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The Top 10 Free Parks to Visit with Kids this Easter Holiday

Brits are being told the most picturesque parks to visit for free during the Easter holidays with the weather brightening up this week.  

Schools have already started breaking up for Easter, so photography experts at ParrotPrint.com have handpicked the best spots to explore the outdoors and enjoy the lighter, longer days as a family. 

Amid the cost-of-living crisis, parents are looking for cheap days out to keep their kids entertained as the school holidays approach.

And there are plenty of amazing spots up and down the country that will not cost a penny to visit.

With more than 27,000 public parks and green spaces across the UK, parents are spoilt for choice when it comes to taking their kids on a fun and easy day out.

From Heaton Park in Manchester to Figgate Park in Edinburgh, there isn’t a shortage of options and no better time to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and blue skies.

Matt Dahan from ParrotPrint.com said: “A trip to the park is a tried and tested way to enjoy a great day out as a family, especially as the weather is getting warmer.

“As the Easter holidays approach, parents will be wanting to keep their kids entertained on a budget. 

“Taking a day trip to some of these beautiful parks is a great way for children to let off steam. 

“Adults can enjoy the scenic views with attractive walks and wildlife too.

“There is no shortage of beautiful green spaces in the UK, which all have unique attractions and boast gorgeous scenery and a host of local wildlife.

“We’ve handpicked the top 10 best parks to visit for free this Easter.”

ParrotPrint.com’s , top 10  parks to visit this Easter , all with free admission:

1.    Sheffield – Endcliffe Park

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This public park in Sheffield is known for its enchanting spectacles, including a waterfall and the Porter Brook River. It has lush vast green spaces, blossoming trees, and water ponds, making it a charming spot for walks and picnics. Sheffield is known for its unique nature, and Endcliffe park, with its playground, space for ball games and even a parkour facility, makes the perfect park for all the family.

2.    London- St James Park

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Making for a break from the grey of the city, this picturesque park is just a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square and is dubbed the prettiest park in London. It has a huge lake full of swans, geese and pelicans and is full of charming flower beds. As the weather gets warmer, the lawns of the park are full of deck chairs, making for the perfect spot to relax or have a picnic while the kids explore.

3.    Manchester- Heaton Park

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This park is a historic area on the edge of Manchester and offers more than just a walk in the park with plenty of attractions like an animal centre, playgrounds, a boating lake and football pitches. The beautiful park also includes the grounds of a stunning 18th-century country house and is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.

4.    Bristol- Brandon Hill Park

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Brandon Hill Park is a famous picnic spot because its hilly location offers stunning panoramic views of the city and spectacular sunsets. It is a haven for people who love wildlife, as it is a nature reserve and a station for migrating birds. The green oasis is full of cowslips, daisies, butterflies, and bees, and come Spring the wildlife pond is full of frogspawn and toads. Foxes and bats can also be spotted in the early evening time.

5.    Birmingham – Cannon Hill Park

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Made up of 80 acres of parkland, Cannon Hill Park is a premier location in Birmingham which has beautiful flowerbeds, pools, and a stunning collection of trees. This park is a must for wildlife enthusiasts with walkways and cycle routes alongside the River Rea, historic gardens, wildflower meadows, and a 5-acre woodland. This is a great place for families, with children’s play areas and boats to hire.

6.    Suffolk- Christchurch Park

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This historical area hosts various facilities great for kids, including a play area, tennis courts and bowling greens. The horticultural gem is known for its tranquil setting, with formal gardens and bedding displays blossoming with the likes of roses and shrubs. Christchurch Park is also a wildlife hotspot, home to over 100 bird varieties and a large selection of ducks, geese and swans which inhabit the ponds in the park.

7.    Edinburgh- Figgate Park

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Edinburgh has a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and Figgate Park is integral to this. The peaceful oasis is a perfect escape from city life, full of wildlife and beauty. It has a pond with otters and swans, and it also has lots of accessible wooden walkways. The play area at the park was transformed last year, bringing an array of new features for kids to enjoy.

