Expression Blog

Community counts, now more than ever. So here is a collection of stories, tips and insights from fellow great independents. Do get in touch if you have a story you'd like to share

Business Love Stories – Heroes Fitness

Londoners, Chris, and his wife, were in search of a new home that would not only meet their personal needs but also open doors to new job opportunities. This led them to not only finding their new home but also the chance for Chris to pursue one of his greatest passions, sport, which ultimately led to the creation of Heroes Fitness. With over two decades of industry experience, serving the needs of fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals, Heroes Fitness Stores has become a trusted

Recipe for Success

Planning and Implementing a Recruitment Campaign in the Restaurant Industry Recruiting staff for the hospitality sector is challenging and can be like putting together a recipe for the perfect dish. You need the right human ingredients to create something truly delicious, bringing it to life. An industry survey conducted by Hospitality Mavericks in partnership with workforce management specialist bizimply  found “84.3% of operators are facing a recruitment and retention challenge, saying they

Go Green, Ditch & Switch

How Independent Restaurant and Café Owners Can Prepare for the Ban on Single-use plastics Coming into Force in October 2023 Starting in October 2023, a ban on several single-use plastics comes into effect. The ban of these items that fill landfill and pollute oceans could have an impact on many independent restaurant and café owners. However, by taking the time to plan ahead, busy owners and staff can prepare for these changes make eco-friendly choices, boost customer satisfaction & minimise

2023 Coronation Planner

We are approaching one of the biggest national celebrations most of us will see in our lifetime. The crowning of a new monarch. With the extra bank holiday we will see many people coming together to celebrate, driving up both footfall and sales of coronation and royal themed goods. For many high street independents this is a big opportunity to join the fun, increase brand exposure and benefit from the expected uptick in revenue. As part of our mission to "have your back" in 2023 Expression hav

Being normal is boring

Be unique, be more Vivienne February was the month we saw creatives from the world of fashion and arts join family and friends at Southwark Cathedral for the memorial service celebrating the life and achievements of one of the most unique and influential female fashion designers of our time, Dame Vivienne Westwood. Responsible for bringing the phenomenon of modern punk and new wave fashions into mainstream, and never one for being average, Vivien Westwood was a trailblazer, iconic, with an u

Business Love Stories - The Deli @ 95

Kendal is renowned as a centre for shopping, festivals, it’s castle and as the home of Kendal Mint cake, but it you are looking for local Cumbrian produce, cheese, charcuterie, hampers, artisan sandwiches, delicious coffee or grazing platters from an award-winning delicatessen then look no further than The Deli @ 95. Recently awarded ''Best Artisan Deli in Cumbria'' by LUX Life magazine, The Deli @ 95 offers both an indoor & outdoor dining experience with seasonal produce freshly prepared from

Work your Easter stock to save money & time

As the countdown to Easter begins, we see our high streets starting to bloom with visitors, enticed by warmer weather and the lure of bank holiday weekends. Now’s the time to get crackin' by hatching your stock ordering plans in readiness for the Easter shoppers. Gone are the times when chocolate eggs and Easter bonnets reigned supreme. Now seasonally themed gifts, wardrobe refreshes and the best local produce all take centre stage, not forgetting the DIY’ers hoping to make the most of long wee

Business Love Stories – Health & Food Llanrwst

Looking for a change in their work life balance drove Katerina to leave her successful music career and along with Colin, a touring musician, took the huge steps leaving the hustle and bustle of city living, for the beautiful tranquility of the North Wales countryside. This brave move not only gave them the lifestyle they had dreamed of but also the start of a new and exciting journey. Located on the edge of Snowdonia this “local hub for better living” offers the community and visiting tourists

Business Love Stories - Creatiques Bridal Boutique

Located on Albert Road in Southsea, with its unique atmosphere and diverse mix of independent businesses, Creatiques Bridal Boutiques sits. An area renowned not only for being a bustling hub for independent shopping, dining and entertainment but also home to some well-known residents of times gone by, Rudyard Kipling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes,  and comedian Peter Sellers. Today I was lucky enough to speak with current Southsea royalty and prolific fundraisers for many

Business Love Stories – Moonflower Guitars

Located in the historic market town of Oakham on Mill Street you will find Moonflower Guitars, established in 2020 by Ming, Jon, and Alan, three musicians, band mates and friends, all sharing the same passion for music and adventure. Together they honed their knowledge and love of music, guitars and accessories into a successful business built on the foundations of quality, commitment, and enthusiasm. Come with me as I take a virtual walk through their doors and speak with Ming about her share

Business Love Stories - The Pet Shed

Hannah James, pet lover, entrepreneur and owner of The Pet Shed based near Fiveways in Brighton has a passion for animal health & wellbeing. Assisted by her wonderful team, Ellie, Emma, Sarah and Nonna, her desire for promoting and selling natural products, pet food, healthy treats, and everything the stylish pooch about town could need has enabled her independent business to flourish. After 23 years working in the NHS, Hannah’s dream of running an independent pet shop was made true with the b

Butcher shop insurance that’s a cut above

Despite the best efforts of any good butcher, the world can throw up problems, bad things can happen, some common and some very unusual and having the right insurance in place is critical. Comprehensive insurance is essential to protect your butchery business all year round. Cover for those unforeseen incidents relating to your products, machinery, services, staff or even yourself, ranging from a slip on the floor to damage to property. It gives you confidence that if you need to make a claim