A podcast celebrating all that's good about Brentwood, Essex
It was an early start at Hey Joe Music off Crown Street in Brentwood this morning with record collectors gathering from just before midnight onwards for Record Store Day, and the chance to buy exclusive pressings of some of the world’s finest pop musicians.
The Brentwood Buzz joined Marc Sardinha of Hey Joe Music for the early shift and to meet some of the people who are willing to give up a night’s sleep to get the records they want.
In another of The Brentwood Buzz’s series of podcasts featuring businesses within the Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District, we’re back in Ingatestone to meet Julie Bell, one of the family directors of The Lounge in Ingatestone.
The Lounge has been offering tea, coffee, cake and wine to the good people of Ingatestone since 2023. It’s also a safe space for anyone dealing with domestic abuse, trauma or illness. Business is booming but it’s not been a smooth ride for Julie, as this week’s podcast tells.
https://theloungeingatestone.co.uk/
https://www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/
The Brentwood Buzz has been back to Ingatestone this week to meet some of the people who make the village better, by helping residents keep fit and to find homes.
The two might seem like a heady mix, but with Mark Newman running his lettings and property business, Barrington’s, just round the corner on Market Square from his wife, Shelley’s gym – Studio 35 – it’s a combination which works.
With thanks to Studio 35’s manager, Fran for getting in touch with The Brentwood Buzz for a chat, and now please listen to this week’s podcast on why these two businesses find Ingatestone is a great place to live.
Come to Brentwood High Street and you will see the Sugar Hut – formerly the White Hart coaching inn, and then central nightclub venue for the antics of the The Only Way Is Essex cast – and, if you are lucky, a glimpse of a tiny Smart car covered in fake grass.
Strangely enough, both attractions were brought to the town by the same man, Fraser Donaldson, who’s now the Managing Director of Easigrass Essex and Herts, based at the Hunters Chase Garden Centre in Hutton.
Fraser has been telling The Brentwood Buzz how he came to be involved with classy bars and grassy cars.
The Brentwood Buzz celebrates all that’s good about the people and places of Brentwood, Essex – and that’s the whole Borough of Brentwood, not just the town.
There are so many amazing people living here, with great stories to tell, and so many businesses, voluntary groups, arts collectives and societies who do great work in the Borough.
Currently, the three main high streets of Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield, are also being celebrated and highlighted by the Business Improvement District project, known as Brentwood Connected.
This week Brentwood Connected held a networking breakfast in Ingatestone for some of its members, so The Brentwood Buzz popped along for a (very) early morning coffee and chat.
https://theloungeingatestone.co.uk/
https://www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/the-ginger-tree
https://www.pinneytalfourd.co.uk/
https://www.thestarinningatestone.co.uk/
https://www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/
Brentwood is very proud to be the home of SNAP Charity, an organisation which has been helping children with additional needs and their families for more than 30 years.
SNAP has grown and developed in those years to be the source of information, support and guidance for thousands of families through some of the most difficult of times.
The Brentwood Buzz joined the SNAP team, parents and some very sticky and excited small children for a morning of Festive Fun, with Father Christmas, presents and a couple of elves.
Do find SNAP’s Christmas Survival Guide on its website at snapcharity.org
The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce brings together businesses large and small from across the Borough of Brentwood, for support, networking and making a difference in the town.
The Chamber works with the Brentwood Improvement District through Brentwood Connected, and ensures the voices of local entrepreneurs are heard when change is afoot.
The Brentwood Buzz got up very early to join some of our local businesses for a bacon butty and a spot of networking at the latest Brentwood Business Breakfast.
successionplancoach.com
house of colour.co.uk
djkcleaning.co.uk
brentwoodchamber.co.uk
With Christmas and the New Year holiday season looming every closer, the Borough of Brentwood is getting ready to light up, have fun and welcome Father Christmas, many elves and plenty of parties.
The Brentwood Lighting Up Ceremony takes place this weekend – 22nd November – with a focus on bringing the magic of Christmas to the children of the town. Father Christmas will be joining the Rotary Elves on the High Street, Mrs Claus will be in her grotto at the Chicken and Frog Bookshop on Crown Street, and the North Pole Postmistress will be outside the Figo restaurant if anyone wants to send a letter to Santa.
The Brentwood Buzz has been to Figo to meet its Events Manager, Debbie Butcher, who combines events coordination with driving a cab, so is a cracking person to chat with for this latest episode of Brentwood’s most celebratory podcast.
The Brentwood Buzz