Community Shop, the UK’s first social supermarket, hosted Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh today (15 January) at the Lambeth store. During  the visit,  The Duchess witnessed firsthand Community Shop’s transformative work tackling the root cause of food insecurity by providing members with a hand up, not a hand-out.

Community  Shop, the award-winning social enterprise arm of the UK’s leading surplus redistributor Company Shop Group, operates 13 stores nationwide supporting areas of social inequality in the UK. Through its unique model, Community Shop sells surplus products donated by food industry partners at a deeply discounted price, ensuring that products don’t needlessly go to waste, whilst simultaneously providing a sustainable support model for thousands of families each year.

The Duchess of Edinburgh is patron to over 70 charities and organisations focusing on food production, women’s empowerment, eye health and disability support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Duchess of Edinburgh volunteered with a number of local food banks and supported NHS care workers. During  today’s visit to Community Shop, Her Royal Highness participated in community activities, helped to serve the store’s “Feast Day” and toured the site whilst speaking to Community Shop team and members, and hearing the positive impact Community Shop has on them and the wider community.

During  a tour of Community Shop, The Duchess of Edinburgh explored the three interconnected spaces of the site: Community Store, Community Hub, and Community Kitchen. Community Stores provide members with a much-needed access to deeply discounted food and essentials, including fruit, vegetables and bread for only 20p. The profits from Community Store are reinvested into the Community Hub, which delivers holistic support programmes to empower individuals to develop their own capabilities and deliver a positive future for themselves. Additionally, each Community Shop features a Community Kitchen, a café that allows people to connect with others and learn through food, as well as providing home-cooked meals for the community with kids eating free every day. People join on a membership basis and is open to those on means-tested benefits and who live in the local area.

Since its inception in 2013, Community Shop has supported over 72,000 families with its sustainable model, that aims to improve peoples’ circumstances for the long-term. Within the interconnected spaces, Community Store has saved members over £50 million on shopping, whilst the Community Hubs have delivered more than 200,000 development programmes and Community Kitchens have fed over 880,000 children for free.

Executive Chairman of Community Shop, Gary Stott, said: “We are honoured to have  welcomed Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, to Community Shop Lambeth today. This Royal visit highlights the vital importance of our mission and is a real boost for the Community Shop team who work tirelessly to tackle food insecurity. Our Lambeth store provides a lifeline for the local community and we’re proud to have created a vibrant, welcoming space where people come to share stories, learn and eat together.”

Esther Dennis, Community Wellbeing Practitioner said: “The success of our model is evident in the numbers – over the past decade we’ve managed to save our local members over £6 million on their shopping in our Lambeth store enabling our community to support themselves and their families. Money raised in Community Shop Lambeth has been re-invested into delivering 12,000 development programmes for the local community. The Duchess of Edinburgh’s support today will help to amplify our message as we continue expanding our efforts to tackle food poverty in our local community and nationwide.”

The Pecan Deluxe brand – Bling, has extended its range of cookie dough with the introduction of new 6kg bulk catering packs.

Bling frozen cookie dough chunks are a novel product which offer caterers a multitude of ways to add this trendy dessert item to their menus.  Hot ‘cookie dough’ in particular is an extremely popular sweet treat and has become a staple menu item for not only dessert & ice cream parlours, but also restaurants, pubs, cafes & event caterers.

 

Bling cookie dough is designed to be baked straight from the freezer; it is very simple to do & requires no special skill to prepare.  In addition, the unique frozen chunk (pellet) format provides endless flexibility with portion sizes and choice of serving container.

Cookie dough from Bling can also be microwaved into a hot dessert in a matter of seconds, which makes it one of the fastest & most convenient dessert options around & ideal for event catering & food delivery services.

Unlike other cookie dough options on the market, Bling cookie dough is safe & delicious to eat raw, so as well as baking into hot desserts, it can be added to numerous sweet treats like gelato, milkshakes, waffles, cheesecakes and ice cream sundaes etc. and it opens up a range of menu opportunities for caterers across a wide variety of sectors.

 

The new 6kg pack contains enough cookie dough to make 60 x 100g hot cookie desserts, & adds a convenient mid-size pack to the existing Bling cookie dough range of 18kg & 0.78kg branded pouches in a variety of flavours.

Pecan Deluxe are keen to hear from foodservice wholesalers interested in adding this to their product range.

Lawyers are urgently warning that the ‘clock may run out’ before an international claim is successfully served, as severe backlogs at the UK’s Foreign Process Section (FPS) continue to impact those in the food and drink sector dealing with overseas clients.

The FPS, which handles the service of claims abroad in compliance with the Hague Convention, is grappling with processing times that could take several months.

Businesses in the food and drink sector hoping to serve documents abroad could run the risk of not successfully serving a claim within the Civil Procedure Rules’ (CPR) six-month deadline, potentially prejudicing their position.

Sneha Nainwal, partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, who specialises in cross-border disputes, said: “The FPS handles a range of international disputes, with commercial claims being the most common.