8.    Cardiff- Bute Park

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Located just a short walk from Cardiff Castle, Bute Park is nicknamed the city’s green heart. The park is a popular spot with a superb tree collection, natural play features, and a variety of horticulture and wildlife. It has acres of green space and multiple events throughout the year, and it offers a range of attractions and trails for families to explore and enjoy.

9.    Liverpool- Calderstones park

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This stunning 94-acre family park boasts an array of woodland, fields and beautiful Japanese, botanical and old English gardens. For history lovers, it is also home to ancient megaliths that are rumoured to be older than Stonehenge. The park has many facilities to keep the kids entertained, including a lake where kids can feed the ducks and play areas.

10. Nottingham- Rushcliffe Country Park

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Known for its wildflower meadows and grasslands, this park is ideal for kids because of its many attractions, including a maze, skate park, mini outdoor gym and huge play park. The site also contains a lake, ponds and 8km of managed footpaths and is known for providing a rich habitat for a huge range of wildlife. Parents can go here to relax in the peaceful surroundings while the kids burn some energy.

For more tips on free activities with kids this Easter, head over to https://parrotprint.com/

London Debt Collection Experts Urge Small Businesses To Act On Late Payment

Top London Debt Collection Agency urges Businesses to act against late payments

Businesses in London are being advised to act promptly on late payments. This comes as late payment issues continue to rise in the UK, with small businesses facing worrying statistics. 

Frontline Collections has urged London Business owners of all sizes to act swiftly in the face of late payment or they may face never getting paid at all.

According to a report by the UK’s Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), 52% of small businesses in the country have experienced late payment in the last quarter. In addition, 25% of small businesses have reported an increase in late payments, with the construction, education, administrative, scientific, logistics, and IT sectors most affected.

London Small Businesses need to act

London has around one million small businesses and experts predict that millions of jobs could be at risk if no action is taken against this issue. Expert Debt collection agencies are helping to mitigate the problem, with millions of pounds being recovered in the process.

Award winning Debt Collection experts  Frontline Collections are at the forefront in the battle against small business late payment. 

Tony Meadows, New Business Manager at Frontline Collections has called on business owners to act quickly when dealing with unpaid debts, stating that “At Frontline Collections, we speak to small business owners every day that have issues with non-paying customers. Whilst we can help most recover what they’re owed, unfortunately for some, they leave it too long to act.”

“We have seen a sharp rise in public facing businesses experiencing issues. Dentists, Vets, Nurseries and Private Schools are amongst the sectors suffering non-payment in the current climate”

Late payment causing mental health issues

In addition to the late payment problem, a recent survey highlighted the mental health cost to business owners caused by late payments. Unpaid invoices not only have emotional consequences but they also drain resources and cash-flow. Despite various initiatives by the British government, many businesses are still facing payment-related issues daily.

Rising energy costs have only worsened the situation, with thousands of businesses being forced to close over the winter months due to the energy cost price cap not including them. The FSB has recommended a multitude of suggestions for the government to take action on this matter. A call has been made for large firms to publicly commit to maximum payment terms to small business suppliers in law by 2027.

Thousands of SMEs could go bankrupt

The severity of the issue has led some to estimate that hundreds of thousands of businesses could go bankrupt by 2023. With 37% of SMEs applying for credit to manage their cash flow, and 62% of the public believing that business payments should be made within a week, there is a growing demand for more controls in this area.

In their recent report titled “Time is Money,” the UK’s Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) revealed concerning statistics about late payments in the small business community. Shockingly, 52% of small businesses in the UK experienced late payment in the past year’s quarter. 

Furthermore, 25% of these small businesses reported an increase in late payments. This issue is felt most acutely in sectors such as construction, education, administrative, scientific, logistics and IT.

