Kentish Town

Internet Addiction

2011-08-04T16:55:00.001+01:00

You’re trying to source some data for a report you need to get out urgently.

You click your web browser which opens to your default page, say BBC news and before you get the chance to Google whatever it is you wanted to lookup, a headline catches your eye…

Click headline… read report… follow link…read report… Google subject… Watch YouTube video… send link to friends… show colleague…discuss…

An hour later you suddenly notice the time and panic because you still haven’t finished that report!

And how about the “live feeds”? During the last two Tests, how many cricket fans could deny having a quick look every now and then to check the score, only to sit staring at the page waiting for the next update, just in case another wicket has gone down…

“I speak as an addictive personality; I think one saves an awful lot of time not having the internet”.

Wise words perhaps then from Richard Ingrams, editor of the Oldie magazine and one of the most prominent "digital deniers" when speaking on BBC 4’s Today programme, today.

So whilst most of us cannot imagine life without the internet, perhaps this just underlines his belief that the internet is indeed just "another addiction".

Epoc Update

2011-06-24T15:23:00.003+01:00

Seems our blogs have become a bit like buses… You wait ages and then two come along at once!

Well without wishing to sound like that irritating announcement on the underground, we are pleased to say that a good service is operating here at Epoc, it’s just that we’ve been ultra busy of late.

Up to our eyes designing a private members club at the moment. 12,000 square feet of everything a child could ever dream of. From a simulated golf range to a music studio; swimming pool and technology lab…. Somewhere to cook and somewhere to chill, a real state of the art complex that in total comprises some 12 different play and leisure areas.

In addition, we have recently completed the business strategy, graphic and environmental identity for a health and leisure complex as well as developing a design concept and brand strategy for a new ice cream operation.

With our major retail clients embarking on a roll-out of store upgrades, Delroy has been clocking up the miles on the road, from Falkirk to Clacton-on-Sea and St Helens to Gloucester, so guess it’s just as well he hasn’t had to rely on those buses!

Empty shops become art galleries

2011-06-23T17:50:00.002+01:00

This is a brilliant scheme that provides a “win-win” situation for both Landlords and Artists, as well as being a great way to introduce life back into some of our bleak and often deserted high streets.

Firstly from a Landlords perspective it enables them to bring what would otherwise be a dead unit back into use. The premises will benefit from being occupied thereby mitigating repairing liabilities. In areas of particularly high vacancy rates it distinguishes their property from other vacant units increasing visibility through stimulating window displays and encouraging potential occupiers into the property. Furthermore, if managed through a registered Charity the Landlord is able to alleviate their business rates liability.

From the artist’s point of view, these properties provide a great opportunity to show and promote their work to a wider audience, without the usual and often excessive costs and constraints associated with commercial art galleries. These schemes also allow artists to come together, so stimulating ideas to create exciting and innovative collections of work.

Finally, anything that helps to improve and promote the local high street environment should definitely be encouraged. Hopefully blogs like this will spread the word and increase awareness of such projects. The concept would no doubt benefit from the support of organisations such as the Association of Town Centre Managers who actively work with both private and public sector stakeholders are well placed to promote this initiative.

So, given all the potential benefits of this scheme it is my hope that that more property owners will set aside any pre-conceived misgivings and look to support this scheme.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13842044

47 Beak Street, Carnaby , London W1F 9SE

2011-04-18T14:13:00.007+01:00

To much acclaim Suka opened its doors on Thursday 14^th April. Although we are bound to be ever so slightly biased, it must be said that the store looked absolutely amazing!

It seems hard to believe that it was 8 months ago that Alex and Yolanda first approached Epoc with their concept for a new independent specialist sports boutique, stocking the most advanced gentlemen's sporting brands.

Aimed at people for whom sport is a lifestyle - aspiring athletes, professional sportsmen or the super-motivated - triathletes, cyclists, yogis, runners, sprinters, swimmers, the opening evening was certainly well supported by a variety of svelte athletic looking individuals in stark contrast to those of us who looked like we’d be more at home in the pub next door!

But judging by the hugely positive feedback following the opening, the Suka concept has proved to be exceptionally well received by everyone who has visited the store.

So with their boundless energy, enthusiasm and passion for sport, the future of Suka is looking very positive. It’s been a real pleasure working with Alex and Yolanda and we are extremely proud to have played our part in making their dream a reality.

47 Beak Street, Carnaby , London W1F 9SE

2011-04-14T12:00:00.008+01:00

No cracks here mate!

Decorators on site last week repainting the floor to produce a much brighter feel to the store.

Display units all fabricated by TEK Contractors bespoke to our designs ready to fit.

They also constructed the amazing feature “pod” for the window display, which was something of a challenge to install involving 6 guys and a lot of huffing and puffing!

Sign Specialists adding final graphics this morning. It’s all been a bit hectic but everything geared up for the store opening today.

Suka Sport

2011-02-10T16:23:00.001Z

Now for those of you that, perhaps understandably, think Epoc is solely a design, branding and implementation agency, here’s news for you…

We just brought a shop!

Well to be absolutely precise, we have just negotiated the leasehold acquisition of a prime retail unit for one of our Clients!

Located on Beak Street within the world famous Carnaby Street Estate owned by Shaftesbury plc, the property is to be the new flagship store for Suka Sport Ltd, a bespoke sports boutique focussed on Running, Cycling, Swimming and Yoga and offering the best brands available globally together with expert advice and service.

Epoc were initially appointed on the creation of the Suka Sport brand, new identity and collateral, environmental design, through to project managing the store fit-out.

The only thing missing was the shop unit…

So the advantage of having a Chartered Surveyor within our team, we were able to work with our Clients to formulate a property acquisition strategy, undertake the property search in order to locate a unit meeting this strategy and ultimately negotiate the acquisition of the premises upon the best available terms.

Whilst we are not about to reinvent ourselves as Commercial Property Agents, our capacity to provide a complete and integrated brand, design and property solution has greatly benefitted our Clients and enabled them to focus on the operational aspect of their business venture.

The store is due to open mid April and we’ll be posting regular updates as the scheme progresses.

