Enterprise at the heart of Leamington Spa
Transcription
Enterprise at the heart of Leamington Spa
Word on 10th anniversary a partnership for the future home exit full screen first previous issue 24 next October 2009 last instructions Enterprise at the heart of Leamington Spa Two exciting new projects boost technology and creative industry sectors > Developments Business News Enterprise News And finally > Council sets out its regional strategy > Axminster opens new store in Nuneaton > SMEs test their ideas in the Lab > Holland and Barrett plans Nuneaton HQ > Growing Your Own Business Show > Professionals take a walking tour > Forthcoming events > Asda opens store in Rugby > Pure opens its doors to business > Local firm survives the Dragons’ Den Infrastructure > Ansty Park planning application > Acutec Computime aims to double in size again! > Super-fast broadband for Nuneaton > CSW: Winning Technology Event next Word on Business home exit full screen first previous next last instructions Axminster Tool Centre has WIP on hand to advise opened its latest store in Nuneaton budding entrepreneurs Axminster Tool Centre recently opened its new store on Bermuda Park in Nuneaton. The store, part of Bermuda Trade Centre (just off Hamilton Way) opened on Monday 12th October and is the fourth retail outlet for Axminster Tool Centre. This new outlet is Axminster’s biggest store yet: covering 12,000 square feet of retail space with an enviable range of products. Not only will the store stock the entire catalogue product range, it also has certain products from Festool and Mafell which Axminster will only be selling through the Nuneaton store. The most exciting installation at the new store is ‘Festool World’: this shop-in-shop is probably the largest of its kind in the world! Festool World Nuneaton will house the entire Festool range and will cover a space of 1,000 square feet. Festool World, with its unique display, will show the applications of the tools with a test centre for you to get some hands-on experience. In addition to this, a representative from Festool will be visiting the store every week to deliver expert advice. Warwickshire Investment Partnership have supported Axminster during their expansion programme by providing employee relocation and recruitment support. Axminster have recruited 3 new staff for the new store, and plan to recruit additional staff in the future. Ian Styles, Managing Director of Axminster Tool Centre said, ‘The Nuneaton store is a new and exciting venture for the company. We looked at several locations for our fourth store, but Nuneaton’s excellent transport links and accessibility made it the perfect location.’ For more information, please visit www.axminster.co.uk Axminster Group’s new building in Nuneaton Cheryl Mann, Warwickshire Investment Partnership with Bobb Bahra of UC Mas. Warwickshire Investment Partnership exhibited at the recent Growing Your Own Business exhibition, which was held at the NEC. Growing Your Own Business was co-located with the National Franchise Exhibition, and there was a tremendous buzz about the hall from the moment the doors opened on Friday 2nd October, to closing time on Saturday 3rd. Throughout the exhibition, the many thousands of enthusiastic visitors searched for new careers among the latest business concepts, and found out how to venture into franchising successfully from the experts. Business growth was also a key theme for the show, with the Growing Your Own Business conference theatre hosting various seminars across the two days, ranging from the importance of networking for business owners, to how to survive tough economic times. With over 150 national and international companies exhibiting at the show, the exhibition provided the ideal platform for entrepreneurs to develop and progress their business ideas. The Partnership experienced an array of visitors to its stand, and the team met with eight companies who were interested in locating their franchise business in Warwickshire. These included various retail franchises, as well as diet / fitness franchises. To continue the support programme for new and growing businesses, Warwickshire Investment Partnership will be exhibiting at the Business Start Up show at Olympia, London on 26th & 27th November 2009. Word on Enterprise home exit full screen first previous next last instructions Launch of business enterprise projects in Leamington Spa Cutting the ribbon: Chris Elliott, Chief Executive of Warwick District Council, Angela Maxwell, AWM Board Member, Cllr Norman Pratt, Chairman of Warwick District Council and Cllr John Hammon, Portfolio Holder, Economic Development. Far right: Colleagues gather in the newly refurbished railway arches on Court Street. Two exciting new schemes in Leamington Spa – the Althorpe Enterprise Hub and the Court Street Creative Arches – were officially opened on September 9th 2009, by the Chairman of Warwick District Council Cllr Norman Pratt and Ms Angela Maxwell, award-winning businesswoman and member of the Board of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands. The schemes are responding to the need for affordable office and studio spaces in Leamington for new businesses in the technology and creative industry sectors. The official opening and project launch was celebrated in the newly refurbished railway arches with a lunch for 70 guests, including local elected representatives, senior officers of the District and County Councils and business support agencies. The two new projects are part of the £14million ‘Creative Uplift Programme’ (CUP) – a