“Typical cases involve a UK-based claimant seeking to recover contractual debts or damages from foreign defendants.

“These cross-border claims, regardless of industry, are increasingly subject to delays due to the FPS backlog.”

The FPS plays a pivotal role in the initial stages of litigation involving the service of documents overseas. When a claimant issues proceedings in the UK and the defendant resides abroad, the FPS ensures legal documents are served accurately and in compliance with international protocols.

This crucial function is central to the ‘international service of claim’ phase – a vital step that sets the stage for the progression of the case towards resolution or settlement. By facilitating this process, the FPS supports the efficient administration of justice across borders.

The current backlog stems from the residual effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to global lockdowns and restrictions, the FPS was temporarily suspended, leading to an accumulation of claims waiting to be processed. This delay has compounded over time, with a growing volume of claims requiring international service.

Sneha said: “The most pressing risk for businesses issuing a claim is the expiration of the six-month period for serving the claim form. Failure to serve within this timeframe could result in the claim being deemed invalid or struck out.

“The best way to mitigate this risk is for claimants to act proactively by ensuring their application to the FPS for serving documents abroad is watertight.

“The FPS enforces strict procedural rules, and any oversight or misstep could result in the rejection of the application, forcing the claimant to restart the process and face further delays in an already backlogged system.

“To avoid this, ensure all documents are in perfect order and apply promptly for an extension if you anticipate difficulty serving within the six-month deadline.

“Don’t leave things to the last minute. For the best chance of success and to avoid unnecessary complications, seek professional advice.”

Food businesses are required to individually assess each material, supplier, agent, broker, and manufacturing facility.

Managing these new requirements, while collaborating with suppliers, conducting risk assessments, and making critical decisions, can be challenging.

When handled manually through emails, phone calls, or non-dedicated systems, the time and effort required to communicate and collaborate across your supply chain can place a significant strain on resources.​

Join Safefood 360°’s live webinar on Wednesday, 29 January at 3 pm GMT (10 am EST), where you’ll see how Safefood 360° Supplier Quality Management Solution can help reduce these burdens and make compliance with legal and global food safety standards achievable.

Webinar details:

• Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
• Time: 3 pm GMT (10 am EST)
• Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5055869369322060631

In the ever-evolving field of Refrigeration and Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC), enhancing efficiency, innovation, and quality is key. One way to stay at the forefront, and realise the benefits is by leveraging the expertise of an Engineering Consultancy.

“Why should I use a consultant, isn’t that just an additional cost to my project?”  is a logical question that arises frequently.

Using an experienced Refrigeration and HVAC consultancy can offer a wealth of benefits for businesses, governments, and individuals undertaking complex projects.

1. Expertise and Experience
2. Regulatory Compliance
3. Cost Efficiency
4. Access to Advanced Tools, Technologies and Training.
5. Objectivity and Fresh Perspectives
6. Resource Scalability and Flexibility
7. Risk Management
8. Enhanced Project Management
9. Innovation and Best Practices
10. Quality Assurance
11. Focus on Core Business
12. Design Verification and liability
13. Expertise and Experience

Refrigeration and HVAC consultancies bring a wealth of specialised knowledge and extensive experience across various applications, from commercial and industrial systems to residential solutions. Their expertise can be applied to innovative designs and efficient processes, helping to ensure your project benefits from the latest advancements. Experienced consultants, are adept at identifying potential issues early in a projects lifecycle and will offer solutions to address these challenges, minimising the risk of costly delays and errors. Their fresh perspective can assist with identifying inefficiencies in an organisation’s practises, or potential risks that may not be apparent to those deeply embedded in day-to-day operations.

2. Regulatory Compliance

Regulations in the Refrigeration and HVAC industry are constantly evolving, particularly concerning environmental standards and safety protocols. The industry – installers and operators, must navigate a complex landscape of regulations internationally and within Europe particularly in relation to environmental and safety impact.

Those working within the European markets, must ensure compliance with European Union directives, F-Gas and the emerging PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) restrictions.

Consultants play a vital role in guiding their clients through this complex legislative landscape. They stay informed about these changes and ensure that their clients’ projects comply with all relevant regulations. Helping businesses not only to understand the implications of the F-gas phase-down and PFAS restrictions, but also to develop strategies to adopt more sustainable and compliant technologies, such as low-GWP refrigerants and environmentally safe materials. By staying informed on changes to EU directives, local building codes and other environmental legislation, consultancies help prevent non-compliance, which could lead to costly fines, project delays, and limited operational lifespan.

3. Cost Efficiency

Maintaining an in-house team of Refrigeration and HVAC specialists for temporary projects is costly and inefficient for most businesses. Engineering consultancies offer a cost-effective alternative, providing top-tier talent and resources as and when needed. This approach not only saves money but also ensures that your project benefits from the precise skills required.  Leveraging their ability to streamline processes and eliminate risk of errors which could derail your project, this expertise, experience and proactive approach keeps your project on track and within budget.