With approximately five million SMEs in the UK, experts predict that millions of jobs could be at risk if the problem of late payment is not addressed urgently. Debt collection agencies have emerged as a valuable resource for businesses grappling with late payments.

Debt Collection Agency assistance

While many small businesses can recover what they’re owed with small business debt collection agency assistance, others leave it too long to act, putting their businesses in jeopardy.

According to the FSB report, 37% of SMEs applied for credit to manage their cash flow, while 62% of the public believes that businesses should be paid within a week. The report outlines recommendations for the UK government to take action on the issue, including calls for large firms to publicly commit to maximum payment terms to small business suppliers in law by 2027.

UK businesses are seeking assistance from professional debt collection specialists in order to avoid the tiring and costly task of chasing unpaid invoices. Pursuing overdue accounts can consume valuable time that could be better spent on more profitable tasks, such as focusing on paying customers.

As a result, many small businesses are turning to professional debt collection agencies for help. The UK debt collection industry has been instrumental in supporting enterprises of all sizes in combating late payments and unpaid debts.

Collaborating with a professional debt collection agency in London can provide significant benefits for businesses, including efficient solutions for both nationwide and international debt collection.

SolidusX Trading Platform 2023 Review: Reinventing online trading

Started its operations in January 2021, SolidusX continues to make investor access to global financial markets with a safe, secure and legit platform. In 2023 it is simpler and more accessible with its upgraded interface. Helping investors gain an edge in profiting from global market trends, SolidusX now offers a new referral system.

London — SolidusX, an innovative trading platform developed by London-based Solidus Capital, will provide investors, both novice and professional, with easy access to global markets by positioning them to profit from market trends in crypto currencies, FX, corporate stocks and other asset classes.

SolidusX Investment Director David Ginsburg commented, “We help investors gain an edge whether markets are going down or up. Investors can trade popular crypto currencies, hedge positions or take profit on market rallies by positioning themselves accordingly.”

SolidusX offers a fully customized trading experience thanks to its intuitive interface showcasing multiple screen support. SolidusX is easy to use even for novice traders, featuring a simple design, whilst providing professional traders with the tools and options such as creating different types of graphics and executing transactions using graphics. SolidusX beats its competitors with low transaction fees in fast, reliable and budget-friendly trading.

Allowing investors to transact in all asset classes on a 24/7 basis, SolidusX is focused on taking advantage of global market trends to maximize profit. The platform resembles the trading pages investors are used to, and it houses all the requisite tools traders need. An Order Book supported by graphics makes it possible to see current trends as well as exchange rates easily and traders are able to customize their main screen.

In 2023, SolidusX is adding new features to maximise user experience, including its new referral system. Anyone is welcome to become a SolidusX affiliate and begin promoting their unique referral link. Ginsburg concluded by making a review, “Its trading engine has been designed to meet the highest online-trading industry standards. All systems have been uniquely coded to minimise latency and increase execution speed. System automatically monitors all risks and executes full risk check after every order placement. With its enhanced 2FA and fingerprint access control, SolidusX is safe and secure. When we combine this with advanced trading tools on a legit platform, it means SolidusX continues to reinvent the concept of online trading.”

Contact: David Ginsburg, [email protected]

Côte restaurants launch creative new Spring Menu designed by Gordon Ramsay’s former executive chef Steve Allen

Special focus on fresh seasonal ingredients highlighting the best of French cuisine 

Côte restaurants have launched their most creative Spring menu designed by Gordon Ramsay’s former executive chef Steve Allen.

The highly respected chef who has worked at Michelin starred restaurants joined Cote last year and has focused on fresh seasonal ingredients to showcase classic French cuisine.

Steve’s new menu additions celebrate La Saison Délicieuse with a collection of timeless dishes, sharing plates, seasonal spritzers and French classics with a Côte twist. 

The result is a beautiful and innovative new menu which says Au revoir to winter and officially welcomes Spring with the fresh selection of seasonal delights. 

