No Place Like Home

What's Happened, Who's In & What's On

Joseph Fordham — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:34:11 GMT

What’s Happened?

A fair bit across the week; new faces in the workspace, hair and makeup for another photoshoot, a couple of mates enjoying a cold beer in the sun, my sons pausing their demolition of a Cenzo’s for a heart-warming kiss.

But it was an Amazon delivery on Thursday morning that stood out.

After spending an emasculating amount of time unwrapping extra mats for the bar floor, I went on a bit of a journey. Not because they’re particularly special mats. But because of the smell.

Rubber.

A dozen family holidays to any one of the Balearic islands growing up, all rolled into one; salty skin, cheese and tomato rolls on the beach… snorkels!

That’s what it reminded me of. My dad was allergic to rubber and needed a plastic snorkel set.

I’m back in the room, on my knees smoothing out the mats, wondering what he would make of all this.

What do I make of it?

Not the mats. Not the yellow floor and the nod to my dad and his favourite film it symbolises.

But 10 years of No Place Like Home in one form or another. A book, magazine, podcast. Now this place.

Why this? Why have I become so attached to the same ideas? Home. Community. Making things. Bringing people together.

It was the end of the day when I landed on it. For years, I’d been trying to find my place in the world. Where and what ‘home’ is.

Maybe, without really realising it until last week, my dad set me on a path toward it years ago.

And now I’m in it.

Who’s in?

Leanne | Freelance Operations Manager, Founder of Flow State Office

What do you do?

I am freelance Operations Manager, building systems and tech for businesses so CEOs can stay in their flow state.

What are you working on?

Marketing for my Flow State Manager retainer – that’s my ongoing ops support for founders. Behind the scenes, I’m also refreshing my own backend systems before I take on new retainer clients for September. Practicing what I preach.

What are you excited about right now?

Watching my own content lean more into a flow state – not just as a concept for clients, but as my actual process. I’m trying to be more consistent with my marketing, and really focusing in on where CEOs find themselves becoming the bottleneck in their own business.

What’s a positive of working from NPLH?

When I’m at home, my ideas just bounce from wall to wall. But the second I change my environment, I get into my own flow state and my ideas have somewhere to go. There’s always a familiar, friendly face, plus the views and it just creates the right conditions for me to actually think. It’s become my place to work on my business, not in it - client work stays at home, NPLH is for me and my own business.

What's Happened, Who's In & What's On?

Joseph Fordham — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:38:23 GMT

What’s Happened?

Monday 20 July: You’ve probably noticed I’ve got a little hench? I’ve been to Hybrid Hub. Twice. Thanks for noticing.

I’m consciously re-introducing self-care to my life. Ten weeks in it turns out constantly thinking about your business isn’t a sustainable strategy.

So, I left the place in the hands of Robert Leigh Whisperer (who, coincidently, is the Editor of the Leigh Whisperer) for an hour and went off for a bent-over row humbling.

I came back to people working on one side and Hot Drop founder, Alannah using the other for a photoshoot with a local photographer I’d never met.

This is work?

Not answering emails, updating finances or ordering stock.

But people meeting for the first time, businesses helping one another. Ideas being shared.

For an hour, NPLH had carried on without me and done exactly what I’d always hoped it would; connected people.

I came back thinking I’d taken an hour away from the business.

Instead, the business quietly got on with becoming what I’d built it for.

Who’s In?

Millie Short, Photographer

What do you do?

I’m a wedding/family and ‘everything life’ photographer. I adore capturing those candid moments you might miss.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m enjoying a small break from wedding season with lots of content to edit for clients. NPLH is the ideal place to focus.

What are you excited about?

Shooting at NYFW (New York Fashion Week) in September. Since being involved in February, it’s a space I want to be more involved in. I love quirky fashion. It’s inspired me to style a shoot of my own. If any models are keen to work together, get in touch.

Fear & Self-Care in Leigh, Who's In & What's On

Joseph Fordham — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:28:23 GMT

What’s Happened?

Everything and nothing. All in the space of one week.

