midlands in business 55
DESCRIPTION
Business magazineTRANSCRIPT
Issue 55, May/June 2013 £2.95
THE MIDLANDS
THE ESSENTIAL SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS AND FEATURES THROUGHOUT THE MIDLANDS.
in BUS ESSwww.midlandsinbusiness.com
NOTTINGHAMSHIREBUSINESS AWARDS 2013We have a full report on who won what at the awards event
CONFERENCING VENUESLooking for somewhere different? We look at some unique conferencing options available in the Midlands
twitter.com/midsbusiness
In association with
PLUS THE REGENERATE THE MIDLANDS SUPPLEMENT INSIDE
An exclusive interview with Paul Farmer, Managing Director of Wade Ceramics
MIDLANDS MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR 2013
WORK BASED TRAININGMIB looks at Work Based Training in the Midlands
BUSINESS--- Team
As always, a big thank you to everyone involved in making
this issue happen.
CONTENTS--- May/June 2013
EDITORIAL Annabelle Rees
Justine [email protected]
DESIGNMartin Beech
Jemma [email protected]
ARTWORKAmy Clarke
ACCOUNTSAmy Clarke
SALES MANAGERDavid Mellenchip
SALES EXECUTIVESSarah Evison, Julie Watson,
Amanda [email protected]
GROUP OPERATIONS MANAGER
Cheryl [email protected]
PUBLISHERCraig Rushton
The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice Trust
For Staffordshire and South CheshireReg Charity No. 1075597
‘ Where every moment counts’
Staffordshire Media supports
As we hit the midpoint of 2013, Midlands in Business takes a look at some of the area’s top business and finance stories.
For this issue, we caught up with Managing Director of Wade Ceramics, Paul Farmer. Wade Ceramics has produced high quality porcelain and ceramic products in Stoke-on-Trent for over 200 years. Mr Farmer, who has been MD of Wade Ceramics for the past 14 years, speaks exclusively to MIB and discusses why he thinks the company will reach its 300th year birthday as an industry leader.
As well as that, we have fantastic features on Work Based Training, the effectiveness of Database Marketing by Giglio Associates International Marketing Manager, Debby Giglio and export as a means of growth for UK businesses from MD at Bibby Financial Service, Terry Wolfendale. Along with our features, we of course have our usual dedicated pages to the latest finance, environment and regeneration news from across the Midlands.
Keep up to date with all the latest news and events by heading over to our website at www.midlandsinbusiness.com or why not visit our Twitter page @midsbusiness, it’s a great way to engage with us and let us know what you think of the magazine as well as sharing your thoughts on any stories we feature.
Welcome
Acknowledgements: Paul Farmer, Debby Giglio, Terry Wolfendale, SBEN, Faye Locker, UKTI, Mel Day, Melanie Ferguson-Allen and everyone else who helped put this issue together.
For any enquiries regarding editorial contributions please contact us on 01782 644456 or email [email protected].
MEDIAS t a f f o r d s h i r e
While every care has been taken during the preparation of this magazine,
Staffordshire Media cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the
information herein or any consequences arising from it.
The contents of this magazine may not be reprinted or reproduced without prior
written permission. All rights reserved.
B1 Trentham Business Quarter, Bellringer Road, Trentham,
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. ST4 8GB.
Tel: 01782 644456 Fax: 01782 657411
www.midlandsinbusiness.comtwitter.com/midsbusiness
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WORK BASED TRAININGMIB takes a look at Work
Based Training in the Midlands
DATABASESHow database marketing can
help your company
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SBENAn introduction to the
Staffordshire Business and Environment Network
THE GREEN DEALWhat is the Green Deal and how could it affect
your business?
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UNIQUE VENUESMIB takes a look at some
unique conferencing venues in the Midlands
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LEGISLATION UPDATEThe latest developments in
Planning Regulations
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NORTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS
All the news and award winners
DERBY REGENERATIONThe Cathedral Quarter
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UTILITY SAVINGSEasy ways to save money
TRADING ABROADUKTI
WEST MIDLANDS EXPORTLooking to export as a
gateway togrowth
Issue 55, May/June 2013 £2.95
THE MIDLANDS
THE ESSENTIAL SOURCE FOR BUSINESS NEWS AND FEATURES THROUGHOUT THE MIDLANDS.
in BUS ESSwww.midlandsinbusiness.com
NOTTINGHAMSHIREBUSINESS AWARDS 2013We have a full report on who won what at the awards event
CONFERENCING VENUESLooking for somewhere different? We look at some unique conferencing options available in the Midlands
twitter.com/midsbusiness
In association with
PLUS THE REGENERATE THE MIDLANDS SUPPLEMENT INSIDE
An exclusive interview with Paul Farmer, Managing Director of Wade Ceramics
MIDLANDS MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR 2013
WORK BASED TRAININGMIB looks at Work Based Training in the Midlands
29inC
OV
ER S
TOR
Y
WADE CERAMICSAn exclusive interview with
Paul Farmer, Managing Director of Wade Ceramics
EXPERIENCE NOTTINGHAMWhat Nottingham has
to offer for conferencing
inNEWS
The most comprehensive survey of workplace opinion in Britain has revealed that law firm Freeth Cartwright is one of the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ 2013.
The firm, which has an office in Hanley in Stoke, also has a presence in 9 other towns and cities across the country, including Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford and Sheffield. With a workforce of over 600, Freeth Cartwright has achieved Best Companies star status accreditation, demonstrating a high level of employee engagement.
Managing Partner of Freeth Cartwright’s Stoke Office, Peter Gavin, commented: “We are delighted to be part of an organisation that is so committed to looking after its staff. Our commitment to staff development and recruitment is absolutely paramount to our continuing success, in Stoke and in the country as a whole.”
Freeth Cartwright Chairman Colin Flanagan commented: “It’s a great achievement for Freeth Cartwright to be listed. We have a vision for the firm and believe that the result is testament to the teams of people who are working hard to turn that vision into reality and ensure that working at Freeth Cartwright is rewarding both professionally and personally. Our staff are very important to us and ensuring that this is a great place to work is at the heart of our vision.”
Almost 900 companies entered the three categories that make up the awards, with the people at organisers Best Companies surveying over 250,000 employee opinions in order for the lists to be compiled after an evaluation of each organisation’s key statistics, processes and policies.
The employee survey is specifically designed to gain a view of workplace engagement, and looks at issues such as leadership, personal growth, wellbeing, team working, impact on society, employee engagement and whether employees are happy with pay and benefits.
Freeth Cartwright was entered into the mid-sized companies category. Of the 8 factors highlighted by the survey, the firm scored particularly high in the Fair Deal category which indicates how well employees feel they are treated and how their pay and benefits compare to similar organisation.
Mr Flanagan added: “In the current economic climate and challenges facing all businesses, whilst we are celebrating our achievements, we also recognise that there is much more to be done and we will be examining the feedback and consulting staff further on where we can improve.”
FREETH CARTWRIGHT NAMED ONE OF THE “BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR”
to announce its first sale, to USGood news revealed at launch of 2013 NISP CONNECT 25k Awards
MOF Technologies, winner of last year’s NISP CONNECT 25k Awards, has just landed its first sale, to a US chemicals company, it was announced at the launch today of the 2013 competition.
The company, based at Queen’s University Belfast, is manufacturing a revolutionary new class of highly porous materials - metal organic frameworks - that can store, separate and capture specific gases.
“It’s a small order, but a very significant one,” said Professor Stuart James, MOF’s Chief Technical Officer. “Until now, the only commercial source for materials like these has been a single multi-national company. We have now broken that monopoly.
“Our aim now is to grow our international market and to satisfy that demand by making larger amounts of materials that we can sell direct at a substantially more advantageous price through our own website.”
Prof James said that over the past few weeks the company had made a big breakthrough in regard to a novel manufacturing method. Potential applications for MOFs include natural gas storage in vehicles, carbon capture, catalysis and drug delivery.
“Thanks to our 25k Awards win, we have been offered significant venture capital funding and we are now looking to scale up manufacturing with the eventual aim of moving to a new, dedicated facility,” he added.
The NISP CONNECT 25k Awards, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, is an annual competition designed to showcase the innovative research and intellectual
property with the most commercial potential from the publicly funded institutions in Northern Ireland.
Ciaran McGivern, Head of Business Banking BOI UK, said: “Developing innovative ideas that have market potential is at the core of Northern Ireland’s mission to create a more vibrant private sector and we are very proud and delighted to continue our support and commitment to helping realise these ambitions through our sponsorship of this programme.
“The continued success achieved by MOF Technologies since winning the 25k Awards is a shining example of the potential in Northern Ireland to develop, nurture and support local companies capable of serving global markets with world class products and services.”
Over the course of six months, select teams are challenged to refine their ideas and incorporate key start-up strategies to develop comprehensive business models to present to a panel of highly qualified and experienced judges.
At today’s launch, Programme Director Peter Edgar said the 25k mission was to find the best intellectual property with the most commercial potential from the hi-tech, bio-tech, clean-tech and digital media and software sectors within the local research community.
"If we are to transform Northern Ireland into an entrepreneurial knowledge economy it is vital that we encourage local innovation by connecting those with the best ideas to experienced industry mentors and investors who can help commercialise them," he said.
Anyone who would like to apply for the competition should click on www.25kaward.co.uk to find out more.
25K AWARDS WINNER BREAKS GLOBAL MONOPOLY
Professor Stuart James (centre) of MOF Technologies celebrates the company’s first sale of their revolutionary highly porous material at the launch of the 2013 NISP CONNECT 25k Awards. Also pictured are Programme Director Peter Edgar (left) and Ciaran McGivern, Head of Business Banking, Bank of Ireland UK, the competition sponsor.
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Nominations Open for 2013 Vitalise Women of the Year Awards
The Vitalise Women of the Year Awards launch this March, with nominations now open for these prestigious awards which recognise the achievements of women in business.
Last year’s ceremony saw Central News presenter Arti Halai host the event and celebrated fashion entrepreneur Karen Millen appear as a special guest speaker. The renowned Woman of Achievement Award went to 7/7 bombings survivor and London 2012 Paralympic athlete, Martine Wright.
The 2012 Business Woman of the Year prize went to UK Container Maintenance co-founder Emma Elston, who has grown her business into one of the largest container refurbishment companies in the world, refurbishing 75,000 containers per year.
Speaking of winning the award, Emma Elston remarked: “I couldn’t believe it was little old me who won. I’ve never been to university, but I think business is more about your spirit and what you bring to the table no matter how big
or small your company is. It’s hard out there, but you just have to work hard and show a lot of determination. If you have an idea, you should explore it and get some advice from an expert. It could be the next big thing that makes billions.”
The 2013 awards will be held on October 11th at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The awards are now accepting nominations in the Business Woman of the Year category.
Zalena Vandrewala, a specialist litigation solicitor from Freeth Cartwright’s Stoke office and Co-Director of the awards, commented:
“We are looking for business success stories from across the country. Do you know an inspirational woman who has excelled within the business environment? Then we want to know about it! We are always amazed at the breadth and diversity of talented women within business and we are determined to ensure that this year is no exception. That’s why we are looking for as many nominations as possible so that are expert judging panel can honour the widest range of individuals as possible.”
Past winners include figures such as sporting executive and star of TV’s The Apprentice, Karren Brady and Pall-Ex boss and Dragon’s Den star Hillary Devey, who is about to launch her own programme The Intern on Channel 4. By nominating successful women for the award, you could see them join this highly distinguished roll-call of talented women in business.
On behalf of key sponsor Freeth Cartwright LLP, Stoke Managing Partner Peter Gavin commented:
“Everyone at Freeth Cartwright is extremely excited about the 2013 Vitalise Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards. Last year, we were proud to sponsor the awards on their 30th anniversary and we are delighted to be continuing our association this year. The awards stand for everything that we value: commitment, dedication and achievement. They are a celebration of the very best business talent, providing recognition to some of the hardest-working and highest-achieving women in the country. The personnel from our Stoke office really get involved with the event, working hard to make it happen. We are proud to support them by providing sponsorship.”
Sponsors for the awards also include Dallas Burston Ashbourne Ltd, Freeth Cartwright LLP, British Airways, The Challenge Factor and Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
DO YOU KNOW THE WOMAN OF THE YEAR?
JCB RAISES THE ROOF WITH £10,000 VILLAGE HALL DONATION JCB has helped secure the future of Rocester Village Hall for future generations by donating £10,000 to pay for a new roof. The money will be used for vital refurbishment work on the building’s ageing flat roof surfaces, to pay for new insulation and also for fascias to be fitted.
The work is part of a major refurbishment programme at the popular venue, which will cost in the region of £70,000. It includes installing a brand new heating system, constructing an extension block and building new toilets for disabled visitors.
The hall has served the village for more than 40 years and was officially opened in November 1976 JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford. It has gone on to become a popular community venue with many local groups using it. It also plays host to wedding receptions, family parties, exercise and dance classes, quizzes, talent nights, bingo sessions and a variety of other events.
JCB Group Chief Executive Alan Blake visited the venue on High Street to present a cheque for £10,000 to Jenny Woodward, Chairman of the Rocester Village Hall Management Committee.
Jenny said: “We are extremely grateful to JCB. This £10,000 donation will not only pay for the much-needed roof and insulation work to be carried out but has also given us a real kick start to the rest of the refurbishment programme.
“Together with our own fundraising activities the money puts us in a good position to apply for match funding from community schemes and the local authority to pay for the other projects. It is quite fitting that Sir Anthony Bamford opened Rocester Village Hall almost 40 years ago and now JCB’s generosity is helping to secure it for future for generations to come.”
JCB’s World Headquarters is just a stone’s throw away from the village hall and many employees and their family members have used the venue for functions over the decades.
JCB CEO Alan Blake presents a cheque for £10,000 to Jenny Woodward, Chairman of the Rocester Village Hall Management Committee watched by other committee members (l-r) Angela Proud, Pat Garner, Nigel Green and Natasha Gilbert.
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NEWS
Aligning with the National Apprenticeship Week initiative, William Davis Ltd has commenced a local ‘road show’ to recruit the 2013 intake of its hugely popular in-house apprenticeship scheme.
HR & training officer, Rebecca Jones will spend three days meeting the next generation of aspiring bricklayers, plumbers, electricians and carpenter/joiners. Rebecca will visit five Leicestershire schools and colleges during the course of National Apprenticeship Week in a bid to recruit eight new apprentices eager to start their construction careers.
“We received over 80 applicants for this year’s apprenticeship intake, which is an encouraging sign that young people are choosing construction as a viable career,” said Rebecca. “We thought National Apprenticeship Week would be the ideal time to get ‘on the road’, meet these students and highlight how a vocational route can be rewarding for both the apprentices and their employers.”
William Davis’ longstanding apprenticeship scheme provides a three or four year structured training
programme combining one-to-one mentoring on site by the company’s apprentice masters together with classroom learning at Stephenson College or Loughborough College. Many apprentices have enjoyed great successes during their training, not just through the William Davis in-house award programme, which recognises the top performing apprentices annually, but also at national competitions such as SkillBUILD, SkillPLUMB and WorldSkills.
“We are certain the achievements of some of our former apprentices have proven inspirational for many of our applicants. With apprenticeships providing a brilliant opportunity to ‘earn and learn’, we are confident the successful candidates will go on to enjoy fulfilling careers at William Davis.” Concluded Rebecca.
The eight successful apprentices will commence their placements in August 2013. National Apprenticeship Week is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals and businesses.
HARD HATS TO FILL! WILLIAM DAVIS SEEKS THE NEXT GENERATION OF APPRENTICES
WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON ANY OF THE ARTICLES FEATURED IN THIS MONTHS ISSUE. ?Join us at @midsbusiness
Rebecca Jones, on the apprentice 'road show'
CHAMBER DRIVES BID FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT REVOLUTION
Sweeping changes that would re-vitalise businesses across Greater Birmingham and eventually the UK are proposed in a ground-breaking report prepared by Birmingham Chamber Group (BCG). The document, “Growing Business and Jobs”, is the Chamber’s response to the Heseltine Report “No Stone Unturned”, which advocates “a strong and stable, locally-based, private sector business support infrastructure. This should be centred on an enhanced role for chambers of commerce”. The report is designed to be included in the response by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) to Lord Heseltine’s recommendations. Jerry Blackett, the BCG’s chief executive and author of the report, said: “Lord Heseltine’s report describes a national leadership role that only Chambers are able to provide to revolutionise the face of business support in the UK and stimulate growth. “Birmingham is being used as a pilot for the Heseltine recommendations and we await the government’s response, which is expected to be embodied in or around the Chancellor’s Budget statement on March 20. The report proposes an integrated package of service content, including a first-stop-shop for all businesses in the LEP area, a new focus of support through business groups and networks including mentoring help and – centrally- a growth promotions service targeting the “broad mass of slow-growers with an appetite or opportunity for growth”. The Chamber’s proposals are designed to be incorporated within the wider GBSLEP vision of a business support solution, built by the region for the region. “We are very clear that this is ‘not Chambers as they are but about what they can become’. This is about chambers of commerce across the UK changing to meet the needs of the 21st century and Birmingham Chamber is delighted to be leading the redefinition of what being the ‘go to’ organisation for businesses seeking help and advice means for chambers.” But the proposal builds on their core purpose. “Spotting business at growth points is more effective if you are in a long-term relationship with those businesses. This is a fundamental strength of the Chamber given its own long history and the fact that this is precisely the benefit of the relationship it offers to its members. “Government policy on business support by contrast has a long history of discontinuity. We should aim to create something which can survive policy (and government) change.”
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To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, 19 new apprentices from Nottingham were among nearly 70 who descended on the BBC Academy's state-of-the-art facilities at MediaCityUK, Salford, on Tuesday 12 March 2013 for a National Skills Academy for IT event.
With inspirational speakers and breakout sessions, the day developed the apprentices' professional skills and gave them an insight into the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in their IT careers.
The 19 apprentices began their programmes in January, working mainly for small and medium sized employers (SMEs) in and around Nottingham. As part of their training, they get to pilot the National Skills Academy for IT Gold Standard Apprenticeship. This is being designed with employers to help apprentices integrate into the workplace and gain technical and professional skills more quickly.
Through the pilot, apprentices are trialling a variety of unique activities, including events supported by leading organisations such as the BBC. These enable apprentices to hear motivational talks from senior technology experts, meet their peers and work in teams to solve problems and develop communication skills - areas that IT apprenticeships do not always cover.
Speaking at the event was BBC Technology Controller, Tiffany Hall, who gave the apprentices an insight into the complex technology behind the corporation's broadcasting, including its live coverage of last year's nationwide Olympic Torch Relay. She said: "Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly important way for technology companies of all sizes to recruit talented young people and give them the skills they need to excel in this fast paced industry.
We recruit apprentices at the BBC, but through today's event, we're also delighted to be helping those who work for smaller employers develop new skills and celebrate their achievements during National Apprenticeship Week."
