Inspire business magazine - issue 6 by Inspire Business Magazine

PENSIONS ADVICE Top financial tips from Tony Byrne. Page 11

GET INSURED Who do you let into your home? Page 9

ART OF SELLING 1 Understanding the art of sales Page 6

ISSUE SIX • WINTER 2014/2015

IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO INSPIRE YOUR BUSINESS

MAIN FEATURE

Madam Becky How Becky Adams made the switch to legitimate business. Pages 18-19

Responsible business

How Vauxhall helped a local good cause. Page 4

Food and drink awards

Inspire backs new leisure industry scheme. Page 12

Season’s greetings to all our readers and advertisers #TeamInspire Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

Issue One

welcome

Publisher: Community Communications, 12 Alexandra Avenue, Luton Beds, LU3 1HG

Editor: David Tooley inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

Advertising: Mostaque Koyes mostaque@communitycommunications.co.uk

welcome BUSINESS ISN’T ROCKET SCIENCE

BOILED DOWN TO ITS VERY BASICS, BUSINESS IS SIMPLE. IT’S ABOUT FINDING CUSTOMERS AND KEEPING THEM COMING BACK FOR MORE..

Design: Heather Ellis heather@communitycommunications.co.uk

Printed by: Bartham Group www.barthamgroup.com

Disclaimer Any views expressed in Inspire Business Magazine are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. No part of the magazine should be copied or distributed without the prior consent of the publisher and remains the property of the publisher.

For copies of the magazine for your reception or to receive a top-up supply, email inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

Becky Adams, the subject of this edition’s main feature, has a unique perspective because for 20 years she ran a brothel in Bletchley. Hence her brand name, Madam Becky. Now on the legitimate side of business, she helps companies focus on those things that are stopping potential customers from turning into fans. She’s got some intresting things to say about business and how we’re all caught up in time wasting blogging, tweeting and Facebooking. Her message is as edgy as her life story, which is what makes it compelling and I make no apologies for making it our main feature. If you’re content to follow the crowd, to do the same old same old, don’t bother to read the centre pages! But if you want to listen to someone with something different to say, you’ll find Madam Becky’s story and message utterly compelling.

Here, at Inspire we appreciate all the people who make it possible. Bartham printers, publisher Mostaque Koyes, designer Heather Ellis, our fabulous readers and growing band of advertisers, the receptionists who take copies in business centres and hotels and our distributors. All vital cogs who make it possible for Inspire’s wheel to turn.

In this issue 6

You’ve given birth to a “ salesman...” (p6)

MK College Centre (p8)

Thank you for reading the magazine and being a part of #TeamInspire. Follow us on Twitter @inspirebizmag or email me inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk Thousands of people around the world are also looking at all the editions of the magazine online at issuu.com/inspirebizmag

we are listening

Why pensions are vital (p11) 11

Food and drink awards (p12)

Pre-nup agreements (p13)

News round-up (p34)

We want to hear from you: perhaps your expertise would be of help to others, or our advertising opportunities are perfect for you or you simply want to give us some feedback.

inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk We’re listening.

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Issue Six

feature

A driving commitment VAUXHALL’S PURCHASING TEAM SUPPORT CLIENT ALLOTMENT PROJECT AT MARY SEACOLE HOUSING ASSOCIATION A team of 12 from Vauxhall’s Purchasing Team got dug in at Mary Seacole Housing Association (MSHA), creating an allotment for the charity’s young clients. The team went to MSHA in Luton on November 20 with a team of 12 as a part of Vauxhall’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. Some of the clients got involved and benefited from the association with the men and women. The aim behind it is to encourage them to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Cherie Denton, Community Relations Officer for Vauxhall, wanted to support homeless people in Luton - so the Purchasing Department offered their services to create a client allotment in the back garden of one of the hostels, at 28 Brantwood Road. Audrey Lewis, Chief Executive of the Mary Seacole Housing Association says: “We truly appreciated the work that the staff from Vauxhall undertook to provide the allotment for the young people.

Benefit “This allotment will benefit many of the young people who access the services, both from a learning point of view and benefit them in that they will be eating healthy fruit and vegetables. Thank you very much Cherie and your team.” The pictures show the Purchasing Team from Vauxhall, working at digging the back garden. Mary Seacole is a well established Charity Registered under the Friendly Society based in the centre of Luton. It aims to support young homeless people with training, learning, and life skills through the supported housing units and through one to one, and group engagement with the staff. The young people are supported to address their problem areas, in an environment that is safe, stress free, and where dignity and respect is weaved into the fabric of the service, ultimately endeavouring to aid them to move from a state of dependence to that of independence.

