season, why not gift something that not only lights up their faces but fuels their minds too? From robots to coding kits and hands-on experiences, these choices promise fun that is anything but fleeting. Here, Bill Marsland, Director of…