Category Archives: Blog

1/3 2023 Blog – SJE, Holiday Park, Trust AM

1/3 2023 – 3 Websites, Stoke & Great Yarmouth
The first third of 2023 included designs of Holiday Park Owners, SJE Vintage Lighting and Trust AM Radio

Completed - Holiday Park Owners, SJE Vintage Lighting & Trust AM Radio

2023 has so far seen me complete three websites, with another two close to being finalized (more on them later in this article).

 

I reached out to Andy on Bark.com, an online marketplace. He wanted a website (Holiday Park Owners) to target unhappy caravan owners for help and advice. I purchased a logo for him from Cap Promotions and then proceeded to make the website suit it by matching the orange/green colours. I wanted this to be a bright website which encouraged users to visit and also sign up to his membership. Along with creating interactive image hyperlinks, I also added a Google maps and Stripe pay method. If you have a caravan, Andy offers member only discounts, specialist online advice, a magazine and in the future a place to rent/sell your caravan – visit Holiday Park Owners.

 

One of my targets is to improve my websites’ local SEO on terms such as ‘Website Design Barnsley’ – so imagine my delight when Steve found me using this method, he needed a website re-design because his navigation/links were a bit mixed. After looking at other websites in his niche, it became clear that his business were the clear leaders in this local area – so I aimed to create a website similar to his previous one whilst improving mobile presentation. His old logo struggled with the design, so once again I reached out to Cap Promotions to create me a new one. I added an image carousel, Google maps and contact form – I also created an easier and uncluttered navigation so clients wouldn’t get lost on his website. Steve is your man if you are needing lighting fitments repaired – visit SJE Vintage Lighting. 

 

I also finally found some spare time to complete a voluntary project. This is the second time I’ve done a website for the hospital radio of Worksop and I think this is a much improved design. My main focus was to find a theme which allowed the radio to play whilst a visitor scrolled through the pages. The Pro Radio theme also has various wonder radio features such as a schedule (which David has beautifully added presenter/automation images to), a request/volunteer form and extra ways to listen. If you like music variety (ranging from 70s up until then be sure to visit Trust AM Radio.

SJE VINTAGE LIGHTING BARNSLEY

Away from Websites - The Wave Waterpark & Great Yarmouth Holiday

February began with a trip to watch the Britains’ Got Talent Auditions at The Lowry in Manchester, it was free so can’t complain too much… but having said that, it was rubbish! I spent at least 45-60 minutes applauding fake things whilst the general wait time for acts to come on stage was a joke. Luckily my trips on the same weekend to The Wave Waterpark Coventry and Cadbury World Birmingham were much better! The Wave itself surprised me with its great choice of slides along with a cracking lazy river and wave pool.

 

Towards the end of February I also had a trip to Louth which was so much fun! I visited Lincoln Castle, Hubbard’s Hills and the Springfields Outlet. My personal highlight was staying in a lodge at Landal Kenwick Woods (HoSeasons). It was so peaceful, the hot tub helped with the dark/cold nights and the swimming pool was not to crowded either.

 

March saw me attend a few football matches, including Everton vs Brentford – and England U19 vs Iceland U19 (we will swiftly move on from sport, as my team currently sit in the relegation zone).

 

My April concluded the first third of 2023 with a lovely break away at Great Yarmouth. My trip highlights were re-visiting Merrivale Model Village – you must go if you’ve never been! It keeps you entertained for a few hours with so many amazing models such as a castle, sports stadium, travelling fair and zoo. I did also go to Pleasurewood Hills, however this will probably be on my ignore list from now on. It’s not a terrible visit, just definitely bang average as the theme park has a wonderful sea lion display but the rides are a slight let down with lack of music, some just overly slow/boring or just completely closed.

Upcoming - A List Flooring, Cranecert, SmartScratch

The second part of 2023 promises to be exciting, as I’m focusing more time on increasing sales after I’ve spent a few months being quiet on social media and advertising etc. Some of my main goals is to activate a Facebook advert, purchase some new commercial clothing and renew my vehicle graphics. 

 

Despite not really looking for business, various people have found me including Simon (and Nathan), who are needing a new website designed after their previous design got paused halfway to completion. I’m really excited to build A List Floorings’ website and help them get online.

 

Meanwhile I’m very close to completing a website for Jay after CAP Promotions referred him onto me. He’s needing a website which explains what his automotive smart repair company does along with providing pictures and a form that potential customers can submit. I’ve worked on SmartScratchs’ new website a lot recently and I am very excited to show it off. 