From BBC North, Ken Lee, Human Resources Director, and Tim Sargeant, Head of Technology, also spoke, discussing the latest technology trends and the possibilities that an IT career can bring. The apprentices also had the opportunity to ask more experienced higher apprentices from Visa Europe for advice on career progression. The variety of talks and breakout sessions was welcomed by the apprentices. One said: "It was a very good day - I gained a lot of new ideas and took every opportunity to progress myself." Another added: "It was inspiring to see what I could achieve."
The event took place as part of National Apprenticeship Week - an annual celebration of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the economy.
During the week employers could visit www.growyourownIT.com or call 0845 226 3724 for further information about recruiting an apprentice, including the financial incentives available, such as a £1,500 government grant for smaller businesses. Apprentices can also find out more by visiting www.itskillsacademy.ac.uk/apprenticeships.
The apprentices were recruited through a partnership between the National Skills Academy for IT, BT and training provider, NITP, which has received co-investment from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills via the Growth and Innovation Fund.
NOTTINGHAM APPRENTICES SHINE AT BBC HOSTED EVENT TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
A new No Cold Calling Zone has come into force in Stoke-on-Trent in a bid to reduce doorstep crime.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has introduced the initiative in Trentham after 100 per cent of residents supported the scheme in a recent consultation.
The zone will cover Allerton Road, Trentley Road, Malvern Close, Cranbrook Close, Perthy Grove, Churchill Avenue and Churchill Way.
The scheme has already been used successfully in many parts of the country and city to reduce levels of distraction burglary and rogue trading.
The Trentham zone comes in the wake of an incident in December when an elderly resident was conned out of £32,000 by a fake company.
The work, including hedge cutting, the erection of a fence, driveway resurfacing and double glazing, was grossly overpriced. The company’s address, details of the owner and telephone number were found to be bogus.
Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for housing, neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to con artists who dupe older people out of their savings. These acts are absolutely despicable and we will take action against anyone found to be carrying them out.
“Our Mandate for Change promotes independence, healthy lives and making Stoke-on-Trent a great place to live. No Cold Calling Zones support these pledges precisely. People should not be in fear in their own homes and we believe that the new initiative in Trentham will give residents a peace of mind as well as acting as a stern warning to rogue traders who are considering targeting our city.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s trading standards’ public protection team has worked in close cooperation with Staffordshire Police and the Safer City Partnership to successfully implement the zone.
Residents in the zone who continue to be cold called by traders offering to sell goods or services should contact trading standards on 01782 232065. Other suspicious callers should be reported to the police on 101.
Anyone who feels afraid, harassed, threatened or intimidated at any time by doorstep callers should ring 999 and report the incident to the police.
NEW NO COLD CALLING ZONE IS LAUNCHED IN TRENTHAM
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Mark, a trained site engineer, joined William Davis 30 years ago and has progressed through site management into production, where he has spent the last ten years as production manager with direct responsibility for the company’s private housing developments. As production director, Mark will oversee the delivery of every construction site, from pre-commencement to handover, together with labour forecasting and working closely alongside the Health & Safety department to ensure the highest construction standards are achieved; on time, to budget and adhering to best practice.
Directly responsible to managing director, Guy Higgins and managing a team comprising employees across five departments as well as 19 site managers and over 220 site operatives, Mark is looking forward to his new role. “Looking ahead, my main priority is to continue delivering good quality projects smoothly and successfully,” said Mark. “Also, with reports indicating there was a 4.1% fall in Midlands construction jobs during 2012, I am keen to improve the image of construction to young people and help address the nationwide shortage of recruits by encouraging applications to our in-house apprenticeship scheme. As a graduate of the scheme, I hope I can inspire future
generations that construction can provide a lengthy and rewarding career.”
With 15 active sites encompassing private housing, commercial/industrial and affordable housing projects, Mark’s new role is extremely diverse. As the main link between office and site, strong and clear communication is key, and so Mark will promote more integrated use of technology including on-site email and webcams.
“Since I started my career, there have been many notable changes but technology has had a significant impact. With sites now able to exchange information more quickly and clients able to view site progress online, this has undoubtedly benefited the business by improving efficiency and ensuring we retain healthy working relationships. I am committed to maximising these opportunities, and others, so we can continue to get schemes started both locally and across the Midlands. It’s certainly a challenge but one I fully embrace!” Concluded Mark.
Guy Higgins, managing director, William Davis added: “I’m delighted Mark has taken up the role of production director, and am sure his exceptional work ethic will serve him well in this next stage of his long and successful career with the company.”
LOUGHBOROUGH-BASED CONTRACTOR AND DEVELOPER, WILLIAM DAVIS LTD HAS ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION OF MARK CHETTLEBURGH TO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR.
Mark Chettleburg
WYCHWOOD PARK CELEBRATES A DECADE OF DEDICATION TO CONFERENCING AND TRAINING EVENTS
On the 11th April 2013 De Vere Venues Wychwood Park celebrated 10 years as a leading conferencing, training and events venue for Staffordshire and Cheshire, with a dedicated ribbon cutting ceremony.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was held outside the main Atrium of the venue and saw customers, suppliers, supporters and senior members of staff raise a toast to the decade of dedication. European Touring Professional, Simon Wakefield and Rachel Shenton, former Hollyoaks actress and Celebrity Champion of the The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice Trust, (Wychwood Park’s nominated Charity of the Year), attended as special guests to cut the ribbon.
The event was also in celebration of their three longest standing members of staff who have shown passion and dedication to Wychwood Park for the last 10 years. Graham Howe, Maintenance Manager, Sharon Bailey Steam Bake and Grill Supervisor, and John Rhodes, Night-Shift Manager were presented with a celebratory certificate and bottle of champagne.
The Weston based venue also welcomed new General Manager, Nathan Smith-Hilliard who is to oversee and help drive forward Wychwood’s growth as a leading conferencing and training venue in the region.
Wychwood Park which is well-known for its PGA European-tour standard golf course recognises the change in market for venues and is embracing this with exceptional world class facilities.
Nathan expects continued development and interest in Wychwood Park for weddings and social events.
He commented: “I have a long standing history with the De Vere Venues group and I am delighted to be joining Wychwood in such a milestone of a year. The venue offers such a variety for our customers and we have a dedicated team who tailor-make events to suit their needs.”
Nathan continued: “Over the years the market has changed for venues like Wychwood. We were traditionally known as an exceptional venue for training meetings, (a standard we continue to uphold). There is now a greater demand for a range of event facilities including weddings, conferences and awards ceremonies. Our client base has grown and with that we have been able to adapt our venue to deliver events that are diverse, compelling and well organised and executed.”
The event concluded with champagne and a light lunch for all those that attended.
To find out more about the Wychwood Park event calendar for 2013/14 or to book your next conference or event please visit www.deverevenues.co.uk/locations/wychwood-park. Alternatively call: 0844 980 2323 to speak to a member of the Wychwood Park sales team.
L-R: Simon Wakefield European Touring Professional, Nathan Smith-Hilliard General Manager Wychwood Park, Rachel Shenton The Donna Louise Children’s
Hospice Trust Celebrity Champion.)
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Civic leaders are praising Stoke City’s 150th anniversary as a ‘proud landmark’ for the city.
The Premier League team is the second oldest professional football club and has a rich history, including a League Cup win and FA Cup final appearance. The club also boasts some of the greatest players ever to have pulled on a football shirt, including ‘wizard of the dribble’ Sir Stanley Matthews and world cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks. The club’s current crop of stars includes former England striker Peter Crouch and home grown players Ryan Shotton and Andy Wilkinson, both born in Staffordshire.
Lord Mayor Terry Crowe said: “On behalf of the whole of Stoke-on-Trent I’d like to congratulate Stoke City on reaching its 150th anniversary. It is a tremendous achievement and a proud landmark for the club and our city.
“Stoke-on-Trent has a strong sporting heritage and the club’s continued success in the highest tear of English football, in arguably the best and most watched league in the world, is something we can all take pride in.
“I wish the club every success for the future and that they can continue to raise the profile of Stoke-on-Trent to national and international audiences.”Councillor Crowe, council leader
Mohammed Pervez and chief executive John van de Laarschot have been invited by the club to a reception at the House of Lords with Staffordshire-based peer Lord Grocott later this month, as part of festivities to mark the birthday.
Councillor Pervez said: “The city’s two professional football clubs, Stoke City and Port Vale, are tremendous assets for Stoke-on-Trent. They bring benefits to the city in terms of attracting people to Stoke-on-Trent that wouldn’t normally come here who spend money in our shops, stay overnight in our hotels and support our local economy.
“Stoke City’s success in the Premier League is a fantastic achievement, which has put Stoke-on-Trent on the world map, and long may it continue. The club’s players are great role models for our children to follow.
“We have helped to mark Stoke City’s 150th anniversary with a wonderful football trail at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, which I’d urge people to go and visit.
“We were delighted to accept the club’s generous invitation to take a further role in their celebrations and we will be sure to talk up Stoke-on-Trent and the benefits that our city has to offer at the event.”
STOKE CITY’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY A ‘PROUD LANDMARK’ FOR CITY
SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGE LAUNCHES CAREER COACH South Staffordshire College has launched a new on-line tool to support prospective and existing students in making informed choices about career opportunities.
The College has added Career Coach to its range of resources for students. It links careers to courses and vice versa with opportunities to explore progression routes, career options and salaries, whilst also helping users to develop a professional CV.
Students can access Career Coach via the College’s Virtual Learning Environment while visitors can register to use it on the South Staffordshire College website.
Once a career category is selected, an overview of the roles within the relevant profession are displayed, together with a brief job summary, salary guidelines and information on qualifications required. A list of current vacancies from an on-line jobsite can also be seen on the same page.
The Courses section provides details on the options available at South Staffordshire College, enabling visitors to see course content and location.
Students are very impressed with Career Coach so far. “I found it useful to research courses and careers I may consider in the future. I am a second year Art & Design student but I was also able to be informed of other career paths and different subjects,” said Lucy Atkins.
Hayley Ironmonger, a Level 3 Childcare student studying at the College’s Tamworth Campus commented “Career Coach was very easy to use and excellent at identifying skills” and student Adel Quarterman added “It made my CV look very professional.”
Belinda Ball, Head of Tutoring & Development at South Staffordshire College is confident that prospective and existing students will benefit from Career Coach. “In this current climate people need all the assistance possible to explore career options and job opportunities. The CV builder also allows them to reflect on their experiences and skills and make that initial presentation to potential employers a professional one.”
LOW INTEREST RATES WILL HELP BUSINESSES TO EXPORT SAYS CHAMBER Business leaders welcomed the decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to keep interest rates low and urged companies to take advantage of low rates to increase business opportunities abroad. Chris Plant, Director of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce, said: “The announcement to keep interest rates unchanged should encourage companies to export which will promote economic development. There is already a rise in manufacturing goods which are going to America and the potential EU/US trade agreement will help business expand into these growing US markets. Just one market can no longer be relied upon to generate 100 per cent of sales. Entering more markets means more customers can grow business and spread the risk. “Usually the greatest obstacle in starting to trade internationally is a lack of knowledge, support and focus. Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group has a wealth of experience to guide and support businesses taking the first steps into exporting. In less than three years, Midlands Enterprise Europe Network, part of the Chamber, has helped more than 2.5 million customers make the most of the single market. It has helped more than 4,500 small to medium enterprises in a variety of ways, ranging from business co-operation, technology transfer, or matching research partners.
Rob Banks shows student Sophie Tulley how to use Career Coach
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TheHiveMidBizAdV5F.indd 1 09/04/2013 15:48
TheHiveMidBizAdV5F.indd 1 09/04/2013 15:48
To find out more visit www.bcu.ac.uk/msc-lop or contact our Business Engagement team:
T: 0121 331 6550 | E: [email protected] or [email protected]
Improve your workforce skills and inspire business performance through our MSc in Leadership and Organisational Performance
Birmingham City University’s new, one-year Master’s programme is designed to meet the ever changing needs of today’s businesses seeking to remain competitive, in harsh economic times.
Our MSc in Leadership and Organisational Performance is based around six months of academic study, followed by a six-month work placement, ensuring all attendees benefit from a mix of theory and essential, practical experience.
This exciting new programme offers you the chance to:
- Work with high calibre graduates who can inject new and exciting ideas into your organisation
- Enhance existing employees’ professional development and leadership capabilities, within a very short timescale
- Access consultancy services from our industry experienced academics
- Enjoy invaluable PR opportunities and links with Birmingham City University.
www.derby.ac.uk/midlandsinbusiness
Develop your talent pipelineAre you looking to develop tomorrows leaders, address a specific skills gap or improve employeemotivation and performance?
Work with us to develop work based learning and development solutions tailored to your organisation’sspecific requirements.
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55642 UDC Midlands in Business 135x190_Layout 1 28/03/2013 15:47 Page 1
www.derby.ac.uk/MIB Whether you’re starting out, moving up or starting again
wE’RE READY whEn YOU ARE
READY TO BOOST YOUR CAREER?
Gain qualifications and advance your career through online learning
We are committed to helping you achieve more through online learning. Visit our website to find out more.
Our online degree courses offer you the flexibility to fit your studies around your commitments, enabling you to gain thequalifications you require to drive your career forward.
▪ Start May / September/ January▪ Professionally accredited programmes
▪ Affordable fees and payment options▪ Expert tuition and customer support
55552 Midlands in Business Advert_Layout 1 10/04/2013 16:54 Page 1
WORK BASED TRAINING
a Midlands in Business special feature on WBT
MIB looks at the types of work based Training offered by three institutions in the Midlands.
The University of Derby, Newcastle-under-Lyme College and Birmingham City University
University of Derby
With UK businesses operating in an increasingly competitive market the need to differentiate and ensure their workforce is highly skilled and has the most up to date training is crucial to future success.
One way of doing this is through Work-Based Learning (WBL), an approach to staff training that is becoming increasingly popular across the region.
In fact, such is the demand that the University of Derby Corporate (UDC), the University of Derby’s corporate development and training division, won 30 new contracts to deliver work-based learning programmes and accredited qualifications to organisations across the UK in 2012, and is on track to repeat this success in 2013.
UDC clients now include Waterstones, the British Film Institute, construction company Clancy Dowcra Limited, retailer Aurora Fashions, Vinci UK, Derby City Council, leisure operator DHP Group and New College Nottingham.
The bespoke programmes, which are tailored to each employer’s training needs, aim to improve key capabilities such as service efficiency, innovation, leadership and management skills, and enable staff to have a real impact on an organisation’s success.
Paul Wilkinson, Head of Client Partnerships for UDC, said: “Our continuing success in securing new clients demonstrates the importance now placed by many employers on having a well trained workforce, fully equipped to deal with and succeed in a challenging and competitive marketplace.
“Organisations striving to differentiate themselves value their staff and see them as playing a pivotal role in future success and as a result are choosing to invest significantly in their training and development.”
UDC recently worked with Derby City Council to deliver a work-based learning training programme to council staff designed to support their transition into a mobile workforce, part of plans to become more efficient and effective in delivering services to the public.
Pamela Hadfield, Specialist Adviser for Strategic HR at Derby City Council, said: “This programme equips our managers and core professionals to make the most of the challenges and opportunities presented by 21st century mobile working, to enhance continued service and individual performance.”
Aurora Fashions is using the UDC developed Aspire2Accelerate training programme to create a visible career path for frontline retail teams within its brands and across the group, and identify and nurture a skilled talent pool which can be deployed into critical retail management roles. The programme has three phases which on completion will lead to a full degree in Retail Management.
Looking Ahead
Advancements in work based learning continue at UDC and from April 2013 existing WBL practitioners looking to gain a professional qualification while remaining in work will be able to undertake a pioneering part time WBL programme.
This follows extensive research by UDC which recognised the growing demand for those who support, deliver and assess learning in the workplace to have the opportunity to gain a qualification that covers a wide range of topics relevant to the field.
The Professional Development for Work Based Learning Practitioners set of qualifications offers a flexible learning programme that will be delivered online and through practical assignments in the workplace, covering everything from mentoring and guidance to organisational learning.
Those successfully completing the programme will achieve a Certificate of Higher Education, and through additional study delegates also have the opportunity to top up their qualification to a Foundation Degree or BA (Hons), offering significant benefits to both individuals and their employers. CIPD accreditation is also pending.
Carol Steed, Head of Learning Solutions at UDC, said: “This qualification is an opportunity for tutors, trainers and those who support learning in the workplace to have their skills and expertise nationally recognised.
inCOMMUNICATIONS
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COMMUNICATIONS
“By investing in and professionalising the work based learning infrastructure, individuals and apprentices will be supported in a way that raises their aspirations and encourages career progression.”
Boost Career Prospects Through Online StudyThe University of Derby Online Learning offers a number of courses suitable for busy professionals looking to improve their knowledge and skills whilst remaining in work.
Those wanting to boost their career prospects can study courses including an MBA, LLM in Commercial Law, BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance (top up), BA (Hons) Business Studies and MSc Strategic Management. Because learning takes place online, study can fit around existing commitments including a full time job and busy family life.
Julie Stone, Head of University of Derby Online Learning, said: “Our online offer meets the needs of busy professionals who seek qualifications for career progression but who can’t afford the time to attend campus based studies. Employees also benefit as a
large proportion of our students apply what they learn directly to their job. This increased knowledge and skills base can have a significant impact on an organisation and its wider workforce.”
Find Out More: For further information on the Work Based Learning programmes offered by UDC visit www.derby.ac.uk/corporate For the University of Derby Online Learning visit www.derby.ac.uk/online
Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC)
We know that every business is different so we’ll listen to you and deliver the training that suits you. We’ll guide you through the maze of Government initiatives, giving you clear advice on training you can get that may be funded and the costs of any training we tailor for your company. What’s more, we’ll carry out the training at a location that’s convenient for you – either in your workplace or at the College.
We are a college that has built strong relationships with local business through a flexible approach to training with a reliable, dedicated team who support businesses through
every step of their training, from analysis to completion.
Speak to NULC for Business about:
• WorkplaceTraining(NVQs)• UniversityCourses• ProfessionalBusinessTraining• ShortCourses• CoreSkills(MathsandEnglish)• BespokeTraining
Call 01782 254376Email [email protected] www.nulc.ac.uk/employer
Birmingham City Business School
Birmingham City Business School (BCBS) prides its self on being a practice based business school with close links to industry. Our academics have the industry experience and theoretical knowledge to give our students a high quality learning experience, and access to industry, through guest speakers and project work directly with relevant organisations.
As well as conventional degree programmes at both undergraduate and post graduate level, BCBS now offers in-company, work based programmes and bespoke training programmes for students and corporate clients. We understand the changing needs of the market today, and the value of graduates with not only good academic qualifications, but real world, practical work based experience.