public-private sector partnership between Warwick District Council, Advantage West Midlands and private businesses. The projects will contribute to the continuing regeneration of the Old Town area of Leamington, supporting new and growing businesses and helping to encourage graduate retention in the area. Councillor John Hammon, Warwick District Council Portfolio Holder for Development Services, said: “The Council are delighted that these projects are now officially open. We welcome partner engagement in bringing much needed development to this area of the District. I will look forward to seeing new businesses thriving in the area and establishing a hub of creative activity.” Led by the Council’s Enterprise Team, the programme aims to capitalise on the rapid growth of creative industries in Leamington Spa – home to more than 20 per cent of the UK’s gaming industry and a high number of digital media graduates – by developing affordable office premises and creative workspaces with specialist business support services offered as part of the package. Guest speaker Angela Maxwell, who is herself a very successful entrepreneur and member of the Board of project funders Advantage West Midlands, said: “This is an exciting development that will support new innovative business, provide new flexible workspace, attract inward investment and introduce new technologies. “I am delighted Advantage West Midlands has been able to invest close to £7million in the Creative Uplift Programme as a whole and to be working with Warwick District Council and local businesses to bring new jobs and improve the quality of life of people in Leamington Spa by regenerating the Old Town. “There is a fantastic opportunity here to build a powerful engine of creative enterprise, which attracts and supports technical and digital start-ups as well as growing companies. “This will contribute to Leamington’s creative heritage and add to the town’s appeal as a place to live and work, particularly for graduates.” For further information on the enterprise projects in Leamington Spa please visit the website www.wdcbusinessenterprise.co.uk Word on News home Warwickshire County Council outlines strategy to region’s professionals exit full screen first previous next last instructions Mask-arade in Dragons’ Den Around 60 members of Coventry and Warwickshire First gathered at the Eliot Park Innovation Centre in Nuneaton to hear Paul Galland, director of environment and economy at Warwickshire County Council, present the strategic aims of the Council. Addressing a packed audience, Mr Galland explained how the Council had reacted to the recession and how it was preparing for the up-turn. However, speculation surrounding inevitable public spending cuts dominated the conversations within the room, as delegates discussed where the cuts should be made and how they would impact on local services. Karen O’Donoghue, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire First, commented: “I would like to thank Paul for his interesting presentation. It is clear the Council has done, and will continue to do, an enormous amount to help individuals and businesses throughout the county. “With the clouds of cut-backs in public sector spending looming, it’s more important than ever that the professional services sector engages with the Council, so that we can all work together to improve the communities in which we live.” The event took place on Thursday 17 September and was organised by Coventry and Warwickshire First in conjunction with Warwickshire County Council. L-R: Paul Galland, Director Environment & Economy, Warwickshire County Council, Karen O’Donoghue, Chief Executive, Coventry & Warwickshire First and Gavin Bates, Chairman, Coventry & Warwickshire First. They may not have received an investment from the Dragons, but the Three ‘Mask’ateers from Mask-arade.com certainly created an impression when they came face to face with Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, Deborah Meadan, James Caan and Peter Jones on Dragons’ Den recently. Viewers thought that they were seeing double when Ray Duffy, Chris O’Nyan and Dean Walton walked up the famous stairs wearing specially produced masks of Dragons. “It was really nerve wracking” said Ray Duffy - Mask-arade Director. “we only had to remember one minute each for our pitch, but when you have the Dragons staring at you just a few feet away, and cameras and lights everywhere, we all struggled to get our words out.” Mask-arade produce personalised party products including their legendary masks, life-size stand-ups and face shaped greetings cards. Personalised masks have now become an essential part of any stag and hen night, they are also proving popular for weddings, birthday parties, sports tours, product launches, corporate events and even bah mitzvahs!! Mask-arade now produce high-quality, machine-cut, fullyelasticated personalised masks from their recently opened new premises in Southam, Warwickshire. The past few months have been the busiest in Mask-arade’s short history, in excess of 50,000 masks have been shipped including 6000 Ricky Hatton masks for his Vegas fight last May. For further information visit www.mask-arade.com or email [email protected] Word on Investment home exit full screen first previous next last instructions Holland and Barrett plans new HQ in Nuneaton Artist’s Impression of the proposed new HQ at Eliot Park for Holland and Barrett. More jobs will be created when a national company sets up its new £7.5 million headquarters in Nuneaton. Health product retailer Holland and Barrett