 

I’ve also had a major stream of returning customers, which is just as fantastic as new ones! Firstly Arran from CraneCert is relaunching his business, so wants a re-design. Meanwhile Wakas from Yorkshire Catering Machines wants help with improving his search visibility on his products, the website doesn’t have ecommerce but he is hoping the products will go higher on Google. I’m also super excited to help Brett rebrand his company into Green Haus Renewables. 

 

Are you someone who has a business but lacks a website? Quote WEBSITE10 to get 10% of any of my affordable website design packages.

Cineworld Barnsley Review

Review – Cineworld Barnsley
The chain opened in the South Yorkshire town on 24 September

Open At Last, Starbucks & No VIP

Announced before Covid-19 hit, it has been a long wait to see the doors of Cineworld in Barnsley swing open.  I’m so local to the new complex, that I can literally see the Cineworld sign on The Glass Works from outside my front door and it takes me less than ten minutes to walk there!  So, as you can imagine, I’ve been pretty nervous about the recent news that Cineworld had financial problems and have been waiting to find out what it meant for the Barnsley complex.  Would it even open?  Thankfully the answer was yes!  

I’ve been a Cineworld Unlimited Card holder for over 7 years – and have visited pretty much every Yorkshire Cineworld there is (Bradford, Chesterfield, Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, York etc).  When I heard the launch date was this weekend, I was straight on my phone to plan a visit!

On arrival I was greeted with various Cineworld signs which are advertising its star attractions, this includes 4DX, IMAX and SCREENX.  I was slightly surprised/disappointed that VIP was nowhere to be seen.  I’ve since found out that VIP is only currently at these 5 locations: Cheltenham, Glasgow, London, Sheffield and York.

What is evident from the start is that Barnsley’s modern complex is very similar to York’s.  The Starbucks is located on the ground floor, along with the automatic ticket booking/collection screens and a few adverts. Though that’s it, the actual fun is on the upper floors.

CINEWORLD BARNSLEY STARBUCKS

13 Screens, Popcorn & Kes

Barnsley has seen a major re-investment recently with not only this new cinema but also everything else The Glass Works has added – posh new shops, restaurants, Superbowl and the new Markets which are constantly booming.  It has put Barnsley firmly on the ‘must visit’ entertainment/shopping map.

This new Cineworld has a total of 13 screens and roughly 2,000 seats.  The upstairs is stunning with a waiting area surrounded by adverts and slogans.  You have the usual foyer where the staff will greet you with the chance to purchase drinks, ice cream, popcorn and all sorts of other treats. 

The film I chose to watch was Don’t Worry Darling (more about the film later), which was situated in Screen 4.  I must give Cineworld utmost credit for a superb Barnsley trailer, it was very heartfelt and got to the beating heart of the community.  David Bradley features, who is known for his role of Billy Casper in 1969 movie classic Kes and I especially liked seeing the statue along with the famous wall.  Other local celebrities to appear were Graham Ibbeson, Joanne Harris and Lee Hinchcliffe.

The only thing which really struck me about the complex is how big it is.  Will the people of Barnsley constantly fill out the screens?  I regularly see how empty Leeds/York can be, and it was a surprise to see 13 screens in this new venue.  I also have only visited this chain in retail parks, so it feels odd having it in the middle of a busy town centre.  Will it be a success?  Time will tell!

Front Seats, Harry Styles & Plot Twist

Screen 4 is comfy with seats which can go back slightly and I had a decent amount of leg room.  Compared to other cinemas I’ve been to; I thought the front seats were maybe a tad close to the screen itself.  The audio was terrific.  All facilities such as toilets etc are modern and have everything you would expect.

Don’t Worry Darling has a superb cast including the likes of Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, Harry Styles.  Having only previously seen Harry in Dunkirk, I was excited to see his portrayal of Jack.  I think the harsh reviews such as ‘why is Harry in the film’, is complete nonsense and he gave a breath-taking acting performance alongside Florence (as Alice).  Alice is a happy 1950s housewife in an experimental community, but soon things turn sour when she begins to worry that maybe this glamorous lifestyle could be hiding some very disturbing and nasty secrets.

Once it started, I loved almost every second of this script.  After a year which has seen many movie disappointments and a lack of releases, I’d give Don’t Worry Darling a solid 9/10.  The entire plot is so suspenseful, I literally couldn’t take my eyes away from the screen.  I was trying to second guess what was going to happen and got it wrong pretty much every single time!  The ginormous plot twist at the end will send shockwaves throughout any viewer.

Upon leaving the elevators were broken, but I presumed that’s just an early glitch and hopefully won’t be a long-term issue.  All in all, I think Cineworld Barnsley is a fantastic venue and I can’t wait to visit again.

Cineworld Barnsley is now open and can be found at The Glass Works, postcode S70 1GW.