In this episode, Caroline and Liz, co-founders of Walk Works in Reading, share the story behind their inspiring venture, which turns local walking routes into guided group experiences that foster connection with nature and community. What began as a shared love for hiking evolved into Walk Works, offering locals a safe, guided way to explore scenic paths, meet new people, and support local businesses.

Time Codes

00:25 Introduction

01:10 Introduction to Caroline and Liz

02:34 What Caroline and Liz like about Reading

03:54 How Walk Works started

05:17 How Caroline and Liz promote walk Works

06:58 Extending Walk Works to businesses

09:38 What challenges Caroline and Liz face in running Walk Works

13:30 The future of Walk Works (developing the corporate side)

17:47 How Caroline and Liz find their walk routes

22:58 Advice for other independent business owners

24:59 Where can people find out more info

25:36 Final takeaways

In this episode, Mark Thwaites, the Management Director of Thames and Bristol Lidos, reveals the secrets behind their success.

Mark shares the inspiring journey of transforming a historic building into a thriving wellness destination. From the challenges of restoration to the art of creating a unique customer experience, we delve into the key lessons learned.

Discover how Thames Lido has successfully combined swimming, dining, and wellness into a holistic offering. Learn about the importance of community, the power of word-of-mouth marketing, and the strategies behind building a loyal customer base. Whether you’re a potential customer intrigued by Thames Lido’s offering, a business owner, or simply curious about the hospitality industry, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a memorable and sustainable experience and business.

TIME CODES

00:25 Introduction

00:29 The pronunciation of Lido

00:57 Introduction to Thames Lido

2:11 Introduction to Mark Thwaites

3:05 Thames Lido History

7:02 challenges faced in opening Thames Lido

9:05 Thames Lido’s range of services

13:06 How the winning formula for Thames Lido was discovered

16:34 Choosing the right name for Thames Lido

18:55 How Thames Lido has helped Reading and vice versa

21:51 The best way to promote Thames Lido and the importance of knowing your audience.

23:21 The similarities and differences between Thames Lido and Bristol Lido.

24:10 How Thames Lido has made itself accessible to a diverse range of audiences

27:13 Go with the flow and be satisfied with enough

28:11 Challenge- small car park at Thames Lido

28:43 Sustainability- hydro turbines and solar panels

30:46 Thames Lido’s own products and reducing chlorine in the pool

34:58 Final thoughts

In this episode, Nicolette, a professional artist and author based in Reading, shares her fascinating journey of transforming her illustrated children’s book, The Pink Peacock, into a fully-fledged theatre production.

Nicolette discusses the challenges of publishing her book, collaborating with musicians and actors, and the steep learning curve of adapting a story for theatre. She highlights the importance of community, tapping into the expertise of others, and the joy of seeing her vision evolve through teamwork. The episode delves into the creative process, from designing costumes and props to overcoming logistical hurdles like casting and venue selection. Nicolette also offers valuable advice on marketing local productions and reaching new audiences through community engagement.

Highlights

The Power of Collaboration – Nicolette emphasizes how crucial it is to collaborate with others when turning a creative idea into reality.

Adaptability in the Creative Process – Nicolette’s journey highlights the importance of flexibility. From adjusting costumes and props to rethinking parts of the script.

Overcoming Rejection and Staying Persistent – Nicolette's experience with rejection when trying to publish her book traditionally is a powerful reminder that persistence is crucial.

Balancing Creativity with Practicality – Nicolette had to learn the balance between her artistic vision and the practical constraints of a live production.

Time Codes

00:24 Welcome

00:45 Introduction to Nicolette

01:26 What Nicolette likes about Reading

02:29 Nicolette’s book & her experience writing, illustrating, and publishing her book.

04:38 How to find an illustrator

06:27 Why and how Nicolette turned her book into a theatre production

09:15 A few challenges translating the book into a theatre production

12:45 Nicolette’s big learning and how she adapted her props and script

16:54 How Nicolette promoted her theatre production

20:07 How Nicolette funded her production and what’s next

21:58 What happened when Nicolette applied for Arts Council funding

23:52 How do you stay focussed when you’re multi-passionate

24:45 Final thoughts/ tips