Freeths’ Post

At the end of September, I'll be starting my monthly drop-ins for both FADNE members and the FADNE curious. ONE FRIDAY of EVERY month. Please check availability via my calendar (link at end of post). It's been a good few months since the last 1-2-1 sessions. We've been busy here at Food and Drink North East planning the next 12 months including business support packages, a relaunch of our Beyond The Kitchen Table programme, our Durham Productivity Programme and our first real foray into Teesside with RTC North. A full event series including Room With A View, a new webinar with provider partners, Food, Drink and Hospitality Expo 2025 and a possible Technical Conference. Add to this the many, many proposals we submit to funders and local authorities such as a recent 'Little Heroes' programme to support young food entrepreneurs as well as change their relationship with food. Even when we are quiet, we don't stop. Not bad for a largely unfunded Community Interest Company. So, these monthly drop-ins are a simple and effective way to stay close to our network, informal chats and catch ups to provide a temperature test as to where you and our industry are at and to see what support and guidance we can offer you. Listen. Support. Share. Connect - we'll be there to pull the levers of our network, connect you to opportunities, hear about your concerns and help find the specialist support you need to address them. So, whatever part of the agri, food, drink, hospitality and manufacturing supply chain you are, please feel free to book a meeting. Book here https://lnkd.in/et3MyAwy #northeast #foodanddrink #membership #network #businesssupport #guidance

🚨 Attention Quizzers and Venue Managers 🚨 In light of the recent Sky News article (https://buff.ly/4fAhH4l) highlighting the significant challenges that pubs across the UK are facing, it's more important than ever to find innovative ways to keep our communities thriving. Pubs have always been at the heart of local life, but now, with rising costs and changing habits, many are struggling to stay afloat. At HQ.FM, we believe that a strong community is built on shared experiences, and our quizzes are designed to bring people together. By hosting a quiz night with HQ.FM, you’re not just offering a fun evening; you’re creating a regular, engaging event that gives people a reason to return to your venue week after week. Let's work together to ensure our pubs remain vibrant hubs of social life. By partnering with HQ.FM, you can offer your guests an unforgettable quiz experience that strengthens community ties and brings more footfall to your venue. Get in touch today to learn how we can help you make your venue the go-to spot for local quizzing. Together, we can support our pubs and keep them at the heart of our communities. #SupportLocalPubs #CommunityBuilding #HQFMQuizzes #StrongerTogether #FYP #HQFM

🚨 Attention Quizzers and Venue Managers 🚨 In light of the recent Sky News article (https://buff.ly/4fAhH4l) highlighting the significant challenges that pubs across the UK are facing, it's more important than ever to find innovative ways to keep our communities thriving. Pubs have always been at the heart of local life, but now, with rising costs and changing habits, many are struggling to stay afloat. At HQ.FM, we believe that a strong community is built on shared experiences, and our quizzes are designed to bring people together. By hosting a quiz night with HQ.FM, you’re not just offering a fun evening; you’re creating a regular, engaging event that gives people a reason to return to your venue week after week. Let's work together to ensure our pubs remain vibrant hubs of social life. By partnering with HQ.FM, you can offer your guests an unforgettable quiz experience that strengthens community ties and brings more footfall to your venue. Get in touch today to learn how we can help you make your venue the go-to spot for local quizzing. Together, we can support our pubs and keep them at the heart of our communities. #SupportLocalPubs #CommunityBuilding #HQFMQuizzes #StrongerTogether #FYP #HQFM

🚨 Attention Quizzers and Venue Managers 🚨 In light of the recent Sky News article (https://buff.ly/4fAhH4l) highlighting the significant challenges that pubs across the UK are facing, it's more important than ever to find innovative ways to keep our communities thriving. Pubs have always been at the heart of local life, but now, with rising costs and changing habits, many are struggling to stay afloat. At HQ.FM, we believe that a strong community is built on shared experiences, and our quizzes are designed to bring people together. By hosting a quiz night with HQ.FM, you’re not just offering a fun evening; you’re creating a regular, engaging event that gives people a reason to return to your venue week after week. Let's work together to ensure our pubs remain vibrant hubs of social life. By partnering with HQ.FM, you can offer your guests an unforgettable quiz experience that strengthens community ties and brings more footfall to your venue. Get in touch today to learn how we can help you make your venue the go-to spot for local quizzing. Together, we can support our pubs and keep them at the heart of our communities. #SupportLocalPubs #CommunityBuilding #HQFMQuizzes #StrongerTogether #FYP #HQFM

