Coronavirus update: the latest news from East Midlands businesses

Metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has adapted its clinical waste services to support hospitals and care homes, offering a rapid response service to control the spread of COVID-19.

Ward’s lockable bins help key workers to dispose of and contain contaminated waste for a period of two weeks, which is currently understood to be the longest period of time the COVID-19 can survive on surfaces. All waste must be double-bagged in orange clinical bags and clearly dated with a marker. Collection cannot take place until two weeks after the last bag is added to the container. After the two-week period is confirmed by the customer, the sealed containers are safely removed from sites and sent for incineration, providing fuel for renewable energy.

Operations director at Ward, Donald Ward, said: “Every business is adapting to do what it can to support the fight against Coronavirus. Having dealt with biological and hazardous waste from hospitals, GP surgeries and dental practices for many years, we are familiar with developing waste management plans for medical equipment and surgical garments. We have procedures in place to store, manage and collect waste in a safe and secure way, with a complete duty of care.”

Nottingham-based PR agency Motive says it has five new businesses to its roster of clients during April.

The agency is embarking on new digital PR and brand awareness campaigns for subscription plant box service Lazy Flora, weight management product Zotrim, for online garden centre Gardening Express, and for personalised baby gift shop My 1st Years.

Motive is also promoting Phillip Watts Design’s innovate Shoe Pull door handle, with 20% of all profits going to NHS Charities Together.

The agency says it reported a record breaking month of media coverage for clients during April with 1,889 items logged – with each retained digital PR client enjoying more than 100 pieces of coverage during the month.

Motive managing director Steve McComish said: “Despite the economic challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we are continuing to welcome new clients.

“Our focus on e-commerce and online brands has helped protect us against the worst effects of the economic shock which has come with the pandemic. Our clients trade online and have continued to do good business during the lockdown, supported by widespread media attention.

“Our journalistic approach has also helped us adapt to the changing demands of the media during this crisis which has led to many new opportunities for our clients and resulted in a record month of coverage. Everyone has pulled together while working remotely and it’s been a real team effort.”

Stuart Pratt

Locked in with…  Stuart Pratt, group development director at Godwin Developments

Who are you locked in with?

I have been fortunate to have been locked in with my wife Lisa and my two boys, James and Charlie aged six and three. They would probably describe the situation differently, saying they are locked in with me!

How has the lockdown and working from home been for you so far?
Surprisingly well in fact. I have always believed in leading by example – being the first and the last person in the office, especially when you own your business. It is evident though that we as humans are extremely adaptable; within a week or so it almost felt completely natural to be working from home (especially when you can lock the door to your improvised study in the dining room). I had to learn on the go using new tools such as Microsoft Teams and organising Zoom meetings.

What has been the best thing about staying in?
Hands down the best thing has been spending more quality time with the family. Playing in the garden with the boys, and generally not having to spend hours in the car driving to various places around the country. The lockdown has allowed me to get more involved with simple things like bath times, which I often miss in the week under usual circumstances.

And what have you missed the most?
Meeting and talking to people – in the industry, the team and just generally. I’ve always believed in working hard but also enjoying the social side of business. It is great that over the years we have managed to establish personal connections with so many people, so chatting on Zoom is almost the same as the real deal. Almost!

What previously essential thing have you realised is not actually essential?
Travelling for work. Owning a business requires large sacrifices on health and family time, but the lockdown has allowed me to reassess those priorities and has proven that it’s not always necessary to put work first.

What are the changes you’ve made that you plan on continuing when restrictions are lifted?
I have made a commitment to myself to focus more on family and health. It is evident just how important it is to find time for exercise, eat well and how rewarding it is to make more time for family. So, both of those are staying firmly on my priorities list when we are out of lockdown.

Have you made progress on any of your bucket list items?
We have started making a list – which is progress! Places to travel to and events we want to go to. My sons and I are very keen sporting fans and so we will most definitely invest more time in travelling to enjoying sports.

 What is the first thing you will do when isolation ends?
Go to see my parents, my brother and spend time with my closest friends. I think we will all be throwing a big party across the country once this is over. So maybe my healthy living plans can be put on pause for just a few weeks!