Here at Urban Media PR we have toyed with creating a public relations service aimed squarely at Social Enterprise - because these organisations are something we strongly believe in.
We are proud to be associated with one of the country's leading social enterprises in the shape of CASAC. They do fantastic work in combating crime in West Yorkshire. Indeed, they should be held up as a prime example of the good that Social Enterprises can do.
The story below is from Social Enterprise magazine and it resonates with me. I think the figure for such businesses is far higher than most people assume.
Study increases number of UK social enterprises to 232,000 from 62,000.
The UK could be home to 232,000 social enterprises and not the official figure of 62,000, new research shows.
A study by economics consultancy Delta Economics and market researchers IFF Research revealed that a fifth of 2,121 entrepreneurs interviewed run businesses that could be ‘hidden social enterprises'. These are classed as for-profit companies with a social, environmental or job creation purposes and reinvest their profits or surpluses to achieve this goal. Those asked have been running their business for more than two years, but fewer than ten have annual turnovers greater than £200,000.
Read the article
In essence, as Geof Cox comments on the site: 'you don't need to be structurally different from other businesses to be entirely ethical: to say MORE effectively 'this is the way EVERYONE should do business'.
If you would like to know what Urban Media PR could do for you, then please contact us.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Monday 22 March 2010
Monday 15 March 2010
Pay what you want to eat at the pub
This is a story we did on Steve and Gemma at The Fox in Stockton-on-the-Forest for The Publican. They are a lovely couple in a great pub and deserve the success they are working so hard for.
* If you have a news story - please contact us
Licensee gives customers the chance to decide how much a meal is worth
A pub has launched a menu with a difference by allowing customers to pay what they think a meal is worth.
Steve Howard took over Punch Taverns pub the Fox Inn at Stockton-on-the-Forest near York in January and wanted an unusual way to encourage customers back into the pub.
So every Wednesday diners are given the chance to pay what they like for their food.
He said: “So far this has worked really well. No-one can believe it. But one thing in our favour is the British inability to haggle.
“The first time we did it we had three people out of 25 who didn’t pay enough to cover the cost of the ingredients.
“And the lowest we’ve been offered for the rump steak was £5. Otherwise people have been very fair and offer close, or sometimes, more than what the dish would normally cost.”
Steve’s girlfriend Gemma Esders, 25, added: “It has certainly got people talking and we are seeing more people come through the door as a result.”
The couple run the special menu every Wednesday from 12-6pm and some of the regulars are ‘threatening’ to pay just £1 for the sirloin steak.
Steve prepares all of the food himself from fresh ingredients and Wednesday’s menu includes sirloin steak, mixed grill, steak and ale pie, game pie, chicken and mushroom pie, scampi, burgers, penne arrabiata, stroganoff, gammon and hunter’s chicken.
Steve said: “The pub has had seven or eight licensees over the last two or three years. This offer means people will come along, see we do decent food and give us a chance.
“From my experience I think other pubs should give this a go and see what happens.”
Read the story on The Publican website
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
* If you have a news story - please contact us
Licensee gives customers the chance to decide how much a meal is worth
A pub has launched a menu with a difference by allowing customers to pay what they think a meal is worth.
So every Wednesday diners are given the chance to pay what they like for their food.
He said: “So far this has worked really well. No-one can believe it. But one thing in our favour is the British inability to haggle.
“The first time we did it we had three people out of 25 who didn’t pay enough to cover the cost of the ingredients.
“And the lowest we’ve been offered for the rump steak was £5. Otherwise people have been very fair and offer close, or sometimes, more than what the dish would normally cost.”
Steve’s girlfriend Gemma Esders, 25, added: “It has certainly got people talking and we are seeing more people come through the door as a result.”
The couple run the special menu every Wednesday from 12-6pm and some of the regulars are ‘threatening’ to pay just £1 for the sirloin steak.
Steve prepares all of the food himself from fresh ingredients and Wednesday’s menu includes sirloin steak, mixed grill, steak and ale pie, game pie, chicken and mushroom pie, scampi, burgers, penne arrabiata, stroganoff, gammon and hunter’s chicken.
