Jobs | Start a coffee van business for <5k | Win a getaway from Eastgate

Good morning, Basildon.

Ms Bee from the Basildon Hive newsletter here, bringing you all the latest news, opportunities, and events happening in Bas Vegas this week.

Before we delve into this edition, enjoy this stunning photo of Sophie

Sophie is a gorgeous 2-year-old white and tabby sweetheart who gave birth to her kittens while in the care of Bascats. She’s vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered and is looking for a new home.

Because of her tough start in life, she’d prefer a quieter household without young children. She can be adopted on her own or with one of her adorable kittens.

📞 To adopt a Sophie, call Catline on 01268 285778. (All adoptions include a telephone interview and an adoption fee.)

That being said, let’s dig into the juice:

What’s new this week?

🚫 Scoot off, E-scooters!

Basildon’s had enough of rogue e-scooters zipping around like they own the place! Councillors have unanimously voted to put the brakes on the town’s e-scooter trial, meaning by the end of May, those pavement-cluttering, granny-startling rides will be no more. Love them or loathe them, it's time to say goodbye!

🗑️ Bins back to normal, finally!

Good news, Basildon! The great rubbish pile-up of the decade is coming to an end. From April, black bin collections are going weekly again—because nobody asked for an extra week of bin Jenga on the driveway!

🏓 Game, set, match - new table tennis tables up for grabs!

Got a school or youth club in need of a smashing new table tennis table? The Jack Petchey Table Tennis Scheme is here to help! Applications are now open so get in quick before all the best spots are taken.

🏆 Vote for Basildon’s Volunteer Hero!

It’s time to give a big round of applause to some amazing local heroes! The People’s Choice Award 2025 is open, and your vote decides the winner. Here’s the shortlist:

🔹 Sandra Bastow – The Fun Walk Trust
🔹 Jody Bird – Basildon Parents 4 Parents Neurodivergent Youth Projects
🔹 John Hailes – Hope Community Supermarket
🔹 Kim Oakes – Friends of Wickford Memorial Park
🔹 Maz Salih – Mother’s Kitchen

Voting closes Friday, 7 Feb 2025, at 11:59 PM, so don’t miss your chance to support your local legends! Cast your vote here: www.bbwvolunteernetwork.co.uk/peoples-choice-award

Weather in Basildon

While it might feel quite chilly now, this week’s Met Office weather forecast tells us it will get warmer over the week.

Local business news and competitions

Pitsea Turkish barbers wears a new look

Pitsea Turkish Barber has been redesigned for customers, and to celebrate, they are offering all their services at half price today.

Valentine's Luxury Getaway Competition

Eastgate Shopping Centre is offering the chance to win a romantic Valentine's break for two at the prestigious Pennyhill Park in Surrey. The lucky winners will enjoy an overnight stay in a luxurious room, including a Hillfield breakfast and full access to the award-winning spa. The prize also includes £150 towards dinner at the Hillfield restaurant.Enter NOW for your chance to win: https://eastgateshoppingcentre.com/pennyhill-giveaway-2025/

Young Farmers Engineering Challenge

The YFC Show 2025 has launched an exciting engineering competition for young innovators. Students are invited to plan, design, and build a new piece of farming machinery or tractor, with submissions accepted as pictures or videos of the finished concept. The winning entry will secure a free immersive Field to Fork Day at Barleylands for their KS2 class. All competition and entry details are available https://www.essexag.co.uk/competitions-2025. Entries need to be received by 29th April.

What’s happening in Basildon next week?

• Free Yoga Classes: Parent and Baby, Parent and Toddler and Yoga for Children and Young People. Please book here for a free place.

• Fobbing Farmer’s market is open this Sunday. Fresh produce, Fully Stocked Deli, Handmade goods, Tasty treats, and shopping cabins await you. ✨ Free entry this Sunday, February 2nd | 9AM - 3PM. Gables Poultry Farm, Waterworks Lane, Fobbing. SS17 9HT. To rent a stall, contact them directly

Fun for kids

0 - 5 years

• Leapsprogs kids activity sessions (18 months - 5 years). Dance, Yoga, Games, Fitness, Singing, Dancing. Mondays, 9.45-10.30am. Briscoe school, Community gate. Basildon. SS13 1PN

• Leapsprogs kids activity sessions (18 months - 5 years). Dance, Yoga, Games, Fitness, Singing, Dancing. Thursdays, 10.30-11.30am. Langdon hills, Emanuel Road. Methodist church SS16 6EX.

