Paul Beesley, senior consultant at Beyond Theory, is this week’s Business Hero. Paul and his team delivered online workshops, at no cost, to town centre BID businesses at the start of the pandemic and during lockdown.
His webinars proved invaluable to businesses and shops of all types, covering topics such as working from home and management skills.
Paul explained: “We had to work quickly to adapt and design these webinars, to ensure they were tailored to suit the challenges of lockdown. Particularly popular were our ones about managing people from home, adapting to change and the skills needed to keep spirits up and resilience high.
“It has felt really important to help others during this time and we also offered free or discounted webinars to NHS staff and charity workers.
“We have met some amazing people throughout this pandemic and heard amazing stories that are really humbling. Lockdown has made us all revaluate what is important as we have gone through the four stages: shock, making sense, recovery, new normal. It is important to help each other, it is in everyone’s interest to work together. We need each other for the town centre.”
Beyond Theory, based in the Cultural Quarter, was first set up eight years ago to help businesses. Although Paul is passionate about supporting businesses he wasn’t expecting to be nominated as a Business Hero.
“I feel embarrassed, but also humbled,” said Paul. “I know who the real heroes are.”
Paul’s favourite saying: “Look after your people and they will look after your business.”
The Cultural Quarter
It is no wonder that St Giles Street in the Cultural Quarter won the Great British High Street competition in 2015, up against Mill Road in Cambridge. St Giles Street is packed with unique independent shops, restaurants, cafes, real ale pubs and businesses and is the jewel in the crown of Northampton’s town centre.
Did you know? There are a number of great pubs in the Cultural Quarter, which has a history of brewing going back to the 13th century. In 2014 on the site of the County Council offices in St Johns Street, malt ovens and two deep wells were discovered indicating the brewing of beer in the area on a relatively large-scale dating back 800 years.
Do you have a ‘Business Hero’ in mind?
Our Business Heroes will be individuals or teams who, over the lockdown period, have:
- Made a real difference to colleagues, family and friends
- Been passionate about making the town centre the very best it possibly can be
- Been instrumental in making positive changes to the town centre
- Given back – to the community, customers and the town centre
Our Heroes must own or be employed by a Northampton town centre BID-levy paying business. Find out more and make a nomination HERE.