Côte believes the best way to feast is with friends and family which is the basis for the Spring menu. Steve has elevated La Cuisine Française at Côte with the new dishes, created with produce from trusted British and French producers. 

To celebrate the French tradition of sharing enjoy the varied tastes of the new ‘For the Table’ dishes. Begin with Cote’s classic Charcuterie Board, a satisfying selection of Bayonne ham, truffle saucisson and coppa ham, served with sharp cornichons, Brittany salt butter and a crusty sourdough baguette. 

Try the perfectly baked Camembert, which comes with a herb and lemon breadcrumb crust, honey marinated cherry tomatoes and Cote’s freshly baked sourdough baguette. The Cheese Gougères are not to be missed, perfect flaky, golden baked choux buns and Emmental cheese served with tangy Dijon mustard mayonnaise. 

Oh, and the Smoked Salmon and Potato Croquettes are made with yellow peppers, dill and red onions, coated in golden breadcrumbs. Pour le table, toute suite!

The hero of the Starters is the cheese Soufflé which Steve designed for a little extra luxury. No dish says indulgence à la française like a classic Cheese Soufflé and while most soufflés are made with Comté, Steve has given this elegant Normandy classic an indulgent twist. Cote’s is made with rich, creamy Camembert, topped with a golden cheese crust and paired with a punchy mustard and chive cream sauce for that extra je ne sais quoi. 

For the new Mains try the Roasted Lamb Rump. Springtime and lamb going hand in hand. This perfectly tender, blushing pink free-range grass fed lamb rump is an all-time classic hailing from Nice and served with ratatouille. This moreish vegetable stew gets its name from ‘rata’, which means large chunks, and ‘touille’, which means ‘to toss’. Steve has kept Cote’s traditional, combining aubergine, courgette, peppers, onions and perfectly sweet tomatoes. And to top off the whole soirée, a salty black olive tapenade and fragrant basil.

And a highlight of the new desserts is the Elderflower & Strawberry Crème Brûlée. Steve created a springtime twist on a traditional Crème Brûlée. Literally translating to ‘burnt cream’, this is perhaps France’s most celebrated dessert, and has been satisfying sweet tooths since 1691. Cote’s has all the trappings of a classic – creamy, smooth texture, the perfect golden brown, sugary crust – but is made with smooth vanilla and the delicate taste of elderflower. Topped with a juicy strawberry, elderflower and basil salad. Could there be a better way to say ‘bonjour spring’?

These are just a few of the new dishes, the full spring menu can be found below.

Cote’s Executive chef Steve Allen has worked at Michelin starred restaurants, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Petrus and he opened Gordon Ramsay at Claridges which won a Michelin star within its first year.

During Steve’s time at Claridges, where he went from Junior Sous Chef to Head Chef and then Executive Chef, he worked on all of Gordon Ramsay’s books From “Secret’s” to “World Kitchen”.

Steve said of Cote’s new menu: “I have been cooking French cuisine since the age of 13 and this menu is a reflection of everything I love about French food in the Spring.  Our main focus is and always will be about the  taste of our food at Cote.  Simple, yet complex and delicious.”

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Roasted Lamb Rump

FOR THE TABLE

Cheese Gougères V

Baked choux buns with Dijon mustard

Smoked Salmon Croquettes

Red pepper aioli

Baked Camembert V

Honey tomatoes, toasted sourdough baguette

Charcuterie Board

Bayonne ham, truffle saucisson, Coppa ham, cornichons, toasted sourdough baguette

STARTERS

Cheese Soufflé V

A twice-baked Camembert soufflé with a chive & mustard sauce

Tomato Tarte Fine V

Puff pastry, tapenade, caramelised red onion, goat’s cheese cream

Salade Rachel VG

Artichokes, fennel, mangetout, French beans, truffle mayonnaise, sourdough croutes