is set to move to a 35,000sq ft, three-level office at Eliot Business Park. The firm is the leading retailer of vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements in the UK with more than 550 stores. It already employs 125 staff at offices in the town, at Attleborough Fields. They would move to the new HQ and up to another 125 people could be taken on once the site is up and running. The Coventry-based Deeley Group submitted the planning application to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council in August. Peter Aldis, chief executive of Holland and Barrett, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the proposed Eliot Park development. This will secure Holland and Barrett’s long-term future in Nuneaton and continue significant job creation in the area.” Nuneaton MP Bill Olner said: “This is a major endorsement of what our town can offer for large, national businesses. “This new headquarters would create jobs and give the business community a major boost. I have stressed before how important it is to continue investing in Eliot Business Park and this is an exciting announcement.” Eliot Business Park was begun in 2000 and its occupiers include the Department of Work & Pensions and Warwickshire County Council, along with several smaller businesses. Peter Deeley, managing director of Deeley Group, said: “We will be tailoring this site to the needs of Holland and Barrett. Eliot Business Park continues to grow and to have an established high-street brand operating from there will further establish Nuneaton’s credentials as a prime location for business. “We are confident that the planning authority and residents will be as excited as we are by the proposals.” Word on Business A thriving Warwickshire IT firm wants to double in size – again! Coleshill company Acutec merged with Coventrybased Computime at the beginning of 2009 to create a business with more than 300 clients and around 20 staff. Now bosses at the firm, which offers a whole range of IT services – from support to software solutions for business – is looking to grow by further acquisition and organically. Chris Roche, the managing director of Acutec, said the firm had expanded during the economic downturn because of its reputation as an expert in the field. He said: “The business world needs IT – there is no doubt about that. So much of what we do relies on it now. “Companies do begin to think differently during a downturn and many are starting to look to get more out of their computer systems and want them to work smarter for them. “I believe our expertise in this area has helped us to grow our client base and, with the merger with Computime, we have doubled in size in the past six months. “But we are very keen to continue our expansion and are looking at companies across the West Midlands with a view to purchasing. “That could be anything from one person businesses up to those with 10 to 15 staff – it will just depend on the fit and whether we feel the move would be right for all parties. “On top of that, we are looking to grow organically too with the addition of new clients and further staff.” The firm’s client base is predominantly in the Midlands and includes a range of companies – from traditional SMEs to large corporations – as well as charities and public bodies. It also has worldwide customers. John Dixon, the founder of Computime, said: “Both businesses were successful in their own right but we have gone from strength to strength together. “That is why we believe further expansion would be very healthy for the company.” home exit full screen first previous next last instructions SMEs encouraged to discover the IDL Innovative SMEs in the West Midlands are encouraged to discover the potential of the International Digital Lab (IDL). The Digital Lab is a state of the art research centre based at the University of Warwick, and aims to increase the use of digital technology in business by offering access to cutting-edge expertise, knowledge and technology to improve businesses in the region. Led by Dr. Mark Swift, the dedicated Knowledge Exchange team at the Digital Lab is the leading provider of research driven digital innovation for SMEs and is focused on helping businesses in the West Midlands innovate, grow and gain competitive advantage. Services ranging from seminars and workshops on key technologies and research, KTPs, assisting businesses to find the right partners and access to demonstrators are targeted to give West Midlands SMEs a competitive advantage: “We can help SMEs in a variety of ways,” explains Dr Matthew Hocking, Knowledge Transfer Specialist. “We’ve assisted some companies in the creation of new products and processes and helped others access new business opportunities through the development of digital channels or by improving working practices. SMEs who are interested in discussing their options should get in touch with us.” CASE STUDY: Digital Lab and ACTAtek more customers. ACTAtek have also sponsored a number of WMG students and recently took on three graduates on a permanent basis. One example of how the Digital Lab is working with a Midlands ICT SME is its work with ACTAtek. For further information visit http://digital.warwick.ac.uk ACTAtek receives ongoing support through the Digital Lab Knowledge Exchange programme, such as at the recent eSecurity workshop, as well as Dr. Jay Bal’s collaborative market place project (WMCCM) where they received advice and guidance on CRM (customer Record Management), marketing and Google Adwords campaigns to increase their profile on Google