Our BA (Hons) Leadership and Management Practice (work based) degree, allows the student to work in an organisation, whilst studying for a degree. The majority of the time is spent in the work place, with short blocks of academic study undertaken at the university. This type of degree has many benefits for both the student and organisation, as the organisation can either take on a high calibre student for the programme who can bring new and fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the workplace, or use the programme as an excellent training and development opportunity for existing employees. Find out more on our website: www.bcu.ac.uk/balmp
Our MSc Leadership and Organisational Performance is another of our work based programmes. This course involves 6 months academic study and a 6 month work placement. The benefits are similar to the degree programme above, but this allows organisations to benefit from the knowledge and experience of graduates. Find out more on our website: www.bcu.ac.uk/mlop
Our Centre for Leadership and Management Practice within BCBS also offer bespoke training courses for organisations to improve and retain their employees. The postgraduate qualifications focus on the development on multi unit leaders, and interest in these courses from large companies has been high.
Studying online from home
A group of learners from Vinci UK
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The rapidly changing business world needs dynamic, creative decision makers who understand how to get the most out of scarce resources, adapt to global challenges and implement innovation.
Are your managers ready for the future?
EFMD
Database marketing is a system to approach gathering, consolidating and processing your customer’s data (both for customers and potential customers) that is maintained in your company's databases. Although databases have been used in traditional marketing for many years, the database marketing approach is differentiated by much greater use of more consumer data that is maintained, processed and used in new and more sophisticated ways. As an example, marketers use the data to learn more about customers, select its target markets for specific campaigns using customer segmentation, compare customers' value to the company and provide more specialized offerings for customers.
Many businesses neglect this very valuable asset - the in-house database. Most think it is too time consuming to keep updated or fail to realise the potential opportunities from using and maintaining their database.
To a marketer, the company database is crown jewels, the biggest asset the company can own. Your database must be viewed as a valuable resource. It is a potent source for marketing intelligence and a powerful tool for building relevance to assist in nurturing good relationships.
To make the most from your database you must be able to answer these five questions:
1. What is your database objective? 2. What information is available about current customers, prospects, competition?3. How can the information be captured, maintained, cleaned and processed?4. How can you use the information to build your business?5. What is the best way to segment your database to make the best offers to the right market?
What is your Database Objective? Many business owners would answer,
• Nurturingprospectsintocustomers• Engagingandbuildinganactivereferralnetwork• Dataminingformarketresearchandintelligencegathering/ analysis to name a few.
What information is Available?
Take an inventory of what information is available in your organisation for both prospects and customers. Looking back at your database objectives determine what additional information will be needed. Consider how you can consolidate all the information from various sources into one online centralised database for your organisation. Keep in mind that depending on the length of time since the information was recorded that it may no longer be up-to-date and would likely have changed.
How can the Information be captured?
This is where an organisation must be smart and committed to implementing an organisational process for collecting and updating the database information on- going. Database information must be captured at all contact points with your prospects and customers. These can occur in online situations like web contacts and emails or from traditional face-to-face contact, phone conversations, networking etc…
The use of an online centralised Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is highly recommended to ensure continuous availability for all users so that updating will be encouraged and enforced. Most comprehensive CRM systems will be able to capture various communications received and sent from contacts in the database.
How can you use the Information?
Your database can and must be used to identify market opportunities for your business. To do so you must segment your database to identify a target audience that you can develop as a potential market for your business. An intimate understanding of this target segment of your database will allow you to create a highly focused marketing message that will be relevant and will connect with the group of selected prospective customers
• Rightsizevisavistheeffort• Remedialaction/information• Makethesegmenttargetspecific• Uniqueandidentifiable• Focusedlinktothepointofyourplannedmessage
What is the Best Way to Segment your Database?
You can be as creative as you want with ‘lateral’ thinking. Be guided in how you can achieve better marketing results with a more competitive and compelling offer that your business can deliver for the target segment. In general, there are four commonly used methods to segmenting your database. These are as follows:
1. Financial Revenue generated from the customer transactions2. Demographic Describing customers in terms of their personal characteristics3. Geographic Describing customers in terms of their physical location 4. Psychographic Describing customers in terms of their preferred activities and actions
You can find many good database marketing companies around who will offer sound advice on building your own, outsourcing or the bespoke development of a customer database. Whichever way you decide to go, it is important to understand that a database is continuous ongoing and it relies on all points of customer contact to work from the same page. The opportunities and potential to tap into the most powerful tool you have are too numerous to mention.
2013 offers a paradigm shift in the way we do business both in the UK and overseas. We have the biggest export opportunity we have ever experienced. Armed with good tools and customer information, YOU can use customer data to re-define and multiply your business opportunities both at home and abroad.
www.giglioassociates.com [email protected] 07583 616951
DATABASEMARKETING
A guide of how database marketing can help your company
WRITER
Debby Giglio, International Marketing Manager,
Giglio Associates.
COMMUNICATIONS
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www.ntu.ac.uk/business
Interested in developing your career? Our range of part-time professional development courses have been specifically designed for arange of business professionals and sectors. The next courses begin in September 2013. For more information and our full list of courses visit www.ntu.ac.uk/pgcourses.
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Nottingham Trent University is renowned for its vocationally-focused courses and extensive links with business and industry.We are ideally placed to provide educational solutions thatmeet your staff’s learning and development needs.
We can offer:
• short courses or one-day development workshops;
• accreditation of in-company training; and
• professional development or bespoke companydevelopment programmes.
From the outset, we will work with you to understand the needs of yourorganisation and its people, teaming you with academics that haveextensive knowledge of your industry and a proven track record of success.
We can help take your business to the next level, by identifying the mainchallenges facing your organisation, and finding the best educationalsolution to support your organisational strategy.
To find out more about the educational solutions on offerplease get in touch by email to [email protected] telephone +44 (0)115 848 8163.
Ensuring your business is as efficient as possible to save money on energy bills could make a huge difference over a very short period of time. Making a business more energy efficient may not always result in spending a huge amount of money, but could potentially save a significant amount on business energy costs.
One of the easiest ways to save money on business utility bills is to ensure that when your contract is up for renewal you shop around for the best deal around for your own personal business needs. A large amount can be saved on business energy costs by switching energy suppliers, even more if paying out of contract rates on your utilities.
What many business leaders don’t realise is that in many cases you can actually switch business energy suppliers up to 3 months before the end of their current contract, ensuring that they don’t get rolled over onto a new more expensive contract by their current supplier. It’s advised that you shop around when your current business contract is up for renewal and make sure you receive the best deal always by comparing business energy suppliers. Changing your energy supplier to a more affordable energy supplier for your business is just the tip of the iceberg however and so many more ways businesses can cut down utility expenditure with very little outlay.
For example taking regular meter readings to make sure your bills from your business energy supplier are based on accurate readings rather than estimates, conveniently most energy providers now offer a service where you can give these readings online, allowing you to keep better track of consumption on a daily basis. Being more aware of the energy that you are using each month allows you to budget better for utility costs, ensuring a more evenly distributed cash flow.
So how could you begin dramatically improving your outlay? An audit of your business energy usage would be a great place to start. This allows you to see exactly where your energy is being used and allows you to budget and identify where you may have possible wastage.
Furthermore, educating staff can be a great way to curb small costs and cut down on energy used during each working day. Simply and easy things such as switching off lights in unused rooms and corridors, as well as last thing at night, and also remembering things like car park lighting, that may not need to be necessarily lit up all night.
Shockingly, a huge amount of energy, up to 70%, is wasted by computers, monitors and its associated hardware being left on standby overnight and also during the weekend. To minimise this energy wastage there are products available that automatically shut down appliances left on standby, which recognise when a desktop computer had been powered down and automatically removes power to equipment connected to the sockets.
Try and use energy efficient light bulbs where possible, of course ensuring that you have sufficient lighting to conform to health and safety requirements. Try also to keep light fitting clean and clear of dust build up, which will affect the efficiency of the lighting.
If possible try and keep office working environment temperatures at around 16 - 19 degrees C. By turning down a thermostat by just 1 degree a significant saving can be made on business utility bills. By ensuring that the heating is on a timed thermostat heat is not wasted when no-one is in the building.
And always ask staff to try and close doors where possible to keep heat in, this is even more vital if an air conditioning system is being used. This will help to regulate the air conditioning and help it to work more effectively and therefore less energy is wasted in turn cutting down expenditure on business energy costs.
Don't block the heat coming from radiators with desks and equipment where possible and just like your home make sure you have the boiler serviced regularly to ensure it is running as efficiently as possible.
Ensuring your business is as efficient as possible to save money on energy bills does not necessarily need Capital investment.
UTILITIESEasy ways to save your company money
always ask staff to try and close doors
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FINANCE
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All our training courses have been specifically designed to help businesses trade profitably and effectively in the global market place and range from basic exporting documentation and procedures through to more specific exporting and importing requirements.
Credible trainers and recognised qualifications
The Chamber International Trade Centre’s export trainers are industry specialists and widely respected. Our trainers are also accredited under the Continuous Professional Development programme (CPD) through the Institute of Export.
The majority of courses are delivered by Strong & Herd Ltd and Associates and provide factual, legislative information that can be implemented immediately upon return to your desk. Our alliances with The Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE) also ensure approved content.
Delegates will appreciate the fact that our courses and workshops are not ‘text book’, classroom material but provide real answers to real problems – as well as giving ‘insider’ tips and excellent cost saving and compliance advice.
The perfect environment to learn
The Worcester training centre is conveniently located five minutes away from Junction 6 of the M5 and has free
on-site parking. Training rooms are spacious and well equipped and high quality refreshments and buffet lunch are included in the price.
Flexible delivery
The Chamber International Trade Centre can also organise a bespoke training solution to improve the skills of your international team. We can deliver tailored courses on any International Trade topic at your workplace or chosen venue. We will source a trainer on your behalf from our pool of experienced, accredited specialists.
You can choose from a number of options:
• A Standard Course – extensive Short Course Programme delivered at regular intervals• A Tailored Course - modified from the Chamber’s Short Course Programme• A Bespoke Course - wholly customised to your business and learning needs• Coaching & Mentoring - working with individuals on a one-to-one basis to assist in specific personal development requirements.
Great value
On top of all this, our courses are great value and significantly cheaper than the exact same courses in London. For example, a full day course will cost you just £250 + VAT and you will also save on travel expenses!
For a full list of forthcoming courses visit hwchamber.co.uk/export-training Or contact 0845 641 1613 [email protected]
Chamber International Trade Training Centre, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Severn House, Warndon Business Park, Worcester, WR4 9NE
QUALITY IMPORT & EXPORT TRAINING COURSES IN WORCESTERThe Chamber International Trade Centre based in Worcester are proud to offer a comprehensive Short Course Programme of specialist, high quality import and export training.
Our Short Course Programme includes:
Export Documentation
Basics of Export DocumentationAdvanced Guide to Export DocumentationDirect ShippingExport LicensingDealing with your First Export
Export Finance
Credit Management for ExportersLetters of CreditExport PricingExport FinanceVAT on International Transactions
Export Compliance/Specialist
Incoterms 2010Tariff ClassificationWhat’s new – Changes in International TradeTrading in the ECManaging Agents & DistributorsTrading with the USAInternational Trade Compliance ManagementCustoms Compliance
Export Sales and Marketing
Winning Orders Overseas - Getting Your Strategy RightInternational Sales Online
Import Courses
Importers UpdateImport Essentials (Basic)AEO Awareness (Authorised Economic Operator)IPR (Inward Processing Relief)Advanced Guide to Import Procedures
inFINANCE
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, and encourage the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice. MIB finds out more…
Well-prepared UK exporters are increasingly focussing on the dynamic down-the-line opportunities offered by the world’s emerging economies.
The world’s emerging economies have been fuelled by high growth and bolstered by new middle-class consumer spending power. As a result, they have become attractive markets for UK exporters.
“We shouldn’t get carried away with how big the opportunities are at the moment,” says Dr John Glen, Senior Lecturer Economics at the Cranfield School of Management. “But the prize down the line — because of the growth of these economies — is potentially enormous.”
Although the EU still accounts for around half of all UK exports, British companies are clearly focussing on the opportunities becoming available in the world’s emerging economies. In May 2012, a survey released by The Manufacturers’ Organisation (EEF) and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) showed that 70 per cent of UK firms expected overall exports to increase in 2012; and that 90 per cent of those surveyed were exporting to emerging markets. What’s more, half expected their exports to emerging economies to increase this year.
In fact, the EEF noted that exports to the ‘BRIC’ economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China) have grown from two per cent of the total to eight per cent in the last decade. In the next five years, exports to China and India are expected to increase by 46 per cent and 39 per cent respectively.
Leading the way
"These findings resonate strongly with what manufacturers are telling us,” said Peter Russell, Head of Manufacturing, Corporate and Institutional Banking, RBS, on the survey’s publication. “They are accessing new markets and winning export orders, often against strong local competition which is testament to the design, innovation and quality of UK manufacturers.
“However, we should not pretend that exporting is always straightforward, far from it. Determination and persistence are required which, for some businesses who are already resource constrained, can be a source of frustration and delay.
“But the number one positive is that momentum is increasing. I would encourage those manufacturers who are contemplating seeking out new markets to accelerate their plans. The opportunity is out there."
Of course, there are many aspects to consider including political economic, legal, social and cultural differences when exporting goods to an emerging economy.
This is why it is vital for any potential UK exporter to thoroughly research any emerging markets they plan to enter, speak to experts who understand the way business is conducted on the ground and develop strong local personal relationships within target countries.
“You also have to make sure that your product is fit for purpose in that particular country,” says Dr John Glen. “It’s not simply about taking an existing product portfolio and expanding it into a new market. Plus, exporters have to overcome some of the issues surrounding entry to those markets.”
Corruption and bureaucratic complexity can be a challenge in emerging economies; yet some governments are proactively pursuing policies and initiatives in order to open their markets and attract interest from overseas exporters.
UKTI staff are experts in helping your business grow internationally. They can provide expert trade advice and practical support to UK-based companies wishing to grow their business overseas.
For instance take Mexico with its network of Free Trade Agreements, including North America and the EU. As its economy has grown, so has the demand for UK sophisticated goods and services — and its government is actively working to reduce bureaucracy and improve competitiveness. In September, it was reported that China is to offer greater financial incentives to encourage more hi-tech imports to the
country. Emerging markets in Europe are also providing incentives for UK exporters: Russia, for example, retains its spot as the UK’s fastest-growing major export market with a modernised economy and a large consumer base hungry for international products. “I think we underestimate how strong the ‘Brand of Britain’ is in emerging economies,” says Dr John Glen. “There still is a cache surrounding British products in, for example, emerging middle classes in India.”
Understanding these markets is not always easy: but the World Bank’s Ease of Doing business ranking lists the top countries where “the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm.”
And according to a report released in October 2012 by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC), local entrepreneurs in developing countries are now finding it easier to do business than at any time in the last 10 years, thanks to regulatory reforms such as tax compliance. Many emerging economies in Eastern Europe showed significant improvement in the rankings, with Poland up 19 places; Ukraine 15 places; Mongolia 12 places; Kazakhstan seven places and Russia six places.
“Over the years, governments have made important strides to improve their business regulatory environment and to narrow the gap with global best practices,” noted Augusto Lopez-Claros, Director, Global Indicators and Analysis, World Bank Group.
UK TRADE & INVESTMENT
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international
markets, and encourage the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.
MIB finds out more…
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FINANCE
Export Week Events Calendar
Date: 13.05.2013Event: Doing Business in Singapore Venue: Staffordshire Chamber Lead: Rob Lawley Delegates: 30 Timings: 08.30 - 12.30
Date: 14.05.2013Event: HVO Summit for Mid-Sized Business Venue: ICCLead: Patrick McCarronDelegates: 120 Timings: 09.30 - 13.00
Date: 14.05.2013Event: World Class WebsitesVenue: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Lead: Patrick McCarron Delegates: 15 Timings: 09.30 - 16.00
Date: 14.05.2013Event: Bribery Act & IPVenue: Shropshire Academy - Shewsbury Lead: Patrick McCarronDelegates: 30 - 50 Timings: 09.30 - 13.30
Date: 15.05.2013Event: Opportunities in the Middle East Venue: Aston Science ParkLead: Chris Hamilton / Terence Madkins Delegates: 60
Date: 16.05.2013Event: BABC Annual ConferenceVenue: ICCLead: Jamie RussellDelegates: 300 Timings: FULL DAY Date: 16.05.2013Event: Joint UKTI & Carillion Plc “Supply Chains” Venue: Wolverhampton Science ParkLead: Patrick McCarron Delegates: 60 Timings: 10.00 - 14.00
Date: 16.05.2013Event: Doing Business in Brazil Venue: Edgbaston Stadium Lead: Patrick McCarronDelegates: 30 - 50 Timings: 09.30 - 13.30
Date: 16.05.2013Event: Russian Aerospace - Focus on Ulyanovsk Region Venue: Woodnorton Hotel, Worcestershire Lead: Linda Smith Delegates: 60 Timings: 18.00 - 20.00
Date: 17.05.3013Event: BABC Annual ConferenceVenue: ICCLead: Jamie Russell Delegates: 200 Timings: FULL DAY
Date: 17.05.2013Event: Doing Business in the Nordics / Baltics Venue: Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Lead: Mick Page Delegates: 50 Timings: 09.30 - 13.00
Language barrier should not hold your business back from export success
Michael Gurney, Business Development, Capita Translation and Interpreting“Throughout the downturn there has been much discussion on how to get the UK economy moving again, with many economists and business leaders expressing that we are in an ‘adapt or die’ situation. Many companies face the challenge of changing their business model to survive and prosper.
“It can be argued that the biggest obstacle to UK business exporting to the developing world is the Language Barrier. Goodness knows that our industry has the hard won experience and technical know-how to compete and add value to any market, but with English being an international language, we can struggle when faced with emerging languages and cultures such as in China.
“However, technology capability is constantly evolving to reduce the number of routes to market blocked by the language barrier. Capita Translation and Interpreting (Capita-TI) provides a comprehensive range of language and localisation services, such as interpreting, human translation, machine translation, proofreading and transcription. We provide these services to businesses of all sizes, from FTSE 100 companies to emerging e-commerce enterprises. Making your products and services available in a number of different languages does have telling results – we work with an online nutrition supplement retailer that has doubled its online sales within six months as a result of localizing their website into French and German. The statistics show that this is the future – research from Cisco Systems has estimated that the value of the international e-commerce market (all online sales, in any sector) will be worth $1.5 trillion by 2015.
“With countries including Spain, China, Brazil, Russia and Turkey set to experience a 26 percent growth in e-commerce revenue, UK businesses have a great opportunity, through localization strategies, to let the customers in these international markets come to them.”
25ISSUE 55 ---
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Throughout the downturn there has been much discussion on how to get the UK economy moving again, with many economists and business leaders expressing that we are in an ‘adapt or die’ situation. Many companies face the challenge of changing their business model to survive and prosper.
It can be argued that the biggest obstacle to UK business exporting to the developing world is the Language Barrier. Goodness knows that our industry has the hard won experience and technical know-how to compete and add value to any market, but with English being an international language, we can struggle when faced with emerging languages and cultures such as in China.
However, technology capability is constantly evolving to reduce the number of routes to market blocked by the language barrier.