Running a business seems to pair well with accelerating personal growth. Every week seems to bring at least one fresh lesson, a ton of side quests, and plenty of opportunities to become a better version of myself. I’m not sure I always keep up, but last week I managed to catch a few of them.

I also spotted the signs that the first nine weeks had started to catch up with me. Fair to say I was losing it a bit and worried it’d impact NPLH.

So, for the first time since opening, I gave myself permission to look after the business by looking after myself.

Monday began with a session Hybrid Hub. Thursday ended in the sauna in Revival Yard. Small things. Only a couple of hours. But enough to slow things down and clear my head.

It’s easy to forget these businesses are around me when I’m constantly thinking about my own. But last week I realised they’re not just a part of what makes this place special, they can help me run mine better too.

Stepping away from it every now and then might be one of the most productive things I can do.

Oh, and the big grey boat moved. How about that view?

Who’s In?

Abby Thomas | Social Media Marketing & DJ

What do you?

I'm the founder of Dirtywork Digital, a social media marketing agency that helps businesses stand out online. Away from the screen, you'll find me behind the decks as a DJ.

What are you working on?

I’ve just finished up a big client campaign, and DJing the t20 women’s Cricket World Cup. So, I’m having a couple of weeks to recoup, work with clients and enjoy the sun in LoS!

What are you excited about?

Building trust, reworking and exploring social media strategies, and getting banging results in return for my clients.

I’m also really excited about the marina at the minute it’s thriving with businesses and I’m here for it. NPLH is an incredible asset for local freelancers.

Coming Down, Slowing Down. Who's In & What's On?

Joseph Fordham — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:17:52 GMT

What’s Happened?

Friday 10 July: Morale was dipping, if I’m honest. I was running out of gas physically and a slow week in the space brought a bit of a comedown after the high of the previous one, which had offered a glimpse of what NPLH can grow into.

But with the right kind of eye’s there’s opportunity in everything. Thankfully I had those eyes on Friday.

Thanks to a quiet day, I spent the afternoon with my family instead. We ate pizza, sipped tinto verano, and watched the boys “help” Jade prepare flowers for the following day’s supper club.

Not the day I’d planned, perhaps. Not one the business needed. But probably the one I needed.

It was a reminder that I’m building a business to support a life, not sacrificing a life to build a business. And a quiet day isn't always a failure if it gives you something more valuable back.

Who’s In?

John Hawker / Recruitment Agency Owner, Podcast Host, Jabber Co-Founder

What do you do?
I find people jobs, convince people to leave jobs, and talk to people about their relationships with their jobs.

What are you working on right now?
Launching a podcast and content creation studio in Leigh Marina, called Jabber.

What are you excited about?
Starting a new business (Jabber Studio) with a mate.

What’s On?

Tuesday 14 July: Spain vs France

Open House

Wednesday 15 July: England v Argentina

This is a ticketed event. Your ticket is credited towards your first drink.
Secure your spot

Saturday 18 July: Fashion by the Sea - Sustainable Fashion Show 13:00-16:00

Sunday 19 July: World Cup Final

Who knows who we’ll be watching at this point. But keep your eye’s peeled for tickets to secure your spot for the big day.

Friday 24 July: Film screening - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Tickets £12. Popcorn and first drink included. Grab yours here.

Saturday 25 July: Private Hire

Sunday 26 July: Family Film Screening

The summer holidays kick-off with a screening of the original Toy Story.

Screening from 11:30

Limited to 12 children per screening. Small by design, so every family enjoys a relaxed, comfortable cinema experience.

Tickets available here

Until next week

JF

Win some, Lose Thumb. Nearly. Who's In & What's On?

Joseph Fordham — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:45:22 GMT

What’s Happened?

Tuesday 30 June: the final throes of Q2. What better way to see it out than removing the Public Notice for the Premises Licence, which had been cable-tied to the marina fence since the heady, naive days of Q1.

On paper, a small overdue task: cut the ties, take down the notice, spit on it, ram it into the bin, move on. In reality, it felt strangely ceremonial. For three months that sheet of paper represented uncertainty, objections, stress and, ultimately, the future of NPLH. Though the license was settled a few weeks ago, taking this down marked the welcome end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Fitting then that it wouldn’t go down without one last whip of its venomous tail. Scissors in hiding, I did what we’d all do and grabbed the biggest knife from the block and started plucking cable ties like Eric f***ing Clapton.