Winter 2014/2015

The Association runs six projects in Luton, primarily supporting young people 16 – 25, however one of their projects is dedicated to meeting support needs of men 18-35. The organisation employs a staff team of more than 50, which includes full and parttime staff who provide 24 hour support to the young people. The service has a holistic approach, ranging from one to one individual support, group training, and social activities with staff members, and multi professional meetings; with staff acting as advocates for the young

people as they develop the resilience they needed to overcome their challenges. The clients go to Mary Seacole Housing Association from all walks of life; many with major support needs and issues which require specialist services to untangle. Staff support the clients to settle into the hostel environment, where the support begins by looking at their needs, which often starts with budgeting skills. For further information on the Mary Seacole Housing Association visit: www.maryseacoleha.com

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

feature

How to be

a superstar She said for everyone there is a “steep learning curve” but the secret is to “listen to your customers and find a gap in the market. “I’ve had to change tack a number of times. You have to listen to people.” One of her big mistakes was in creating what was basically a lycra jump suit for pregnancy. “They flew out of our stocks... until pregnant women started to wear them,” said Laura. “Then they all flew back in again.” As every startup entrepreneur will know, she was doing everything herself, including keeping financial records. “When an accountant looked at the books, he said we had been insolvent for two years,” she said. “We had to mortgage the house, we had everything on the line.”

Superstar entrepreneur Laura Tenison gave hints and tips for business success at a major networking event in Hitchin. Laura had got to know local networking supremos Louise and Steve Yexley at a conference where she was persuaded to come to give a motivational talk in Hertfordshire. Laura, the founder of JoJo Maman Bebe, tied her trip to speak at the joint Best Of Hitchin/ Women In Business Network, with the opening of her new high street shop. JoJo Maman Bebe is a retailer of innovative independent nursery goods which started out as a catalogue and website. The printed catalogue is used to drive traffic to the website. Its growing shop chain, at the time of writing with 64 outlets employing 570 staff, was developed to meet a customer demand to look at, feel and try the products. JoJo Maman Bebe is now a multi-million pound operation with multinational ambitions but it wasn’t always that way. Entrepreneur Laura started the business with a £50,000 investment, more than many people can manage of course but she also at one stage took the brave decision to mortgage her family home. You’ve got to believe in what you’re doing is her point. A designer by profession she started her journey to multi-millionaire status at school. She was a sole trader for eight years. “I thought I’d made it when we achieved £30,000 turnover and I employed two staff,” she said. “I started hitting it big in my 20s and had a business in France.”

Fear Her advice is that as soon as entrepreneurs can, they should employ professionals and concentrate on what they do best. “Six high street banks turned us down,” she said. “There was a real fear of going under.” Another key moment was when the business had a proper warehouse. Until then, stock was kept everywhere, including 10 pallets at her parents’ house. “We had nearly doubled turnover and were running out of sheds,” she said. “But getting the warehouse made the business much more efficient.” Working 16 hours a day wasn’t conducive to motherhood but then... Laura had a lovely surprise in the form of her first baby.

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JOJO MAMAN BEBE FOUNDER LAURA TENISON SPOKE AT A NETWORKING EVENT IN HITCHIN. INSPIRE BUSINESS MAGAZINE WAS THERE “I kept the baby under the desk,” she said. “At least I now understood the market I was designing for and began to innovate.” Pocket high chairs was one such innovation. “You’ve got to embrace technology,” Laura added. In 1993, JoJo Maman Bebe built a website before mega rival Mothercare. “In the early days, our customers were male internet geeks who would shop for their partners. It’s all changed now, the vast majority of our online customers are women.” But by being in the mix from the start, JoJo Maman Bebe has carved a leading position in the market. The mail order business zoomed to £10million turnover and there was seemingly no need for a high street presence. But Laura’s customers had other thoughts. “I didn’t like the idea but we ran a sample sale in Battersea. “Traffic in south London ground to a halt, the police had a helicopter up and 600 people were queuing. There is a demand from people to buy the products in person.” But getting a first shop in London wasn’t easy. They were gazumped by the big corporates but eventually struck lucky and the rest is history. Laura, the proud holder of an MBE, has no hesitation in what she believes is the most important ingredient of business success. “Loyalty. When the credit crunch came, we could have gone under. “I had to say to our suppliers that if they shipped our products, they would be paid. Out of 60 factories supplying us, only two did not ship. We traded through the credit crunch. Woolworths went under.” As for the future, Laura believes there is enough room for c30 more JoJo Maman Bebe outlets in the UK. More growth is set to come from international sales, including in the USA. For more information on the thebestofhitchin visit www.thebestofhitchin and The Women In Business Network visit www.wibn.co.uk LAURA TENNISON’S TOP BUINESS TIPS:

• • • • • • • •

Lead by example Delegate in a blame free culture. Have a can do attitude Let people take calculated risks and don’t rule by fear Keep people motivated Energy comes from being energetic Employ the right people Make sure you deliver what you promise

Issue Six

skills

“Darling, good news! You’ve given birth to a... salesman” Chris Davies, of Sandler Training for our region, says it’s time to reconsider selling

“OK everyone, call out the names that pop into your head when I say ‘SALESMAN?”. It never fails to bring a bit of noise into the room at briefings. Go on, take a few seconds now and try it... If you have words like “authentic & credible” on your paper then you can save a little time, have a cup of tea and admire your new windows, insulation or read your PPI policy. If however you have words that are more colourful then perhaps it may help to read on. It’s little wonder when meeting entrepreneurs, senior managers, legal / financial / technical members of a profession, that often they tell me they are either uncomfortable or scared of being in a sales role. After years of industry, hard times, initial learning and scant reward, who wants to be perceived as someone who is __________ (insert your chosen word here)? But the need to “sell” is paramount, rely on personal goodwill or reputation alone and the resale value of our business or practice at retirement is next to zero. How can we remain competitive or stand aside and realise any equity? It gets a little more

Winter 2014/2015

real when considering that without enough growth, how can we afford to be able to take a decent break and recharge batteries? Treat selling like a profession and your chances of securing new clients and retaining new business from existing ones will change for the better. Imagine a heart specialist today thinking “I’ve seen other surgeons do it so I know how to act” and then having a go? 200 years past it didn’t end well so it became a profession. Perhaps your business isn’t important enough though? Traditional selling can work but its getting tired, maybe its time to break the rules and adopt a new approach. No matter how we feel about it, everyone who charges a fee is in “the selling business”. Without effective prospecting we go backwards 10-30% each year (or worse) so consider: • ‘Discomfort’ is good! Remember your first driving lesson? It shows we are doing something different. We learn by our mistakes so start making a few. • People buy off people they like. Come from behind Twitter & Mailshots as they are a shop window to support your sales effort, little more. • Be authentic, and ‘adult’. It’s ok to proactively speak with someone and

they don’t need what you have to offer, it’s not personal. They probably know someone who may though so ask. • Let your prospect know up front what’s in store, make a contract with them and get their ok first about how long, what you expect to talk about and what the end result should be. • “I’ll think it over” may mean you’ve been selling the traditional way. For me its code for “now I’ve got all the info I’m going to shop around”. Am I alone? Not everyone qualifies to be your client, check out if they can be before giving valuable information away • Features and benefits are only interesting to you, nobody buys them so stop using them. Let your prospect tell you what they want to buy. The best person to sell the products and services your business has to offer is you. Don’t copy bad practice and if you want a few ideas, drop a line to chris.davies@ sandler.com and ask for a free copy of “Why salespeople fail” and one will be in the post to you. www.miltonkeynes.sandler.com

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

legal

How to get your money EVEN IN THE TIME OF GOODWILL BUSINESSES SHOULDN’T FORGET WHAT’S OWED THEM, SAYS PICTONS COMMERCIAL DEBT RECOVERY SPECIALIST JULIAN IRELAND With Christmas shortly followed by the tax date of January 31 it’s clearly not the best time of the year for all business owners. Whether you have to finance Christmas bonuses, family presents or pay HMRC, this is a crucial time of the year for healthy company cash flows. Chasing debts is not easy for any business, but as Julian Ireland, a specialist solicitor in the litigation team at leading regional law firm Pictons says: “It’s so important to manage your credit risk and I always say that ‘a sale is not a sale until it’s paid for!’ “For any company, profits are increased with fewer debts and lower borrowing.”