Capita Translation and Interpreting (Capita-TI) provides a comprehensive range of language and localisation services, such as interpreting, human translation, machine translation, proofreading and transcription. We provide these services to businesses of all sizes, from FTSE 100 companies to emerging e-commerce enterprises. Making your products and services available in a number of different languages does have telling results – we work with an online nutrition supplement retailer that has doubled its online sales within six months as a result of localizing their website into French and German.
The statistics show that this is the future – research from Cisco Systems has estimated that the value of the international e-commerce market (all online sales, in any sector) will be worth $1.5 trillion by 2015.
With countries including Spain, China, Brazil, Russia and Turkey set to experience a 26 percent growth in e-commerce revenue, UK businesses have a great opportunity, through localization strategies, to let the customers in these international markets come to them.
The language barrier should not hold your business back from export success
For more information on how localization and language services can benefit your business, contact Capita Translation and Interpreting.
+44(0)845 367 7000
www.capitatranslationinterpreting.com
Michael Gurney, Business Development, Capita Translation and Interpreting
© Capita plc
FINANCE
Business owners in the Midlands area watching the Chancellor deliver his fourth Budget announcement in March, may have been forgiven for wondering just how long they will have to wait for the UK’s much-anticipated economic recovery, with growth predicted to be sluggish at best.
With this in mind it is perhaps not surprising that the Government continues to push the important role that exports can play in bringing about that recovery, especially as markets beyond the eurozone continue to grow and present real opportunities for businesses in the Midlands region.
However while many businesses may wish to take advantage of those opportunities, there are a number of perceptions about the process of exporting, which create barriers that do not necessarily exist.
In fact for Midlands firms looking to export their goods and services for the first time, there is help and support available to enable them to develop markets overseas and grow their business beyond the limitations of the domestic market.
Terry Wolfendale, Managing Director at Bibby Financial Services in the Midlands, says with the opportunities in emerging markets and the weaker pound, it is a good time for UK businesses to be exporting.
He says: “It’s certainly the case that UK businesses which are exporting are seeing a number of benefits as a result, beyond the obvious increase in the trade in new markets abroad.
“But it is also the case that businesses looking to export for the first time can find it difficult to access the right advice and support to get them started, as well as the funding necessary to support exports.”
For businesses looking to export for the first time, Mr Wolfendale says there are three main issues to be aware of:
1. Know the target market, understand the culture of the country, its laws, taxes, etc.2. Understand the trading cycle, the terms agreed and how this affects their responsibilities in exporting goods and services.3. Understand the cash flow implications of funding overseas and the stages in the cycle that are affected.
“One of the problems we find is a lack of confidence among businesses caused by the cultural barriers, particularly in countries further afield such as the BRIC nations, Brazil, Russia, China and India,” says Mr Wolfendale.
“In our research a third of SMEs said they did not export due to language barriers and there is also a sense that while many of us are quite used to dealing with Europe, countries such as Brazil and China are much less familiar and present different challenges.
“That is why it is key to do the research and understand the market you are targeting. Organisations such as UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and UK Export Finance can help provide that kind of information so it is really valuable to make contact with them and gain from their experience and understanding.”
The second issue in terms of understanding the trading cycle is a crucial aspect that is often overlooked, said Mr Wolfendale, particularly if a business has not had a lot of experience in exporting.
He says: “Being on top of finances and the terms of trade is a key area that exporters sometimes miss. Negotiating at which point the purchaser takes responsibility for the
seller’s goods is important, as responsibility for insurance and transportation costs can jeopardise the protection of the goods and dramatically increase the overall costs of sale.
“A number of businesses can get caught up with the excitement of a new order from abroad and then find they are liable for the delivery of the goods, all the way to the buyer’s door. Without checking the terms, they can find themselves liable if something happens to the goods during the export cycle.”
Finally, understanding the cash flow implications of exporting is crucial for success. Businesses may have to finance the production of goods before they are paid by the buyer. Depending on the credit terms agreed, this may extend to 60, 90 or even 120 days. Closing that funding gap, by taking on finance or using alternatives such as export funding and purchase funding through Bibby Financial Services, will help to maintain cash flow.
Mr Wolfendale says: “Securing the necessary finance to underpin an export operation is proving to be a real challenge for a lot of businesses, particularly when they feel there are no alternatives to the banks.
“However a facility such as Export Factoring from an independent provider boosts cash flow by providing an immediate injection of cash into the business, against the value of their outstanding invoices.
“A lender will credit check the end buyer and provide comfort for the exporter. At Bibby Financial Services we can offer bad debt protection to give our clients extra peace of mind.
“For each invoice raised by the business, Export Factoring will release a percentage of its value within 24 hours. The remaining balance, less a small fee, will be released after the buyer has settled the invoice in full.
“This provides both an immediate and on-going supply of cash linked to sales, allowing the business to extended credit to their customers, where necessary.
“The situation right now in the UK is that some lenders which offer invoice finance for example, will restrict the funding of an export sales ledger. This could be for a number of reasons; either because they don’t want to take on the risk or they simply don’t have the skills and expertise in export finance.
“This is something that has to change if lenders are to provide meaningful support to the Government’s aspiration of an export-led recovery.”
GATEWAY TO GROWTH
Businesses in the Midlands should look to export as a gateway to growth
WRITER
Terry Wolfendale, managing director at
Bibby Financial Service
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Exclusive Q&A withPaul Farmer, Managing Director of Wade Ceramics
Wade Ceramics has produced high quality porcelain and ceramic products for over 200 years. Paul Farmer,
Managing Director of the company for the last 14 years gives us an exclusive insight into the new markets
in sight and why Wade will reach its 300th year birthday as an industry leader.
The Stoke-on-Trent business manufactures porcelain flagons for the spirits industry and promotional
porcelain goods for specific marketing campaigns. It can name the likes of Tetley, Ringtons, York Minster
and Marmite among its customers.
Cover Story
MIDLANDS MANUFACTURER OF
THE YEAR 2013
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A recent £10million investment into a new state of the art factory in Stoke-on-Trent, which incorporated state of the art robotic manufacturing technology, has helped Wade become a world leader in the design and supply of porcelain flagons for the international distilling industry.
With numerous industry awards including the Design Excellence Award 2008, Business Innovation Award 2009, Manufacturing Innovation Award 2011, The Yellow Pencil Award and most recently winners of the Midlands Manufacturer of the Year Award 2013, Wade is fast becoming recognised as an industry leader for its continued business growth with an increase in turnover of 70% and increase in workforce by 40% in the last year.
MIB: What was it about the Wade brand that made you want to purchase the company back in 1999 with now chairman Edward Duke?
PF: It was a great opportunity; I always wanted to be in business on my own and not be constrained by major corporations. The opportunity arose with Edward because the group that owned Wade was in financial difficulty and the only way to get out of trouble was to sell off the crown jewels which were Wade Ceramics and Allied Insulators. We were in a position to buy it and take it privately and we knew we would put in all the hard work to rationalise it and make it successful.
Initially it was the excitement of owning our own business and being a shareholder in a privately owned company but ultimately we always saw a successful future. It was a big challenge to take on but we have got there in the end and the hard work we have put in over the years is coming to fruition.
MIB: 14 years on what would you say have been the highlights and the best achievements you have made with Wade Ceramics?
PF: Without a shadow of a doubt it has been the building of the new factory. We have taken two very old and well established companies with six sites across the West Midlands and rationalised those down to one site. Using those resources we built a state of the art facility in Stoke-on-Trent in the heart of the pottery industry, using all the new modern technology available to manufacture hollowware.
MIB: This investment cost £10million could you tell us how this new has improved manufacturing for Wade Ceramics?
PF: We had a very old factory which was on five floors and over 90,000sqft, we were able to reduce the floor space to 36,000sqft which, of course, reduces fixed costs, rent and rates considerably. By utilising modern high pressure casting technology which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we were not only able to utilise that smaller footprint but have a much bigger output. There’s no real advantage in terms of better quality but you get a much more efficient method of manufacturing and it is more consistent. The tool life is incredible at 10,000 impressions rather than 45 impressions which cuts down on waste disposal so it is a greener
element. It has also given us the opportunity to have a beautiful, fully insulated factory enhancing our working conditions.
MIB: This investment came at a time when the recession hit, what encouraged you to make this investment at this time?
PF: The golden rule number one is if you have a great idea and you back that up with the right plan then you always invest in a recession.
It wasn’t a decision to invest because there was a recession coming, because we weren’t that clever, but we had committed to the project. I recall in particular one board meeting that said: “do we? Or don’t we?” There was an opportunity to pull the plug and not sign up and not move forward with the plans. The chairman and I were very committed to the project.
Apart from the fact of the property crash that went with the recession and the bad debts, to me it never felt like we were experiencing a recession like we have in the past – where there was mass unemployment.
We had the faith to push forward. We talked to local authorities and various other regional and national bodies, local government and Advantage West Midlands. It was only through the good offers from them that we were able to move forward. The banks pulled the plug on the loan and we had to find another way to finance it. We always knew that we would and we never lost the faith. Once we had committed to the project we were going to find a way to make it happen.
MIB: How do you think the new factory has helped to improve the Wade brand in the UK and internationally?
PF: I think it has improved the performance of the business significantly. We are just about to take on the job of improving the Wade brand. Up to now we have been in the wonderful position of having no spare capacity whatsoever, as fast as we increased our production output, our major customer Chivas Brothers have absorbed that and its only since October -November last year that we have now got a bit of breathing space. We have contacts in Russia and India and we are pushing further in the USA. We are working quite hard to push the Wade brand forward internationally.
It is interesting that the gentleman I spoke to in Russia, said there is a huge brand awareness of the Wade’s name there which dates back to the late 90’s when we made a lot of teapots specifically for the Russian market. We are looking for opportunities in all aspects of the business but at the moment we are concentrating on the bottle market.
MIB: As Managing Director of Wade for the past 14 years what changes to the market and customer base have you seen over the years and how have Wade continued to become a leading manufacturer?
PF: It is interesting that you mentioned the recession in ’09 which brought about a lot of grief in the industry and across the whole financial world. The ceramics industry had been going to hell and back a lot longer than that, right back to when we bought the
business it was in difficulty because there was a growing threat from the imports. Also, in Wade’s history we used to make millions and millions of small components for FMCG goods which were made in the UK.
The manufacturing of the FMCG goods has now moved overseas and with it the demand for the components that Wade was known for, has gone. We had been suffering a slow down in certain markets for some time and needed to change the modus operandi of the business so we took a decision in the early naughties to step away from being totally self-provisional.
We realised we had to have a business model that kept all the core manufacturing in Stoke-on-Trent, 90% of the business, and for the remaining 10% of the business, we started to look for suppliers and partners all over the world resulting in a loyal, reliable group of overseas associates who work to our exceptional standards.
At the same time that we have been rationalising our business we have seen a huge growth in the spirits industry and premiumisation of the spirits industry. We are now looking into other industries that are looking for an alternative to glass bottles.
MIB: What products can we expect to see in the Wade portfolio at this moment in time and is there anything we should be keeping a look out for in the near future?
PF: At the moment we are dominated by the spirits industry in particular whisky, Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey and we are looking to move into Indian whisky and bourbon in the USA. We are currently carrying out a
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Cover Story
market study in Germany for beer because increasingly we are told there are more and more beer producers wanting to differentiate their products from competitors.
In the past we have produced perfume bottles for brands such as Agent Provocateur and various others, and we have also made some investigation into balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
MIB: Over the years Wade Ceramics have won a number of awards for manufacturing, design and innovation most recently the Midlands Manufacturer of the Year – what is it about the Wade brand that stands out against other manufacturing companies in the UK?
PF: I think a lot of it is down to the fact that we were bold enough to invest in new technology. The design side was very much surrounded one particular product range (Dignity) which we are still producing now and which has been very successful and is focused on the Alzheimer market.
The innovation side is all about engineering innovation. We have taken a tried and tested technology which is pressure casting, and instead of holding the pressure casting through one plain we have had to hold it through three plains. That is the magic and no-one else in the world has been able to master this technology the way we have. That is due to our collaboration with our German engineering partners.
More than that it gives us fantastic productivity and we are able to compete with the Far East and the cheaper labour nations on a cost basis, whilst still giving a fantastic manufacturing output.
MIB: 202 years in business and the company is now due to be sold – what will this mean for Wade Ceramics when a new buyer comes into play?
PF: It is going to be sold in the event that there is a buyer who comes in with a sensible offer for the business. The shareholders aren’t in a rush to sell the business as it is financially secure. The reason for the sale is that the people who have the major shares in the business, for example Edward, are looking to retire. As and when the business is sold, I will be staying with the business for at least another two or three years and the intention would be to move into the new markets we just discussed.
We want to grow the company; the people who are currently talking to us about the investment are dedicated to growth and new markets, lifting the brand of Wade with design agencies, the spirits manufacturers and the food industry.
We don’t see Wade Ceramics as a ceramics company, we see it as a packaging company and one of the other options and alternatives is to become a one-stop-shop. We are looking to move into the design, finishing and other packaging routes such as bags, labels, prints. It is becoming apparent that there are too many people involved and if we were to offer a one-stop-shop facility then we would be coordinating whole projects.
MIB: The new target has been set for Wade Ceramics to reach 300 years what plans have been put in place to make sure that this goal is met?
PF: We have enough spare land at the side of us to buy a plot big enough to treble the companies
output and we are in negotiations with the landowners about the purchase of that land. We are just in the process of putting together an application for a grant along those lines as we think this is something we will be looking to do in the very near future mid-2016.
That takes Wade from a £15million company to a £50million company in terms of manufacturing on site. Add into that the on-stop-shop facility, Wade could be looking to quadruple the size of the business. Who knows what else the future will hold.
MIB: You visited the World Whisky Awards in March and the World Whisky Conference in April. What does it mean to you as a company to be involved in such prestigious events?
PF: This was the second year we attended the World Whisky Awards and were sponsors of the branded whiskey award. There were around 300 people at the awards dinner in London who are all in the industry so it raised our profile.
We were also one of the main sponsors for the World Whisky Conference. This is the first time the conference has been taken offshore to New York so again an excellent opportunity for us as it opens up the USA market. The Whisky Conference has really started to gain some momentum and I have been speaking to the organisers and I have suggested that next year’s event should be held in India as the industry is booming over there.
MIB: Wade Ceramics is obviously flying the flag for manufacturing in Staffordshire, what does it mean to the company to continue promoting the industry and striving for success in the region?
PF: The ceramics industry is alive and well – as Winston Churchill once said ‘news of my death has been greatly exaggerated’. People think the ceramics industry has gone and yes, it has lost 30,000 jobs in the last 15 years but those of us who are still around, including Steelite, Dudson, Churchill and Portmeirion, are all fighting, working hard and growing.
Job creation is happening around the city and it is important that we lift the profile of ceramics. I sense there is a greater co-operation between the manufacturers than there has ever been. That is partly due to the fact we have all found our niche. There is some overlap and competition but at the end of the day we have a common goal. There is a new generation, albeit not young, but a generation that thrives on the success of the industry.
We shouldn’t leave the suppliers out either because the clay suppliers are all working hard to help and the BCC is alive and well and is moving things forward.
I think there is a buzz within the ceramics industry and I think it is one of the only industries which have survived in this city. The city has something good to offer anyone who wants to come and work here. We are very much alive and kicking.
Paul Farmer and Edward Duke were presented with the Midlands Manufacturer Award by Nexus Creative
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inENVIRONMENTAL
Businesses who understand the environment are businesses with bright futures. That’s why Staffordshire Business and Environment Network has been supporting its members for over 20 years
sben covers a wealth of topics guided by our members needs, topical issues and legislation. Our support can be through hands on heath checks for a business, telephone support on a particular issue, signposting to current and relevant information, grants and services or facilitating networking and helping businesses make useful connections.
Our network has the knowledge and know how to help your business improve its competitiveness, profitability and environmental performance
Business Resilience
2012 was the wettest year on record for Staffordshire, yet we also had drought warnings issues at the beginning of the year.
Flooding and extreme weather has been a real issue for some of our members this year. We have worked with our members and the Environment Agency to help them consider the risks and develop business resilience plans for the impacts of climate change.
It’s not just been about flooding but lightning strikes, heat waves, and also considering staff travel to work in extreme weather, how your suppliers will be affected or what happens if you lose electricity supplies? Having a plan in place can make the difference to your business surviving in a crisis. Planning ahead is much more cost effective.
Comments from members who attended business resilience events:
“Thought provoking & valuable for us in review of our Business Emergency/ Contingency Plans”
“Very worthwhile event - a very underestimated topic within Business Management”
Further workshops will be held later in the year but if you need advice now the Environment Agency’s Climate Ready support service provides online information and a help desk to help organisations assess their sensitivity to a changing climate and take steps to manage their climate risks. It also provides tailored sector support. Go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/climateready to access the advice, guidance, sector specific information and tools, and news updates. Sign-up via the web pages to the monthly e-bulletin to receive the latest customer updates.
An overview of SBEN and how they could help your business
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ENVIRONMENTAL
Safer Driving: legal compliance for your fleet
This was an eye opening event helping businesses understand the requirements and implications of Health and Safety Legislation for Driving at Work and how this can be effectively met through simple policies and procedures to enhance your business performance.
A few simple steps checking staff paperwork is in order, adopting policies such as safe use of mobile phones has actively resulted in local businesses improving their working practice making our roads a safer place to be.
More information on safer driving can be found on our web site. We will also be running Safer Driving Practice training on 5th June through the Staffordshire County Council Road Safety and Sustainable Travel Unit specifically for companies who have drivers that make work related journeys.
Networking with sben
The benefits of sben membership are not just in training and events, the network of businesses itself is our strength which has been built up over the last 20 years. All of our events provide opportunities for businesses to get to know each other and work together; we also run an annual networking event and what a fantastic evening this was for our 20th anniversary celebration! As one of the delegates commented, "the room was buzzing!" Everyone shared their environmental successes, achievements and milestones over the last 20 yrs and also made some pledges for the next 5 years
Comments included:
“Best networking event I have attended!"
"Fantastic networking - I've found just the business I was looking for to do some work for us".
"Very enjoyable as usual. Well done!"
"Very good and entertaining".
"Good event for networking - enjoyable & informal"
"Another excellent event - well done!"
"Great evening - good networking exercise. The sben team have done a fantastic job!"
"Really interesting and diverse group of members"
Our next networking evening will be in November but in the mean time members also keep in touch through our LinkedIn networking group.
For more details on sben about events, services and joining the 250+ members across Staffordshire please visit www.sben.co.uk or call the team on tel: 01785 276528
If you need any further reason to take a look at
SBEN here are a few from our members:
The SBEN team are easy to talk to – very approachable – always get back to you and great at connecting you
to the right people – keeping members up to date with what is going on and any new legislation.
Sarah Vuckovic
Sales manager, AdGiftsOnline(5 employees – Promotional merchandise &
business gift distributor)
We regard SBEN as our No.1 information and training provider with regard to environmental compliance, resource efficiencyand best practice. The value for
money is excellent.