Steve said: “The pub has had seven or eight licensees over the last two or three years. This offer means people will come along, see we do decent food and give us a chance.
“From my experience I think other pubs should give this a go and see what happens.”
Read the story on The Publican website
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Thursday 11 March 2010
Conference firms need to target Generation Y
One of the UK’s leading business coaches will take to the stage and tell firms that organise conferences what they should be doing to target Generation Y.
That’s typically the age of people born between the late 1970’s to mid 1990’s and a major conference is being held in Leeds for firms and organisation tasked with creating conferences for a new generation with higher expectations and skills wanting to attend such gatherings.
Stuart Powell will be staging a seminar and he said: “I’m really excited to be involved with this conference. It is absolutely vital for the future of the conference industry that it responds to the demands of Generation Y.
“To help them do that, I will be integrating thought-provoking and topical strategies into my seminar to show those attending what they should be doing to achieve success.”
Read more of this Press Release issued on behalf of our client, Stuart Powell at Urban Media.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
That’s typically the age of people born between the late 1970’s to mid 1990’s and a major conference is being held in Leeds for firms and organisation tasked with creating conferences for a new generation with higher expectations and skills wanting to attend such gatherings.
Stuart Powell will be staging a seminar and he said: “I’m really excited to be involved with this conference. It is absolutely vital for the future of the conference industry that it responds to the demands of Generation Y.
“To help them do that, I will be integrating thought-provoking and topical strategies into my seminar to show those attending what they should be doing to achieve success.”
Read more of this Press Release issued on behalf of our client, Stuart Powell at Urban Media.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Tuesday 9 March 2010
A day out in Whitby
I guess this falls under the guidelines for this blog - though it takes place on the Yorkshire coast.
I love Whitby and have a real affection for Robin Hood's bay.
On Sunday we drove to Whitby and parked up on West Cliff. The parking ticket machine wasn't working but that didn't upset me.
We walked into the main part of the town to catch a bus to RHB. There's no indication on the stands of which bus is heading where.
You have to check out each timetable. Now that is a faff when you are in a rush. But we weren't so I wasn't that bothered.
However, I was bothered to find that a 20 minute bus journey for two adults and two children was going to cost me £10 - and that was the special day pass rate!
So thank you Arriva for fleecing visitors to the area. To be fair, the bus driver handled it really well and thought the price was ridiculous as well.
After a picnic we headed back to Whitby on the old railway line. In its glory days it must have been a fantastic trip. It still is - apart from ending when you reach the main coast road.
So we took a right turn and headed for Whitby Abbey. A really nice stroll and from there it was to the Magpie Cafe.
Now I am something of a fish 'n' chip aficionado so I know something of this subject. We've had a meal in the restaurant before and not been particularly impressed.
It doesn't compare to the Royale (or Fuscoe's to the locals) on Baxtergate, nor to Trenchers or even the Quayside restaurant.
But people still queue there.
We tried the takeaway - which still had a queue. So you would hope for a decent meal.
Apart from the queue I was staggered to see people waiting in line for quality fish and chips only to buy battered sausage! Or buy a fish and smother it in curry sauce!
Is it me? Why queue for ages at a takeaway with such a grand reputation and not try the fish?
The Magpie was excellent when it first opened. I was one of its first customers and enjoyed it there. Now though it looks like they are trading on their (hard earned) reputation but who can blame them?
Enjoy Whitby. It still has a charm of its very own, lots to see and do but do try and give the other restaurants a chance.
Tips on other decent food outlets in Whitby gratefully received! Please leave a comment below.
(By the way, I haven't had a bad meal in any of the eating places in Robin Hood's Bay and can particularly recommend the chippy up the side street and the pub at the bottom of the hill).
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
I love Whitby and have a real affection for Robin Hood's bay.
On Sunday we drove to Whitby and parked up on West Cliff. The parking ticket machine wasn't working but that didn't upset me.
