K Hulse Consulting

K Hulse Consulting K Hulse Consulting offers expertise to independent businesses to help them grow profit. We can help with your customer offer, trading strategies and more.

Public Policy Exchange - the future of the UK High Street.Public Policy Exchange, in partnership with The Retail Champio...
02/06/2026

Public Policy Exchange - the future of the UK High Street.

Public Policy Exchange, in partnership with The Retail Champion, will be hosting this year’s online conference on the future of the UK high street to address key challenges in the sector as well as to formulate effective strategies to help tap into potential growth opportunities for the future this Thursday, 4th June at 9.30

I’m delighted to be part of the panel, sharing my views on what what’s happening on the High street and what retailers are looking for from place managers, local councils and government based on conversations with hundreds of High Street businesses.

Book your place to listen to key speakers Clare Bailey FISP, FIPM, MCIPS , Dr. Steven Norris, Sean Prigmore, Stephanie Briggs MCIM, Graeme Sharp and myself.

https://www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/event.php?eventUID=QC26-PPE

Image: Birmingham City centre last Saturday afternoon

How much do you belong to a business community?Last night I was lucky to be part of a community of 1000 people all gathe...
15/05/2026

How much do you belong to a business community?

Last night I was lucky to be part of a community of 1000 people all gathering to celebrate business success with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

I was representing Visit Knowle for the evening as we were nominated for two awards - Business Ambassador 2026 and Influencer Award 2026.

We didn’t expect to win and it was good enough just to be shortlisted & be in the room. Congratulations to all the winners!

But mostly, it was good to be part of the Chamber community - where we lift each other up, support each other and applaud each other’s successes.

If you want to know more about what the Chambers does, then ask away - it’s much more than Awards.

Super weekend visiting Stratford Literary Festival. Such a great programme of speakers, and so well organised.Set in bea...
10/05/2026

Super weekend visiting Stratford Literary Festival. Such a great programme of speakers, and so well organised.

Set in beautiful Stratford we enjoyed drinks in the garden of overlooking the river Avon in the sunshine.

We enjoyed a super talk from where she talked about the value of sometimes just focusing on the next step. She even got me thinking that a really ought to start running again. So I will. This week.

And then today, an insightful afternoon listening to Jo Hamilton talk about her book ‘Why are you here Mrs Hamilton?’ and her experience of the Post Office Scandal. What can you say about what she and others have gone through that would do justice?

A great weekend focused on books, and a great example of how festivals can bring people into our town centres.

Yesterday I spent the morning with fellow members of the Executive Committee of Solihull Chamber of Commerce.The day kic...
27/03/2026

Yesterday I spent the morning with fellow members of the Executive Committee of Solihull Chamber of Commerce.

The day kicked off with the Economic Snapshot for Solihull. Paige Bowyer outlined the key highlights including strong employment levels, a highly skilled workforce, growth in Solihull start-ups and significant inward investment. The panel then responded to questions from the floor covering the challenges hospitality in particular is facing, public sector tendering and supporting people in the workplace.

It was particularly interesting to see that performed higher than the national average in a number of areas, including that 78% of Solihull residents reported that they were happy with the neighbourhood they live in. This is important because fostering pride in place not only strengthens community identity and wellbeing, but also drives economic growth by attracting investment, supporting local businesses, and encouraging people to care for and contribute to their local area.

Part of Solihull Chamber’s role is to foster that pride in place, by showcasing the thriving businesses in the borough, and in highlighting why Solihull is a great base for business. It’s also part of the role of the Executive Committee to feed back concerns, obstacles and opportunities so that the Chamber can facilitate conversations and policy.

On a hyper local level, that’s also what I do with the team at Visit Knowle - celebrate success and advocate for businesses.

So, what’s one good story you can share about your place? I’d love to hear it.

Bringing footfall to your door with events.I’ve been to two local events this week.   put on an exceptional open evening...
20/03/2026

Bringing footfall to your door with events.

I’ve been to two local events this week. put on an exceptional open evening to celebrate three years in Knowle. The atmosphere was great, there were collaborations with local businesses, a DJ providing music and an excellent goodie bag - supporting local businesses. The beautifully simple flowers from & scrumptious chocolates from

I also visited MWS Financial Services who have moved into what was a long term vacant building. The space is light, bright and airy & was full of clients. It was also interesting to see the old bank vault still in situ.