Jon Lawrence
Group HSE Executive, WWRD UK Ltd(Over 800 employees – Ceramic manufacturer)
Just knowing that there is somewhere where you can get help/advice on environmental matters gives great
peace of mind to small businesses like ourselves. SBEN has been invaluable to both myself, and our
business as a whole.
Cath Fearn
Business Manager, Sudden Impact(20 employees – Printer repair & recycling)
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Sustainable and Heritage BuildingModern Arts • Traditional Crafts
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Business owners may be able to save money and the environment with the Green Deal, the government’s new energy efficiency initiative. This newly proposed deal allows customers to improve their property’s energy efficiency by giving them a loan for home improvement measures for areas such as insulation, double glazing and solar panels. This money is then paid back to the loan provider from the property’s energy bills, meaning even if the owner’s move on, the bill doesn’t. This results in a win-win situation for the property owner and the environment.
However this isn’t a scheme that exclusively benefits residential properties, businesses are able to take advantage too. Homeowners will be allowed to take out up to £10,000 however businesses will have no upper cap in what they can apply for through the green deal. This limit will be set between the business and the provider. This means that businesses that are looking for large scale installations should use the green deal as a way to invest in green technologies to help them save money in the longer term.
The businesses building will be effectively responsible for the costs of all the improvements and these costs will be repaid through the energy bill related to the property. There will be no upfront costs for the business to incur at the outset. The only cost will be the assessment; this might be waived or enveloped by the provider depending on the deal struck between the provider and the business applying.
Dedicated ‘green deal assessors’ will tell you which measures will be the most beneficial, for example if your business has a south facing roof it may well benefit from the installation of solar panels.
Other options may include solid and/or cavity wall insulation and double glazing, which will dramatically cut the amount of energy your business wastes and consequently your bills.
The measures recommended by the advisor should follow the Green Deal’s perceived trademark rule that the financial savings you’re expected to make should at least equal, or be greater than, the costs that will be attached to and repaid through your energy bill.
Currently there are schemes, such as the climate change agreements and the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme which some businesses will already be aware of. The government is currently looking at how these will all be aligned to make clear choices available to the business community.
Businesses will have the same measures available to them as domestic customers but some will not adhere to the Golden Rule of the Green Deal due to the size of some business premises. For example if a business is in a large warehouse it may not be cost effective to fit solar panels due to the high initial costs. It might however be cost effective to fit lighting controls and low energy lights which will give a much faster return on investment and fit into the Green Deals Golden Rule.
Ways to Save
So how can you save a bit of that hard-earned cash and make your business more
environmentally efficient? MIB looks at how some small changes can make large
savings on your energy costs.
Loft Insulation:
Lofts can be insulated with two layers of mineral wool to prevent heat escaping,
saving your business money, ideal as hot air rises and nearly a quarter of your
property’s heat will be lost through the roof.
Wall Insulation:
External walls account for almost a third of all heat loss and can easily be insulated by a trained professional. Modern properties
with cavity walls can be insulated by blowing insulation into the cavity through
small holes in the external walls. Older properties with solid brick walls can be
insulated from the inside our outside.
Double-Glazing:
Double-glazing all windows will also help to reduce your energy bill. By trapping a layer of air between two sheets of glass,
double-glazed windows not only eliminate noise but also keep heat in.
Draught insulation:
Unwanted gaps in the construction of your building, such as gaps between windows and frames, cracks in the floorboards and
gaps around pipework, are all common sources of lost heat that can easily be
repaired.
Boiler Replacement:
Your boiler accounts for around 60% of the total energy cost, so by installing the
most efficient one possible you will save a lot of money. Old oil-fired boilers can be
replaced with modern condensing boilers which re-use waste heat to warm up cold
water entering the boiler, making them much more energy efficient.
Solar Panels:
The sun’s rays can be harnessed to produce renewable energy by installing solar panels. Solar panels will not only reduce your energy bill but also lessen your carbon footprint, as solar energy
doesn’t produce harmful carbon dioxide. Although solar panels are still costly, over a 25-year period they will more than pay for
themselves, making them eligible under the Green Deal scheme.
WHAT IS THE GREEN DEAL?What is the green deal and how could it affect your business?
ENVIRONMENTAL
35ISSUE 55 ---
TRUSTEES: Front, Pat Smitten, AssistantSecretary. Rear L-R, Judy Ledward, Secretary,Ron Prime, Liaison Officer, Peter Carder,Treasurer and Co-founder and Tony Berry,Chairman and Co-founder.
Information on the work of the Charity
8/12
Our work covers all aspects of cardiac carethroughout North Staffordshire, the Moorlandsand surrounding districts. We also support StJohn Ambulance and British Red Cross and wehave provided no fewer than 90 AutomaticExternal Defibrillators (AEDs) in the last few years.However, in the last two or three years we haveconcentrated on the Cardiac and CardiothoracicDepartments treating patients at the UniversityHospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) NHS Trust.
We continue to publish information booklets forpatients to introduce them to the hospital andguide them through the procedures that they arelikely to experience covering 'Heart Attack','Angioplasty', 'Cardiac and Lung Surgery', and ahand held record booklet for 'Heart Failure’patients. All these booklets are free to patients.
The UHNS NHS Trust has one of the largestCardiac departments in the country and providesspecialist services to the whole of Staffordshireand Shropshire, adjacent South and EastCheshire and further afield and is considered tobe a ‘Centre of Excellence’.
Our mission statement is set out on theletterhead above as are the details of the five laypeople trustees who administer the Charityvoluntarily. In addition we have medical supportfrom three Consultant Cardiologists, and aCardiothoracic Surgeon, all of whom give theirtime freely.
Using equipment we have purchased, thehospital is now able to offer a number ofspecialist procedures that are only availablein a handful of hospitals throughout thecountry, ensuring that the UHNS remains acentre of excellence for cardiac patients.
Over the past year 5,500 individual patientswere dealt with in the cardiologydepartments and 14,500 tests, procedures orinterventions were performed. During thesame period the cardiothoracic surgerydepartment carried out procedures on 1,100patients. These figures include 4,000emergency admissions. In addition over20,000 patients attended the various cardiacoutpatients departments.
Central to the functioning of the cardiologyservice is the non-invasive cardiac investigationdepartment and the cardiac catheter laboratorysuite. The non-invasive unit providescomprehensive cardiac ultrasound services andhas access to advanced cardiac MR scanning andCT and radionuclide scanning.
Comment from Dr John Creamer, ConsultantCardiologist and Electrophysiologist: “We aregrateful to the North Staffs HeartCommittee Charity which has been our keypartner in facilitating the development ofthe catheter laboratories by fundingenabling works. In addition it has providedmany major state of the art equipment,including cardiac monitoring equipment,ultrasound machines and exercise testingequipment as well as a complex cardiacmapping system for arrhythmia treatment.Over the last 33 years the North StaffsHeart Committee has invested over£5 million into the care of heart patients atthe University Hospital of NorthStaffordshire.”
The Cardiac and Cardiothoracic wards anddepartments have now transferred to the new£400 million University Hospital of NorthStaffordshire. This provides better facilities forpatients and staff enabling twenty-first centurycardiac care to be delivered.
North Sta� s Heart CommitteeFounded 1979 Registered Charity 508743
THE LEADING LOCAL HEART CHARITYImproving and advancing Cardiac Care in the regionby providing superior Hospital and First Aid Equipment and Services
www.northsta�sheart.org.ukThe North Sta�s Heart Committee is an independent charity serving the interests of cardiac patients residing or receivingtreatment in North Sta�ordshire and is NOT associated with any other national or local charity of similar name.
Chairman: A. J. G. (Tony) Berry MBE“Sneyd Cottage”, 5 Herm Close, SeabridgeNewcastle, Sta�s. ST5 3LL Tel/Fax: 01782 622463
Secretary:J. H. (Judy) Ledward5 Hulland Close, SilverdaleNewcastle, Sta� s. ST5 6RZ
Treasurer: F. W. (Peter) Carder MBEc/o “Sneyd Cottage”, 5 Herm Close, SeabridgeNewcastle, Sta�s. ST5 3LL
Assistant Secretary:P. M. (Pat) Smitten3 The Grove, WestlandsNewcastle, Sta� s. ST5 2HD
Liaison O�cer:R. T. (Ron) Prime23 Southlowe RoadWerrington, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 0HR
Recently we have purchased state-of-the-artdiagnostic mapping equipment at a value of£70,000 and will shortly be purchasingequipment to assist heart failure patients at a costof £35,000. For the cardiothoracic departmentwe have purchased equipment for key-holesurgery at a cost of £50,000 and we will beadding further equipment for micro heart valvesurgery. A special Cerebral Oxygenation monitorhas been purchased at a cost of £27,000 tomaintain patient’s stability during extendedsurgical procedures. All these items of specialistequipment are over and above those provided bythe NHS.
If you have supported us in the past we thankyou and on appropriate occasions in the future,we seek your help in obtaining donations,particularly Gift Aided, and legacies in orderthat we can continue with our work of improvingcardiac care LOCALLY in North Staffordshire, theMoorlands and the surrounding districts.
Donations and legacies made to the NorthStaffs. Heart Committee are used very costeffectively due to our direct purchases, lowoverheads, negotiated discounts and theexemption from VAT and NHS capitalcharges.
Thank you for taking the time to read thisinformation and appeal, and for yourconsideration and support. Please do nothesitate to contact me or visit our website ifyou require any further information.
Tony Berry, Chairman
TRUSTEES: Front, Pat Smitten, AssistantSecretary. Rear L-R, Judy Ledward, Secretary,Ron Prime, Liaison Officer, Peter Carder,Treasurer and Co-founder and Tony Berry,Chairman and Co-founder.
Information on the work of the Charity
8/12
Our work covers all aspects of cardiac carethroughout North Staffordshire, the Moorlandsand surrounding districts. We also support StJohn Ambulance and British Red Cross and wehave provided no fewer than 90 AutomaticExternal Defibrillators (AEDs) in the last few years.However, in the last two or three years we haveconcentrated on the Cardiac and CardiothoracicDepartments treating patients at the UniversityHospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) NHS Trust.
We continue to publish information booklets forpatients to introduce them to the hospital andguide them through the procedures that they arelikely to experience covering 'Heart Attack','Angioplasty', 'Cardiac and Lung Surgery', and ahand held record booklet for 'Heart Failure’patients. All these booklets are free to patients.
The UHNS NHS Trust has one of the largestCardiac departments in the country and providesspecialist services to the whole of Staffordshireand Shropshire, adjacent South and EastCheshire and further afield and is considered tobe a ‘Centre of Excellence’.
Our mission statement is set out on theletterhead above as are the details of the five laypeople trustees who administer the Charityvoluntarily. In addition we have medical supportfrom three Consultant Cardiologists, and aCardiothoracic Surgeon, all of whom give theirtime freely.
Using equipment we have purchased, thehospital is now able to offer a number ofspecialist procedures that are only availablein a handful of hospitals throughout thecountry, ensuring that the UHNS remains acentre of excellence for cardiac patients.
Over the past year 5,500 individual patientswere dealt with in the cardiologydepartments and 14,500 tests, procedures orinterventions were performed. During thesame period the cardiothoracic surgerydepartment carried out procedures on 1,100patients. These figures include 4,000emergency admissions. In addition over20,000 patients attended the various cardiacoutpatients departments.
Central to the functioning of the cardiologyservice is the non-invasive cardiac investigationdepartment and the cardiac catheter laboratorysuite. The non-invasive unit providescomprehensive cardiac ultrasound services andhas access to advanced cardiac MR scanning andCT and radionuclide scanning.
Comment from Dr John Creamer, ConsultantCardiologist and Electrophysiologist: “We aregrateful to the North Staffs HeartCommittee Charity which has been our keypartner in facilitating the development ofthe catheter laboratories by fundingenabling works. In addition it has providedmany major state of the art equipment,including cardiac monitoring equipment,ultrasound machines and exercise testingequipment as well as a complex cardiacmapping system for arrhythmia treatment.Over the last 33 years the North StaffsHeart Committee has invested over£5 million into the care of heart patients atthe University Hospital of NorthStaffordshire.”
The Cardiac and Cardiothoracic wards anddepartments have now transferred to the new£400 million University Hospital of NorthStaffordshire. This provides better facilities forpatients and staff enabling twenty-first centurycardiac care to be delivered.
North Sta� s Heart CommitteeFounded 1979 Registered Charity 508743
THE LEADING LOCAL HEART CHARITYImproving and advancing Cardiac Care in the regionby providing superior Hospital and First Aid Equipment and Services
www.northsta�sheart.org.ukThe North Sta�s Heart Committee is an independent charity serving the interests of cardiac patients residing or receivingtreatment in North Sta�ordshire and is NOT associated with any other national or local charity of similar name.
Chairman: A. J. G. (Tony) Berry MBE“Sneyd Cottage”, 5 Herm Close, SeabridgeNewcastle, Sta�s. ST5 3LL Tel/Fax: 01782 622463
Secretary:J. H. (Judy) Ledward5 Hulland Close, SilverdaleNewcastle, Sta� s. ST5 6RZ
Treasurer: F. W. (Peter) Carder MBEc/o “Sneyd Cottage”, 5 Herm Close, SeabridgeNewcastle, Sta�s. ST5 3LL
Assistant Secretary:P. M. (Pat) Smitten3 The Grove, WestlandsNewcastle, Sta� s. ST5 2HD
Liaison O�cer:R. T. (Ron) Prime23 Southlowe RoadWerrington, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 0HR
Recently we have purchased state-of-the-artdiagnostic mapping equipment at a value of£70,000 and will shortly be purchasingequipment to assist heart failure patients at a costof £35,000. For the cardiothoracic departmentwe have purchased equipment for key-holesurgery at a cost of £50,000 and we will beadding further equipment for micro heart valvesurgery. A special Cerebral Oxygenation monitorhas been purchased at a cost of £27,000 tomaintain patient’s stability during extendedsurgical procedures. All these items of specialistequipment are over and above those provided bythe NHS.
If you have supported us in the past we thankyou and on appropriate occasions in the future,we seek your help in obtaining donations,particularly Gift Aided, and legacies in orderthat we can continue with our work of improvingcardiac care LOCALLY in North Staffordshire, theMoorlands and the surrounding districts.
Donations and legacies made to the NorthStaffs. Heart Committee are used very costeffectively due to our direct purchases, lowoverheads, negotiated discounts and theexemption from VAT and NHS capitalcharges.
Thank you for taking the time to read thisinformation and appeal, and for yourconsideration and support. Please do nothesitate to contact me or visit our website ifyou require any further information.
Tony Berry, Chairman
RegenerateThe Midlands
THE ESSENTIAL SOURCE FOR REGENERATION IN THE MIDLANDS
NEWS
North Nottinghamshire Business Awards 2013
A list of the winners from the roaring 20’s themed North Nottinghamshire Business
Awards 2013 ceremony held at Hodsock Priory........42
The Cathedral Quarter, Derby
How the regeneration of Derby’s Cathedral Quarter has transformed it into the central
business district for the area.……48
Welcome to the May/June edition of Regenerate the Midlands…
We begin this edition as usual with a round up of the latest regeneration news from around
the Midlands. This includes the regeneration of historic stables in Derby to create unique
new work spaces for small and medium sized businesses and the completion of the first
pahse of a £1.5m housing development at Lady Lane, Coventry.
We are also look at the North
Nottinghamshire Business Awards 2013. The ceremony was a roaring 20’s themed event and we bring you a list of the winners on the night.
We head off to Derby next to take a look at
the Cathedral Quarter and how it has become the city’s central business district with the
highest density locally of professional service businesses.
Work Begins at Great Gonerby ................ 38
Rugeley Tesco Jobs Boost .......................... 38
Congleton Housing Development ............ 38
Operation Footfall ..................................... 39
Cycle Routes Mapped Out ........................ 39
Redhill Business Park ................................ 39
Derby Stables Regeneration ......................40
Staffordshire Colleges grant ..................... 41
Solihull Community Housing .................. 41
Lady Lane, Coventry ................................. 41
North Nottinghamshire Business Awards 2013
37ISSUE 55 ---
News
Work has begun on a brand new, £2m affordable housing scheme in the Lincolnshire village of Great Gonerby.
The development, namely Highfield Mews, which will provide 18 affordable homes, is a joint venture between Loughborough- based contractor and developer, William Davies Ltd; affordable housing provider, Waterloo Housing Group and South Kesteven District Council.
The project will provide 12 homes for rental, including four bungalows, and six houses for part-buy/part-rent through shared ownership, ranging from two to four bedroom properties, all with car parking. Two of the bungalows will also be built with wheelchair access and level access shower rooms to meet specific housing needs identified.
To mark the start of the scheme, project partners gathered on site to officially ‘turn the sod’. Partnerships Director at William Davis, Richard Cornes said: “We are pleased to start work on this site and are looking forward to witnessing the transformation of this former agricultural land into high quality homes for local families.”
The homes at Highfield Mews will be situated to the North of Grantham in a Conservation Area; as a result, developers have stated that they will be built in keeping with the existing environment.
Mandy Gee, partnerships project officer for South Kesteven District Council said: “This is an important development for the area. We need to build homes that offer people the opportunity to remain in the area where they were born, work, and have family support.”
The Highfield Mews development has also benefitted from a £437,545 investment from the Homes and Communities Agency and is scheduled for completion in February 2014.
Jack Whyman, director of operations for Lincolnshire at Waterloo Housing Group added: “This development will see quality affordable homes being offered to local people to rent and also to buy, in a desirable rural location. The benefit is not only in providing much-needed homes, but in supporting people to stay living local in their community.”
WORK HAS BEGUN ON A BRAND NEW, £2M AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME AT GREAT GONERBY
Turning the sod at Highfield Mews, Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CONGLETONRenew Land Development have plans to build 25 – 26 houses on an old factory site in Biddulph. The former Forge Colour Works Factory site is currently classed as contaminated due to the dyes that were used when the factory was in operation.
A planning proposal is expected to be lodged with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and when the contamination has been removed from the area and planning has been approved, the developers can begin the build of the housing units.
RUGELEY TESCO JOBS BOOSTCannock Chase Council is pleased to announce that construction work of the new Tesco Superstore in Rugeley has started, creating up to 250 jobs.
The 40,000sq ft store will be built on the former Celcon Blockworks site and adjoining land at Power Station Road/Leathermill Land and will include a separate restaurant and petrol station. The Council understands that up to 250 jobs could be created through the opening of the new Tesco superstore in Rugeley.
This is a major investment, which will hopefully bring more people into the town creating more revenue for local business as well as jobs for local people. It also includes investment into the local area with bus service improvements, improving cycle/footpath links between the store and the town, environmental improvements, canal towpath improvements next to the store and cycleway improvements between the store and the Eastern bypass.
