Huge wellness event coming to Birkenhead Park

A huge free wellness event is coming to Birkenhead Park, on:- Sunday, 9 July 2023. Set to be the biggest wellness event ever hosted in Wirral, the first ever Wirral Wellness Event will feature:- live music, workshops, a wellness essentials market, talks from expert speakers, food and drink, from:- 12pm; with something for everyone.

The inaugural event is being hosted by Wirral Wellness Events North West in association with Wirral MIND, Wirral Council and Birkenhead Park. The event is free to attend, with tickets available from Eventbrite, and sponsors FUEL10K are giving away their tasty Porridge and Granola pots to the 1st 2,000 ticketholders on the day; with other giveaways and prizes too.

The event is taking place at the picturesque Birkenhead Park, currently going for World Heritage Status, and will feature an activity arena, zen zone, mini's meadow for kids and lots of stalls to browse. Whether you're looking to just browse and take it all in or get involved in activities; there's something for everyone. Comfy clothes, a yoga mat, blanket and chairs are recommended if you're making a day of it.

On the day Hard Hitters, a new boxing gym and CIC, will be offering meal preps and supplements; as well as giving a talk. Raw N Real, a CIC that offers quality mental health services for children, young people and men, will be running the activity arena, hosting walks and talks and combat fitness challenges. Meanwhile, Jess from:- Positivity Club CIC will be offering a wide range of kids' wellbeing fun and games.

There will be plenty of activities to engage with, such as:- group breathwork workshops, fitness coaching, yoga, ice water therapy, running events, multi skills games and even therapy ponies. The wide range of stalls include:- natural skincare products from Noubalm, CBD oil from Hemp Aid, gym wear, from:- Jazmin Elizabeth, accessories from:- Lila Boutique, crystals, fresh produce, holistic products and more.

Organiser Becky Jones, who will be running a yoga workshop on the day, said:-  "We're so excited to be hosting this huge free event that aims to promote better physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing in Wirral. We have so much going on with something for everyone and it will be a really fun, feel-good day."

Co-Organiser Ellie Ferguson added:-  "With mental health issues a major problem these days, we are excited to showcase the many great people, businesses and organisations who are doing great work to combat the problems in society. It's great to work alongside Wirral Mind and we'll be raising money for them on the day."

There will be live acoustic performances on the day and DJ sets from Polar Sound DJs; with compere duties from:-  La Vida Liverpool positive news owner and radio presenter, Justin Hopper. The event will run until 5pm, with a:- 'mini festival' summer vibe, and glitter and body art will be supplied by We Love Kitty Kat for kids and young at heart adults.

Becky summarised:-  "It's going to be such a positive, fun event and there are few better settings in Wirral for it than beautiful Birkenhead Park. Whether you're already into wellness and wellbeing or just curious, there's something for everyone from live entertainment and interesting talks to practises, fun activities, food, drink and stalls. See you on:- 9 July 2023!"

Wirral Wellness Event is coming to Birkenhead Park on Sunday 9th July 2023. Set to be the biggest wellness event ever hosted in Wirral, the inaugural Wirral Wellness Event will feature:- live music, workshops, a wellness essentials market, talks from expert speakers, food and drink from:- 12pm; with something for everyone.

New FSB research shows simplifying customs process is the top priority of small exporters

HIGH consultancy fees a major cost barrier for small international traders: comment from FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Area Leader Michael Sandys.

4 in 10 say they will continue to use intermediaries due to lack of expertise on customs procedures.

Adopting a:- 'think small 1st' approach to customs policy development is essential to boost trade, says FSB.

Simplifying customs declarations is the top priority for UK small international traders, with the majority of small firms outsourcing e paperwork; creating a cost barrier stifling exports and profitability, according to new FSB research.

A majority of small international traders do not have the dedicated internal resources to handle complex customs paperwork and turn to high cost intermediaries, according to FSB's Customs Clearance report.

The findings follow:- 'International Micro, Small and Media Sized Enterprises (MSME) Day' that took place on:- 27 June 2023, which is a United Nations led campaign to recognise the crucial role small firms play in the global economy.

The report finds that the smaller the businesses the less likely they are to have in-house resources for customs and trade - just 9% of small firms have a dedicated staff member or team customs procedures. Of these firms, 38% have more than 50 employees.

71% small exporters and importers say they use an intermediary for at least some of the process of handling customs declarations, compared to just 24% that handle the entire process in house.

Fast parcel operator (60%) is the most widely used type of intermediary by small international traders, followed by freight forwarder (50%) and customs agents / broker (26%).

As businesses are adjusting to the new UK-EU trade relationship, small international traders say they have been asked to pay fees attributed to post-Brexit paperwork, but in many cases there is a lack of clarity from intermediaries on what exactly these extra costs are for.

A 3rd of respondents cite high intermediary fees as a challenge for overseas trade.

Despite facing higher costs, many small businesses say they will continue to rely on intermediates to export and import. 39% explain this is because they do not have the expertise required to handle customs declarations, while 57% say footing the extra bill would free up their time for other tasks.

FSB sets out a list of recommendations to bring down the costs and barriers of international trade in the report, including:-

Building a small business-friendly Single Trade Window, an online portal delivering a:- 'once and done' approach to Government data collection.

Targeting business support towards those with high export potential, and those in sectors that say they find a lack of guidance particularly difficult.

Monitor potential anti competitive behaviour resulting from supply chain disruption via the Competition and Markets Authority 5 Eyes working group.

Adopting a:- 'think small 1st' approach to customs policy development, including:- robust piloting and staggered implementation timelines. Government should also commit to raising the de minimis customs duty threshold to £1,000.

FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Area Leader, Michael Sandys, said:- "The fact that small firms say they will continue to use intermediaries to export and import despite increasing costs shows a strong zeal for international trade. Unlike big corporates, most small firms don't have the specialised resources needed to deal with complex customs procedures, so they're dependent on intermediaries. Smaller businesses may also have to bear higher costs as they are unable to commit to large volume and less able to reach fixed price agreements or to negotiate with couriers. A flourishing, competitive, and user-friendly intermediary market is vital to small firms. It's therefore welcome to see the on going Government consultation on introducing voluntary standards for customs intermediaries to improve the quality of service provided. There's also a need for an effective and streamlined trade infrastructure with clear guidance to help reduce the costs of trade. This will unleash the export potential of small international traders as well as encouraging more businesses to sell overseas. Small firms' appetite to explore new markets and tackle trade barriers means there is reason to be optimistic about the future of SME international trade, and policymakers should make the most of this opportunity."