Shame I went through my thumb at the same time. Twelve inches of your finest Japanese steel making short work of my tender, office-boy skin.

Jessi patched it up, Chris kept me cool. I poured myself a glass of wine and sat looking out over the estuary. A small toast to moving on. And to the fact it hadn't cost me a thumb.

Who’s In?

Greg Jones / Freelance Business Analyst & Product Developer

What do you do?
I help businesses solve problems with technology, often just finding ways to simplify things and do more with less.

What are you working on right now?
Currently looking at problems to solve in the reinsurance industry…

What are you looking excited about?
Endless summer and an NPLH barbecue ?

(No pressure)

What’s On?

Saturday 11 July: Unlimited Tapas

A night of modern unlimited tapas, where bold flavours and creative plant-based dishes take centre stage.

This is a ticketed event. Final few places available here

Sunday 12 July: Wimbledon Men’s Final

Big screen, cool air, and cold drinks for the men’s showpiece match. From 4pm. Open door

Wednesday 15 July: World Cup Semi-Final

If England make it past Norway, there’s a big one against Argentina on the cards. Or Egypt. You never know in this game. A ticket link will go out when we know what’s what. The £5 will go towards your first drink of the night.

Sunday 19 July: World Cup Final

If England make it past Norway and Argentina (or Egypt), there’s an even bigger one on the cards with France, Spain, Morocco or etc etc. Same deal with the ticket link above. If it’s a neutral final, the doors are open to all.

Friday 24 July: Film screening - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Tickets £12. Popcorn and first drink included. Grab yours here.

Saturday 25 July: Private Hire

Sunday 26 July: Family Film Screening

The summer holidays kick-off with a screening of the original Toy Story.

Screening from 11:30

Limited to 12 children per screening. Small by design, so every family enjoys a relaxed, comfortable cinema experience.

Tickets available here

Until next week

JF

Finding Balance, Letting Go, Who's In & What's On?

Joseph Fordham — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:03:17 GMT

Photo by Laura Choppen

Ups, downs, and turned all around since last week’s update.

From the buzz of the busiest Monday since opening six weeks ago, to the unsettling lack of humming from the coolers when I opened on Tuesday, I was reminded that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.

In this case, the previous night’s storm had knocked out the electricity. As I mopped the bi-product of a defrosted freezer from the floor, I was reminded not to get too carried away by a good day. Or a bad one.

Perhaps it’s better not to think of them as good or bad at all, but opportunities to learn.

I also took my first day off in (checks notes) 40 days last Friday and drove to Brighton with my partner, Jade.

Part of me felt reluctant to step away so early into the journey. But a lot of me knew it was important to spend some time nurturing our relationship, rather than just the business.

The space survived without me. That’s probably another lesson worth learning.

I took that lesson into the weekend and, after the excitement of the first cinema evening on Saturday, closed on Sunday. We took the boys to the Leigh Folk Festival, enjoyed some quality family time and filled our cup ready for the week ahead.

That brings us to now, where I’m feeling refreshed thanks to a little balance.

I hope you’re finding a little of that, too.

Who’s In?

This week: Ian Sanders | @iansanders

What do you do?
For 25 years I’ve followed my curiosity wherever it leads, from helping organisations embrace the power of storytelling to nudging people to rethink how they work. I’ve written a handful of books on working life, run workshops around the world, and generally tried to make work feel a bit more human.

What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m putting the final touches on a storytelling workshop I’m running tomorrow morning. I just hope they have aircon.

What are you excited about?
I’m undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, and that experience has made me rethink my sense of time and attention. That’s why I’m excited about my new book idea. My previous books had publishers, editors, deadlines. This one has none of that. It feels liberating.

What’s On This Week?

Events and Activities this week

The World Cup

It’s not the most sociable, is it? But we can get a few games in as the knockouts begin. We’ll screen as many as we can as the tournament progresses. But let’s look a little closer to home first…

Wednesday 1 July: As group winners, England’s Round of 32 match against Xxxxxxx KO’s at 5pm.

