With the trend for digital and online banking having gained momentum over recent years, and footfall to banks dropping considerably and as a result, the closure of a large number of bank branches around the UK, access to cash for businesses has been getting harder and harder.
Much-needed facilities such as paying in cash and cheques, cash withdrawals and checking account balances are diminishing at an alarming rate. The decision for many businesses on how to adjust to losing a reliable commodity is tricky especially those in rural communities.
When looking at how businesses should tackle the worsening situation when losing a local bank or building society branch, cash handling experts Volumatic believe bringing the bank to businesses and investing in intelligent technology is the most viable future option.
Volumatic recommends investing in intelligent technology that offers collaboration with a Cash in Transit (CiT) provider and invest in a CiT provider that can offer banking services, meaning retail owners or managers no longer physically need to go to a bank.
Volumatic’s Sales & Marketing Director, Mike Severs is realistic about what the future holds for banking facilities and is urging businesses to act now to protect themselves in this worsening crisis.
He says: “While the Post Office have provided an absolute lifeline to everyone, making up the shortfall caused by all the banking closures, and providing a more local banking hub that saves a long journey, the reality is that as more people switch to use these services, queues are getting bigger, transactions are taking longer and for those running a business, they just don’t have that time to waste – especially with all the additional pressures of an already tough cost-of-living crisis.
“Volumatic recommends that businesses effectively bring the bank to them through an investment in technology like the CCi that can offer both integration with your CiT provider which opens more options for traditional banking services. This technology will make their cash handling more efficient and more secure from day one and the return on investment is extremely compelling – and they won’t need to be concerned about further bank closures either.
“With time being of the essence for most businesses, making a long journey to the next nearest bank or waiting in queues at the Post Office isn’t a productive use of time, plus there is an obvious security risk to both your money and the person taking it to consider,” Severs adds.
Volumatic offers a range of cash handling solutions, with their crown jewel being the CounterCache intelligent (CCi), an all-in-one solution that validates, counts and stores your cash securely at POS, and with our upgraded CashView Enterprise software and its suite of intelligent apps, it can offer a full end-to-end cash management solution.
It does this by providing web service integration with other third-party applications. Volumatic currently works with all the UK’s major CiT companies, and UK banks process over 3 million CCi pouches each year, all of which can provide accelerated credit to your accounts.
Family-run forecourt business AY&Y Patel Dewsbury Ltd has transformed its Ceylon service station in Rochdale with a £1.5 million complete knockdown rebuild.
Located in Yorkshire Street, the site has been in the family business for almost 35 years and now has an expanded brand-new SPAR store, serviced by James Hall & Co. Ltd, and a modernised Shell forecourt.
The four-month project has created a bright and airy SPAR store that belies its 1,230sq.ft. size. Highlights are a Fanta Frozen machine and chai and coffee units complementing a strong range of products across all categories with Food To Go including the SPAR Meal Deal.
The Shell forecourt features include six pumps, with V-Power fuel options, an air and water machine, ATM, and new signage.
Shaheena Patel, Operations Manager at AY&Y Patel Dewsbury Ltd, said, “Our Ceylon service station is something of a family favourite being one of our earliest sites and we are thrilled with the results of the rebuild.
“During the transformation, we removed the old car wash at the back of the site to increase the sales space in the new SPAR store which felt was the right direction to go. Visually the store is fantastic, and the range we have included utilises the space available to great effect.
“It is a similar story outside where we have maximised our compact forecourt with the number of pumps and services, also improving access in and around the forecourt for customers.
“Overall, we are delighted and are grateful for the support we have had from multiple departments at James Hall & Co. Ltd. Together we have set Ceylon service station up for a strong future.”
Peter Dodding, Sales Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd and Chair of the SPAR Northern Guild, said. “I am blown away by the changes at Ceylon service station and the Patel family should rightly be proud of what has been achieved at the site where space is at a premium.
“It is another shining example of an excellent working relationship between James Hall & Co. Ltd and AY&Y Patel Dewsbury Ltd, and there is no greater satisfaction for me than seeing our company support the development and growth of our independent SPAR retailers.”
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.
A South London Nisa retailer has crafted a truly unique product, transforming trees outside his convenience store into a premium gin.