I’m pleased to share this series of case studies developed for the Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN) as part of their new Councils’ Co-operative Development Toolkit, which aims to help councils grow the number of co-operatives in their local area. The brief was to capture the diversity of co-ops across the UK and highlight their economic and social impact to inform and inspire a local authority audience. I know there are many more amazing examples, but I think we have made a good start! The case study deck also includes instructions for 'building your own case study', additional materials to support this are due to be added to the toolkit section in the near future. The toolkit was 'pre-launched' at the Co-operative Party Conference with a presentation from Jim McMahon as Minister for Local Government and Honorary Vice Chair of CCIN and Cllr Jim Robbins the new Chair of CCIN and launched in full at the Local Government Association Conference on Wednesday 23rd October. A big thank you to all interview participants and the CCIN’s project lead, Jonathan Nunn, for your time, energy, and patience!! This project would not have been possible without the support of Power to Change, Kirklees Council, York St. John University, and, of course, the Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN). The co-operatives included are:  Cooperative Network Infrastructure Outlandish Co-operative Dulas Ltd South Manchester Credit Union Equal Care Co-op Belfast Cleaning Society Suma Wholefoods Arla Foods East Marsh United Delta-T Devices Câr-Y-Môr Unicorn Grocery The Fox & Goose (Hebden Bridge) Limited Lilac Housing Co-op GlenWyvis Distillery Newfield Medical Group (GP Practice) Lambeth GP Food Co-op Sharenergy The full toolkit can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e5iT4ibx #coops #cooperatives #workercoops #casestudy #research #academia #impact #democracy #economy

Share your thoughts on Buddle (formerly Club Matters) and help inform their future support and resources. The team want to hear how you have used Buddle and what impact it has made. Get involved by completing the survey: https://zurl.co/1HBN

Wet-led, community pub operator Amber Taverns, which is backed by Epiris, is set to open its most southerly site, in the Hampshire town of Gosport. Amber, which operates circa 180 freehold, wet-led pubs, predominantly in the north of England, the Midlands, Scotland and Wales, has secured planning permission to change the use of the former Conservative Club at 2 Walpole Road into a pub. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Tech and start-up founders, get along to GoodTech Ventures social mixer this Thursday Whether you're a seasoned founder, a budding entrepreneur, or simply passionate about driving positive change through technology, this is a great opportunity to catch up with likeminded leaders #VocTech #EdTech #StartUp #TechForGood

"What's your greatest accomplishment in life?" It's a common question. You hear it in interviews, in conversations with coaches, with new friends—even on dating apps. For a long time, I struggled with my answer. After fifteen years of school and work experience, I've had my fair share of cool projects. I’ve interviewed prisoners in Ohio about how they stay creative (spoiler: many ways), helped launch around 50 books for inspiring entrepreneurs (who make changing the world seem possible), contributed to a complete corporate rebrand effort (a first for me and a major accomplishment in my career), and even had my own wall of art on exhibition at the last East Austin Studio Tour (which made me feel like a slightly less tortured Van Gogh) (kidding). But one accomplishment stands out prominently above all the rest: my sobriety. In the last decade, I've been sober for a total of five years, and three years ago, I made the lifelong commitment to live a sober life. That is the best decision I've ever made and the greatest accomplishment of my life. But making this lifestyle shift hasn't been without its challenges, especially isolation. Working remotely, changing my social habits, and moving to a new city during a pandemic made finding authentic community about as easy as assembling IKEA furniture without the manual. That's why I started the Sober Supper Club in December 2023, based in Austin, Texas. It's for sober, sober-curious, or sober-ish people who want to connect with like-minded individuals while exploring the food and beverage scene in this beautiful city—soberly. Over the last six months, our community has grown to 150 people. Sober Supper Club has been such a hit and a genuine joy in my life that I just want to spread the word about it—especially, ESPECIALLY, for remote workers who are struggling with isolation the way I was. So, if you're living in Austin, Texas, have similar experiences, or are just interested in growing your community, join us! I promise you won't regret it. Or, if you do, at least you’ll have some great stories to share over mocktails. https://lnkd.in/ec25d8m3 #sobriety #communitybuilding #remotework #atx #thingstodoinaustin

What better way to celebrate chamber of commerce month than to support your local chamber! How do you do that exactly? Here are 6 ways that you can contribute to connecting business, community, and education! #chamberofcommerce #Chamberofcommercemonth #supportlocalbusiness