Geordie Man buys coat

2011-01-13T09:56:00.001Z

A Newcastle man has caused uproar in the shopping centres of the north-east by purchasing a ‘coat’.
The man, who wishes to remain nameless, asked at several male clothing retail outlets for something to wear over his t-shirt.
“At first we thought he meant a jumper,” said Kevin Blackwell, a Newcastle-based retailer. “But we don’t sell many of those.”
“Then he insisted that what he actually wanted was a ‘coat’. I couldn’t believe it, I mean, I got him to repeat it several times before I actually believed him.”
Geordie buys coat
Blackwell continued, “We thought he was taking the piss, as no-one in Newcastle has bought a coat since 1973, and Coaty McCoaterson is STILL living that down.”
The man, a 35 year old accountant, explained his quest. “It was a bit cold, like. I really didn’t see the big deal.”
“I thought about buying an insulating fat suit like a lot of others up here, but I didn’t see the point of the extra expense.”
He finally tracked down a clothing store willing to sell him a coat after following the A1 South for almost 50 miles until he reached Harrogate.

Lest we forget...

2010-11-11T13:58:00.003Z

Preparing to set off to the office this morning, I struggled, fingers and thumbs, as I tried so carefully to secure my poppy in situ for fear that the gusting winds and rain would cause this to become dislodged.

Today, of course, is Armistice Day. As I would expect of many, I could not envisage venturing out on this day without this most reverent symbol of respect for those that made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the freedom that nowadays we seem to take for granted.

As I strode toward Highgate station it was to my sadness and surprise that I became aware of the number of people I passed absent of this traditional mark of remembrance.

Such was my astonishment that I took it upon myself to study my fellow passengers and see just how many were wearing a poppy and if indeed there was any consistency amongst those with poppy and those without.

Naturally, perhaps, I assumed that the more elderly folk would adhere to this tradition, but no, the first of my older generation, a well to do gent in dark overcoat and hat, was bereft of poppy and the first person I spotted with a poppy was a young girl of Asian background.

Scouring the commuters seated in my carriage and standing around me, a mixture of young and middle aged men and women of various ethnicities, not a poppy was to be seen. Then as a space appeared in my line of vision I finally spotted a man, maybe in his late 30’s, attired in suit and tie, with poppy pinned to his lapel.

After leaving the tube and taking the short walk to the office I failed to spot a single person with a poppy; passing an aged, archetypal city type in his luxurious camel coat, surely this man… but no…

Now maybe I am doing some of these people a disservice, maybe, like me, they were concerned that they would lose their poppy and instead had this hidden inside their briefcase or bag or had it pinned to their inner clothing, but surely the point of the poppy is to wear this on display.

As we approached 11.00GMT when a bugler from the Scots Guards was to mark the start of the two-minute silence by playing the Last Post, I wondered if London would indeed fall silent in remembrance. Will iPods be switched off? Will laptops be sent to sleep? Will the telephones in our office cease to ring? I recall a time some years ago when I sought to end a telephone call explaining that we were approaching 11:00 and the gruff response I received. Clearly for some business will always come first!

Perhaps it is different now that the threat is not as demonstrable as it was following the First and Second World Wars. Opinions have changed and questions are raised as to whether we should even be fighting the war in Afghanistan.

But at this time when it seems that almost every day news reports tell of another member of the armed forces lost in Afghanistan, surely the poignancy of this day cannot be lost on the nation?

As I stepped outside my office to observe the silence, the traffic continued to flow past, people went about their business and so I was simply left to stand silent in my own private contemplation.

Lest we forget… Sadly I fear many already have...

Kentish Canteen -Time out review

2010-10-08T14:40:00.002+01:00

Time Out says - By Richard Ehrlich Posted: Oct 6 2010

Pret and Caffè Nero are both about to open branches on Kentish Town Road, but Kentish Canteen is what the area really needs: a classy local doing brunch, lunch and dinner all week.

The guiding principles are maximum flexibility and minimal expense. It's a great formula: no main course over £12, and smaller, 'larder' dishes costing around £3-5. Menus will change monthly and were still being tweaked
... More

Pret and Caffè Nero are both about to open branches on Kentish Town Road, but Kentish Canteen is what the area really needs: a classy local doing brunch, lunch and dinner all week.

The guiding principles are maximum flexibility and minimal expense. It's a great formula: no main course over £12, and smaller, 'larder' dishes costing around £3-5. Menus will change monthly and were still being tweaked on our visits.

Some of chef John Cook's food is sensationally good. Eggs Benedict on the brunch menu was exemplary.

On a separate visit, parmesan chicken - a breaded escalope - was tender and juicy within and crunchy without (no mean feat). A huge portion of wonderful vegetable soup featured a memorably flavourful broth. Accurately cooked steak came with addictively crisp, fluffy chips. Desserts and baking are fine, and nice touches - such as small pots of blue-chip Isigny butter - show careful attention to detail.

The space looks great, designed by a firm just around the corner and with one wall dominated by a Kentish Town photo mural. Wine list: short and imaginative, and starting at just £14.50.

Service is sweet and largely efficient. Expect great things of this new place, on the site that used to be RED

Epoc Latest project wins

2010-09-30T17:12:00.006+01:00

A Food 'Court' and Hotel in Berlin,
A 'Boutique' sports store in London,
A 'bar' for a global fashion retailer...

The 'Hello' view of Life

2010-09-28T11:43:00.006+01:00

It is a shame this level of reality was not a more prevalent view in modern life.

Then perhaps we would all take the view that we need to just get on with it...!

We will not all be famous.
We will not all stay young and slim.
We will not all be premiership foootballers or lottery winners.
We will not all be wealthy or feature in 'Hello' Magazine.

We all need to work at a level befitting our skills, knowledge and abilities.

Be proud of what you can realistically do, Live your life and enjoy each minute.

'Photoshop' is a mask, not a reality and too many, spend too long, in the Media led world of fame fantasy.

Thought for today R4

Chin Chin Laboratories

2010-09-20T18:28:00.003+01:00

London has finally got its first nitro icecream bar. They designed the interior of the new Chin Chin Laboratories’s nitro icecream bar in Camden.

As a key idea behind their work they developed a mad scientists lab environment, where preparation area, display cabinet and lightning devices are all inter-connected with a lot of playfulness.
No wire on the floor; everything goes trough the pipes seems to be one of the main very practical feature. Details amongst others, that I really liked, the cords of the swing have been partially un-woven and re-woven on themselves – there’s no knot!

The confectionning and preparation areas, cabinet and display are all hold together by the tubular structure.

The light bulbs are directly plugged on the structure.
even the drinks had that mad scientists feeling (kir royal in a pipette)

** Andrew Haythornthwaite and Shai Akram began their collaboration shortly after graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2006 on the Design Products course headed by Ron Arad. Their projects have taken them to China, New Zealand and now, back to the UK.
They presented their Fruit Fishing for FoodMarketo in Milan 2010; which is based on the scientific fact that apples float and pears don’t.