MAINS

Sea Bream Nantais

Roasted chicken velouté, samphire, courgettes, new potatoes

Confit Duck Bigarade

Glazed golden beetroot, fennel, mangetout, bitter orange sauce

Roasted Lamb Rump

With ratatouille, tapenade & basil. Recommended medium

Quiche aux Champignons V

Mushroom & thyme quiche, watercress, tomato & courgette salad, frites

Tomato Tarte Fine V

Puff pastry, tapenade, caramelised red onion, goat’s cheese cream. Served with salad & frites

SIDES

Sautéed Garlic Greens VG

French beans, mangetout & fennel

Ratatouille VG

Peas à la Française VG

Peas with Gem lettuce & baby onions

DESSERTS

Almond Financier V

Warm almond butter cake with sour cherry compote & vanilla ice cream

Strawberry & Elderflower Crème Brûlée V

An elderflower infused custard with a strawberry & basil salad

NEW FUNDING FACILITY HELPS MONDO BREWERY CRAFT THE PERFECT CASHFLOW SOLUTION

The co-founder and Director of one of London’s most successful craft brewing enterprises is looking to expand, launch new craft beers, open new tap rooms, and forge new partnerships thanks to atailored Invoice Finance facility from Optimum Finance.

Todd Matteson of Battersea-based Mondo Brewery Company decided to look beyond ‘traditional’ lending and overdraft solutions to a cashflow funding tool better suited to his company’s needs.

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Invoice Finance uses receivables (invoices) as the principal asset against which money can be raised. Optimum Finance pays Mondo an agreed percentage of the invoice value as soon as it is submitted, driving access to liquidity at the point of invoice as opposed to needing to wait. In this case, Mondo also retains the management of its sales ledger and therefore its customer relationships: 

“Mondo is crucially centred around the customer experience and Optimum Finance gives us the freedom and control to chase late payments, rather than leaving it to somebody our customer doesn’t know,” Todd explains. 

“Optimum advances 85% of the invoice value, with access to up to £250,000 at any one time, and this is a tremendous benefit in paying our own suppliers and giving us greater flexibility in our purchasing decisions.” 

Mondo buys hundreds of kilograms of hops and many tons of malt weekly, along with the chemicals necessary to the brewing process. It creates something in the order of 45,000 litres of craft beers every month to a total of approximately 5,000  hectolitres a year. Its beers can not only be found in London, but also across mainland Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, and the East Coast of America.

Having navigated the pandemic, business volumes have recovered and Mondo’s performance in 2022 was 60% up on the previous year. With a supportive finance provider in place, Todd is excited about the future.

“We have plans to open a number of additional tap rooms around London,” Todd continues, “​​to add to the partnership we’ve had in place since 2015 with London’s Dishoom Indian Restaurant to supply their beers. We’re also partnering with Joe Public pizzas in Clapham and most recently opened a food stand in Borough Market to offer Mondo beer and pizza so there is plenty on the horizon. 

“The end goal is for Mondo to open a bigger retail unit in the coming years, and with Optimum Finance’s continued support, anything is possible.”

FinTech Global Names Voyant Among WealthTech 100 Companies of 2023

Voyant, a leading financial wellness, financial planning, and wealth management solution, has been acknowledged as one of the top 100 WealthTech companies of 2023 by FinTech Global. The annual list recognizes companies that have demonstrated innovation, expertise, and excellence in the WealthTech industry. 

Out of an initial pool of over 1,200 nominees, finalists were selected by a panel of experts based on their innovative use of technology to solve a significant industry problem, or to generate efficiency improvements across the investment value chain. 

FinTech Global director Richard Sachar said, “At a time when not even the giants like Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse are safe, it is vital banks and investment firms have the best technology behind them. On top of this, customers are demanding better and more streamlined engagements, and are more than happy to switch to a provider that offers this. This WealthTech100 list will equip senior-level leaders in financial institutions with detailed information on some of the most innovative companies in WealthTech.” 