Councillor George Adamson, Leader of the Council said “this is excellent news and a major boost for Rugeley Town and its residents. The investment will help with unemployment in the area with up to 75 positions going to previously unemployed people through a training programme to be implemented by Tesco Partnerships in conjunction with the Job Centre and the Council”.
Timothy Townsend, Site Construction Manager, Longcross Construction, (Right) Councillor
George Adamson, Leader of the Council
38 --- ISSUE 55
News
WORK ON SCHEDULE AT JOB BOOSTING STAFFORDSHIRE BUSINESS PARKConstruction of a major economy-boosting business park is on schedule with work continuing to improve access to the site.
Redhill business park off the A34 north of Stafford could create in excess of 2,500 jobs – more than initially estimated. Staffordshire County Council is investing a total of £10.7million in the site which will generate returns through additional rates generated and remaining in Staffordshire under new business rate retention proposals. This is in addition to the immeasurable long-term returns through new jobs and the wider positive impact on the economy.
The park is aimed at businesses in the research and technology sector, enabling them to set up manufacturing and production units.
Work on the A34 is being carried out to construct a temporary site access, with ground works on site set to begin shortly. A contraflow system will be in place to keep traffic moving throughout the spring.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for assets and environment Mark Winnington said: “It’s great to see work on schedule and progressing well. We understand people may have faced some delays on the A34 but we have worked hard to ensure this is kept to an absolute minimum and informed people at the earliest stage.
“This project is all about delivering jobs and economic growth so I am sure people will look forward to the long-term benefits. We hope when completed that Redhill could create in excess of 2,500 jobs.”
Seven plots aimed at high quality businesses would be developed on the site which lies on county council land to the north of the existing retail and business park.
Two public information days were held in December so people could find out more about the plans. People can find out more about the Redhill development at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/redhill or by visiting Staffordshire Place 1 reception or Stafford library where there are information displays.
More than 100 miles of cycle friendly routes have been highlighted in a new guide published by the city council.
A copy of the free guide will be delivered to households and businesses across Stoke-on-Trent with the next edition of Our City magazine.
Half of the routes featured are traffic-free. The guide also includes cycle safety tips, information on training and local cycling groups, explanations of road signs and details of shops that sell cycling equipment.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: “Stoke-on-Trent already has a significant number of people regularly cycling and we are keen to encourage even more people to get out and about on two wheels. This new guide features around 100 miles of excellent cycle routes which can help with planning everything from the best cycle commuting route to work to a leisurely ride taking in many scenic spots.
“Cycling has an array of benefits – it not only boosts health and fitness, it also helps to reduce congestion and improves the environment by cutting carbon dioxide emissions. These are all key aims that we want to achieve as part of our Mandate for Change.”
For more information or to request a leaflet, people can email www.stoke.gov.uk/cyclestoke or call 01782 232066 and leave their name and address and the team will post a copy to them.
The guide will be available in local bike shops, the Tourist Information Centre as well as libraries in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-and-Lyme
CYCLE ROUTES ARE SHOWCASED IN A NEW MAPWARWICKSHIRE
COUNTY COUNCIL, OPERATION FOOTFALLTowns across Warwickshire are celebrating after successfully securing funding for a variety of projects aimed at getting more people back into the high-street.
Warwickshire County Council’s Operation Footfall scheme, aimed at town centre business growth, hoped to encourage more people to shop and eat in the county’s town centres. 13 grants were awarded, ranging between £5000 and £30,000.
Successful funding applicants include projects such as a food festival, 3D Light Spectacular in Stratford-upon-Avon, a pop-up visitor shop in Atherstone and a good and film festival in Warwick.
Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr. Alan Farnell has said that “Operation Footfall is our crusade to boost the local economy through local businesses. I am delighted to announce these funding awards. We have been particularly pleased at the response of the business groups in developing ways to support town centres. Cllr. Farnell continued, “As well as supporting many thousands of jobs, town centres are also important hubs for our communities and we will do what we can to support their continued viability”.
Mark Winnington at the site entrance
39ISSUE 55 ---
News
Plans have been submitted to regenerate historic stables in Derby to create unique new work spaces for small and medium sized businesses in Derby.
Darley Abbey Stables Sanctuary LLP is seeking planning approval from Derby City Council to restore the derelict Grade II listed Darley Abbey Stables and adjacent Bakehouse, parts of which date back to the early 18th Century and form part of the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site.
The developer is proposing to create eight individual work spaces within the buildings, which surround a central courtyard at the northern edge of Darley Park behind the existing Darley Park Terrace Cafe.
The largest unit will be transformed to create a pilates and yoga studio over two floors with an associated treatment and physiotherapy room. There is already an interested party involved in negotiations with the developer for this unit, pending planning approval.
Expressions of interest for the other workspaces are currently being sought through Derby commercial property agent Innes England.
Central to the character of the new Darley Abbey Stables will be the retention of historic features including the horse stalls and associated fixtures and fittings, which represent particularly fine examples of equine architecture. Rare lime ash floors, lath and plaster ceilings and some roof timbers must also be preserved due to their historical interest.
Heating pipes and a boiler room serving a stable block that was subsequently converted into a garage will also remain.
They were apparently installed to warm a Bentley car owned by the Evans family, who owned the former Darley Hall to which these outbuildings belonged. The hall, outbuildings and Darley Park have been under local authority ownership since 1931, though Darley Hall itself was demolished in 1962.
Dr Tanya Spilsbury, of Darley Abbey Stables Sanctuary, said: “We’ve been working closely with Derby City Council’s regeneration, parks and planning departments for a long time in an effort to breathe some life back into these important historical assets. I’m passionate about finding new uses for historic buildings, so seeing this challenging project progress from plans to reality will be really heartening.
“It will be fabulous to see jobs being created and businesses thriving in a group of buildings that have been derelict for some time. They are currently in a very sorry state of repair. Despite that, they’re still full of character and, once repaired, they will be really interesting buildings to run a business from. They will certainly be different from your average office bock or business unit, so we’re hoping to attract businesses that like to stand out from the crowd.”
She added: “When completed, it would be hard to imagine a more delightful and picturesque place to work in Derby. Not only is it on the edge of the beautiful Darley Park – it is also incredibly well located in terms of commuting.”
The new £850k Darley Abbey Stables development will be accessed through Darley Abbey village, which sits near to the junction of the A38 and A6, about two miles north
of Derby city centre and close to public transport routes.
The architect on the project is Lichfield-based Brownhill Hayward Brown, and the developer has commissioned local Darley Abbey-based consultancy Armsons as quantity surveyor.
Mike Armson, of Armsons Project Managers and Cost Consultants, said: “Having been based in Darley Abbey for over 35 years, we are very pleased to be involved in this exciting and worthwhile project. It is really gratifying and good for Darley Abbey and Derby to see these old and dilapidated former outbuildings sympathetically restored for new usage by a sensitive developer and their team. New and emerging businesses will be housed in these previously redundant facilities to the benefit of the local community in future years.”
If planning approval is granted, the council will hand over the buildings to the developer on a long lease. A portion of the repair costs will be supported by the city’s Regeneration Fund, which is also aiding the rejuvenation of the nearby Darley Abbey Mills site.
Councillor Martin Repton, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture and ward councillor for Darley, said: “The announcement of the regeneration of Darley Park’s historic stables and bakehouse is an incredibly positive development. It will bring back into use these important historic buildings which lie at the heart of one of this city’s most well-loved and beautiful parks. It will also create economic development and much-needed employment in these challenging times as well as adding a colourful hub of activity adjacent to the newly refurbished café terrace area of the park.”
Darley Abbey Stables will consist of around 600 square metres of office/studio space as well as toilet and kitchen areas. Parking will be available for a small number of cars within the internal courtyard area.
If planning permission is granted within the guideline eight-week period, regeneration work could start in the early summer, with an opening date in early 2014.
Tim Richardson, of commercial property agent Innes England, who will be marketing the business units on behalf of the developer, said: “We are delighted to be involved as part of the team bringing these redundant buildings back to life for the benefit of the city, community and occupiers.
“Once completed, the buildings will provide high quality, characterful space in a very pleasant environment and will appeal to a range of businesses looking for distinctive accommodation that sets them apart from the norm.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the forthcoming business work spaces should contact Tim Richardson, associate director at Innes England, on 01332 362244 or email [email protected] .
HISTORIC DERBY STABLES REGENERATION UNDER STARTER’S ORDERS
View of old stable blocks across courtyard (pre-renovation) and inset, Dr Tanya Spilsbury, Darley Abbey Stables Sanctuary LLP
40 --- ISSUE 55
The first phase of a £1.5m affordable housing scheme in Coventry has been completed by Loughborough-based contractor and developer, William Davis Ltd.
Situated in the Longford ward of the city, Lady Lane comprises four, two bedroom houses; two, one bedroom bungalows and ten, two bedroom bungalows, all constructed to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. To celebrate the completion of the first phase, project partners from William Davis; housing and care provider, Midland Heart and Coventry City Council met on site to welcome new resident, Mary Shaw into her home.
Mary said: “I was so pleased when I saw that these houses were being built as this is not far from my parents’ house and it’ll be good to know they’re nearby. I’m really looking forward to getting my stuff moved in and making it home.”
The scheme, adjacent the Coventry canal, has transformed disused wasteland and required the protection of a number of mature trees already on the site.
Matt Colloby, group business development manager at William Davis commented: “It is always pleasing to welcome the first residents on site and we wish Mary every happiness in her new home. Together with our project partners, we have delivered a vibrant, sustainable new scheme that contributes towards meeting the housing needs of the people of Coventry for many years to come.”
Carl Larter, director of assets, Midland Heart added: "This important scheme is one of a number of new developments which will help Midland Heart deliver 2,120 new homes for our customers by 2015."
Alan Quinlan, housing enablement officer, Coventry City Council said: “It is good to see this scheme coming to fruition and the area coming to life. We are happy to be working with Midland Heart on this attractive scheme that will provide much needed new affordable housing for local people.”
Lady Lane has been developed in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency. Completion of all the remaining properties is scheduled for June 2013.
A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR LADY LANE, COVENTRY
News
ECO-FRIENDLY PROJECT BENEFITS RESIDENTSSolihull Community Housing has successfully completed a major investment project benefiting hundreds of residents.
330 homes have benefited from cavity wall and loft insulation following a survey of more than 6,000 homes across the borough.
The project is thanks to a partnership with Burrows Home Comfort and the West Midlands Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO).
Many residents receiving the work have been overwhelmingly positive saying that their homes now feel warmer and retain the heat more effectively.
Residents will also be able to enjoy lower heating bills and the risk of damp in their properties will be reduced - all helping to improve tenants’ standard of living.
SCH Customer Services Director, Carole Hodson, said: “This has been a very exciting and positive 12 months for SCH, working in partnership with Burrows Home Comfort to deliver significant improvements to our properties. “The contract has also given us the opportunity to be able to offer a wonderful service to many of our customers who can now look forward to enjoying warmer, more sustainable homes, as well as benefiting from savings in their energy bills."
The overall cost of the project was £86,700 but this was almost entirely funded by EDF as part of the energy company’s obligation set by OFGEM; the electricity and gas regulator to reduce carbon emissions.
STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGES RECEIVE GRANTStaffordshire Colleges have won a total of £3.7 million in funding. Awarded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), the money will be split across three of the County’s colleges and will enable each institution to continue refurbishments.
Stoke-on-Trent College will be able to continue work on their Burslem site with an award of £1.4 million. Leek College has secured £1.6 million and will enable to institution to continue its work on the town centre campus. Finally, Stafford College will receive £743,000 which will allow updates to their main buildings and improve teaching and learning facilities.
From left: Aran Duggan (SCH special projects team manager), Richard Sennett (Burrows site supervisor), Jon Rodway (Burrows operations director), Colin Allbright (SCH project manager), Jo Cooper (SCH customer liaison officer) and Darrius Burrows (Burrows managing director).
Welcoming the first resident to Lady Lane, Coventry (back l-r) Alan Quinlan (Coventry City Council); Gemma Davey; Carl Larter (both Midland Heart) with (front l-r) new resident, Mary Shaw; her daughter, Neave and Matt
Colloby (William Davis Ltd).
41ISSUE 55 ---
Guests arriving at the North Notts Business Awards for 2013 at the prestigious Hodsock Priory were treated to a Roaring 20’s themed evening full of excitement and celebration complete with Brandy Sour cocktails and entertainment by professional dance troop and cabaret act The Fire Swans. The evening marked another great success for the North Notts region with guest Tom Sorby, Partner at Ilett & Clark Solicitors describing the evening as “It really was fantastic.” and the North Notts Business Connections organisational team receiving a standing ovation for their efforts.
This year’s awards presenters included Sponsors Wright Vigar Chartered Accountants and Nottinghamshire County Council, Awards Judges Jim Carley, Mark Tulett and David Pickles, President of Retford Rotary, Paul Withers and professional light heavyweight boxer, Daniel Slaney.
This year saw the introduction of two new awards including the Best Guest Experience Award, a “People’s Choice” award voted for by the business community to highlight the region’s finest hospitability venues. Kate Firth, General Manager of the award winners Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Restaurant said "I am extremely proud of my team, many of whom are from local families, and this is an Award earned by every one of them, both front of house and behind the scenes. They all have a great passion for first class service and hospitality to exceed guest expectations - going the extra mile is their well-known secret!"
The biggest cheer of the evening went up as Retford based cleaning firm K Kleen were crowned winners of the top accolade, Company of the Year Award. Accepting the award, director Kara Wilkinson said “It’s a great achievement and something we are really proud of. But we wouldn’t be anywhere if it wasn’t for our staff, clients,
and the support of our family. They deserve this recognition as much as Graham and I. It’s nice to be rewarded for our efforts and recognised within the community. We hope this is the start of many opportunities that lie ahead.”
No Offence! CIC also scooped an award for the second year running with Managing Director Sue Clifford winning the Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council. Sue confirmed “Receiving the Business Person of the Year award, for me and my team, is a real honour, the icing on the cake of what has been an amazing journey since we launched in June 2011. It is especially poignant for me to receive this in our home county of Nottinghamshire. We are very proud that we have developed what has now become a national and international justice
information exchange, which has become a centre of excellence and much needed and highly respected service across the justice sector, and we are still not even two years old!”
The Excellence in Customer Services Award, which is always popular with entrants, was once again sponsored by Wright Vigar Chartered Accountants, and saw Ollerton based All Things Bride and Beautiful emerge victorious. Owner Wendy Turner commented “We are thrilled to have won this award, we have had dozens of phone calls and face-book messages etc. from our past customers who are all very happy for us, and” Well deserved” was a common theme. We work very hard on our customer care and it’s wonderful to get the recognition from our Peers as well as our customers.”
RETFORD FIRM
KLEENS UP AT BUSINESS
AWARDS
Company of the Year Award winners K Kleen
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APPRENTICESFOR THE
REAL WORLD
For more details contact us on:
Tel: 01782 603603 Web: www.stokecollege.ac.ukEmail: [email protected]
*maximum of 10 apprentices, conditions apply
Stoke on Trent College is one of the Midlands’biggest providers of apprentices to business.
Don’t miss out! Until December 2013 we’ve got a grant of £1,500 per apprentice* for any business that recruits an apprentice
APPRENTICESFOR THE
REAL WORLD
For more details contact us on:
Tel: 01782 603603 Web: www.stokecollege.ac.ukEmail: [email protected]
*maximum of 10 apprentices, conditions apply
Stoke on Trent College is one of the Midlands’biggest providers of apprentices to business.
Don’t miss out! Until December 2013 we’ve got a grant of £1,500 per apprentice* for any business that recruits an apprentice
APPRENTICESFOR THE
REAL WORLD
For more details contact us on:
Tel: 01782 603603 Web: www.stokecollege.ac.ukEmail: [email protected]
*maximum of 10 apprentices, conditions apply
Stoke on Trent College is one of the Midlands’biggest providers of apprentices to business.
Don’t miss out! Until December 2013 we’ve got a grant of £1,500 per apprentice* for any business that recruits an apprentice
The full list of winners of the North Nottinghamshire Business Awards 2013 is:-
Company of the Year Award
K Kleen
Business Person of the Year AwardSponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council
Sue Clifford, No Offence! CIC
Successful New Business of the Year Award
Batting 4 6 Ltd
Best Guest Experience Award
Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Restaurant
Excellence in Customer Service AwardSponsored by Wright Vigar Chartered Accountants
All Things Bride and Beautiful
International Trade Award
Edgewise Edgestrip Limited
Business Community Partnership of the Year Award
Life Publications (Nottinghamshire) Ltd
Very generous raffle prize donations were also received from local firms, including a Spa Relaxation Day at Eden Hall, a Tribute Night package at The Charnwood Hotel and a luxury food hamper, to raise funds for NNBC’s chosen charity, Bassetlaw Women’s Royal Voluntary Service. A total of £550.00 was raised on the night.
The North Notts Business Awards for 2014 will be launched in September 2013 with more new categories and some of the winners will even go on to compete in national finals.
44 --- ISSUE 55
Think BIG (Business Investment for Growth) is Newark and Sherwood District Council’s loans scheme for growing businesses.
Representatives of around 50 companies attended the launch event recently at Timico Data Centre at Brunel Business Park, Newark, to hear how the £2m project could help them expand.
Loans ranging from £25,000-£150,000 may be available to companies in the Newark & Sherwood district that employ more than five people and have a turnover in excess of £250,000.
The leader of the district council, Cllr Roger Blaney, said banks weren’t lending at the moment and the council’s key strategic priority was prosperity. He said Think BIG could expand to become a regional scheme if more councils followed their lead.
Think BIG is aimed at the manufacturing, engineering, food, processing and distribution industries rather than retail. Cllr Blaney said it would not be operated by councillors but sector professionals, and the idea was that it would be self-sustaining.
One of the board members is Mr Tony Hillary, the former owner of Hillary’s Blinds which he started from his kitchen at home in 1971. The company grew to hold a 20% share of the UK blinds market with 950 employees, 750 freelance salespeople, 19 shops and a wholesale business, with an annual advertising budget of £11.5m. Mr Hillary, who sold the company for £62m, will be joined by three senior financial specialists.
The former owner of Games Workshop, Mr Chris Prentice, who is chairman of Trekmates and the toy soldier company, Mantic Entertainments, also spoke at the Think BIG launch.
“Working capital just isn’t out there at the moment, which is why this scheme ticks all of the boxes for me,” he said.
Cllr Blaney listed recent success stories in the district such as the dualling of the A46 between Newark and Widmerpool, and the £680m gas-fired Staythorpe Power Station.
He highlighted the £50m Potterdyke redevelopment scheme, which saw Asda open in Newark and a new Doctors surgery built, one of only a few large retail-led schemes to be completed nationally since the 2008 economic slump.
He said the council was investing in a number of major projects including the national civil war museum for Newark, and the planned leisure centre and sports hub in the town, which will cost a combined £20m.
Cllr Blaney, however, warned that traditional industries in Newark and Sherwood were in decline.
He said in the west of the district the major employer had been the mining industry, and in the east it had been engineering.
