Business

Northern collective launch new venture designed to combat low mood during winter lockdown

A collective of local entrepreneurs are marking Blue Monday with the launch of a specially-designed therapy lamp - helping Mancs get enough light to combat seasonal affective disorder during a dark winter.

The Manc The Manc - 18th January 2021

A collective of local entrepreneurs are marking Blue Monday with the launch of a specially-designed therapy lamp – helping Mancs get enough light to combat seasonal affective disorder during a particularly dark winter. 

The ‘Lumin Elix’ is capable of reaching a total lux (brightness) of 12,000 – similar to bright daylight – which can help at a time when many are lacking Vitamin D due to lockdown.

Sunlight is a natural mood enhancer that affects body chemistry, including melatonin and serotonin levels. When spending increased amounts of time indoors, bright light is the next best thing, with Lumin Elix offering ‘a convenient and natural solution’. 

Craig Davies and Steven Powell (the duo behind hospitality reservation platform Seatd) have joined forces with property entrepreneur Samuel Dyson to launch the lamp – which will be rolled out steadily over the next few months.

The trio are using the product to promote mental health and wellbeing – with 20 influencers brought aboard as brand ambassadors. 

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Speaking on Lumin Elix, Craig Davies said: “We’re all still coming to terms with the effects of 2020 on our physical and mental wellbeing, and with us currently experiencing our third lockdown and January being known as a particularly bleak month, we’re keen to spread the message of the benefits of light therapy and Lumin Elix.”

Stephen Powell continued: “We wanted to provide a solution that could help boost people’s moods with minimal effort and bright light therapy is incredibly simple but effective.

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“For many suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, the Lumin Elix light box can help improve mood, energy levels and feeling more awake.”

Sam Dyson added: “It’s been great to work as a collective and bring the Lumin Elix brand to life. This is a new avenue for us all and we’re really excited to see the positive impact it will have on people’s lives.

“Now more than ever, physical and mental wellbeing is key and the benefits of bright light therapy can be seen after just a few days.”

For more information, please visit the Lumin Elix website.

Business

Morrisons introduces new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Morrisons has decided to extend its popular ‘Quieter Hour’ across the UK to help make its stores less “overwhelming” for shoppers.

Introduced earlier this month to mark World Autism Acceptance Week, and in a bid to turn what can be a daunting task for many people into “a calmer and more enjoyable experience”, the supermarket chain has announced an extension to its already popular initiative by adding new ‘Quieter Hours’ during weekday afternoons.

In case you weren’t aware, Morrisons first introduced its Quieter Hour all the way back in July 2018, and has been welcoming people who may struggle supermarket shopping environments through its doors ever since.

The initiative – which initially took place between 9am and 10am on a Saturday, and for the first hour of trade on a Sunday – originally began as part of the National Autistic Society’s ‘Autism Hour campaign’, after it was found that some neurodiverse people, including those with autism, can find shopping in a supermarket “overwhelming”.

Morrisons has introduced new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers / Credit: Morrisons

Supermarkets can lead many people to experience increased sensitivity to light and sound, such as loud music, bright lights, and busy environments, and in turn, this can cause anxiety or, in some of the worst cases, even physical pain.

But now, after the trial has proved to be so successful and well-received, Morrisons has made the decision to extended the initiative to weekdays too, as well as weekends – with ‘Quieter Hours’ now also running every week from Monday to Thursday between 2-3pm.

The company says the extension is all with the aim of “helping even more customers”.

During ‘Quieter Hours’, Morrisons stores operate lower levels of lighting, turn music and radios off, avoid making tannoy announcements, reduce movement of trolleys and baskets, and turn checkout beeps and other electrical noises down.

“The weekly shop can be a daunting task for those who may struggle with noises associated with it,” commented Charlotte Exell, who is the Business Sponsor of Ability at Morrisons.

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“At Morrisons, we are always looking for more ways to support customers, and as the Quieter Hour is incredibly popular in our stores across the nation, we have listened to customers and will now help more shoppers in our extended times.”

Featured Image – Morrisons

Business

The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new series of The Apprentice

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be Lord Sugar’s next business partner?

The current 2024 season of The Apprentice might be coming to a close, but the show is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

In fact, there’s already a chance to apply for the next season of the hit TV show.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur with a business-savvy mind, someone who’s always just fancied themselves for doing well in the field, or you have a business idea that you think could be the next big thing, everyone is encouraged to apply for the new series – and the BBC is particularly calling on people from Greater Manchester.

Basically, as long as “you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer”, then the show’s producers are keen to hear from you.

A casting call on the BBC website reads: “Could you be his next investment? If you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer, the process starts here. The winning candidate will receive an investment and go into a 50:50 business with Lord Sugar. Fighting it out for his investment candidates will take part in twelve tough tasks to win one life-changing opportunity.”

There’s a few simple questions to answer as part of the initial process, but the two major ones where you’ll have your chance to set yourself apart from the rest are:

  • Why should you be Lord Sugar’s business partner?
  • What’s the most impressive thing you’ve ever done in business?
The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new season of The Apprentice / Credit: BBC

Applications are now open and close on 1 December 2024 at 23:59, with successful candidates set to be contacted for interviews in the new year.

Initial interviews will be taking place across the UK, and at least two dates have been pencilled for Manchester, Leeds, and/or Birmingham, with additional interviews to decide on the final candidates then set to follow in early 2025, and filming for the series due to takes place for 10 to 12 weeks from 7 April – 22 June 2025.

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If you think you’re up to the challenge, then you can stick an application in here.

Featured Image – BBC

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