“It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the top 100 companies in this industry”, said David Kaufman, CEO of Voyant. “Our team has always been committed to delivering exceptional value and service to our customers, and this recognition validates our efforts.” 

Voyant has a proven track record of providing cutting-edge Wealth Management Solutions to both advisors and clients across the US, UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia. Integrating interactive and collaborative modeling with cash flow, goal- and outcome-based planning features, Voyant’s solutions empower both SMB and enterprise advisors to engage clearly, collaboratively, and with confidence. 

“As Voyant moves forward, we remain dedicated to illuminating the path to financial wellness through personalized client experiences and a customized, holistic advice approach”, David concluded. 

Voyant was founded in 2008 and currently serves over 2,500 firms, including many of the world’s largest and most prestigious banks, private banks, and wealth management firms. 

A full list of the WealthTech100 and detailed information about each company is available to download for free at www.WealthTech100.com.  

To learn more about Voyant, visit www.planwithvoyant.com

Back-to-back Record Years for West London Fintech Business

A West London-based fintech and proptech business has reported back-to-back record years with a total 125% growth of the business since 2020.

Within the last financial year, The Smart Group achieved its first £5 million revenue quarter, with a record 11,000 trading customers. The company was also named Finance Business of the Year at the West London Business Awards for the 4th year in a row. 

Established in 2004, The Smart Group specialises in international payments and risk management, as well as fintech and international property. 

Through its brands including Smart Currency ExchangeYour Overseas Home and Property Guides, The Smart Group spans the entire value chain of international payment industries. 

Combined, the brands have delivered outstanding growth over the past year, with the award-winning 110 strong team transacting over 11,000 unique customers.

This has helped contribute to the business achieving its first ever £5 million revenue quarter in 2021, leading to 28% overall growth.

Now the business plans to build its client base by a further 40% in 2023, as well as establish two new, standalone business units which will benefit from the infrastructure already in place: Smart Currency Fintech and The Luxury Collections.

Trevor Charnley, managing director of Smart Currency Exchange commented: “The 2021/2022 financial year was one of significant progress for The Smart Group’s private client division – not just against pandemic levels, but against pre-pandemic levels too. It resulted in a record year for the division, achieving 42% growth year-on-year. 

“We expect even further growth to be unlocked in the financial year of 2023 as we continue to adapt our service to the needs of our clients. Our ‘Platinum 200’ project, for example, is a bold objective to build our client base by another 40% in 2023. This will be underpinned by adding quality people to our growing sales and account management teams.”

For more information and to see The Smart Group’s annual report, please visit: https://www.smartcurrencyexchange.com/media/Smart-Group-Company-Results-21-22.pdf 

Oxford Web Design Company Commemorates 25th Anniversary

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Rare Form, the most epic web design agency in Oxford, is commemorating their 25th anniversary. Since 1998, the team has been dedicated to delivering creative web design & digital solutions to clients in Oxford, and around the world. They’ve been at the forefront of the web, providing cutting-edge services that have helped businesses reach and engage their audiences with websites, apps, & marketing that works.

Rare Form New Media was founded by Jean Paldan in 1998, in Plymouth, Michigan. She moved to Oxford, England in 2001 and grew with a team of creative thinkers who saw the potential of the internet.  Over the past 25 years, they’ve evolved to meet the changing needs of the digital landscape, constantly adapting to new technologies and trends to help their clients succeed, and win online.

“Our 25th anniversary is a huge milestone for us. We owe our longevity and success to our clients, partners, and team members, who have supported us and made it all possible.,” said Jean Paldan, CEO and founder of Rare Form. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with so many incredible brands over the years and look forward to continuing to help them rock their web design & digital marketing in the years ahead.”