* Chin Chin Laboratories are located in Camden – the address is 49 Camden Lock Place.

Kentish Canteen

2010-09-09T16:36:00.003+01:00

This Monday, 7th September, saw the opening of the new “Kentish Canteen” restaurant at 300 Kentish Town Road NW5.

Now it would be all too easy to slide into food critic mode and rave about this being a great place to pop in for a quick meal and a glass of wine. We could enthuse about the Head Chef, late of Vinoteca and his able Sous Chef who was previously Head Chef at the Acornhouse Restaurant. Oh and not forgetting the owners, Owen and Wendy, who already operate PJ’s Bar & Grill in Covent Garden and their passion for food. Then there’s the wine list put together by a friend of Wendy's who's a master of wine with his own vineyard in the South of France….

At this stage you’d probably be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled upon one of those restaurant review websites or suspect that we have some ulterior motive for promoting the place.

Well the truth is we do!

From the initial brand concept through to the design and implementation Epoc were immersed in this project. We were even responsible for locating the site on behalf of the owners!

So should you ever find yourself in the area and in need of refreshment we would certainly recommend a visit to Kentish Canteen and whilst you’re enjoying your meal take in the design as well. Should you then feel predisposed to find out more of what we do here at Epoc, simply walk around the corner from the restaurant and you’ll find our studio here in Leverton Place!

Did you see?

2010-07-30T15:24:00.003+01:00

For those of you who saw the last episode of "Mary Queen of Shops" on Monday, 15th July featuring Lightwater Home Care, but just happened to miss the credits at the end, we thought we should mention that yes, it was EPOC that put together the new design and graphics for the store.

A special mention should also go to Denise Tisdale at Sign Specialists Ltd who did a magnificent job of pulling together all the new signage for the unit.

It's all about attitude!

2010-06-25T15:53:00.002+01:00

Whilst most of us were fixed on England’s crucial game against Slovenia, down in SW19 two relatively unknown tennis players were locked in a gladiatorial battle of wills in what became the longest tennis match in history.

Suffice to say the stamina, courage and sheer dogged determination of these two players namely John Isner and Nicolas Mahut belies belief. Although it was highly unlikely that either player would ultimately progress to win the tournament it is testament to their character that their refusal to concede defeat was founded solely on the will to win rather than the promise of a hefty pay cheque. In fact for his part in this 11 hour epic, Mahut received just £11,250 in prize money.

That though is of little consequence as he will forever be remembered for his participation in what has been described as the greatest match of all time as well as his indefatigable attitude and graciousness even in defeat.

In stark contrast his fellow countrymen representing “Les Bleus” at the World Cup have been vilified in the French press both for their failure to progress from the group stages but more particularly for the farcical events off the field. This has even escalated to the political hierarchy prompting one Socialist to comment

"The atmosphere that prevails in the French team is one that Nicolas Sarkozy exults -- it's all about individualism, egotism, everyone for themselves, and the only way to judge human success is the cheque you get at the end of the month,"

Not that the England team have exactly covered themselves in glory. After two uninspiring performances against the USA and Algeria and the stories of divisions within the squad, a victory against a Slovenia team ranked 25th in the world should not convince us that we have suddenly been transformed into potential World Cup winners. But at least the team finally showed a sense of spirit and desire previously lacking.

Of course Sunday’s match against Germany will prove to be a far sterner test of our resolve with history very much against us.

Whilst the England players should certainly require no greater motivation than the opportunity to achieve a victory against our old adversaries, if they require any form of paradigm for all that is expected of them when they take to the pitch on Sunday they would do well to reflect on the performance of Isner and Mahut.

St George's Day

2010-04-23T09:53:00.008+01:00

....and following the theme of today....

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;... Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!"

23rd April -St Georges day

2010-04-22T13:03:00.013+01:00

Our patron saints day but not a public holiday yet- The campaign goes on and we support it not just bacause the 23rd of April is Eddies birthday and having him out of the office is a holiday for us all! Saint George is perhaps most famous for slaying a dragon. This is obviously a fictitious story and very little is known about the real St. George. The little we do know is as follows:

· Born in Turkey (either Anatolia or Cappadocia)
· Lived in 3rd century AD
· His parents were Christian
· Later lived in Palestine
· Became a Roman soldier
· Protested against Rome's persecution of Christians
· Imprisoned and tortured, but stayed true to his faith
· Beheaded at Nicomedia in Palestine

St. George is probably England's most successful immigrant. Born in a foreign land, welcomed by the English and has worked hard for over 800 years in his adopted country. He has integrated so well that he has come to symbolise the very essence of 'Englishness'. The story of St. George and the Dragon dates back to the Middle Ages when the dragon was commonly used to represent evil, so it's an excellent tale of good triumphing over evil. Since then St. George has been popularly identified with English ideals of charity, chivalry and courage (now known as the 3 C's)

St. George's worldwide fame

He is not only patron saint of England but also of…

· Bulgaria
· Canada
· Croatia, Senj
· Ethiopia
· Georgia
· Germany, Haldern
· Germany, Freiburg
· Germany, Heide
· Germany, Limburg
· Gozo
· Greece
· Israel, Lod
· Italy, Ferrara
· Italy, Genoa

· Italy, Modica
· Italy, Nerola
· Italy, Riano
· Lebanon, Beirut
· Lithuania
· Malta
· Netherlands, Amersfoort
· Palestine
· Portugal
· Russia, Moscow
· Slovenia, Ptuj
· Spain, Aragon
· Spain, Catalonia
· Turkey, Istanbul

He's also patron saint of soldiers, archers, cavalry and chivalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers, and he helps those suffering from leprosy and plague. In recent years he has been adopted as patron saint of Scouts.

Puma Box / Bag (credit -packaging world)

2010-04-22T12:51:00.007+01:00

"It's hard to imagine something as simple as the shoebox being completely overhauled. But Puma and Fuseproject have done just that, in a design that will completely transform the brand's supply chain—saving millions in electricity, fuel, and water.

"Rethinking the shoebox is an incredibly complex problem, and the cost of cardboard and the printing waste are huge, given that 80M are shipped from China each year," Béhar tells FastCompany.com. "Cargo holds in the ships can reach temperatures of 110 degrees for weeks on end, so packaging becomes an enormous problem. This solution protects the shoes, and helps stores to stock them, while saving huge costs in materials."

After spending 21 months studying box fabrication and shipping, Fuseproject realized that any improvement to that already lean system would merely be incremental. So instead, the "clever little bag" combines the two packaging components of any shoe sale—the bag and the box—with high-tech ingenuity.