listings to win Above left: Inside the International Digital Lab. Above right: Paul Hung, MD of ACTAtek. Below: the International Digital Lab SME team. Word on Enterprise home full screen exit first previous next last instructions Region’s professionals take part in a walking tour of Leamington Spa More than 20 of the region’s business professionals joined Coventry and Warwickshire First for a guided walking tour of the enterprise projects in Leamington Spa. The tour, which concentrated on the old town area of Leamington Spa on the 14th October, showcased some of the newly completed enterprise projects including the Althorpe Enterprise Hub and Court Street Creative Arches. After meeting at the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre, the tour which was supported by Warwick District Council and Warwickshire Investment Partnership, made its way round to the Althorpe Enterprise Hub, Court Street Creative Arches and then onto the Spencer Yard cultural quarter and the base of the Station Area development site focusing on proposals for the former Ford Foundry. Karen O’Donoghue, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire First, the professional network organisation for Coventry and Warwickshire, commented: “I would like to thank Warwick District Council for presenting on the various enterprise projects which are going on in Leamington Spa. I am pleased to see so many business professionals attended the event. It is encouraging to see businesses engaging with the public sector, to find out more about local enterprise projects.” For further information about upcoming events or to become a member of Coventry & Warwickshire First please visit the website at www.coventrywarwickshirefirst.co.uk or email [email protected] Pure opens its doors for business New Pure Offices at Leamington Spa Pure Offices in Leamington Spa is now open and welcoming businesses in need of affordable serviced offices. The contemporary office building in Tachbrook Park has shot up since work began in November 2008, and is ready to offer serviced offices at fantastic rates on easy-in easy-out monthly terms. Managing Director Nick Smith is excited about the quality of the completed project, and is looking forward to filling it with a range of businesses. “Whether you’re a new company starting out, a small business, or a larger company looking for extra flexibility, Pure is the right place to come. We’re really pleased with the responses we’ve had from prospective tenants, who have been impressed by the services we’re offering.” Pure Offices Leamington Spa is made up of 67 offices of varying sizes, so there’s something to suit everyone. Free car-parking is included in the price, which starts at £63 per week. Moving in couldn’t be easier - tailor-made high quality phone and broadband packages are ready to go, so there’s no stress setting up. Pure is also committed to renewable technology, and the new complex has been awarded a ‘B’ energy performance rating. Leamington Spa manager Roger Thomas said, “Our energy rating is testament to the sustainable technology included in the building, meaning we make less of an impact on the environment, which is so important to businesses now”. If you’d like more information about Pure Offices Leamington Spa, call Roger on 01926 800456, or visit www.pureoffices.co.uk Word on Infrastructure home Super-fast broadband for Nuneaton A new era of broadband services is emerging – it’s no longer a case of one size fits all as customers are expecting broadband services to suit their individual needs and lifestyles. The ‘communications revolution’ has already seen strong progress in the West Midlands region. But much remains to be done to take full advantage of the tremendous opportunities. Across the region the foundations are being laid for a new flexible approach to broadband offering a mix of services to suit all tastes and pockets. BT has already enabled exchanges serving 40 per cent of UK homes and businesses for copper-based ‘next generation’ broadband services – delivering speeds of up to 24Mbit/s. There are further plans to increase this to 55 per cent of UK homes and businesses in future months. Some customers want even higher speeds and this is being catered for with BT’s superfast broadband services. Fibre to the premise trials are already underway in parts of the country and BT plans to roll out fibre-to-thecabinet broadband services to as many as 10 million homes by 2012. With download speeds of up to 40 Mbit/s – potentially 60 Mbit/s – and upstream speeds up to 5Mbit/s possible, fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband will be appealing to homeworkers and gamers and satisfy the predicted demand for simultaneous entertainment services. The Nuneaton exchange will be one of the first exchanges to be enabled with fibre to the cabinet. The BT exchange at Nuneaton serves in excess of 20,000 residential and business premises and the expectation is that the network will go live in Spring 2010, with communications providers and internet service providers able to deliver their services to their customers over the super fast network. If small business owners want to grow and prosper in the months and years ahead, they will need to be ultra-competitive and look and act as professionally as their larger rivals. Nuneaton businesses have a track record of being early adopters of new technology; the very successful business assist project called CW2000 ran in the area at the turn of the century and proved that businesses can extract competitive advantage from adopting