At Rare Form, they offer a wide range of services, including WordPress web design, web development, search engine optimization (SEO), graphic design, app development, digital marketing, and more. Their clients span across various industries, including retail, science & technology, finance, and hospitality, among others.

As part of their 25th-anniversary celebration, they’ve been rolling out a rebrand and website refresh over the past year. They’re also hosting a series of events throughout the year at their new offices on Beaumont Street, to thank everyone who has been with them on this epic journey.

They’re thrilled to have made it this far and are ready to take on the next 25 years with the same drive, creativity, and energy that got them here in the first place. Rare Form are thankful for everyone who has been part of their wild ride.

GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF STAR LOTTIE BEDLOW REVEALS THE WORLD’S BIGGEST CHOCOLATE MEATBALL SHAPED EASTER EGG!

Pure Chocolate, white chocolate and jelly pasta, strawberry and raspberry coulis with sweet decorations

The Great British Bake Off star Lottie Bedlow has made the world’s first giant chocolate meatball shaped Easter Egg!

Lottie, known for her chocolate desserts, even created pasta made from white chocolate to create the perfect chocoholic dish.

The 33-year-old baker, who appeared in the New Year’s Day special of the popular Channel 4 show teamed up with top Italian American restaurant Frankie & Benny’s to make the unique pure chocolate Easter Egg.

The restaurant is famous for its popular meatballs and wanted to showcase the much loved dish but with an Easter theme. 

So they asked Lottie to make a football sized meatball, ten times the size of a normal meatball, made out of pure indulgent chocolate. And the result looks amazing!

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The giant chocolate Easter egg took 30 hours to practice and perfect, five hours to make and assemble and comes complete with white chocolate and jelly pasta, a strawberry and raspberry coulis sauce with sweet donations.

And if you pop into Frankie & Benny’s this Easter you are in with a chance to win this amazing chocolate treat.

Lottie said: “I was tasked by Frankie & Benny’s to make a giant meatball complete with spaghetti, they wanted it football size, made of pure chocolate and hollow inside. The first attempt with the mould failed and the balloon technique – absolutely not!”

Lottie added: “If you want to be in with a chance of winning my giant meatball Easter Egg all you have to do is head down to your local Frankie & Benny’s, look for a picture of my face, there will be cards on the table, scan the QR code and fill in your details. It’s as simple as that!”

The competition runs until April 16 and the winner will be contacted on April 17th.

Giant Chocolate Meatball Easter Egg Competition Terms & Conditions:

Be in with a chance to win a one-of-a-kind Frankie’s giant chocolate meatball Easter egg in celebration of the most delicious time of the year!

• All participants may enter this competition from the 20th of March – midnight 16th April 2023
• The prize is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
• We reserve the right to switch the prize to a prize of equal value.
• We reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions of this competition.

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To Enter
• To enter this prize draw, guest must complete the following steps:
• While dining in any of our restaurants, guests will be presented with a QR code on their table.
• Once scanned, guest must enter their required details to be placed in the pool of entrants.
• A verification email will be sent confirming your entry.

Winner Selection
• The winner will be drawn at random from a pool of all valid entries.
• Winners will be drawn and contacted on 17th April 2023
• If the winner does not respond with their contact details within 48 hours, Frankie & Benny’s reserves the right to draw a new winner.

NEW KIMBERLY-CLARK PROFESSIONAL™ ICON™ DISPENSER COLLECTION REDEFINES THE TOUCH-FREE EXPERIENCE IN THE WASHROOM

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Innovative dispensers offer unparalleled hygiene, unprecedented style, simple operation, and cutting-edge technology designed to meet customer needs

Kimberly-Clark Professional™ has introduced its ICON™ dispenser collection in the UK at The Cleaning Show in London.

This innovative washroom solution will bring game-changing hygiene and design, combined with a new standard of dispensing performance and human-centric experience, to deliver unmatched confidence that goes beyond simply dispensing paper towels. The ICON™ portfolio showcases three system solutions for hand towels, toilet tissue and skincare, including soap and sanitiser.