The bag tightly wraps an interior cardboard scaffolding—giving it shape and reducing cardboard use by 65%. Moreover, without that shiny box exterior, there's no laminated cardboard (which interferes with recycling). There's no tissue paper inside. And there's no throw-away plastic bag. The bag itself is made of recycled PET, and it's non-woven—woven fibers increase density and materials use—and stitched with heat, so that it's less manufacturing intensive.

The impact: Puma estimates that the bag will slash water, energy, and fuel consumption during manufacturing alone by 60%—in one year, that comes to a savings of 8,500 tons of paper, 20 million mega joules of electricity, 264,000 gallons of fuel, and 264 gallons of water. Ditching the plastic bags will save 275 tones of plastic, and the lighter shipping weight will save another 132,000 gallons of diesel.

The roll-out is planned for next year. After that? Hopefully, the design will become ubiquitous."

NUFC Premiership Memorial Plate

2010-04-22T12:39:00.003+01:00

Recieved by Eddie from a disgruntled Middlesborough fan today this beautiful memorial plate of the amazing 09/10 season which saw NUFC win the Championship.

Available now from all good stockists

A Retail Designers approach to customer purchasing economics. By Vic Kass

2010-04-20T12:21:00.003+01:00

Hand in Hand with retailers it is possible to build a more strategic approach to unlocking Profit by Design.“Three for two” offers and extended-payment layaway plans are widespread because they work! This is not simply because people prefer free incentives to an equivalent price discount or that people often behave irrationally when thinking about future consequences. Incentivised purchases build brand loyalty that transcends mere discount. This provides the perfect tool for increasing margin, the definition of hero products and the ability to trade up. However, few companies use this knowledge in a systematic way, ignoring the abilities for trading up for more pedestrian options of price comparison and marked down produce that, in isolation does little to build loyalty, but actively invites competition.

In considering this concept I’ve thrown out a few ideas on practical techniques that should be part of the strategic approach between retailer and designer.

Below are just 3 of the many favourite 'Profit by Design' Techniques.

1. Positioning of Margin products
The 3 “P’s” - Power Product Positioning explains why marketers often benefit from offering a few clearly inferior options. Even thought these may not sell, they can increase sales of the superior products that the store really wants to move. An excellent example is that of many of our client restaurateurs who frequently find that the second-most-expensive bottle of wine is very popular, as is the second-cheapest. This lies in the fact that customers who buy the former feel they are getting something special but not going over the top. Customers buying the latter feel they are getting a bargain whilst not being perceived as cheap. Another way in which to consider the consumer “offer” relates not only to the products a company has available to purchase, but to the way in which it displays them. Our research suggests, for instance, that ice cream shoppers in grocery stores look at the brand first, flavour second, and price last. Organizing supermarket aisles according to way consumers prefer to buy specific products will make customers more responsive and less likely to base their purchase decisions solely on price, allowing retailers to sell higher-priced, higher-margin products. This explains why shopping aisles are rarely organized by price. In contrast, for more basic purchases, customers generally start with price, then function, and finally brand. Clearly then, this is not a case of one layout fits all but emphasises the need to have regard to both customer thinking and the nature of the product when considering the merchandise layout.

2. Avoid information and product overload
Despite our love for choice, designers and retailers must be wary of generating visual “choice overload,” which makes consumers less likely to purchase. In a store experiment, some customers were offered the chance to taste a selection of 20 wines, whilst others were only offered a limited selection of 5 wines. Perhaps surprisingly, whilst the greater variety drew more customers to the sampling, it ultimately resulted in fewer purchases than the consumers that were restricted to the 5 wines on offer, resulting in the smaller group sales being five times higher. This suggests that huge choice means customers have to work harder to find what they seek. This is further perpetuated by a degree of heightened awareness generated by increased choice and the negative effect that results from having to compromise and pass up desirable features in other products. Consequently, reducing the number of options available makes people more likely to reach a decision and leads them to feel more satisfied with their choice. The key is therefore is to provide an optimum level of product availability and service whereby the customer will look to the retailer to advise them of the best suit for them, increasing trust and building loyalty. There are, of course, additional financial benefits to be had through enhanced stock management leading to lower costs and improved efficiency which will ensure availability meets fluctuations in demand so that customers will always remain satisfied as products will be available and avoid the dissatisfaction resulting from “stock-outs”. Overstocking also results in increased costs for the retailer for several reasons.
• Increases warehouse space needed
• Higher insurance costs needed
• Higher security costs required to prevent theft
• Stocks may be damaged, become obsolete or go out of date
• Cash tied-up on stock purchase could have been better spent elsewhere

3. Make a product’s purchase less painful

In almost every purchase, consumers have the option to walk away and save their money for another day. Consequently the retailer and designers task is not just to beat competitors but also to persuade shoppers to part with their money in the first instance. According to economic principle, the pain of payment is the same for every pound spent. In practice though, many factors influence the way consumers value a pound and how much pain they feel parting with their money. Understanding customer “mental accounting” affects product placement and customer decision making. Consumers use different mental accounts for money they obtain from different sources and the experience of the purchase. Windfall gains/pocket money or treat products are usually the easiest for consumers to spend and should lead retail hierarchy. Income is less easy to relinquish, but purchases the “essentials” food, fuels, etc. The erosion of savings is without doubt the most painful of all. These purchases tend to be breakdown and maintenance items and need to be acknowledged as a means to an end, clearly identified and set at the bottom of the retail chain.

Can you spot the logo

2010-04-14T18:37:00.002+01:00

Our Interiors team now Eurosafe

2010-03-29T12:57:00.004+01:00

Out key interiors team have just completed health and safety
accreditation and Del, Kate Phil and Paul are now the proud owners
of CSCS cards!

Said Phil, I have never been so taxed by an exam since I passed my driving
test in 1924

Sláinte!

2010-03-17T16:35:00.006Z

Well I guess we just couldn’t let the day pass without wishing our Irish cousins Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!
Blessed with the name McAtominey and know to partake of a beverage or three… it’s not perhaps surprising that we are sometimes confused with our little leprechaun friends
However, that is where the similarity ends as legend tells us that leprechauns are always grumpy, untrustworthy and very tricky. Leprechauns are also believed to be little old men who make shoes for fairies and are usually about two feet tall!
So you’ll find us a lot less elusive, pretty chipper and straightforward and although we're not particularly renowned for our cobbling skills we’d like to
think that we could certainly do a decent job of taking the shoes to market.

Sláinte!