We walked into the main part of the town to catch a bus to RHB. There's no indication on the stands of which bus is heading where.
You have to check out each timetable. Now that is a faff when you are in a rush. But we weren't so I wasn't that bothered.
However, I was bothered to find that a 20 minute bus journey for two adults and two children was going to cost me £10 - and that was the special day pass rate!
So thank you Arriva for fleecing visitors to the area. To be fair, the bus driver handled it really well and thought the price was ridiculous as well.
After a picnic we headed back to Whitby on the old railway line. In its glory days it must have been a fantastic trip. It still is - apart from ending when you reach the main coast road.
So we took a right turn and headed for Whitby Abbey. A really nice stroll and from there it was to the Magpie Cafe.
Now I am something of a fish 'n' chip aficionado so I know something of this subject. We've had a meal in the restaurant before and not been particularly impressed.
It doesn't compare to the Royale (or Fuscoe's to the locals) on Baxtergate, nor to Trenchers or even the Quayside restaurant.
But people still queue there.
We tried the takeaway - which still had a queue. So you would hope for a decent meal.
Apart from the queue I was staggered to see people waiting in line for quality fish and chips only to buy battered sausage! Or buy a fish and smother it in curry sauce!
Is it me? Why queue for ages at a takeaway with such a grand reputation and not try the fish?
The Magpie was excellent when it first opened. I was one of its first customers and enjoyed it there. Now though it looks like they are trading on their (hard earned) reputation but who can blame them?
Enjoy Whitby. It still has a charm of its very own, lots to see and do but do try and give the other restaurants a chance.
Tips on other decent food outlets in Whitby gratefully received! Please leave a comment below.
(By the way, I haven't had a bad meal in any of the eating places in Robin Hood's Bay and can particularly recommend the chippy up the side street and the pub at the bottom of the hill).
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Monday 8 March 2010
The Shambles named UK's 'most picturesque'
It's a street I go down often just for the 'vibe'.
It's cobbles date from the Middle Ages and are often rammed with visitors taking photos of the close-built buildings.
And now The Shambles has been voted Britain's most picturesque street in the Google Street View Awards.
I've even thought about getting one of the offices there - a modern business amongst the history would be fantastic.
Read more
If you've never been to the city; there are other great streets to visit in York and enjoy.
Talking of which - I would love to work with more York-based shops and restaurants! Especially if they want to use social media in their marketing mix.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
It's cobbles date from the Middle Ages and are often rammed with visitors taking photos of the close-built buildings.
And now The Shambles has been voted Britain's most picturesque street in the Google Street View Awards.
I've even thought about getting one of the offices there - a modern business amongst the history would be fantastic.
Read more
If you've never been to the city; there are other great streets to visit in York and enjoy.
Talking of which - I would love to work with more York-based shops and restaurants! Especially if they want to use social media in their marketing mix.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Thursday 4 March 2010
Bishy Road shops make their mark online
Good luck to everyone involved with bishyroad.net and like Andy Shrimpton says in the York Press 'there's more to York than Coney Street'.
To be fair there are some excellent shopping streets in the centre but Bishy Road does stand out because it's on the edge and is very popular.
I go there quite often and next week will be supporting the two pubs around the corner which have recently put 'For Sale' signs up.
Mind you, I'll be taking a Dutch mate who is slowly gearing up to British pub life and enjoying it! (Then after that I thought I'd take a look at the refurb'd Slip Inn).
So, apart from Cycle Heaven and the Swan you can enjoy: M and K’s butchers; Pextons, voted hardware shop of the year for the whole of the UK and hairdressers Glen And Julio’s who have also been British champions.
Get down there and support local businesses!
Read the York Press story
And if you would like to support a cost-effective York PR and Media service then contact us!
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
To be fair there are some excellent shopping streets in the centre but Bishy Road does stand out because it's on the edge and is very popular.
I go there quite often and next week will be supporting the two pubs around the corner which have recently put 'For Sale' signs up.
Mind you, I'll be taking a Dutch mate who is slowly gearing up to British pub life and enjoying it! (Then after that I thought I'd take a look at the refurb'd Slip Inn).