Study by GfK, a leading European market research company shows hand hygiene in public washrooms has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began

To gain a better understanding of how people’s attitudes towards hygiene and handwashing have shifted in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Kimberly-Clark Professional – which has a UK regional office in Tadworth, Surrey – commissioned a survey¹ conducted by GfK in Europe. The survey revealed perceptions of cleanliness alongside evolving hygiene habits, expectations, and standards, such as:

  • 76% of people have had poor experiences with hand hygiene in public washrooms since the start of the pandemic.
  • Almost half (46%) of respondents wash their hands more frequently than before the pandemic because they pay more attention to hygiene overall.
  • 42% have experienced empty or improperly functioning paper towel dispensers, leading to frequent complaints.

In the wake of COVID-19, the survey results underline that now more than ever, washroom users need reassurance that their hygiene, safety, and health are a top priority once they set foot in the washroom.

Confidence by Design

While most dispensers are designed around paper, the Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™ collection is designed around the servicer, facility manager, and end-user – offering style, simplicity, cutting-edge technology, and a human-centric experience.

“Backed by teams of hygiene and innovation experts, the launch of the Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™ dispenser demonstrates our commitment to delivering unmatchable confidence in the washroom,” said Craig Bowman, General Manager at Kimberly-Clark Professional™ in the UK. “As higher expectations of cleanliness become a lasting benchmark, we want to be a trusted provider of game-changing solutions for hygiene and safety for our users and choosers.” 

Touchless Performance for Game-Changing Hygiene

The Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™ collection features a high-performing and touchless dispensing system, with a seamless design and hidden towel mode that minimises contact points for a more hygienic experience and reduces the potential risks of cross-contamination. With dual sensor technology that recognises partially torn sheets and presents a new sheet before dispenser issues occur, the Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™ collection provides reliable and hygienic dispensing by ensuring paper towels are always available for end-users.

Best Performance and Efficiency

Among the many guidelines and hygiene expectations that companies have adopted recently, budget is a key issue. The Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™ collection is the most significant upgrade in technological advancements in dispensing in over a decade and is fully equipped to support facilities and cleaning staff to improve maintenance efficiency with:

  • Easy-to-read intuitive control panel, which means less training is required to operate the dispensers.
  • Easily visible lighting and servicing cues that indicate when products need replenishment, reducing guesswork on servicing needs.
  • Direct Drive Technology, which provides the benefits of efficiency, better battery life3 and less noise – the quietest electronic dispenser on the market.4
  • The hand towel rolls have a plastic-free core plug to allow full recycling in a single waste stream.
  • Minimal maintenance with 99.9% jam-free performance2, and a single set of batteries that deliver up to 150,000 dispenses3.
  • It is simple to access and features a smooth, controlled opening and closing experience.

Function Meets Design: Ultimate Dispensing Experience

The act of handwashing goes beyond science. More than just a simple paper towel dispenser, the Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™ collection features designer faceplates that add style to hygiene. 

By incorporating visually appealing interior design elements, the range of colours and faceplates are designed to complement every environment to elevate the washroom experience. Designs include warm marble, cherry blossom, and ebony woodgrain, as well as black, silver and white mosaic. In addition, customised faceplates can be implemented for branding and advertising.

“This launch combines over 150 years of hygiene innovation with modern design to create a new product that looks as great as it works and elevates any space. It also highlights Kimberly-Clark Professional’s commitment to being a global leading provider of hygiene, safety, and productivity solutions,” said Bowman.

The Cleaning Show was held at ExCeL London from March 14 to 16.

For additional information visit Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™.

1 GfK eBUS® 2022: „Hände waschen“ Survey, 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 74. Germany.

2 Dispensing test conducted by Patmore Slades Horizons in September 2021.

3 Based on an average of 30,000 dispenses per year using historical usage and foot traffic data.

4 Against leading competition