Good Gnome, Bad Gnome

2010-03-10T14:06:00.004Z

Noticeable by their absence you may have been wondering what had become of our little gnomes…

Well worry not they are still alive and well and, it would seem, have been doing a bit of beer promotion over in Belgium…

Our research has found that in the Walloon dialect (a district of Belgium) the word Chouffe means Gnome and the Brasserie d'Achouffe have adopted the gnomes for the labels on their range of beers, a play on the town name Achouffe.

Clearly the image of the jolly little industrious gnome is viewed as a particularly positive and fun way in which to promote their beers. This has even generated a fan based web following usually involving strange looking folk with red hats. Nonetheless it continues to popularise the Chouffe brand and broaden its market.
Now this contrasts markedly with that particularly negative and somewhat disparaging description of the Swiss banking industry as “The gnomes of Zurich".
An expression coined originally by Labour politician George Brown in November in 1964 and more recently reported again in the media in light of the global financial crisis amidst the role of the bankers as the “inventors” of apparently miraculous new products like derivatives or sub-prime loan packages, they are viewed like those medieval gnomes conjuring gold.
These gnomes emerged from medieval fascination with the secrets of wealth, especially gold, buried underground and mined by mysterious beings
The literary types amongst us will, of course, recognize this from Goethe’s classic Faust the epic tale of ambiguous characters creating wealth which others, depending on their morals, use for good or evil….

Deputation of Gnomes – to Great Pan
When the treasure rich and shining,
Winds through clefts its thread-like way
And naught but the rod's divining
Can its labyrinths display,
Troglodytes in caverns spacious,
Under vaulted roofs we bide,
While in day's pure air thou, gracious,
All the treasures dost divide.
We discover here quite near us
Treasure rich, a fountain vein,
Aptly promising to bear us
More than one could hope to gain.
This thou mayst achieve at pleasure,
Take it, Sire, into thy care!
In thy hands doth every treasure
Yield the whole world blessings rare

So good gnome, bad gnome? It’s all down to marketing!

Vic Kass joins epoc

2010-03-09T15:40:00.000Z

Another good looking chap has joined the epoc team.

Kracker Founder and former Met studio and Fitch director
Vic Kass has joined epoc as a director adding considerably to our
retail design and branding capabilities.

As well as bringing some further weight (literally) to the
board of Directors.

Scrambled Eds anyone

2010-03-05T13:41:00.000Z

Scrambled Eds anyone..

So could this be the latest Toon army black and white dress code. Suspect somehow there will be a few choruses of 'Blaydon Races' later in the evening.

But good to see young Eddie had the sense to line his stomach before heading off to the Retail Award this evening! Just hope he doesn't end up with egg on his face!

PS Nice to see Lloyds Pharmacy win an award

The New New Geek

2010-03-04T10:14:00.000Z

..Thanks to St Lukes

Geeks are not what they used to be.
They're COOL now! You have to thank
the Bill Gates, Tim Berners-Lees,
Steve Jobs of this world for that.

They used to look like this:

Now, they look like this:

The new era has brought with it this new generation of cool geeks that have become a major driving
force for innovation in the world of design.

SORRY DEL!

PS can you have a look at my laptop dont seem to be able to get on the server!

PLEASE DEL - IT WAS ONLY A JOKE !
.

5'O Clock shadow boxers

2010-03-03T16:32:00.000Z

Just a great image
and a great band name
for new style rap artists.

5'O clock Shadow boxers

Great new Parisian Patisserie

2010-03-03T16:25:00.001Z

The Patisserie des Rives in Paris
has an unusual take on the display
of those yummy deli delights!

Bell jars lights on long suspension
cords -Looks great and practical what
with all those sniffling British
visitors!

The BBC one of the last creative Greats of Britain

2010-03-03T14:47:00.003Z

The Guardian Reports

The BBC seems determined to keep making the same mistake. After Value for Money and the axing of thousands of jobs, after Creative Futures and even more jobs, now we have the third great corporation declaration, Putting Quality First. What else have we ever done, other than in the atrocious fields of management and leadership, where we continue to be a great case of quantity over quality? Similarly the BBC Trust, ever eager to do the dirty work of the commercial sector and act at the behest of the BBC's enemies in restricting our services, follows its destruction of BBC Jam and BBC local video with Switch and Blast, two keenly rewarding innovations for young audiences and creative talents. The restrictions on the websites, local radio evening broadcasting, Radio 2's music (presumably the Trust cannot compute the thought of a truly popular BBC service, and leaving well alone) the Asian Network and 6 Music are truly devastating news for BBC staff and audiences. My members are right to ask questions about the competency and efficacy of an executive which is only interested in slashing jobs to kowtow to Tory politicians, while maintaining disgraceful levels of remuneration for the henchcrew; and of a system of governance which places the nakedly anti-BBC Trust at the head of a ridiculous structure. The sooner it's abolished and a proper board put in charge of the BBC, the better. While there's still a BBC to govern. Mark Scrimshaw

With the revenue from the TV licence delivering about £3.5bn a year to the BBC, with which it does such a lot of good TV, radio and internet stuff, why is BSkyB worried when it generates over £5bn a year? In contrast with the BBC's rich output, BSkyB's business is trivial: pay more to the footballers, run a crummy website and buy in US drama to pack the schedules. The BBC seems far more productive. Tim Brook

In the UK we seem to be hell bent in destroying everything we have that is successful (albeit subsidised and not without fault and waste like any large business).

The BBC is Globally acknowledged as a centre of creative excellence which has long fed the commercial and independent sectors with both talent and ideas.

The fact that certain presenters are paid beyond the means of the business, like premiership footballers will inevitably be resolved by market pressures.

Lets not let it go the way of so many other greats and be asset stripped and carved up for the sake of short term political and commercial gain!

Writing on the blog

2010-03-03T14:15:00.000Z

"So can I have permission then,

To write on the blog, I mean

Go on!

Can I?

OK I promise!"

Angry Handbags

2010-03-02T16:50:00.000Z

As we are currently working on a branding project for a major international handbag wholesaler... we know the anger this subject can instill.

These designs from a young Turkish creative Censu Cender take the personality of the product to new heights.

They would certainly stop me rummaging for a ringing phone without permission!

Epoc working with Optomen TV and Yellowdoor

2010-03-02T10:39:00.000Z

The BBC filmed part of the third series of the popular 'Mary Queen of Shops' at the Totally shows on Monday. Presenter and retail guru Mary Portas was on hand to take staff from the latest featured retailer, Lightwater Homecare, through their paces. Lightwater Homecare owner Tony Leach and Jane Curtis, who works at the shop and had never visited a trade exhibition before, were given the chance to look around the shows and check out the new products on stand.

