Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - July/August 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS 13 RHS LICENSEES OFFER DONATIONS AND DISCOUNTS TO SUPPORT THOSE IN THE FRONT LINE The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced that a number of its licensees are supporting the NHS and key workers with donations and discounts. The list includes makers of luxury chocolate, gardening footwear and swing seats and benches. Amelie Chocolat, a producer of luxury continental chocolates, nearly doubled its Easter sales this year. This is despite running on a reduced staff to ensure social distancing in its factory and slimming down its range of products to its best sellers. The range includes products from its B&LLA- nominated collection – the RHS Woodland Collection, the RHS Raspberry and Champagne Collection, and the RHS Cherry Chocolate Collection, and the high level of interest from chocolate lovers has not stopped after Easter as orders continue to pour in. Amelie had already donated chocolates to several NHS teams over Easter and now that everything is in place to safely fulfil the high level of customer orders, Amelie has decided that all profit generated over the month from the 16 th of April to the 15 th of May will be donated straight to the NHS. Meanwhile premium boot brand The Original Muck Boot Company is offering a 30 percent discount to NHS staff through the Blue Light Card and its associated portal. The Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services and armed forces with discounts both online and in store. The Blue Light Card also allows companies to get involved with offering discounts to frontline workers – as Muck Boots has done. Finally, the only swing seat and bench maker licensed by the RHS, Sitting Spiritually, has posted a message on its site explaining that it has been able to continue operations as its designers and suppliers are largely based in independent workshops – and founder Martin Young has added a personal invitation to all NHS and key support workers to get in touch. Natalie Levy, Founder and Director, Amelie Chocolat, says: “We realise how lucky we are to be so busy during these difficult times, and feel we have a responsibility to help where possible. This means that, for four weeks, every time customers order chocolates from us, all the profit we make on the order will be donated straight to the NHS. We’re delighted to be able to do our bit to help our frontline workers.” ASHLEIGH & BURWOOD OPEN NEW YORKSHIRE SHOWROOM Ashleigh & Burwood has worked together with its sales agent for the North East, Gary Barnes, to secure a showroom within the beautiful location of Newby Hall; a stunning Grade I listed 18 th -century country house and gardens in Skelton-on-Ure, North Yorkshire. The historic setting provides a splendid backdrop for Ashleigh & Burwood’s new showroom, which is located in the old coach house and is available to visit by appointment. The company’s investment in this inspiring showroom provides a dedicated space to showcase the brand, which is easily accessible to retailers in northern regions. Company Director, Clive Harper explains “We’re delighted that this new showroom assists us in our aim to work more closely with retailers, which has mutual benefits. The facility offers buyers time to reflect in a wonderfully peaceful setting, with an expert on hand to guide them.” Visitors to the showroom can see and smell all of Ashleigh & Burwood’s collections in one place, whilst gaining inspiration for their own displays. Visit www.ashleigh-burwood.co.uk NEW EU DRAFT TEXT ON DESIGN RIGHTS SIGNALS POSITIVE NEWS FOR UK DESIGNERS, SAYS ACID After nearly four years of lobbying the IPO, Government and policy makers on the importance of EU unregistered rights protection for UK designers, post Brexit, Anti Copying in Design (ACID) is pleased to announce that the text from the UK on design rights includes the recognition that designs shown in the UK would receive protection across the EU. The news follows nearly four years of lobbying the IPO, Government and policy makers on the importance of EU unregistered rights protection for UK designers after we leave the EU. ACID has consistently gathered evidence supporting the potentially negative consequences of losing unregistered rights’ protection in EU27 for UK designers, the majority of whom rely on unregistered rights. The draft text (page 216 for Designs’ reference) was initially shared by the UK negotiating team with the Task Force for Relations, with the United Kingdom as a draft negotiating document, but has now been made public. Dids Macdonald, OBE., ACID CEO said, “The fact that there is a provision in the text that designs shown in the UK would receive protection across the EU as we leave the EU is hugely significant but, of course, this is only the UK’s text and no guarantee there will be a deal or the EU will agree. However, it’s a really positive step in the right direction. I would like to thank all those that gave evidence and the organisations that have supported us thus far, The Alliance for Intellectual Property, The Design Council, The British Furniture Confederation, Design Business Association, Lighting Association, The British Institute of Interior Design, The Design Trust, Crafts Council, Furniture Makers’ Company to name a few.” ACID chief counsel Nick Kounoupias, Kounoupias IP said, “This certainly is good news for UK designers who will need protection within the EU post 31 December 2020. However, it has still to be agreed by the EU. We can see no reason in principle why this should prove to be a controversial issue for the EU and we look forward to hearing that it has been agreed in the future.” ACID hopes that talks with the EU will be productive, following tensions in resumed talks after the UK escalated tensions by accusing Brussels of only offering a “low-quality” trade deal. Downing Street’s chief negotiator, David Frost, said the agreement on offer amounts to “unprecedented oversight” of laws and institutions from 1 st January 2021. 