Kaual Patel, owner of Nisa Local Torridon Road in Lewisham, has partnered with Gin In A Tin, a renowned Cotswolds-based distillery, to create a limited-edition gin inspired by the bay and olive trees he planted outside his store.
The idea originated a year ago when Kaual installed a six-square-metre community mosaic outside his store, designed by local schoolchildren. Initially planning to plant trees directly into the ground, Kaual faced restrictions due to underground telecoms cables.
Undeterred, he financed the placement of three bay and two olive trees in large planters, complementing the mosaic and enhancing the area’s aesthetics. The evergreen trees not only added year-round beauty but sparked a “eureka moment” for Kaual, leading to the creation of the bespoke gin.
“I’ve seen olive used in gins before, but never bay,” Kaual explained. “After some research, I found a single bay gin and thought, why not combine both? The key was creating something significant to our store and community.”
Working with Gin In A Tin, Kaual developed three batches of gin, experimenting with varying proportions of olive and bay.
Inviting regular customers to sample the creations, the winning recipe was a perfect blend of 150 parts olive and 50 parts bay, with a touch of lemon citrus. The result, Kaual says, is a gin that “tastes phenomenal.”
Packaged in a fully recyclable metal jerry can adorned with images of bay leaves, olives, and lemons, the gin is as visually striking as it is flavourful. Retailing at £39.99 for a 50cl tin, the limited run of 200 units has already proven popular, with a quarter of the stock sold over the Christmas period.
Kaual’s trees not only provide the raw materials for his gin but also deliver a range of community benefits. The trees enhance the local environment, improving air quality and creating a Mediterranean ambiance.
They’ve been embraced by the local community, who frequently praise their aesthetic and environmental impact.
Kaual notes, “The trees capture carbon, look beautiful, and even inspire local schoolchildren to appreciate nature and sustainability.”
This gin follows the success of Kaual’s earlier venture into craft beer, Torridon Beer, released earlier in 2024. However, Kaual describes Gin In A Tin as a “more premium product” and anticipates strong demand as Christmas approaches.
“No other retailer has done anything like this,” he remarked, “and it paves the way for future innovation.”
Looking ahead, Kaual hopes to build on this success with potential future collaborations. “If it sells out, I’ll consider a summer edition with a more citrus-forward recipe. The possibilities are endless.”
One of Scotland’s oldest and most respected independent food and drink wholesalers, JW Filshill, is marking its 150th anniversary in 2025 with a raft of activity based around the theme ‘Delivering Success’ that champions sustainability, innovation, community, and wellbeing.
With a proud heritage spanning five generations, Filshill remains firmly rooted in its core values while embracing a bold vision for the future. From its origins as a confectionery manufacturer in Glasgow’s Gallowgate in 1875 to its position today as an award-winning wholesaler, Filshill has continually evolved to serve independent KeyStore convenience stores across Scotland and the north of England.
The award-winning company, which relocated from Hillington to its purpose-built 120,400 sq ft distribution centre at Westway Park near Glasgow Airport in March 2023, aims to raise £150,000 for six charities which represent large demographics of the communities they serve as part of its anniversary celebrations.
Chosen by Filshill staff, the charities are:
· CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland)
· Dementia Scotland
· Cancer Research UK
· MND Scotland
· SSPCA (Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
· GroceryAid
As part of its community fundraising efforts in its 150th anniversary year, 150 Filshill directors, colleagues, customers, suppliers and family members will take part in the Kiltwalk, Scotland’s largest mass participation walking event with over 178,000 people taking part since 2016. On 27th April in Glasgow, the company’s involvement will represent the Kiltwalk’s largest-ever corporate attendance.
In terms of Filshill’s sustainability goals, the company – which in 2020 pledged to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 – can reveal that it has reached this target five years early, boosted by its relocation to the new Renfrew site, significant investment in electric HGV vehicles, solar panels, and transitioning to HVO fuel for all diesel-powered operations at Westway
During 2025, the wholesaler will also ramp up its commitment to corporate technology within the business and seek innovative solutions to boost efficiency across the business, including AI.
Simon Hannah, Filshill’s chief executive officer, has recently qualified as an AI trainer, and is keen to work with suppliers and customers to leverage AI for mutual benefit across data analysis and business processes as part of the company’s co-prosperity strategic approach.The company has also committed to investing in a software platform that will assist greatly in tracking Scope 3 emissions.