The bottom line In the current economic climate companies and their lenders tend to focus on liquidity more than assets, order books or goodwill. Ultimately the bottom line is ‘cash in the bank’ and, as a result, many companies have a habit of holding back on payments due or, where possible, avoid making any payment at all! This means that in order to increase their own ‘cash in the bank’ a growing number of companies require debt recovery services. There are several options available, from debt collection agencies and law firms to internal processes.

When the latter has been exhausted without success, debt recovery companies or law firms remain the only viable alternative before writing off the debt completely. Debt recovery agencies and law firms often compete for recovery work by offering just a standard and fairly cheap fixed fee initial letter. This basically means the client is merely paying for the organisation’s letterhead. Whilst there is a market for fixed fee debt chasing letters the client needs to be aware that usually the initial costs will only cover the first letter.

Action If legal action is required to recover the debt, the law firm or debt recovery agency will traditionally revert to charging structures such as hourly rates or a percentage of any monies recovered. The client also needs to be informed from the outset of the potential costs of litigation, particularly in the light of the Jackson Reforms that came into force on 1 April 2013, which set out that legal costs are generally not recoverable for money claims with a value of under £10,000. In order to recover even part of any debt it seems the best way to achieve this is with a legal firm such as Pictons which can tailor a debt recovery service to its client’s specific needs.

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Julian Ireland says: “Pictons Solicitors does provide a fixed fee debt recovery service however this is a tailor made service to our clients which is evident in the very high recovery rates we achieve. More importantly, we can be successful through prompt action and without the need to go to Court where the legal costs would often prove to be disproportionate and unrecoverable.”

JULIAN’S TOP TIPS FOR DEBT RECOVERY: 1. Chase debts promptly 2. Ensure you are aware of your financial risks 3. Retain as much information and documentation as you can 4. Don’t forget you are entitled to claim interest on the money you are owed You can contact Julian on 01582 870870 or visit www.pictons.com for more information

Issue Six

business

Education and business

forge strong links Milton Keynes College’s Business & Leadership Centre celebrated its first birthday, INSPIRE was there to help blow out the candles Milton Keynes College celebrated the first anniversary of the highly successful Business and Leadership Centre. Invited guests at the centre in Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, were treated to a VIP purple carpet entrance followed by a champagne and canapé reception, sumptuous finger buffet and music. All provided courtesy of the college’s very own student training restaurant The Brasserie and the talented performing arts students. In just 12 months the centre has already had dealings with more than 3,000 businesses of all sizes and types from start-ups to global brands and now trains around nine hundred people per month. It is home to a number of small companies and is regularly used by organisations as varied as Santander and the Institute of Directors.

Incredible MK College Director of Business Engagement, Jane Horridge, says: “It’s been an incredible first year. Every way the college works with businesses has been brought here under one roof including providing training, office and meeting space and facilities for businesses as well as giving students the opportunity to get involved in live projects with real companies.” One of the main events of the night was the launch of a Partners’ Programme. This is an exciting new scheme which will allow regular users of the extensive facilities a whole range of privileges from discounts on conferences, training or networking to sponsorship opportunities. Available at three different levels of Associate, Friend and Partner, some will also gain access to the new Business Advisory Boards which are also being introduced.

Master of Ceremonies

Exciting “The business advisory boards are potentially very exciting for us,” Jane Horridge says, “because they do exactly what everyone from the government to big business organisations is saying should be done. That is, involving the companies who need workers in designing the training those potential employees will receive.” There will be a number of boards, each specialising in a particular area of study and each helping to design what training delivery in their field of expertise should look like.

Ambassadors The first will be sponsored by tech support company, Mirus IT, whose managing director, Paul Tomlinson, was revealed as one of the first three “ambassadors” for the College along with Clive Hawes from Santander and Roger Bowden from Niftylift. Mr Tomlinson said: “Last year we decided to focus on some of the softer skills with our staff, in particular, customer service. We came to Milton Keynes College and the Business & Leadership Centre. They began working with us and as a result have really helped us increase customer satisfaction and created a happier work force. “It is also through the centre that we have been able to offer leadership and management training to our senior staff, building up our middle managers to create a stronger support network for the whole team.

