Independent food retail and social enterprise success: Lindsay Lonchar and Claire Dove

Here's a brand new podcast of the Business Live radio show, first broadcast on Sheffield Live FM radio on Friday 1 February, with guests Lindsay Lonchar and Claire Dove.

This episode covers:

• Mountain cabins, forest retreats and the food that goes with them: Lindsay Lonchar is co-owner of legendary Sheffield brunch spot, The Cabin, and has recently opened The Wildwood cafe and artisan gift shop, just three doors away.
• Lindsay and husband George wanted to re-create the authentic Canadian / North American cabin experience of super hospitality and lakes of maple syrup they had both loved.
• The statistics show many high streets and their independent businesses are struggling. But The Cabin is thriving. What are the secrets of their success?
• Lindsay's strategies to drive footfall to the businesses and boost word of mouth referrals.
• Advice for anyone considering setting up an independent food or retail business.

Claire Dove runs a Liverpool-based social enterprise, Blackburne House. She's also taken on the role as Crown Representative for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sectors. Claire has been involved with social enterprises for around 40 years and was the chair of Social Enterprise UK for ten years.

• Claire's role as VCSE Crown Representative and what it means in practice. 
• The barriers Claire has identified to voluntary, community and social enterprise participation in public service markets.
• Claire's advice to the VCSE sector when it comes to securing contracts.
• Developments and strengthening the Social Value Act, getting Government to rethink procurement in light of the collapse of Carillion, and giving more power to the Act.