Heres to a cautiously optimistic Christmas! Frances Darling is head of business and consumer protection, Homes & Communities, Place Directorate, with Shropshire Council, and its representative on the CEnTSA management board Welcome to the Winter 2022 edition of TSBN. By the time you read this, the lead-up to the festive season will be well under way, and it will only be a matter of a weeks before Christmas is upon us. Despite the health impacts that are likely to arise as we move into winter, for the first time in three years I feel there are grounds for a degree of optimism albeit cautious, given the cost-of-living concerns for businesses that will benefit from the increased spending that occurs at this time of year. I hope those that were particularly adversely affected by the pandemic will see a marked difference in their bottom line compared with the previous two years. This edition of TSBN includes a focus on seasonal trends with guidance on electrical safety, button batteries, and Christmas decorations and on the rules around firework safety in readiness for new year celebrations. I hope those businesses that were particularly adversely affected by the pandemic will see a marked difference in their bottom line compared with the previous two years There are enlightening articles about supporting former armed forces personnel into work and fostering an inclusive and open workplace to help LGBT+ business owners and employees to flourish and reach their full potential. In addition, there is guidance on how to capitalise on opportunities that will increase participation in international trade. Businesses involved in residential property management will find the latest information on improving the minimum energy efficiency standards of properties and enhancing compliance with the legal letting requirements. On the food-safety front, we have the latest update on avian influenza, and offer advice on monitoring use by and best before dates, given that many large food retailers are moving away from declaring dates on products. There is also guidance on foreign-labelled foods, and we let you know what to do with surplus food that can be processed for animal feed. There is advice on the anticipated implications of the Making Smoking Obsolete report, by Dr Javed Khan OBE (the Khan Review), plus guidance on the rules around tobacco use at shisha bars and lounges. With peoples love of their four-legged friends showing no signs of changing, there has been an increase in businesses breeding and selling dogs. We have advice on how to do this responsibly. Finally, we report on the launch of the Federation of Small Businesses Celebrating Small Business Awards for 2023. I hope you will agree that, again, the hardworking TSBN team has brought together a broad range of articles that will prove useful. So please do read on for the detail, and feel free to circulate this and future editions of TSBN to other organisations and your colleagues. In addition, use the social media links below - and at the foot of every page to follow us and keep up to date on all the latest news and information. Until next time, For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on