He said tourism is now a major employer, with Newark Market Place, Newark Castle, Southwell Workhouse and the new visitor centre the county council would build in Sherwood Forest among the attractions.
GROWING BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED TO
For further information on Think BIG please contact Sally Gillborn on 01636 655260 or visit www.investnewarkandsherwood.co.uk
‘THINK BIG’
Left to right: Steve Blount, Think BIG chairman, Cllr Roger Blaney, leader of Newark & Sherwood District Council (NSDC), Julie Reader-Sullivan, Business Manager- Eco-
nomic Growth at NSDC and Sandra Hine, SMB Sales Director at Timico.Photo courtesy of the Newark Advertiser
IGEM HOUSEHigh Street
KegworthDerbyshireDE74 2DA
T 01509 678 182 E [email protected]
W www.igemhouse.org.uk
IGEM House has three contemporary conference rooms and a traditional boardroom which are available for hire. All rooms are newly refurbished, offer natural daylight and modern facilities.
Our selection of meeting rooms and layouts can accommodate your needs, from 5 to 100 people, with free parking available on site.
Visit www.igemhouse.org.uk for more information on our facilities, room capacities and layouts, as well as 360 degree tours, photo packs and our downloadable PDF brochure.
DERBYSHIRE’S PREMIER CONFERENCE FACILITY
IGEM HOUSEHigh Street
KegworthDerbyshireDE74 2DA
T 01509 678 182 E [email protected]
W www.igemhouse.org.uk
IGEM House has three contemporary conference rooms and a traditional boardroom which are available for hire. All rooms are newly refurbished, offer natural daylight and modern facilities.
Our selection of meeting rooms and layouts can accommodate your needs, from 5 to 100 people, with free parking available on site.
Visit www.igemhouse.org.uk for more information on our facilities, room capacities and layouts, as well as 360 degree tours, photo packs and our downloadable PDF brochure.
DERBYSHIRE’S PREMIER CONFERENCE FACILITY
IGEM HOUSEHigh Street
KegworthDerbyshireDE74 2DA
T 01509 678 182 E [email protected]
W www.igemhouse.org.uk
IGEM House has three contemporary conference rooms and a traditional boardroom which are available for hire. All rooms are newly refurbished, offer natural daylight and modern facilities.
Our selection of meeting rooms and layouts can accommodate your needs, from 5 to 100 people, with free parking available on site.
Visit www.igemhouse.org.uk for more information on our facilities, room capacities and layouts, as well as 360 degree tours, photo packs and our downloadable PDF brochure.
DERBYSHIRE’S PREMIER CONFERENCE FACILITY
lightingdesign Adding sparkle
to your space
GUARANTEED SAVINGS ON YOUR LIGHTING COSTSA1 lighting design are committed to providing friendly, professional and personal service on design and supply of high energy efficient lighting and control systems.
We have experience in complete home design and extensions as well as store design and commercial lighting projects, and will provide the most energy efficient lighting using LED luminaires, both dimmable and non-dimmable.
With over 25 years’ experience in lighting design, we are confident we can light up any space. We also provide a full after sales back up service.
lightingdesign
A1 Lighting Design & Supply Ltd, 62 Andrew Gardens, Handsworth, Birmingham, West Midlands, B21 9PN
07966 193432 • www.a1lighting.co.uk • [email protected]
A1 lighting design are currently, and have worked on various large projects, ranging from furniture stores to snooker clubs, Esporta health clubs and numerous apartments in central London, namely Grosvenor Square.
A1 lighting take away the pain of choosing the correct light fitting for your project, with our unique, independent design and supply service we are committed to supplying the best lighting solution.
Set in 150 acres of stunning Warwickshire
countryside, Mythe Barn has been lovingly
restored and is now open for meetings,
conferences, exhibitions and events.
We offer bright, modern facilities and free
parking for between 2 and 200 delegates,
first class catering and a wide range of
bespoke team building activities.
Get in touch now for a truly inspiring event.
Call us on 01827 722123 or
email [email protected]
www.mythebarn-events.co.uk
Mythe Barn Events, Mythe Farm, Pinwall Lane,
Sheepy Magna, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3PF
INSPIRING SPACES INSPIRING EVENTS
Looking for an inspiring event space?
150 acres should do it.
Lee Glasgow Photography
0794_mytheBarn_ad_AW.indd 3 10/01/2013 14:27
GET YOUR TEAM BUZZING WITH ‘PLAN BEE’Garlands has designed an inspiring team building event that not only gets corporate teams ‘buzzing’, but also helps to restore the local bee population at the same time. Situated within 150 acres of beautiful countryside near M42 J10 the challenge is available as a half day or full day event.
It incorporates a wide range of skills including presenting, budgeting, risk management, time management and target setting. The starting point is to see the team as a colony that has to work together, the overall objective being to maximise the bee population in each team’s hive (no real bees involved!). Plan Bee is a truly inspirational exercise that will improve both the dynamics and environmental awareness within your team.
Joanna Garland, Director at Garlands Leisure Ltd and Mythe Barn Ltd comments; “Plan Bee is a great teambuilding challenge as well as addition to our meeting and events package at Mythe Barn. This unique event also allows us to do our bit towards reviving the bee population which we are very enthusiastic about.”
A business location has to tick a number of boxes including infrastructure, the quality and availability of office space and the right facilities in the area.
Derby Cathedral Quarter is the city’s established central business district with the highest density locally of professional service businesses including highly regarded and long-established local, regional and national professional firms.
In terms of infrastructure, the Cathedral Quarter is bordered by the city’s inner ring road which was completed two years ago – connecting the whole of the city centre. Cycle routes have been improved and the city’s new bus station has vastly improved local transport links.
The area is also synonymous with a wide range of established facilities from historical, cultural and leisure destinations to premium retail and an eclectic menu of food and drink venues.
A particular strength of the Cathedral Quarter has been the number and quality of historic buildings which have been retained and restored to their former glory and this continues to be an attraction for businesses looking to relocate and expand in the area.
Companies which have recognised the appeal and potential of such buildings include the Finesse Collection which has restored the former Police museum in St Mary’s Gate into the boutique Cathedral Quarter Hotel – attracting guests from all over the world.
More recently, leading regional accountancy firm Smith Cooper have relocated its Derby office to St Helen’s House, built in 1766 by Joseph Pickford which has been described by the Georgian Group in London as ‘one of the finest and largest eighteenth century townhouses to survive in any provincial city’.
Although there has been some notable development in the Cathedral Quarter including the Jurys Inn hotel and the Friar Gate Studios – servicing the city’s growing creative industries – there has been limited availability of new-build high specification office space in the area in previous years.
However, this is changing and the Cathedral Quarter which, for the past five years has been designated as a Business Improvement District (BID), has clear aspirations to capitalise on its widespread and unique assets and attract more inward investment into the area.
Professional services in the Cathedral Quarter work alongside businesses from premium retailers to international restaurants and hotels and collectively voted recently to renew the area’s status as a Business Improvement District (BID) with the new five-year programme officially launched in March 1 2013.
The previous BID has been highly successful in establishing the area as a premium destination for businesses and visitors and has launched several key programmes which benefit the area as a whole as well as individual businesses.
A key priority for the Cathedral Quarter BID in the coming five years is to attract new businesses in the area and particularly to increase the number of ‘suits in the city’.
The latest development, Friar Gate Square, which is within the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) boundary, is a statement of the area’s intent to up its game in the commercial property stakes.
Friar Gate Square, which sits on the corner of Agard Street and Ford Street is a six-storey development consisting of 32,000 sq ft of premium office space. It was built speculatively – somewhat of a rarity in the current economic climate – and there is already keen interest from businesses looking to relocate with plans in the pipeline by developers Lowbridge to already progress plans for the second development phase on the site.
The development is among several in the area to be supported by Derby City Council’s £10 million Regeneration Fund, set up specifically to stimulate office developments in the city centre.
These also include the Cathedral Quarter Enterprise Centre in Bold Lane, again supported by the Regeneration Fund – where work is due to start imminently to create 34 individual serviced offices with the first tenants due to move in early 2014.
THE CATHEDRAL
QUARTERDerby’s Central Business District
48 --- ISSUE 55
Furthermore, the area has nearly a million square feet of city centre office projects waiting to be built. Schemes include Cedar House Investments’ City Gate House and Bolsterstone’s Central Square development, both in Cathedral Road. Wilson Bowden’s Number One Cathedral Green scheme in Full Street is also showing movement with plans being progressed.
Chartered surveyor Martin Langsdale is chair of the Cathedral Quarter management group, which drives forward activities under the area’s BID status.
He said: “Despite the lure of Pride Park, the Cathedral Quarter continues to the city’s central business district where existing companies continue to expand and new businesses join them.
“Friar Gate Square demonstrates just what can be achieved through aspirational design and development and there is real optimism that, once other developers see the success of this, that other commercial property schemes will progress.
“Our aim as a BID is to capitalise on the fantastic infrastructure and facilities that we have in the area to drive forward the aspiration for more premium Grade A office developments in the Cathedral Quarter – working with our partners in the city to proactively attract new businesses into the heart of the city centre.
“The work that has been done over the past five years to raise the profile of the Cathedral Quarter, improve the experience here and support businesses have been very successful and we are now looking forward to continuing this work through the renewed BID.
“The work already achieved has particularly contributed to a significant rise in the number of enquiries for premises here – most notably amongst the professional services sector - and the further commercial property development underway and planned will greatly enhance what is already a thriving area with a quality business address.
“As well as being easily accessible for both employees and clients, the Cathedral Quarter has something very special to offer businesses. There is a real sense of community where everyone is proud of their surroundings and benefit from having a quality business address.
“Our goal is now to share our success and our aspirations to encourage new businesses, investment and jobs into the Cathedral Quarter which will benefit the whole area and businesses within the area.”
This commitment is echoed by chair of the Cathedral Quarter Board, Ian Beardmore, who is senior partner with Flint Bishop LLP solicitors in St Michael’s Lane.
Ian, who has been involved in the Cathedral Quarter BID since its inception in 2007, said “As a Derbyshire person born and bred and having spent the majority of my working
life in Derby, I am extremely proud of the Cathedral Quarter which is a great place to work and to visit.
“A key reason for Flint Bishop continuing to be operate in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter is the ease of access for our clients and the facilities that our staff enjoy in the surrounding area.
“A key aspect of our business plan for the second five-year BID programme is to build on the firm foundations that have already been laid and to marry the proactive work to encourage inward investment into the Cathedral Quarter with the continued support with the businesses already in the area.”
Martin continued that the work that had been and continued to be done by the BID was hugely beneficial to the professional services sector.
Having established the Cathedral Quarter brand – key initiatives have included the ‘I work in the Cathedral Quarter’ and ‘I Love the Cathedral Quarter’ loyalty schemes – providing benefits both for people who work in the area and visitors to the area. These schemes have recently been re-launched under the new BID in partnership with Trent Barton bus company’s successful Mango scheme.
The BID also set up the city’s first Ranger service which acts as a vital link between businesses in the area and statutory services in the city including Derbyshire Police and Derby City Council’s Street Pride team; as well as acting as ambassadors – welcoming and guiding visitors around the area.
The local environment has also been enhanced with improved signage both to and within the Cathedral Quarter; investment in attractive planters and hanging topiary balls to encourage pedestrian movement around the area and the upgrading of Christmas lighting.
And further investment has been made in producing specific marketing materials, publicity and a strong social media presence to raise awareness of the area and support individual businesses in all sectors from retail to professional services. The Cathedral Quarter also benefits from a busy programme of events – organised by individual businesses, key partners in the city such as Derby LIVE and by the BID itself.
He explained that collective work by the Cathedral Quarter businesses under the BID banner moving forward will focus on providing a great lifestyle experience for visitors and people working in the area; building awareness and promoting the strengths of the different business sectors including professional services; and encouraging growth, development and investment of businesses.
For more information, contact Derby Cathedral Quarter, Tel: 01332 419053; [email protected] www.derbycathedralquarter.co.uk
Friar Gate Square
Jurys Inn Hotel
49ISSUE 55 ---
SERVICES INCLUDE:• Exclusive event organiser dashboard and special accommodation rates• Event specific website designed to meet client requirements including branding, itineraries, images, delegate event updates, venue maps and special offers• Invite your delegates to book their accommodation easily, securely and of course hassle free!• Take advantage of a range of hotel stay options and upgrades.• Social media networking links• 5 hour turnaround period offering a variety of prices and hotel standards
New Accommodation Booking Service for Staffordshire!The Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent Conference Bureau is pleased to now offer the GroupMAX online accommodation booking service for Staffordshire. Event organisers can now benefit from this free and impartial service to source accommodation in and around Staffordshire for their next conference, meeting or event.
From budget hotels to luxury country houses – Staffordshire has it all. The Bureau can offer advice and suggestions on a variety of accommodation options. Whether you are sourcing overspill accommodation or have a unique non-residential venue in mind – the team are here to help.
Alton Towers Resort is due to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Conference Centre which has played host to the weird, the wonderful and downright wacky events. The attraction has also invested in its biggest ever ride – The Smiler. This world-first rollercoaster is the biggest financial investment the Resort has ever made; and is set to be an intense experience for event organisers and delegates taking full advantage of the UK’s number one theme park for corporate events.
The Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE) opened its doors in April and is a fantastic new venue for Stoke-on-Trent. CoRE has been a complete transformation of a rare piece of 19th century industrial heritage based on a former pottery factory dating from 1842.
The re-use of the four bottle kilns, a familiar local landmark is also both novel and ingenious. The conference centre itself has capacity to accommodate 120 delegates in this state-of-the-art and unique environment.
Staffordshire is home to an abundance of high quality and first class venues for those events requiring a touch of luxury. Other member venues include Swinfen Hall Hotel, Best Western Plus Stoke-on-Trent Moat House, Britannia Stadium, Weston Park and Drayton Manor Park & Hotel.
To request a copy of the latest Staffordshire Conference Guide or for a free venue search visit www.conferencestaffordshire.co.uk call 01782 232076 or email [email protected]
Alton Towers Resort
The Centre of Refurbishment Excellence
Room at Drayton Manor
Unnecessary technical regulations that are no longer needed will be removed, planning Minister Nick Boles has announced, the changes will have no effect on countryside or environmental protections which will continue to be safeguarded. Around 100 small housing and construction regulations will be removed or amended as part of the government’s red tape challenge to make sensible changes to regulatory burdens.
The review looks at how red tape that affects house builders and landlords could be cut back to streamline the process of building homes and renting out properties.
Removing the regulations is just one step. Further work has been underway since Autumn 2012 to simplify the framework of building regulations and local housing standards, changes were also made in December to the building regulations to streamline requirements.
The planning administration theme of the red tape challenge was also launched, focusing on the planning system looking at how the government could make the underpinning administrative process of the system more efficient and accessible. It is not looking at planning policy itself. The Government is committed to ensuring that countryside and environmental protections continue to be safeguarded and to decentralising power over planning to local councils, neighbourhoods and local residents.
The government have already taken a series of steps to cut unnecessary red tape, such as the streamlined National Planning Policy Framework reducing 1,000 pages of planning policy to less than 50, revoking Regional
Strategies (subject to the outcome of the on-going environmental assessment process) and increasing permitted development rights to make it easier to get empty and under-used buildings back into public use. Alongside the current review of planning practice guidance, the Red Tape Challenge on Planning Administration will give everyone the opportunity to highlight areas where the system can be made simpler, clearer and easier for people to use and also let the governing body know where regulation is essential.
The review will not make any changes to planning policy. It will feed into the department’s wider work to help deliver a more streamlined, effective and accessible planning system, while maintaining necessary safeguards.
Planning Minister Nick Boles said: “We’re streamlining the building system and
removing and improving regulations to lift unnecessary burdens where we can, to create a smooth journey through the construction process. “The planning administration theme will build on this and simplify the mechanics of the planning system more.”
Housing Minister Mark Prisk said:“We’re determined to support local economic growth and get Britain building. Our comprehensive package of housing and construction measures is already helping get the industry back on its feet. “By removing unnecessary regulations we’re making it easier to build the homes this country needs and create local construction jobs up and down the country.“
Commenting on the launch of the planning administration part of the Red Tape Challenge, Mike Kiely, one of the Sector Champions for the theme said:
“When I first went into planning, the ‘Encyclopaedia of Planning Law’ went to 4 volumes; it is now 10. This is an opportunity to thin it down.
“The Red Tape Challenge wants to get rid of what’s no longer needed, to consolidate the bits that have frankly got out of hand and to amend the stuff that could just work a bit better. We won’t get back to 4 volumes, but let’s try and thin it out as much as we can.”The other Sector Champion for planning administration, Roger Hepher, added:
“Although we’ve lost a certain amount of red tape since 2010, there’s still plenty around. This government is giving all those interested in the planning system an unprecedented opportunity to clear the decks of unnecessary rules and regulations that remain, and to address the bits previous initiatives have missed.“
The Red Tape Challenge is one of many programmes in place to help reduce the regulatory burden on business and kick-start growth. In December 2012 we announced details of an ambitious 6-month programme of deregulation that will bring businesses annual savings of at least £45 million.
For more information on Red Tape challenge and how you or your business can get involved visit www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
LEGAL
THE RED TAPE CHALLENGEChanges are ahead
51ISSUE 55 ---
The Dakota Nottingham is a stunningly presented hotel which is independently owned and operated under Seymour Capital Ltd. Each of our bedroom’s furnishings and décor is situated to create a feeling of clean lines with brick and wood interiors contrasting with technologically modern amenities. In terms of conferences the Dakota Boardroom is ideal for formal meetings and corporate dining; a dark wood interior with leather armchairs around a large table. The Dakota White Lounge is a stylish perfect for motivational / brainstorming meetings. All our meeting rooms are geared for training courses and presentations, Featuring rooms with lots of natural light and room to manoeuvre.
Dakota Hotel NottinghamLake View Drive
Sherwood Business ParkAnnesley
NottinghamNG15 0EA
Tel: 01623 727670www.dakotanottingham.co.uk
5825c/03/13
The perfect place for your next event
Find out more about Nottingham Conference Centre, arrange a visitor contact us to discuss your next event.
• Executive boardrooms, flexible spacemeeting rooms and large lecturetheatres
• Fully integrated audiovisual technologyin all meeting rooms
• Dedicated event management,delivering bespoke events every time
• Unique and beautiful rooms for thatvery special occasion
• Competitively priced, all-inclusivepackages
• Outstanding catering from gala dinnersto private dining
Situated in the stunning, recently transformed Grade II* listed buildingat Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Conference Centre offersan exceptional setting for any event.
+44 (0)115 848 8000enquiries@nottinghamconferencecentre.co.ukwww.nottinghamconferencecentre.co.uk
Nottingham Conference Centre, Burton Street,Nottingham NG1 4BU
DDR from
£29+VAT
CONFERENCE & EVENTS
As well as being one of the Midland’s most vibrant counties, providing a delectable mix of both countryside and thriving urban environments, it also boasts some of the region’s most inspiring conferencing options. We partnered with Experience Nottinghamshire and handpicked some of the best conferencing facilities that Nottinghamshire has to offer.