So, apart from Cycle Heaven and the Swan you can enjoy: M and K’s butchers; Pextons, voted hardware shop of the year for the whole of the UK and hairdressers Glen And Julio’s who have also been British champions.
Get down there and support local businesses!
Read the York Press story
And if you would like to support a cost-effective York PR and Media service then contact us!
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Wednesday 3 March 2010
Tetleys - incredible but true
I can't be the only person to be left stunned by the decision to move the production of Tetleys away from Leeds?
As a Leeds lad it's incrdible that the brewery will close (I had a great tour round it once with a bunch of other journos) and I'm sorry for the people who work there.
However, I now live in York and have the delights of York Brewery to enjoy. I like all of their pubs.
In fact, I love a lot of microbrewery beers (Cropton among them) and help support their endeavours whenever I can!
Now I've done this blog I realise that I should try working as a PR for a brewery. Or two. I'll keep you posted.
UPDATE: I will be supporting the call to boycott Carlsberg and their products (because it won't be too difficult!).
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
As a Leeds lad it's incrdible that the brewery will close (I had a great tour round it once with a bunch of other journos) and I'm sorry for the people who work there.
However, I now live in York and have the delights of York Brewery to enjoy. I like all of their pubs.
In fact, I love a lot of microbrewery beers (Cropton among them) and help support their endeavours whenever I can!
Now I've done this blog I realise that I should try working as a PR for a brewery. Or two. I'll keep you posted.
UPDATE: I will be supporting the call to boycott Carlsberg and their products (because it won't be too difficult!).
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
News team celebrate hat-trick of industry awards
Congratulations to everyone at ITV Tyne Tees and Border involved with winning a clutch of awards at the Royal Television Society North East and Borders Awards.
I'm really pleased for them since some of my best/happiest moments in journalism were spent at Tyne Tees.
I was at Belassis and then Newcastle creating (what I think were) gems of television news.
Anyway, the team picked up Best News Programme for its tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, Philippa Tomson was named Best Presenter and Gregg Easteal won the Best Journalist award.
I used to cadge a lift with Gregg from York up to Belassis and he really deserves the recognition (though I haven't seen him on the national ITV news for some time).
The only blip on the horizon is the odd idea of having another organisation run the news gathering and broadcasting in the North East instead of Tyne Tees.
Hopefully none of the great workers there will be put out of work because that would be a great loss to TV but to the North East too.
Well done!
For PR and Social Media contact us.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
I'm really pleased for them since some of my best/happiest moments in journalism were spent at Tyne Tees.
I was at Belassis and then Newcastle creating (what I think were) gems of television news.
Anyway, the team picked up Best News Programme for its tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, Philippa Tomson was named Best Presenter and Gregg Easteal won the Best Journalist award.
I used to cadge a lift with Gregg from York up to Belassis and he really deserves the recognition (though I haven't seen him on the national ITV news for some time).
The only blip on the horizon is the odd idea of having another organisation run the news gathering and broadcasting in the North East instead of Tyne Tees.
Hopefully none of the great workers there will be put out of work because that would be a great loss to TV but to the North East too.
Well done!
For PR and Social Media contact us.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough.
Monday 1 March 2010
Welcome to the new blog!
I've been thinking about creating a blog for a long time. Like many people I've put it off and now I'm jumping in.
I'll be blogging about living and working in York, Yorkshire and offering up my thoughts on public relations (PR). I will also be updating the blog with what I'm up to.
That and updating Twitter (urbanmediapr!) as well.
That's the thing with social media - you spend so much time being social you don't really get chance to do the work needed.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough
I'll be blogging about living and working in York, Yorkshire and offering up my thoughts on public relations (PR). I will also be updating the blog with what I'm up to.
That and updating Twitter (urbanmediapr!) as well.
That's the thing with social media - you spend so much time being social you don't really get chance to do the work needed.
Business writing, public and media relations, PR, articles, blogs, website content, news and features in York, Leeds and Scarborough
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