appropriate information and communication technology (ICT). The super-fast network is about everything that everyone will need and want to do online in the future. In fact, it is the future. exit full screen first previous next last instructions Tomorrow’s Technology in Today’s Environment Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire (CSW) councils, collectively known as ‘The Winning Technology’, are bringing together senior executives from the CSW region to network and generate business across diverse industry sectors. The Winning Technology are hosting the ‘Tomorrow’s Technology in Today’s Environment’ event at the region’s premier exhibition venue, the NEC on Thursday 12th November from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Guests will be treated to exclusive presentations from key industry experts, including Chris Aylett of the Motorsport Industry Association, who will be discussing ‘Motorsport Accelerating Energy Efficiency’, Lee Cassidy of SD Voice & Video Ltd who will present on ‘Green Sky Thinking’ and Laura Frost and Nick Mitchard of Arup discussing ‘Sustainability and Business: The Opportunities and Challenges’. The theme of the presentations will focus on how to use innovation and technology to sustain your business in the current environment while ensuring the long-term future of your company. For example, the use of energy-efficient solutions or the impact of virtual technologies. Attendees will be able to network with colleagues from the motorsport, aerospace, medical, automotive and ICT sectors as well as visit the various exhibitors, which include Envirowise, Dignitas Ltd, the International Digital Lab, HumanPerf Software and MIRA. The event is sponsored by Arup, providing the ideal opportunity for local companies to find out more about the company. Arup is a global firm of planners, designers, engineers and business consultants providing a diverse range of professional services to clients around the world. The firm is the creative force behind many of the world’s most innovative and sustainable buildings, transport and civil engineering projects. To register for the event, contact the team on 01926 412823 or email winningtechnology@ warwickshire.gov.uk Planning application submitted for Ansty Park Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency, submitted plans in September for a 1.3million sq ft technology and research centre at Ansty Park in Warwickshire. The facility will house the government’s ‘Manufacturing Technology Centre’, which it estimates will attract £130million of investment to the region. There are already two similar centres at Strathclyde and Sheffield. Supported by big companies, universities and the government, they provide high-tech research and development facilities. The centre at the 100 acre site at Ansty will be backed by Advantage West Midlands and the East Midlands Development Agency, as well as Rolls-Royce, Airbus and local universities. The government is to invest £40million into the scheme. The facility, close to junction 2 of the M6, is scheduled for completion by 2011 and will create around 5,000 jobs over the next five years. Word on and finally... Events Professional Motorsport World Expo 3rd - 5th November Cologne, Germany BCSC Conference (British Council of Shopping Centres) home Thousands of people checked out Rugby’s new Asda supermarket when it opened this summer. The store is part of a £25million transformation of the town’s Chapel Street area. The remaining units in the Swan Centre, including a large Co-op home electrical store, are due to open later this year. Simon Leech, of the Rugby Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is fantastic to see new businesses opening in the town despite the harsh economic climate. ICT Cluster Conference “The opening of the new Asda is extremely positive news for Rugby, it will attract even more shoppers to the town centre and that should have a good knock-on effect for other businesses in the vicinity. Medica 18th - 21st November Dusseldorf, Germany full screen first previous next last instructions Rugby’s Asda supermarket opens 9th - 11th November Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Central, Manchester 10th November National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull exit “This news combined with the development of North Street, and the creation of two new hotels in the area, sends out an extremely positive signal and indicates a strong future for the town.” The new store will create 350 new jobs for the borough and provide residents with a brand new 24-hour supermarket offering a full range of food and other merchandise. The long-awaited redevelopment of the derelict area brings to an end 30 years of failed blueprints and schemes. Work included the demolition of a derelict 1930s Co-op, archaeological investigations, the retention of a listed pub front and the construction of an underground car park. For more information about available retail units, contact the WIP team on 01926 412140 or email [email protected] Below: Rugby’s new Asda supermarket opened for business in the summer. Technology World 23rd - 24th November Ricoh Arena, Coventry Business Start Up Show 26th - 27th November Olympia, London For further information on these events visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wips Contact us For further information, or if you would like to feature in our next newsletter, please contact Katy Hunter on 01926 412140 or email [email protected] Warwickshire Investment Partnership Shire Hall, PO Box 43, Warwick, CV34 4SX home