Spaces are limited and can be reserved here for £5, with the full amount credited towards your first drink on the night.

You’ve got first dibs until 10am Tuesday, 30 June.

Friday 3 July: Documentary Screening of All That is Sacred – A portrait of Key West in the early 70s, where writers, musicians, and anglers blurred the line between art, obsession, and wayward living and briefly created a world that no longer exists.

You can watch it, or just hang in the bar whilst someone else does.

Screening from 18:00. Duration 35 mins. Open to all.

World Cup action between xxxxxxx and xxxxxxxx follows at 19:00

Saturday 4 July: Private Event

Sunday 5 July: Leigh on Sea 10K - NPLH is hosting the bag drop for the Mammoth hosted race starting and finishing in the Marina. Open from 7:00-14:00 to anyone that wants to recharge or hang out.

What’s On After?

Saturday 11 July: Unlimited Tapas with The Holy Kitchen. Our first ‘supper club’. A two hour (18:30-20:30) sitting of modern unlimited tapas, where bold flavours and creative plant-based dishes take centre stage.

The bar is open ‘til 22:00. High tide is at 21:30. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Saturday 18 July: Stand By Me Screening

Set in 1950s small-town America and based on a novella by Stephen King, Stand By Me is a timeless coming-of-age classic about the bonds that shape us and the fleeting nature of childhood.

Funny, heartfelt and deeply nostalgic, it’s a film about the stories we carry with us long after the summer ends. (And it’s my favourite).

Tickets £12 – Includes your first drink. Available soon,

Saturday 25 July: Private Event

Thanks for the support.

Joe
No Place Like Home
Doing things. Together. By the Sea.

Kids Films, Live Sports, and Upcoming Events

Joseph Fordham — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:04:27 GMT

Hola campers, how’s it going?

Welcome to the weekly dispatch – short notes from the space, the people in it, and what’s coming up over the summer and beyond.

To kick us off, here’s a bit more about the family film sessions and the World Cup. I’ll have something more witty and interesting to say next week.

Family Film Sessions

Starting on Sunday 26 July, there’s a weekly program of Kids classics on the big screen.

Limited to 12 kids per screening and kicking off at 11:30am we’ll be screening the following through to Sunday 30 August, with the possibility of a second screening in the afternoon if demand is there.

Despicable Me / Finding Nemo / Matilda / Wall-E / Inside Out / Shaun the Sheep

Parents can chill on the other side with a drink and chat, or join the kids for the screening.

Tickets are priced at £12 per child. Ticket includes: movie screening and good ie bag with juice box and snacks.

You’ll be the first to receive booking information via this channel before they reach social media.

Stay tuned

The World Cup at NPLH

The kick-off times are a bit of a drag, right? But all is not lost.

From the Quarter Finals onwards, KO’s are at a dreamy 8pm and, with the Final on a Sunday, we can really make a day of it. Preferably with England in it.

For those of you happy to watch whoever, there’ll be selected matches from the Rounds of 32 and 16 too.

Numbers are limited but you’ll be the first to hear about it on here to secure your spot in a chilled, scenic alternative to enjoying live sports (with a cold beer, perhaps?)

The Wizard of Oz

The monthly cinema sessions begin on Saturday 27 June and the 1930s classic felt like the only way to start.

Follow Dorothy, Toto and a cast of unforgettable characters on a journey along the Yellow Brick Road in a film that has both captivated audiences for generations and influenced NPLH.

Set against the backdrop of the Thames Estuary, this relaxed evening screening is an opportunity to slow down, settle in and enjoy a timeless film in good company.

A few spaces remain here.

Unlimited Tapas with The Holy Kitchen

Our first ‘supper club’ lands on Saturday 11 July. A two hour (18:30-20:30) sitting of modern unlimited tapas, where bold flavours and creative plant-based dishes take centre stage.

The bar is open ‘til 22:00. High tide is at 21:30. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Last few spots here.

The Workspace

Desks are available by the half or full day.

Five or 10 pass packages are available to grab a discount. No rush to squeeze them in, you get 90 days.

All the details are here.

Thanks for the support.

Speak soon.

JF