Winter 2014/2015

Paul Tomlinson accepting Ambassador Award with Dr Julie Mills, College Principal

“With MK College and Mirus it is all about our long lasting partnership rather than just a training provider, they are constantly looking for ways in which we can develop our business by providing a custom made service.” The night was a great success and guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves. To conclude College Principal, Dr Julie Mills, said: “We established this centre to support the business community in any way we can and will continue to do so. We’ve expanded our training repertoire in response to you, the businesses, telling us what they need. “It really is fantastic to see the way that employers are working with us; not only with how the Business and Leadership Centre can help them but how these organisations are so passionate about working with our students to help develop the talent of Milton Keynes.”

To find out more about the Business and Leadership Centre and its service offerings please email business.centre@ mkcollege.ac.uk,call 01908 684520 or visit the website www.mkcollege.ac.uk/page/corporate-services

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

insurance

Who do you let into your home? MARTIN BLOWER OF A-PLAN URGES YOU TO GRIT YOUR TEETH AND COMPLETE THE HASSLE OF CHECKING INSURANCE DOCUMENTS TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE COVERED When a job needs doing around the house be it large or small, we have all hired a contractor at one point or another. In our search we rely on recommendations or someone we know, we trust that they will do a good job and that tends to be the focus of our thoughts. Unfortunately sometimes even the best and most skilled people can makes mistakes. It might be something minor like a spillage on your carpet, or more serious like a fire or major structural damage. Are you protected if they do? You may have home insurance to protect your property from accidents but a lot of home insurers require you to notify them (the insurer) of significant works going on at your home, and may place restrictions on cover in the event of something happening.

Pictured: Gareth Jones, of Elmecom Ltd

PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE All contractors should have public liability insurance in place when carrying out any kind of work and this should provide you with protection. They should let you have copies of this before starting work on your property and you should thoroughly check the policy to make sure you are covered. If a policy states they are a landscape gardener and you have hired them to put a roof on your house, it is unlikely the policy will cover them for this kind of work.

“Unfortunately sometimes even the best and most skilled people can makes mistakes.”

CONTRACT WORKS COVER

If you are having your house extended or other building work done, the new part of your home will not be covered by your insurance until the work has been completed. In the meantime it should be covered by whoever is doing the work. This is not automatic and does need to be requested by the contractor so make sure they have the appropriate cover in place. Most contractors will have insurance in place but the extent of that cover could depend on how they purchased their policy. They may have bought it online and not mentioned that they need contract works cover, or not detailed all of the work that they do. It may seem like a bit of a hassle to get everything checked, but when you consider the alternatives, could you afford not to?

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Issue Six

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pensions 11

Your business is your pension... or is it? Tony Byrne, one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most highly qualified financial planners tell Inspire why businesspeople are wrong not to believe in pensions Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost count of the number of times Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard a business owner say to me he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe in pensions and that his business is his pension! This despite the fact that 90% of businesses fail in the first 10 years and of the remaining 10% a further 90% will fail over the subsequent 10 years! Even if your business isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one of the Tony Byrne, Chartered and ones that has failed could you realistically Certified Financial Planner author of Wealth Magic, sell it or it is pretty much dependent on Financial Planning Director, you working in it? Wealth And Tax Management If it is the latter how can you finance your retirement? If you are relying on the state pension you can look forward to an impoverished retirement. If you cannot afford to retire do you really want to work for the rest of your life and join the many retired shelf packers in B & Q and the like?

Reasons Before you tell me you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe in pensions let me give you some reasons why you should not only have one but why you should maximise your current one. Firstly, a pension is nothing other than a tax efficient trust or business trust if you like. It has several unique features and benefits such as; 1. Ring-fencing your assets against creditors, bankruptcy, bailiffs, debt collectors etc. 2. Tax free growth. 3. Borrowing to buy commercial property. 4. Borrowing to buy plant and machinery. 5. Funds to invest in your own business subject to qualifying conditions. 6. Tax free lump sum from age 55 onwards. 7. Unlimited income for life subject to you not depleting your pension fund from April 2015. 8. Tax relief at your highest tax rate on contributions into your scheme subject to contribution limits. So no matter what happens to your business you can secure your retirement by maximising your pension tax reliefs and allowances. Why not contact us for a friendly, informal meeting at our expense at our lovely offices overlooking Furzton Lake, where we can share some great ideas with you. Or attend one of our regular in house public education seminars. We offer a great menu of drinks too! Web: www.wealthandtax.co.uk Email: wealth@wealthandtax.co.uk Telephone: 0800 980 4516 or 01908 523740 Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