They were spotted with Mary in tow, looking at the latest offerings from Faithfull Tools. The pair was then thrown in at the deep end when it was announced that they would each give a product demo to a packed demonstration theatre at the show. Both had to give a 10-minute presentation on the Irwin Quick Grip - a product that Ms Curtis knew nothing about before the day. Luckily, Nigel Blow, product manager from Toolbank was available to run them through the clamp's features before they had to take to the stage.

The first series of Mary Queen of Shops saw Ms Portas help turn around struggling clothing stores on the high street. However, for the latest series of the programme, she is turning her attention away from fashion retailers and is now focusing upon the non-fashion independent retail sector, including hardware stores, DIY retailers, cookshops and garden centres.

DIY and general store Lightwater Homecare is based in Guildford Rd, Lightwater, Surrey. The show will be screened on BBC2 this summer.

The Designers Fashion Designer

2010-03-01T18:25:00.000Z

Marithe and Francois Girbaud : This is a Crazy World Campaign

One of our favourite fashion design houses.

A husband and wife team who have been going strong since the sixties.

As usual a great collection and a fantastic attention grabbing piece of advertising

Name this tune?

2010-02-16T18:39:00.000Z

Takes you back to the days of pre-reality telly. When fantasy was fantasy, the world was small and unhurried. Shame that wood, plastercine and papier mache have been supplanted as the main palette in terms of providing special effects these days.

Nice!

PS Untrue what about Wallace and Gromit? - ED

Good week bad week - Eddie

2010-02-05T17:26:00.000Z

Monday - AM/PM Admin , Marketing, Finance meetings

Tuesday - AM Visit Mary Queen of shops store Surrey
PM Admin , Marketing, Finance meetings

Wednesday - Brief visualiser - German sportswear brand first store in LA?
Visit from Optomen TV production team for Mary QOS

Thursday -AM James Balston nice guy photographer will use once we can
Ongoing business programming meeting
PM Sometimes its worth reiterating we are a creative service business, Lest we forget the emphasis being on business!

Friday - AM Client Stage 2 branding workshop cancelled having arrived for meeting in west end
and sent presentation ahead in Taxi - This due to building works in client HQ.
Adjournment to Goodge St pub - discuss merits of brand / marketing approach to date.
PM At Office client de-brief on German Sportswear brand submitted last week
Write and send proposal to US fashion retailer for flagship store in London's West End.
Phone call - New identity required for UK Telecoms business locating to West End
Admin , Marketing, Finance meetings
Despite the invite to call still no joy with arranging UK supermarket meeting

An un 'noun' fact

2010-02-03T12:04:00.000Z

Today, literary climate experts published a report on the world's native
vowel population. The report says that the common vowel is coming under
pressure as their natural habitat is being steadily eroded.

“All over the world vowels are becoming harder and harder to find,” explained
Professor J. Scott Billingsworth, one of the reports authors. “With the spread
of modern communications the vowel is coming under increasing pressure.
The vowel is quite a sensitive creature and depends on a sophisticated set of
conditions for it to flourish, unfortunately these conditions are the victims
of our faster paced lifestyles and commerce.”

Experts believe that if current trends are continued the vowel may well be
extinct as early as 2020. Globalisation is said to be driving force pushing the
vowel towards oblivion.

“As western culture becomes ubiquitous we are finding an increase in global
warming towards English, Industrialised English has decimated the vowel
population at home and abroad,” said Professor Chapman.

The US has come under fire as being the largest single contributor to the
destruction of the vowel, with American spellings leading to widespread
devastation of previously successful colonies. In addition the vowel is now
believed to be on the brink of extinction in instant messaging and SMS text
message environments.

Scientists say that the future of the vowel may be in captive breading
programmes and the successful release of new groups back into the environment.
Precipitous coastal escarpments are seeing a veritable vertiginous increase in
proclivity towards the water vowel,for example.

“A lot of good work has been done in Wales,” explained Billingsworth. “In fact it
has been so successful that there are far more vowels than necessary in any given
sentence in Welsh.”

In loving memory.....

2010-01-22T12:19:00.001Z

Kraftbury

2010-01-22T09:31:00.000Z

"This is a very sad day for UK manufacturing. A successful,
iconic, independent UK brand will now be owned by a giant
company with massive debt". Cadbury RIP

What's left... No British confectionery, No British manufacturing,
no British water, No British power.

The service industries that's what - Creative Britain expanding to fill the void!
It is estimated that between 2010 and 2013, the UK creative industries will grow 4 per cent – more than double the rate of the rest of the economy.

One small problem...We have never come across any design / media businesses
that employ more than a few hundred people and that was in the hay days!

Now.. If we can just find a way of selling off the ground we stand upon and the
air we breath... We might just pick up a nice piece of branding work!

'Cheesychoc' anyone?

Social media....

2010-01-21T13:26:00.000Z

The writings has been on the wall since the 90's and out of it will come a
new set of services, products, companies, careers and job titles... A good
thing for us all...in the current climate .
As long as we can manage the exponential whilst keep social interaction and
a society in place

First Person Tetris

2010-01-18T17:03:00.000Z

http://firstpersontetris.com/

Takes you back - Fantastic!

Reducing the ranks of the unemployed

2010-01-18T11:37:00.000Z

We read with interest

....The Holiday Inn is employing human bed warmers in order to ensure that guests get a good night’s sleep.

Dressed in special all-in-one sleeper suits, the human electric blankets are sent to warm the beds of guests staying at the Holiday Inn before they get under the covers.
The five-minute free bed warming sessions are being tried out in London and Manchester later this month.

This should help reduce the ranks of the unemployed, being a good way of hiding those messy statistics in the evening.. Not sure how the three million will hide away during the hours of daylight though!

Assume they are all called Mr/Mrs Smith!

Back to Life

2010-01-12T19:16:00.000Z

Back to reality
A funky place
for a loving
client base

You've lost the plot ED

London - Snow = Standstill

2010-01-06T16:20:00.000Z

One inch - Late to work, leave at 1.00pm, just in case.
Two inches - Start off for work, never arrive.
Three inches - Stay at home, venture out once to stock up on emergency provisions.

Six inches - The economy in freefall, never mind, it's only January, plenty of time to make up lost ground.
Anyway most of our clients are using up their 2009 holiday entitlements or skiing.