• Saturday Craft table. Saturday, 18-01-2025 at 10AM Basildon Library (Age 4+)

6 - 12 years

• Fire Service Home Education Sessions for child/children age 10 years old+ currently not in school. We have new education sessions available to book for Home Educated children.

  Sessions available to book at: Great Baddow Fire Station, ECFRS HQ - Kelvedon Park and Corringham Fire Station.

  More details: https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/home-education-outreach-sessions

• Yoga for children. Thursdays (free), Northlands Park Family Centre, Basildon

  4 - 4:45pm 6-12 year olds. Reserve a place here https://www.yoga4all.co

Teens

• King Edward Teenage Teatime Community Hub. Every Friday 5 - 7pm. Multisports, Dance, Football, Karaoke, Crafts. Snacks and refreshments provided. Free. Every Friday at King Edward Community Centre, Laindon. SS15 6GY. Contact 07701365822 or [email protected] for more info

• Xplore, Youth Group at Manor Mission Church. Thursdays 8 - 9pm

• Indoor cricket activities and games (Ages 8 - 16). Fridays, 5 - 6pm. (Starting January 24th 2025). JAMES HORNSBY SCHOOL SPORTS HALL LEINSTER ROAD, SS15 5NX. To register, scan the QR code below

Networking

• Coffee Morning Mondays, 10am - 12pm. Manor Mission Church, ​Manor Mission Church Manor Road Laindon Essex SS15 6PA

• Beechwood community garden meet-up! Visit for a cuppa and to chat about what we are doing or see the new garden!  No experience required just pop along any Thursday in February 1:30-3:30pm.

• Hope Explored is a 3-Week Journey on Purpose.

  WHAT: A laid-back course exploring hope, peace & purpose - perfect for spiritual seekers and the faith-curious! No Bible knowledge needed, no pressure to participate.

  WHEN & WHERE: Tuesdays @ 7:30pm St John's Church, Forest Glade, Langdon Hills, SS16 6RX

  THE VIBE: • Casual hangouts with refreshments • Watch some videos • Chat if you want, or just listen • Zero pressure - try one session and decide! • Totally FREE!

  Ready to explore? Contact Nikki: 📧 [email protected] 📱 07720 089260

• Fortnightly Monday Night Quiz at the Noak Bridge Pub - on Wash Road starts 13th January at 8:00 pm. 3 chances to win a cash prize - including the JACKPOT QUESTION, worth over £100! Maximum of 8 players per team. Book a table by calling the pub on (01268) 413004.

Who’s hiring in Basildon?

• Senior Sous Chef - Wagamama Festival Lesure

  • Full-time position at £36,400 per year

  • Apply at: jobs.wagamama.uk/job/75680857

• Customer Team Member - Co-op, The Butneys

  • Part-time (12 hours/week + overtime)

  • £12 per hour

  • Apply at: jobs.coop.co.uk

• Assistant Manager - Halfords

  • Full-time position at £29,000 - £33,000 per annum + bonus

  • Apply at: careers.halfordscareers.com

• Cycle Technician - Halfords (Heron Retail Park)

  • Age 21+: £11.84 per hour

  • Under 21: £9.00 per hour

  • Apply at: careers.halfordscareers.com

• Childcare Practitioners - Little Teddies

  • Level 2 or 3 childcare qualification required

  • Part-time (9:00 - 3:00) and full-time positions

  • Training opportunities available

  • Apply by sending CV to: [email protected]

• Care Team Members - Beaumont Homecare

  • Seeking 3-4 individuals

  • Requirements: Kind, honest, committed, empathetic, reliable

  • Apply by sending CV to: [email protected]

• Senior Governance Officer - Basildon Borough Council

  • Temporary (3 months), Full-time

  • £30 per hour (umbrella)

  • Hybrid working (3 days in office)

  • Location: Basildon

  • Closing Date: 9th February 2025

  • Apply at: workingforessex.com

• Executive Support Coordinator - Chartered Trading Standards Institute

  • Up to £31k depending on experience

  • 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday

  • Hybrid working (2 days in office)