It was just a shame I couldn’t make Cristal’s sip & shop event - next time.

So, my challenge to owners of High Street businesses 👇

How can you create events of any scale to bring footfall to your premises & build your community? And who can you work with to make it even bigger & better?

I’d love to hear what’s worked well or events you’ve been to that you enjoyed.

And you’d like a help creating an event calendar, let me know, I’d be happy to help. Just drop me a message.

Another year almost over and I might just have managed to take a half reasonable selfie! Wishing all my clients, and eve...
23/12/2025

Another year almost over and I might just have managed to take a half reasonable selfie! Wishing all my clients, and everyone who has supported & encouraged me in 2025, a very happy Christmas.

I may be putting down my phone for a proper break (sometimes it seems to be glued to my hand), but I’ll be back on January 5th raring to go on existing & new projects. Here’s to 2026!

What a fabulous day I had on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea Women’s in a epic match, all t...
10/11/2025

What a fabulous day I had on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea Women’s in a epic match, all thanks to Small Business Saturday UK and Starling.

The atmosphere was brilliant, the game fast paced and the hospitality second to none. Plus, I got to listen to Michelle Ovens CBE talk about the launch of the ‘Born to Run a Business’ Programme as well as meeting lots of interesting business owners & entrepreneurs & Niamh Curran from The Times.

If you’re a female entrepreneur do take a look at the community and have built.

What do a kettle, a dog, a child, a cat, a doorbell, and a phone all have in common?They’re all guaranteed to interrupt ...
31/10/2025

What do a kettle, a dog, a child, a cat, a doorbell, and a phone all have in common?

They’re all guaranteed to interrupt a webinar recording.

It’s half term, and while recording 15 webinars in 5 days, the background noise has had a real sense of timing.

Just when I’m in full flow…
👉 Someone puts the kettle on (it’s loud!)
👉 The dog barks (repeatedly)
👉 The cat decides now is the perfect time to tell me it’s time for lunch (he hasn’t got the message the clocks have changed)
👉 Both girls decide its lunchtime, rummage through the fridge before filling the pan to cook pasta
👉 The postman rings the doorbell with a delivery
👉 And then… the phone rings. Of course it does

Despite it all, the webinars are done and dusted for The Retail Champion - 15 recordings safely in the bag! 💪

Here’s to everyone who balanced working from home, family and pets during half term.

I did something brave. I recorded an episode of a Podcast. No, it wasn’t talking on a podcast - talking to Clare Bailey ...
30/10/2025

I did something brave. I recorded an episode of a Podcast. No, it wasn’t talking on a podcast - talking to Clare Bailey FISP, FIPM, MCIPS about retail & High Streets for Retail Reckoning Podcast is always a pleasure. Neal Veglio’s pep talk before the recording made it easy too.

The brave bit is listening to myself afterwards. Once it’s published. I don’t know many who like the sound of their own voice, but who does?

Anyway, if you fancy listening to Clare and I chatting about High Streets & ways to promote towns & High Streets then take a listen & let me know what you think.

Search for Retail Reckoning wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Image: We didn’t manage to take a photo of us actually recording the podcast so here’s one of me relaxing afterwards.

🌿 Sometimes it’s better to step away.A change of surroundings can be exactly what you need to look at your strategy with...
13/10/2025

🌿 Sometimes it’s better to step away.

A change of surroundings can be exactly what you need to look at your strategy with fresh eyes.

Last week I spent time in the Algarve - not a bad place for a meeting, but where Clare of The Retail Champion is based. With Steph, we looked at our existing clients and who our potential clients might be. We also reviewed the early impact of The Retail Reckoning email and podcast (both ideas born from our Spring strategy session).

While we were there, we recorded four new podcast episodes, with one already live this morning 🎙️.

But we’re not stopping there. This time, the focus was on refining our marketing, doubling down on outreach, and planning a return to speaking events, expos, and conferences. Lots of talk, lots of ideas - but importantly, action plans too.

And because each of us runs our own business, it was also a chance to bounce around ideas, share support, and seek trusted advice. Yes, we dined outdoors in the sunshine at lunchtime - but we also built ideas and momentum. And we got to know each other just that little bit more.

If you’re looking for retail strategy or place-based marketing support, let’s talk. 👋

Address

Office 2, Greswolde House, 197b Station Road, Knowle
Solihull
B930PU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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