Dakota Hotel Nottingham
This wonderfully contemporary hotel located just 20 minutes from Nottingham city centre offers both a striking atheistic design and first class conferencing facilities. The hotel offers two rooms within the main hotel: the specially designed Dakota Boardroom and the easily adapted Dakota Bar and Grill. The Dakota Boardroom is perfect for formal meetings and corporate dining, a dark wood interior with leather armchairs around a large table, whilst the Dakota White Lounge is a stylish perfect for motivated/brainstorming meetings. The Dakota bar and grill is ideal for a private function which can cater up to 90 in our restaurant and can hold up to 150 in our bar. For those requiring catering at the venue they can provide full dining or a hot and cold fork buffet.
To make an enquiry please contact our dedicated Meetings Coordinator on 01623 727 670 or email [email protected]
The Council House
From the magnificent splendour of The Ballroom to the more intimate setting of the Sheriff’s Parlour, the council owned Council House can accommodate functions of various sizes. The venue is able to cater for various types of event to suit your business needs including corporate and private dinners, awards evenings, seminars and conferences. The ballroom located on the first floor is thought by many to be the largest and most impressive room in the building and is a similar style to the ballroom at the Palace of Versailles. Perfect for impressing clients, it has an elegant parquet floor in walnut oak and ebonised pear wood. The room can be set up in a variety of ways dependent upon numbers. The venue also has staging available with a PA system and audio visual equipment.
If you would like to enquire about booking any of these rooms, contact the Events Team on 0115 8765657, 0115 8765654 or 0115 8765658. Alternatively, you can email the Events Team at [email protected]
Nottingham Contemporary
For those who want a venue a little less conventional and a bit quirkier, Nottingham Contemporary art gallery located in the heart of Nottingham City Centre is perfect for those searching for a fully flexible space to hold an event or conference. The venue offers a unique and flexible space to host a range of events, including the meeting room, the studio and a purpose-built performance space ideal for a range of conferencing and meeting needs. The venue is also easy to find, has a collection of state of the art equipment in house from AV technology to complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the building. Any catering required is provided by the staff in the venue’s café bar, known to be one of the city’s most inviting restaurants. To entertain and inspire at Nottingham Contemporary please contact our Events Team on 0115 948 9750 or [email protected].
Trent Bridge
As well as being one of the UK’s premier cricket grounds, Trent Bride is also unrivalled when it comes to its first class conference facilities. Be it a relaxed breakfast meeting you are after or a high brow board meeting the dynamics of any of the eight meeting rooms available make them perfect for the needs of any meeting. The venue offers a variety of day rates and packages and can also offer a dining option and added extras such as unlimited tea and coffee and homemade cookies and cakes and rooms with views of the famous grounds. Trent Bridge
is also able to offer a range of corporate hospitality on match days, including the Natwest One Day International against England and New Zealand.
To find out more about functions and hospitality at Trent Bridge please contact 0844 811 8710 or e-mail, [email protected].
Nottingham Conference Centre
Nottingham Conference Centre offers a versatile range of modern conference, meeting and event rooms. The centre has an emphasis throughout the centre on providing open, airy and naturally lit spaces for centre users. The venue also boasts nine-comfort cooled rooms, each with the very latest, fully integrated audio-visual technology. These unique spaces can accommodate from six – 150 people and offer a flexible choice of conference, meeting and break-out rooms depending on clients needs.
For more information, or to make an enquiry, please call on 0115 848 8000 or visit www.nottinghamconferencecentre.co.uk
EXPERIENCE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Conferencing in Nottinghamshire
Nottingham Conference Centre
Dakote Hotel Nottingham
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CONFERENCE & EVENTS
Crewe Hall, Crewe
A truly idyllic Cheshire conference venue steeped in history and located just two miles from Crewe. This 17th century manor house not only pleases visually upon arrival and is sure to impress clients but is also blessed with a £13.5 million state-of-the-art purpose-built events centre. The venue boasts 17 conference and meeting rooms, offering a combination of both new and old rooms. The historic traditional meeting rooms are ideal for your next board meeting whilst the modern suits in the eventers centre are perfect for learning, or as a unique setting for a product launch or annual conference. The venue boasts its own event planners that pride themselves on the expertise and experience them offer, to meet all your objectives.
For more information contact Crewe Hall’s team on 01270 253333 or e-mail [email protected]
Colton House, Lichfield
Situated in the small town of Colton, near Rugeley this stunning Georgian 5 star guest house is ideal for though who want quality conference facilities coupled with the option of an intimate guest house experience. The venue is flexible and the owner’s Ron and Gay Lawrence will happily tailor their offering to your needs. With the option of two conference rooms that can accommodate 35 and 40 people respectively. Furthermore the guest house offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building, catering options for up to 50 and securing parking for up to 15. The venue is also able to cater for special dietary requirements and offers a pay bar on site, perfect for a relaxing drink after a long day of business. Moreover for those who are watching their carbon footprint as much as they are looking out for their conferencing needs, Colton House is a gold award winner of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and is recognised as an environmentally friendly conference venue.
For more information call Ron or Gay Lawrence at Colton House on 01889 578580 or e-mail [email protected]
Holland House Historic Buildings Editorial
Holland House is a 17th century black and white thatched house situated in the medieval village of Cropthorne and standing in three acres of beautiful gardens leading down to the river Avon.
In 1898 Mr H.H. Avery (Avery scales Ltd) purchased the House (then called The Den) extending it and re-designing the gardens in the style of Edwin Lutyens, and in 1920 it was purchased by Colonel & Mrs Ellis Holland. Mrs Holland gave the House to the Diocese of Worcester in 1946 to be used as a place of rest, refreshment and education – and we continue to offer such hospitality today.
MIB takes a look at some historic venues throughout the Midlands that
offer conferencing facilities
HISTORICVENUES
for conferencing throughout the Midlands region
Crewe Hall
Crewe Hall
Holland House
Colton House
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The perfect venue to hold a conference, meeting, team building exercise, or social function. The Centre is fully accessible throughout. Conference rooms and smaller meeting rooms can be utilised for meetings ranging from 4 to 120 people. We also cater for special events such as weddings and celebrations. Catering is available ranging from bacon sandwiches, buffets to a six course
meal all at competitive prices. We are fully licensed.
Flexible opening hours with dedicated staff available to ensure your function runs smoothly.
Located close to Stafford Centre, 20 minutes walk from the train station, 5 minutes by taxi, ideally situated close to J14 of the M6. Free car parking
available on site.
A friendly welcome awaits you at our high quality conference centre.
96A Stone Road, Stafford ST16 2RS Telephone No: 01785 615513Website: www.arthurfindlaycentre.org
Email: [email protected] Number: 261898
Situated at a prime waterside location theInnovation Centre in Chasewater Country
Park offers fully equipped training andconferencing facilities that are available
for hire weekdays and weekends
Easy access from the A5 and M6 Toll(T6 Burntwood)
Tel: 01543 370737or e-mail
Fully equippedtraining andconference rooms
Chasewater Innovation Centrethe natural place to meet
For more information contact:Chasewater Innovation Centre,
Chasewater Country Park,Pool Road, Brownhills, WS8 7NL.
HOLLAND HOUSE CONFERENCE AND RETREAT CENTRE
Holland House is an award winning conference and retreat centre in the heart of Worcestershire.
A 17th century black and white timbered building of thatch and tile, it lies in 4 acres of beautiful gardens and lawns in the pretty village of Cropthorne.
The House is perfect for meetings and seminars, celebration meals or sumptuous buffets with a conference room that seats up to 50 delegates with Wi-Fi, interactive white-board, sound system and integral laptop, digital projector, facilities to print, photocopy large colour documents and there are plenty of break-out rooms all around the house.
In 2011 we won the Nestle National Footprint “community vote” award, as our guests voted us the best sustainably run small business in the UK.
We continue to support local business using the finest local, free range or organic ingredients wherever possible and locally produced beer and fruit juices, together with fruit and veg from our own garden.
If you’d like to know more – please check out our website www.hollandhouse.org or email [email protected]. Better still, come and visit us and have a
look around. Telephone 01386 860330 to find out more or book a visit.
The Strathdon Hotel, Nottingham, situated in the centre of this historic city, is the ideal venue for both business and leisure.We have a variety of meeting rooms with the largest able to accommo-date 120 guests. All rooms have natural daylight, and will be set to your exact specifications.Whether conducting interviews, arranging conferences or training courses, or organising corporate events, The Strathdon Hotel has the team and facilities to ensure a first class event.We have a number of packages to suit your conference needs, how-ever please ask if you have specific requirements that need to be met.
Special Offer: Day Delegates rates from £21 per person.
The Strathdon Hotel, Nottingham, has 68 fully-equipped bedrooms. Among them are singles, which feature mini-double 4 foot beds as standard, doubles,
king-sized doubles, twin-bedded rooms, 4 family rooms and 3 suites.
Fantastic corporate rates are available.
The Strathdon Hotel, 44 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5FT
Tel: 0115 941 8501www.strathdon-hotel-nottingham.com ~ [email protected]
CONFERENCE & EVENTS
Kelham House Country Manor Hotel, Newark
Whether you are looking to host a residential course or day conference, Kelham House Country Manor Hotel provides the perfect setting. The venue is the perfect choice for those with smaller conference needs, as the venue’s facilities can cater for up to 40 delegates. Kelham House is also highly recommended for team building activities and any outdoor activities you require, as the venue is surrounded by 9 acres of land. The venue boasts a competitive set of delegate rates starting from £35, all of which come with hot and cold beverages and lunch. Equipment hire is available for an additional cost.
For more information call Chris on 01636 705266 or call in or e-mail [email protected]
Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham
Hotel Du Vin, located in the heart of Birmingham City Centre provides a meeting and events venue with a difference. Breathtaking, bespoke meeting and events spaces that aim to inspire, to think and to bring purpose, but most of all be fun. A previous disused Eye Hospital located in the old city centre offers six stunning meeting and events rooms. The largest of the venue’s rooms is Speyside Glenlivet, a majestic and elegant mirrored hall with an abundance of natural daylight that can accommodate up to a maximum of 100 people. Hotel Du Vin offers smaller more intimate rooms, each with their own distinctive and unique features, also offering direct access onto an open courtyard. If you are looking for an open courtyard, the courtyard can be used for events of up to 150 people in warmer months and for that extra piece of mind it comes with a fully retractable cover for when the cold settles in. For more information about the facilities available please contact 0121 200 0600 or e-mail [email protected]
Sandon Hall, Stafford
Located just 15 minutes from the M6, Sandon Hall offers a dramatic and elegant setting for conferences, business meetings, seminars and training days, for those wanting a conference space away from the bustle of business life, in
short Sandon provides a peaceful haven free from distraction. Available on an exclusive basis, the elegant interiors and extensive outdoor space at Sandon can be used in a variety of ways to suit your businesses individual needs. This stunning luxury venue with its long oak table, impressive chandeliers and collection of portraits, the Old Dining Room is a conference venue that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated.
Whilst the oak panelled library offers an attractive space for presentations and seminars. Whilst the extensive gardens and parkland are the perfect outdoor space for a variety of teambuilding exercises, sports, games and product launches. Sandon Hall is no stranger to conferences and events having hosted corporate events for a wide range of clients, including JCB, Land Rover, Staffordshire County Council and RBA Wealth Management. The venue’s flexible day delegate packages can cater for any function, from a sandwich lunch to a full silver lunch or dinner. All options include exclusive use of the venue’s hall and conference equipment.
For More Information call 01889 508004 or e-mail [email protected]
Nottingham Conference Centre
Nottingham Conference Centre offers a versatile range of modern conference, meeting and event rooms. The centre has an emphasis throughout the centre on providing open, airy and naturally lit spaces for centre users. The venue also boasts nine-comfort cooled rooms, each with the very latest, fully integrated audio-visual technology. These unique spaces can accommodate from six – 150 people and offer a flexible choice of conference, meeting and break-out rooms depending on clients needs.
For more information, or to make an enquiry, please call on 0115 848 8000 or visit www.nottinghamconferencecentre.co.uk
Swinfen Hall Hotel, Lichfield
Swinfen Hall is situated at the true hart of the Midlands and was built in 1757, making it a truly historic venue. This stunning 4 star hotel offers excellent facilities for business use within a relaxed country house environment, offering a wide array of conferencing options, from small private meeting rooms to exclusive use of the entire venue. The stunning ballroom can accommodate 160 guests for a theatre style presentation , whilst the oak-panelled Benjamin Wyatt room seats 20 delegates boardroom-style. As well as offering boardrooms, Swinfen Hall also boasts 100 acres of rolling park and corporate sporting events and team-building activities can be arranged in the grounds upon request. During off-peak times the venue offers discounted rates for both day and residential meetings.
For more information call Swinfen Hall’s hotel organiser on 01543 481494.
Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham
Sandon Hall
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HOTEL DU VIN & BISTRO BIRMINGHAM, CHURCH STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B3 2NR
BREATHTAKINGBESPOKE MEETING&EVENTS SPACES AT HOTEL DU VIN BIRMINGHAMBREATHTAKINGBESPOKE MEETING&EVENTS SPACES AT HOTEL DU VIN BIRMINGHAMBREATHTAKINGBESPOKE MEETING&EVENTS SPACES AT HOTEL DU VIN BIRMINGHAMBREATHTAKINGBESPOKE MEETING&EVENTS SPACES AT HOTEL DU VIN BIRMINGHAMBREATHTAKINGBESPOKE MEETING&EVENTS SPACES AT HOTEL DU VIN BIRMINGHAM
MAKE A RESERVATION FOR YOUR EVENT NOW
08447 364 250 [email protected]
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY, PLEASE ASK AT TIME OF ENQUIRY.
GET A FREE IPAD MINI
WITH EVERY BOOKING OVER £2,500
THE PREVIOUSLY DISUSED BIRMINGHAM EYE HOSPITAL IS THE DISTINCTIVE
LOCATION FOR OUR LARGEST HOTELThis ornate, early Victorian red brick building in the old city centre, now part of the
revitalised Jewellery Quarter, was sympathetically converted to provide sixty six bedrooms and suites around a courtyard.
Original features include a magnificent sweeping staircase and granite pillars. A relaxing haven in the city, offering a spa, gym, inspiring meetings and events rooms
and a traditional pub serving local ales and pub food with a du Vin twist.
HOTEL DU VIN BIRMINGHAM IS THE IDEAL LOCATION FOR YOUR NEXT MEETING OR EVENT. WE HAVE UNIQUE FACILITIES WITH A DIFFERENCE... ANY BOOKINGS MADE OVER £2,500 AND YOU’LL RECEIVE
A FREE IPAD MINI. SIMPLY QUOTE ‘WEST MIDS IPAD MINI OFFER’ WHEN BOOKING.
The Council House Nottingham
We offer unique opportunities for holding functions and events in a magnificent building steeped in tradition and history and have a wealth of experience in hosting meetings, conferences, receptions, dinners, conferences and civil ceremonies.
From the first impressions of the Grand Staircase to the splendour of the Ballroom, the intimate setting of the Sheriff’s Parlour and the imposing walnut panelling of the Lord Mayor’s Parlour and Dining Room, the Council House impresses with its splendid art deco surroundings which are as elegant today as they were when the building was officially opened by the Prince of Wales in 1929.
All of our rooms can be set up to meet your needs with staging and audio visual equipment available. A variety of catering options are offered to ensure your event is a truly personal experience.
If you would like to enquire about booking any of our rooms, contact the Events Team on 0115 8765657, 0115 8765654 or 0115 8765658.
Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected]
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CALL:01782658524EMAIL:[email protected]:www.purple-sprout.co.uk
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SituatedontheedgeofthehistoricriversidetownofBewdleythispopularvenueformeetingsandeventsiswellsituatedinaconvenientlocation,withanattractiveruralsettingofferingfreeparkingandfreeWIFI.Thisrecentlyrefurbishedandmodernisedvenuereallyisamustsee....Thelatestphaseofourrefurbishmentssaw7spaciousboutiquebedroomsequippedwith
superkingbeds,40”HDTV’s,wetrooms,freewifi,workstations,airconditioningandsomehavebalconieswithfabulousviews.
Whateveryourrequirementyoucanbeassuredofawarmwelcome,attentiveserviceandunbeatablevalueinaspectacularsetting.Meetingroomsavailabletocaterfor2-200
delegates.
Day Delegate rates from £20.00+VAT per person*24 Hour Residential rates from £100.00+VAT per person*
Corporate Dinners from £20.00 + VAT per person.AttheendofaharddaysmeetingcontinuenetworkingwithclientsinourcontemporaryloungebarorinGreensRestaurant,alternativelywhynotde-stresswithagameofgolfon
ourChampionshipGolfCourse?*T*&C’sapply
Longbank,Bewdley,Worcestershire,DY122QW01299405222•[email protected]•www.whartonpark.co.uk
Meetings & Events
More Than Just a Golf Club
Holdcroft Nissan HanleyLeek Road, Hanley ST1 6ALTel: 01782 204040www.holdcroft.comOpening hours 9am-7pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday
On The Road Price £12,995.00Nissan PCP Deposit Contribution £1,000.00Customer Deposit £199.00Balance to Finance £11,796.0036 Payments of £199.88Final Payment GMFV £5,906.25Total Amount Payable £13,300.93Rate of Interest 4.9%Representative APR 4.9%
Fuel economy figures for the Juke 1.6 VISIA 5 DOOR mpg (L/100km). Urban - 36.7 (7.7), Extra Urban - 55.4 (5.1), Combined - 47.1 (6.0), CO2 emissions 139 g/km.
Offers valid until 30 June 2013 at participating dealers only. Finance is available subject to status on eligible new vehicles in the UK. Guarantees and Indemnities may be required. £1000 Nissan Deposit Contribution shown on Juke Visia is only available when taken on 4.9% APR PCP Product. Further charges may be made subject to mileage and condition if you elect to return the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Figures based on annual mileage of 5,000 miles. Excess Mileage charged at 8p per mile. Finance provided by RCI Financial Services Limited, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) to apply. Our dealership introduce customers to a limited number of finance providers including RCI Financial Services Ltd. Finance providers pay us for introducing you to them. Offers not available in conjunction with any schemes or other offers, please visit www.nissan-offers.co.uk or your local dealer for information. Breakdown services provided by RAC Motoring Services and/or RAC Insurance Ltd. All prices include first registration fee and 12 months road fund licence. Information correct at time of going to print. Model shots shown are for illustration purposes only. Models subject to availability. Juke shown has optional metallic paint at £500 inc. VAT. Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, The Rivers Office Park, Denham Way, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 9YS.
Juke Visia £12,995
OFFERS BY DESIGN AT HOLDCROFT
only £199 Depositfrom £199 a month
3 YEARS’ PAN-EUROPEANROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
£1,000 NISSAN DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION3 YEARS’ LOW COST SERVICING FOR £299