4. Access to Advanced Tools, Technologies and Training.

Consultancies invest heavily in the latest tools, software, and technologies specific to Refrigeration and HVAC design and operation. By partnering with them, your project gains access to cutting-edge resources such as energy modelling software, advanced diagnostic tools, and state-of-the-art design software.

WAVE is at the forefront of building services energy modelling and has developed a cutting edge in-house Advanced Theoretical Calculator, which considers a multitude of factors from complex and customisable system configurations to location-based climatic conditions.  Our clients benefit from energy efficiency optimisation, performance prediction, renewable energy integration and an 95% accuracy on operational expenditure (OPEX).

5. Objectivity and Fresh Perspectives

An external consultancy brings an unbiased perspective to every Refrigeration or HVAC project.  Free from preconceived notions, this objectivity allows for a clear and impartial evaluation of your project based on data, facts, leading to the best solution for the task in hand this is crucial for identifying opportunities that may have been overlooked and for effective problem-solving. Fresh perspectives often drive innovation and lead to more effective, energy-efficient solutions.

WAVE is a truly independent, employee-owned company with no external stakeholders or shareholders. We have no exclusive partnerships with any manufacturers, suppliers, or contractors. This ensures that all our support and guidance is unbiased, and our assessments are conducted with due diligence to identify and offer tailored solutions that align with your specific goals and requirements, ensuring that the successful project meets your unique needs and objectives.

6. Resource Scalability and Flexibility

Refrigeration and HVAC consultancies offer significant flexibility in managing resources to align to the specific demands of each project, allowing support to be given on projects of varying sizes and complexities efficiently, ensuring optimal performance and cost-efficiency. This adaptability is particularly beneficial for managing fluctuating workloads and timelines without the client entering long-term staffing commitments, helping to prevent unnecessary overhead costs and allowing for a leaner operation.

7. Risk Management

Experienced Refrigeration and HVAC consultancies excel in identifying potential risks early in the project lifecycle. By conducting comprehensive risk assessments, analysing every aspect of the project from design and installation to operation and maintenance.  Undertaking a thorough evaluation includes identifying technical risks, such as system failures or inefficiencies and external risks, such as regulatory changes or supply chain disruptions.

By understanding the full spectrum of potential risks, consultancies can provide a more accurate risk profile for the project and provide tailored mitigation strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and create robust contingency plans.

8. Enhanced Project Management

Through strong project management capabilities, Refrigeration and HVAC consultancies ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. They can create comprehensive project plans, facilitate effective coordination and consistent communication amongst all stakeholders outlining each phase of the project, including design, procurement, installation, and commissioning. Leveraging extensive networks and relationships with suppliers to secure better terms and availability for critical components. They can manage expectations and requirements from all stakeholders ensuring needs and concerns are addressed.

By setting clear timelines, monitoring milestones, avoiding bottlenecks or delays, consultancies ensure that every aspect of the project is meticulously organised and managed.

9. Innovation and Best Practices

Refrigeration and HVAC consultancies continuously monitor advancements and developments in technology. Keeping up to date with the latest regulations enables the introduction of innovative methods and best practises enhancing your projects outcome.  Every project has its unique challenges and requirements. Consultancies provide customised solutions that address specific needs, project parameters and objectives, tailoring their approach to deliver the most effective and efficient solutions.

Introducing innovative methods and best practices that enhance project outcomes, such as energy-efficient system designs, advanced refrigeration techniques, and smart Refrigeration and HVAC controls, best practices are derived from extensive research, field experience, and lessons learned from previous projects.

10. Quality Assurance

Quality and safety are paramount in Refrigeration and HVAC projects.  Engineering consultancies implement rigorous quality control measures specific to designed systems, ensuring that installation is performed to the highest standards and all works comply with local, national and international standards and regulations.  This adherence is crucial for the safety and reliability of your installed system. A keen focus on delivering high-quality work results in Refrigeration and HVAC systems that are efficient and have a longer operational lifespan.

11. Focus on Core Business

By outsourcing complex Refrigeration and HVAC tasks, your organisation can focus on its core business activities and critical strategic initiatives, such as product development, customer service, business growth and long-term business sustainability.

12. Design Verification and liability

A key role of a consultant, in the world of refrigeration and HVAC projects, is ensuring that a system operates as intended and complies with industry standards. Design verification is the cornerstone of any successful Refrigeration or HVAC project. It is the process of confirming that the system’s design meets all specified requirements before moving forward with installation and commissioning.

Consultants assist clients by reviewing designs produced by Contractors as part of the tender process. They ensure submissions cover specifications, performance goals, energy efficiency targets, and environmental requirements, and confirm that tender cost submissions are based on like for like design parameters assuring that you, the client, gets best value and best solution.

Liability is primarily tied to the accuracy and compliance of system design. In Refrigeration and HVAC projects it is often shared among multiple parties, Consultants, Contractors and equipment manufacturers, this liability once a system is installed and handed over to the client then shifts to the maintenance team. Consultancies can further support making sure that proper documentation, training, and maintenance guidelines are in place to ensure the system continues to operate as designed, reducing future liability, cost or issues.