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Stirring things up: meeting the voices behind local chronic illness and business podcast 3Spoonies

Running a successful podcast is quite the task in itself, but what happens when you pair it with chronic illness, fluctuating energy levels, and times when you feel like your body is fighting against you? Emily Davies sat down to talk to the minds behind 3Spoonies, a Nottinghamshire-based podcast hosted by Karen Duncan, Claire Napper, and Jo O’Neil, about everything from balancing their work and home lives to how we can make entrepreneurship more inclusive.

National Apprenticeship Week 2026

Marketing and Administration Assistant Role Available

Theatre Review: The Business of Murder at the Theatre Royal

What do a policeman and a playwright have in common? Unspeakable crime, as it happens. Twist and double twist await the audience in this nail-bitingly tense thriller...

Perfect Ten: a retrospective on Nottingham City of Literature's decade in business

Readers, prepare your confetti. 2025 marks our first decade as a UNESCO City of Literature - with many more, we hope, to come. Since 2015, Nottingham City of Literature has been honouring their commitment to building better futures with words, especially for our young people. This has included working with local educational institutions to enhance literacy, facilitating career events for blossoming creatives, and fostering global connections with Nottingham’s UNESCO sister cities. We took a look at what they’ve achieved so far….

These streets are ours: Sherwood's Haydn Road

Boasting independent bars and restaurants, plus a great selection of charity shops for the thrift-lovers among us, the Nottingham suburb of Sherwood has been a popular destination for a leisurely afternoon for many years now. But just off the high street, Haydn Road offers a surprising selection of local staples. In this new regular feature - celebrating lesser-known but much-loved areas of Nottinghamshire, Sophie Gargett meets the traders of Haydn Road and muses on the merits of local shopping.

The Winners of The 2025 Duckies Are...

It's in Nottingham hosted it's inaugral The Duckies awards evening at St Mary's Church on Tuesday 29 April to celebrate and champion the hundreds of high street businesses who contribute to life in Nottingham City Centre...

We meet Emma Moore, the mind behind local tie making business Arsenic and Old Lace

Notts tie maker Emma Moore has been redefining the humble neck tie for almost a decade, with her statement handmade ties serving the perfect eye-catching piece to complete any outfit. Fashion editor Addie Kenogbon-Harley caught up with her to find out more about her business Arsenic and Old Lace, and how she’s putting her spin on this timeless classic with her collections inspired by Midlands towns.

Encounters With Big Beasts

Promote your business with LeftLion

LeftLion Magazine has been shouting loud about the best of Nottingham culture since 2003. We're passionate about showcasing our partners to over 50,000 readers each month. Find out more about the reach we can offer you...

Hip Hop Apprenticeship Company

We Caught up With Colin Mitchell, Owner of Nottingham’s Oldest Caribbean Supermarket on His Decision to Sell the Business

After almost five decades of selling Caribbean food in Nottingham, family business Mitchell's Supermarket on Alfreton Road is up for sale. We spoke to owner Colin Mitchell about his decision to sell Mitchell’s Supermarket, and what this will mean for the local community...

The Small Business Christmas Party

We Caught up With Embroiderer Mary Broddle to Find Out How She Turned Her Diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Into a Successful Business

In honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities which takes place on 3 December, we caught up with Notts embroiderer, business owner and disability champion Mary Broddle to find out how following her diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, she turned adversity into a successful business, Mary Broddle Embroidery, and re-ignited a childhood passion… 

We Sat Down With Effy Owner Mitch Farr to Discuss the Aesthetics, Ethos and Essence Behind Good Coffee and Good Business

Nottingham certainly has a comprehensive selection of coffee shops to choose from, but without a doubt it is the independents that each bring their own individual flavour to the industry. After moving to a new premises in Hockley, we sat down with Effy owner Mitch Farr to discuss the aesthetics, ethos and essence behind good coffee and good business…

Business Development Plan Workshop

Nottingham Digital Summit Returns - First Look at the Lineup

The Midlands’ largest digital marketing conference is set to return to Nottingham this summer...

200 Degrees Look Back on Ten Years in the Coffee Business

Fresh from celebrating their tenth birthday, 200 Degrees have quickly grown to be the biggest name in Nottingham coffee, spurring on a thriving scene that even birthed its own festival this October. We went down to their Meadow Lane roastery and HQ to speak to co-founder Rob Darby, and meet some of the team…

Six Small Businesses Talk the Cost Of Living Crisis

It’s been deemed “insignificant” compared to other national news. It’s been ignored by a Government whose sole focus seems to be on those at the top. Yet the rising cost of living is affecting real people in the real world, right now - not least the hard-working, talented minds behind our city’s vital and varied independent businesses. With a challenging winter on the horizon, how are these firms feeling, and are those in charge of the country doing enough to help? We find out… 

We Talk to Entrepreneurs on Overcoming Business Fears at Notts Libraries’ BIPC Mansfield launch

Do you have a burning business idea, but lack the confidence to take the leap? Starting out can seem daunting with so much to consider, but just having a knowledgeable sort who you can bounce off can give you the boost you need. Nottinghamshire Libraries Business & IP Centres (BIPC) are there to help with free support and resources.

We Are Recruiting: Marketing and Editorial Assistant

We are delighted to announce that we are offering another paid role at LeftLion as part of the Department of Work & Pensions Kickstart Scheme.

Nottingham Family Business Treat Kitchen Opens New Store in Old Thorntons Site

Having been a fan of their old shop down on Wheeler Gate, we were sweetly surprised to hear about the new Treat Kitchen - from local family business TTK Confectionary - opening up in the old Thorntons site at Victoria Centre. With a long lineage of local confectionery crafting, a big focus on supporting charities and the local community, and a serious eye for sustainability, we thought we’d better check out their new shop. We chatted with two of the co-owners, Jess and Martin Barnett, and Head of Product Development, Katie Gilbert.

Summer in the City: Three Nottingham BID Members on The Re-Opened City Centre

It’s been a long time coming, but it feels like life is finally being breathed back into Nottingham. The city centre no longer resembles the ghost town it has done for the majority of the past year; in its place, pavements are covered with Parisian-style seating, filled with friends laughing and catching up over long-overdue drinks. And with the next deadline of May 17, in which dozens more venues like cinemas, arcades and bowling alleys will open, just around the corner, it’s a time to be cautiously optimistic that the city is finally returning to normal. To celebrate the city’s next steps to opening up, we spoke to some of the Nottingham Business Improvement District locations to find out how the process of reopening has gone, and to find out which places they’re most excited to visit...

Collaborative Future's Internship Programme Is Creating a More Inclusive Work Future

Here's how you can get involved...

Nottingham BID on Their Five Year Plan for Nottingham Businesses

After securing an overwhelming victory in the recent ballot, Nottingham Business Improvement District is set to continue supporting businesses in the city for at least another five years. We caught up with BID Manager Lucy Stanford to find out more about their plans for the future…