Meanwhile, Filshill will build on its established mental health and wellbeing agenda by providing training for 150 KeyStore customers to become mental health ambassadors in their communities, joining the company’s 35 existing trained mental health first-aiders to create a supportive environment for colleagues and customers.
In June, it will hold its second Filshill Family Wellness Day, to which all staff and their families will be invited to enjoy a day dedicated to fun, connection, and celebrating the people who make the Filshill family so special.
Culminating with a 150th Anniversary Celebration Dinner in Glasgow on 9th October, hosted by comedian Fred MacAulay with entertainment from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the year promises to honour Filshill’s remarkable journey while setting the scene for a future of ambition, growth, and positivity for the company.
Simon Hannah
Simon Hannah said: “Celebrating 150 years is an incredible milestone for the Filshill family. It’s a moment to reflect on our heritage while looking ahead with ambition and purpose. ‘Delivering Success’ captures our dedication to sustainability, technology, community, and wellbeing as we shape the future for the next generations of the Filshill family and beyond.
“We plan to collaborate closely with our customers, suppliers and other colleagues as we set the scene for the next stage of the Filshill journey. We’re proud of our heritage and the values that have guided us for 150 years. This year isn’t just about celebrating where we’ve come from – it’s about demonstrating our commitment to ‘Delivering Success’ for our people, our customers, and our communities as we move forward together in the future.”
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Suzanne Kirkham (centre) with Chris Murphy, retail account manager, Phillips 66 Limited & Vas Mohanathas, operations director, JP & S Services Ltd
A legal assistant from Hampshire, Suzanne Kirkham, has been revealed as the winner of a new Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid car in JET’s biggest promotion to date – Pump Up to 70.
Customers at JET service stations across the country were set the task of filling up their vehicles and stopping at a number ending in £0.70 to be within a chance of winning. The promotion is in celebration of the fuel brand’s platinum 70th anniversary.
“JET is a driver-first business through and through, and what better way to celebrate than giving the gift of driving,” Áine Corkery, Manager, Brand, UK Marketing Phillips 66 Limited said.
“Congratulations to the lucky winner – here’s to many happy years on the road.”
The winner was recently presented with the keys to her new car at her home service station, Horton Heath.
“JP&S Horton Heath congratulates its valued customer, Suzanne, for winning JET’s ‘Pump up to 70’! A wonderful initiative, and good fun, with a fabulous prize that we are sure that she will enjoy” said Priyanth Yoganathan, director at JP&S.
Radnor Hills, one of the UK’s leading soft drinks manufacturers, has welcomed FMCG specialist Jonathan Kemp to its board.
Kemp, who will join the board of directors of the Powys-based company as a non-executive director this month, has a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry.
For the past 21 years he has been on the board of AG Barr plc as Commercial Director, during which he led the commercial growth of the business and the development of iconic brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon.
He is also involved with the Strathclyde Business School, part of the University of Strathclyde where he teaches students and conducts research.
He began his career at Procter & Gamble and worked for eleven years across a number of brands in a variety of sales, commercial and marketing roles including the setting up of the first Customer Business Unit at Tesco and the integration and UK launch of the Iams business.
Simon Knight, Managing Director of Radnor Hills, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the board of directors and are looking forward to introducing him to our colleagues across the business.
“He has had a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry and he joins us at a very exciting time as we embark on the next stage of our growth plans.”
Kemp said, “I’m really delighted to be joining the board at Radnor Hills as a Non-Executive Director. William and the team have built a very successful, fast growing soft drinks business through some increasingly well-known and great tasting brands. I’m looking forward to working with the team and being part of the next stage in the growth journey of the business.”
Radnor Hills, which was founded in 1990 by founder and CEO William Watkins, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
Last year, Simon Knight became the Managing Director of the fast-growing company which produces a range of still, sparkling water and flavoured soft drinks all made with exceptionally pure spring water sourced from its boreholes.
Its brands include Radnor Hills spring water, Heartsease Farm, Radnor Splash and Radnor Fizz.
Radnor Hills produces over 400 million units of drinks annually. It recorded revenues of £72.4 million in the year ended 31 May 2024, up from £65.5 million in the year prior