  • Location: Laindon

  • Part-time may be considered

  • Apply through: tradingstandards.uk/about-us/job-vacancies-at-ctsi

• Tennis Coaches - JW Tennis

  • 3 positions available

  • Part-time, flexible hours

  • Locations: Leigh on Sea, Basildon, and Hornchurch

  • Application deadline: February 21st

  • Apply by sending CV to: [email protected]

• Cleaning Position - Sparklean Essex

  • Three days per week (8:30-4:30)

  • Must be able to drive

  • School holiday coverage required

  • Competitive hourly rate

  • Contact via Facebook: facebook.com/SPARKLEANESSEX or call 07793 627908

Other Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

• Project 58.7, Feeding the Homeless with Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Basildon – Project 58.7 provides hot meals throughout the year to any adults in need and to the homeless. They are currently looking for volunteers to help during the evenings between 6pm and 7pm. For more details, please contact Jill on 07860 784287.

• Basildon United FC is looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to form a new Youth Section Committee. Help shape the future of our young players and our club! Perfect for young school leavers or aspiring football managers looking for experience. Email: [email protected]

🏠 ESSEX HOME HELP SERVICE - Registered Charity

WHAT WE OFFER: Reliable weekly support for elderly and vulnerable Essex residents. Same helper, same time - minimum 1 hour visits. All staff DBS checked and insured.

SERVICES: • Domestic Help: Shopping, cleaning, laundry, bed changing • Companionship: Sitting service and friendly chats • FREE weekly telephone befriending

UNIQUE FEATURES: • No personal care or medication services • "No Walk Away Promise" - emergency procedures in place • Flexible hours to suit your needs

OPPORTUNITIES: Now recruiting paid Home Helps and volunteer befrienders!

GET IN TOUCH: 📧 [email protected]

Making a difference in your community! 🌟

Business Opportunities

• Who wants to start a coffee van business? £3,700 for a fully kitted out coffee van. Check out the full post

• BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: DAISY FIRST AID FRANCHISE

  Established first aid training business for sale in Basildon & Castlepoint area. Perfect for someone seeking flexible, family-friendly work or additional income.

  INCLUDES: Complete equipment set • First aid qualifications & training • Ongoing business support • Existing client base & venue classes • 200+ five-star reviews

  CLASSES OFFERED: • Parent First Aid • School Programs • Ofsted Level 3 Paediatric • Anaphylaxis Awareness • E-learning courses (passive income)

  No prior first aid or business experience needed - full training provided. Must have driving license.

  Ideal opportunity to join award-winning brand with proven profitability.

  CONTACT: 📧 [email protected]

  Perfect for work-life balance! ⭐️

• A 2-seater barbershop in town is available for sale due to retirement. Perfect for someone launching their career. Price: £20,500.

• A fully equipped engineering facility is available for sale. Includes a Linisher, Grinder, Surface Grinder, Lathe Machine, and Saw Machine, among others. Additionally, the workshop comes with a host of other equipment, monitors, desks, and printers, providing a comprehensive setup for the right entrepreneur or company.

  The property, housed in a compact workshop unit, includes a car park and is currently closed. The annual rental rate is £8,800, excluding electricity and other bills, which breaks down to £880 per month. This competitive rate allows for flexibility in budgeting while taking advantage of the available resources.

  The entire machinery and equipment inventory is valued around £25,000, and all stock is included in the sale price. We are welcoming reasonable offers and encourage interested parties to contact us for further details. Price: £25,000

• Food Vendors Wanted in Essex for Cinematic Evenings! 🍕🍔🍜 Cinematic Evenings is preparing to host unforgettable outdoor movie nights, and we’re looking for fantastic food vendors to enhance the experience with a wide range of cuisines. From Indian and Chinese to burgers, pizza, and beyond, we aim to bring a global food offering to our events. What We’re Looking For: • Vendors who can operate in all weather conditions—our events will go ahead rain or shine. • A diverse menu offering to excite our guests. • Photos and details of your set-up (stalls, vans, or trucks) to ensure they’re suitable for our events. If you’re interested in joining us, please email [email protected] with the following: 1. Your contact details. 2. Information about your menu or cuisine type. 3. Photos of your set-up. Let’s work together to create magical movie nights filled with great food and unforgettable moments! Cinematic Evenings – Movies, memories, and mouth-watering food under the stars.

That’s all folks, till next time!