PS Written from home

2010 Big fish - Small fish

2010-01-04T17:41:00.001Z

Back one day and already rumbling fish - Those large ones - In this still water - Need all the support they can get - Its going to be an interesting year - and how dirty will it get - Visit the bowl again soon for an update!

A gnome's tale this Christmas

2009-12-23T12:39:00.000Z

Sauntering along the platform at Morden Station the other evening I happened across a peculiar site.

For there sat amongst the discarded copies of London Metro was one of our gnome friends looking very sorry for himself.

Taking pity I enquired of his well-being. It appears that he had been down the old Gnomes Retreat here in North London with a few of his friends. As the night wore on and the beer flowed little thought did he give to the journey that lay ahead of him.

So several hours later and staggering out into the cold night sky he found his way to the tube station and before long was snuggled down on the warm train heading south. The stations flew by Euston, Angel, Moorgate….. Morden!!!

Here a kindly LT official advised him that the train was terminating and not to leave any personal belongings behind.

Sadly disorientated it was here that I found him, head between his knees looking lost and bewildered.

But a few cheery words and directions he was off on his way…

So if perchance this Christmas you encounter a little gnome on your travels, give him a wave and wish him well and remember…

"It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour."

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas from all at Epoc

Nica

2009-12-11T17:30:00.000Z

One imagines that Beth’s black coffee consumption will increase dramatically over the next couple of months and Eddie will be getting more in touch with his feminine side…

Epoc are pleased to confirm that we have been retained by TLG Brands Limited, the UK's leading supplier of affordable luxury handbags and accessories.

Our brief, to review the existing Nica Brand and devise a strategy through which to build brand reputation across both core and extended market channels and deliver long term growth.

Watch this space for more updates on this exciting project….

Asbestos Aware Epoc

2009-12-07T13:33:00.000Z

In line with our policy to ensure our store design team are up to date with the latest in Health and Safety legislation an asbestos awareness seminar was hosted by Jeff Hiett of JB Asbestos Awareness Ltd at our offices last week. The series of talks and films were found to be very instructive and all attendees were each presented with Certificates at the end of the days training.

Happy birthday

2009-11-03T17:11:00.000Z

Not only are New Look celebrating 40 years since their founder Tom Singh opened the first store in Taunton back in 1969; Wednesday 4th November will see the fashion retailer open their 1,000th store in Bath’s new SouthGate Centre.

Trading some 20,000sq ft of retail space over two floors it demonstrates how far the business has come in the last 40 years and we here at Epoc are delighted to have been responsible for the design of this landmark unit.
Whilst the diversity of the product range extends to maternity, tall & inspire and include designer ranges by Giles Deacon we’re still waiting in anticipation for them to extend into gnomewear…

Trick or Treat

2009-10-30T18:02:00.000Z

Maybe it’s an age thing and sadly I fear this is very much a Radio 2 perspective but are we the only ones here who find it amazing just how Halloween has snuck up on us in recent years and has now seemingly become as popular as the more traditional celebrations.

Years gone by the evening would pass with a few children accompanied by embarrassed parents would knock on your door scream boo and hope to receive a biscuit or orange for their troubles. Of course there were the more sinister types who (in more modern parlance) would demand money with menaces scoffing at the offer of a Cadbury celebration whilst angling their eyes toward your car sat on the driveway.

On a site visit this week it seems every retailer is now offering some form of Halloween merchandise from a “wicked selection of ghoulish costumes for you and your little monsters” to the usual array of masks, face paint and other assorted accessories that no self respecting ghost would be seen without. Nothing wrong with taking advantage of a market opportunity you may argue and a credit the advertisers for persuading us to part with our cash on a product that has a life span of approximately 3 hours. That said we too have been out buying face paint but, then again as little gnomes outside in all weathers we do need freshening up from time to time.

It has even been suggested that Halloween falling on a Saturday this year was a greater opportunity for the whole family to join in the celebrations… Ahem what are we actually supposed to be celebrating?

Well apparently it is Hallows Eve the eve before the Day of the Dead, on the 1st of November – nice eh? Think I prefer the alternative Samhain roughly translated as “Summers End.

So however you decide to spend the evening we’d just like to wish you a happy Halloween and should you feel the need for something to ward off those evil spirits here’s a few recipes… Enjoy

Pumpkin martini
Ingredients:
1/2 oz Silk Cream Liqueur
2 oz vanilla vodka
1/2 oz pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice syrup
1 tsp whipped cream
cinnamon stick for garnish
Preparation:
Pour the Silk Liqueur and vodka into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake well.
Add the pumpkin liqueur or syrup.
Shake again.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Top with a teaspoon of whipped cream.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Smashing Pumpkin Martini
3 oz. Infused Spiced Pumpkin Vodka
1 oz. Amaretto
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds for Garnish

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Stir gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
A good substitute for the infused vodka is 2 1/2 oz of Stoli Cinammon Vodka & 1/2 oz. of Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur.

Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Malibu Rum
- 3/4 oz. canned pumpkin pie filling
- 1/2 oz. Kahlua
- 2 oz. with cold milk
Garnish: sprinkle of cinnamon

Mix ingredients in blender with ice and blend thoroughly; Pour into graham cracker-rimmed highball glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Pumpkin French 75
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Plymouth Gin
- 1 oz. Pumpkin Puree
- 1 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon juice
- 1 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
- Champagne

Shake all ingredients (except Champagne) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne and serve.

Green Shoots.... A mis-gnomer?

2009-10-26T12:51:00.000Z

So despite the billions invested in Miracle-Gro, propagation and no little amount of manure being spread around, we still find ourselves in negative growth for the sixth consecutive quarter. Whatever happened to those green shoots? It seems even some of our so called experts were caught out by an early frost. Political commentators we do not pretend to be but we certainly recognise the need to understand the markets in which we operate.
Down at the Gnome’s Retreat on Saturday night reflecting on the state of the economy, business was brisk, the dandelion and burdock was flowing and despite the Landlord’s special (drink one get one free) there were no takers for the hemlock shooters. A demonstration, if one were required, that it is ever more vital to respond the needs of the customer through clear understanding of the market and brand propositioning.
Although clearly there are significant regional variances with some locations faring better than others and further disparity amongst market sectors, there’s still cause for optimism. Whilst some operators are looking somewhat bleakly at a long hard winter there remains the perennials that continue to thrive as well as new entrants looking to respond to market opportunities.
So as we approach, perhaps for many, the most important trading period of the year it is interesting to see who is doing what. Here at Epoc we are delighted to have just taken instructions from New Look, Poundland and Lloyds Pharmacy who are all continuing to expand their portfolio and grow their market. A clear indication that demand remains for those businesses that continue to provide a value offer allied to strong customer service levels.

Another Bl&%dy operating system!!!!!

2009-10-20T15:59:00.000+01:00

Blimey just when i had gotten used to all the bugs and quirks of running a multi platform office network, Microsoft go and bring out another OS. I wouldn’t mind if they offered a free upgrade since yet again the paying consumer will be their product testers and bear the grief of trying to find drivers for 10 year old printers and the younglings IPods. Maybe we will get the chance to use the touchscreen features if Eddie Ok's the budget...
Whoopee...

Bubba the Geek

Why aren't we shopping in space yet?

2009-10-20T15:55:00.001+01:00

Well it seems our brilliant engineers on our planet have developed a power plant that would enable a space craft to reach mars in 39 days, compared to six months by conventional rocket power. This engine is in fact going to be tested on the International Space Station, hopefully launching about 2013. The Variable Specific Impulse Magneto plasma Rocket (VASIMR®) system encompasses three linked magnetic cells. The 'Plasma Source' cell involves the main injection of neutral gas (typically hydrogen, or other light gases) to be turned into plasma and the ionization subsystem. The 'RF Booster' cell acts as an amplifier to further energize the plasma to the desired temperature using electromagnetic waves. The 'Magnetic Nozzle' cell converts the energy of the plasma into directed motion and ultimately useful thrust.

This type of power plant is known as an ION drive first discussed during the original Star Trek series (another example of science fiction becoming science fact). Because Mars and Earth only pass close together every two years, space experts have always assumed a crew would have to travel one way, wait a year, then fly back the next time the planets were close together - raising huge problems for food, air and water storage but providing a captive audience for any retail opportunities (New Look space boots anyone...)

But ion drive could make a return trip possible during a single close approach of Earth and Mars opening more opportunities for the retail and leisure industries. Can’t wait to design and implement the new breed of retail space parks. I just hope the contractors are up to date with the latest building regs in space. (Pressurised fitting rooms anyone...)

Bubba the Geek

Whatever happened to autumn?

2009-10-15T17:53:00.000+01:00

Our somewhat apparent predilection with all things horticultural coupled with this weeks unseasonal warm weather here in KT (seems we have our own micro-climate) has provoked a rather heated debate as to exactly when autumn actually begins and ends. Well “heated debate” is perhaps an exaggeration, Eddie just happened to mumble something over his coffee this morning about the official start of autumn…

But this just made me think how autumn gets a bit of a bum deal nowadays… With the gradual erosion of distinct seasons, we seem to finish late summer just as Christmas decorations start to appear in the shops. Perhaps it’s simply the power of media, it seems autumn is slowly being squeezed out in favour of more profitable seasons.

Time I thought to put forward a case for autumn and where better to start with the images of nature, a brilliant landscape of yellow, gold, copper and red, the smell of garden fires, conkers, clear days and chilly nights evoking memories of gloves and scarves and long walks.So instead of focussing on flu jabs and cold remedies lets put some positives back into autumn.

So just what is the essence of the Autumn Season we have the name but what are its core values and how do we create a new vision with weight, length, breadth and depth.

As everyone knows Autumn is various shades of Greenish – Brown, has a crunchy sound underfoot and a burning smell.

To help define the essence we find it beneficial to create a 'Seasonal bottle'. For all you dyed in the wool strategists out there requiring substantive objective research, here is the recipe:

Autumn Seasonal Bottle

Purpose:
Observation of Autumn - Formulation of strategic approach to re-brand

Materials:
Plastic bottles
Autumn leaves, holly and pine needles, silk flowers

Directions:
To make an autumn bottle, place 5-8 colourful leaves in the bottle. Fill with water.
Observe the leaves as they change colours and decay.
Make notes and plan approach.

Oh and by the way Autumn officially started this year at 21.18 on the 22 September!

How wide should hair be ?

2009-10-14T21:44:00.000+01:00

Hair, in its natural state can only attain a certain width without resorting to perms, rollers, clips and ultimately scaffolding.

Here we show two examples us a style bordering on that maximum as seen on

.... Eddie and Jamie from the X factor.

Jamie we dont know but Eddie's is natural....So he says!

Tadcaster Brown Ale ?

2009-10-14T14:12:00.000+01:00

Production of Newcastle Brown Ale is set to cease on Tyneside after its owners announced plans to close their brewery in Gateshead next year. Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) wants to shut the Federation Brewery in Dunston and transfer operations to the John Smith's factory in Tadcaster.The move, which would result in the loss of 63 jobs, is being blamed on falling beer sales in the UK. Brewing of the ale moved across the River Tyne from Newcastle in 2005.

Newcastle Brown Ale has been brewed on Tyneside since 1927.

As someone born in 'the Felling', a sad day for a truly global beer - and yet another product seeking to divorce name from any real heritage brand values - Eddie.

Gardening tip No 1 Late Summer 2009

2009-10-13T17:26:00.000+01:00

Don't forget, this time of year you should be out there in you garden pruning your deciduous shrubs, sowing green manure to improve your patch and planting hardy herbs such as rosemary for fresh herbs through the winter months.

If your feeling creative and have a couple of hours to spare why not have a go at making your own willow obelisk!

Epoc's first designed Poundland stores open to acclaim

2009-10-13T15:59:00.000+01:00

From shell surveys and store design schemes on the four former Woolworths outlets in Worthing, Aberystwyth, Cramlington and South Shields The first two stores in Worthing and Aberystwyth opened recently to great acclaim from both client and customer.

The Worthing store especially is helping revive what has become a somewhat beleaguered
shopping area, the local Argus comments,

A new Poundland discount store is moving into a shopping precinct badly hit by the recession. The chain is currently converting two empty shop units in the West End of Montague Street, Worthing.Poundland said the new store, set to open in October, will create between 30 and 35 jobs.The company refused to reveal how much it was investing but its arrival has delighted Town Centre manager Sharon Clarke. She said: “For that area of town it is fantastic because Poundland is a real footfall driver.“Given the amount of vacant premises there it's always been a difficult area even in good times.”

Our new website is launched - Phew!

2009-10-13T15:12:00.000+01:00

After several weeks of blood, sweat, cursing, late nights and weekends, our new site is finally launched to position us clearly in terms of our current business.

A big thank you to all concerned; Andrew (Dawn Chorus - Budell) George, Chris (...Words are me, Chapman), Paul, Kate, Del, James, Jonathan and last but not least; Beth!

... for her creativity, unswerving sense of purpose and ability to tell us all to politely shut up as and when necessary!