'ET THE RETIREMENT YOU DESERVE -AJOR NEW CHANGES TO THE WAY MONEY CAN BE WITHDRAWN FROM PENSIONS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT (OWEVER IF YOU DONmT KNOW WHAT YOUmRE DOING YOU COULD END PAYING A -Ă&#x2DC;33)6% ONE OFF TAX CHARGE 7ANT TO FIND OUT ALL YOUR OPTIONS 7E ARE CURRENTLY OFFERING &2%% PLACES WORTH | AT OUR 0ENSION 3EMINARS HELD IN OUR OFFICES IN &URZTON ,AKE -ILTON +EYNES AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES AND DATES PM 7EDNESDAY TH &EBRUARY PM 4HURSDAY TH &EBRUARY AM 4UESDAY TH &EBRUARY 4HIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO THE FIRST PEOPLE TO CONTACT US BY RD *ANUARY 4EL %MAIL WEALTH!WEALTHANDTAX CO UK 7EB WWW WEALTHANDTAX CO UK SEMINARS

Issue Six

awards

Food for thought Inspire supports search to find best new independent business in the food and drink sector

David Tooley, Inspire business magazine editor, said: “The leisure and hospitality sector is a vital part of the economy and is predicted to strongly grow in the next decade. “Inspire’s mission is to help people start up and stay in business, that’s why sponsoring the Best Newcomer category is a perfect fit. “If you have launched a quality independent business in the food and drink sector in the last two years I’d urge you to enter. We will want to know your inspiring story.” The Best Newcomer is for kids on the block who spotted a gap in the market and are making a real difference in their community. They will have hit the ground running, with great products, brilliant service and an imaginative offering. In another few years they will be expanding their brand, no doubt. Karen Mc Geeney, communications director for award organiser Events & PR, is pictured braving the elements on a traditional old

An exciting new set of three county food and drink awards have been launched in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire – and Inspire is delighted to announce that we’re proudly supporting one of the categories. The awards call on the public to scour the nooks and crannies of the counties for the best independents and vote for them on the websites mentioned in the advert below.

Karen Mc Geeney, communications director of Events & PR, taking a brief rest from launching the new awards

baker’s bike to launch the awards. Karen said: “The bicycle is a symbol of traditional values of quality, service, reliability and craftwork, a perfect fit for the Food and Drink Awards. “We’re getting on our bikes and working hard to give a voice to the very best venues and we hope everyone will visit our websites and exercise their right to vote!” For website details see the advert below.

W OPEN VOTING IS NO

9' 0'' ;17 & 816 4 '

À ÕV } > Ã Ài Û ÌiÃ > ` Ì w ` ÕÌ Ài } Ì \

YYY DHFC EQ WM

" Vi Þ Õ >Ûi Û Ìi` Þ Õ Ü >ÕÌ >Ì V> Þ Li i ÌiÀi` Ì > «À âi `À>Ü v À Ë£ää i> Û ÕV iÀ

Winter 2014/2015

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

law 13

Prenuptial Agreements

For better or for worse? The consideration of a prenuptial agreement in readiness for marriage is possibly the least romantic of all wedding preparations; however the presence of a well drafted, transparent and fair legal agreement could prevent bitter, protracted and costly legal fees should the marriage end and is becoming more common place amongst ordinary couples within our society; never more so since the landmark ruling in Rachmacher v Granatino in 2010. WHAT IS A PRE-NUPT? A prenuptial agreement is a legal document which sets out an agreement reached between two parties in anticipation of a marriage or civil partnership, primarily dealing with financial matters and how these should be divided in the event of a marriage breakdown.

ARE THEY RECOGNISED IN THE UK? Prenuptial agreements are widely recognised and legally binding in many US states. However, the case of Rachmacher in 2010 saw a significant shift in the way that English Courts now view these agreements. Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

The Court will look at whether there has been legal advice, if there was a material lack of financial disclosure, whether there has been duress, fraud or misrepresentation; plus the timing of the agreement and its proximity to the wedding. In February 2014 the Law Commission published a report on this area concluding the need for the law to be more certain and predictable, and recommends the introduction of legislation to govern the enforceability of qualifying nuptial agreements. The short answer therefore is that they will be binding to an extent and more so in cases where all of the fundamental points set out in the guidance have been carefully addressed and in cases which are not going to leave the more vulnerable party or any children with their financial needs having not been met

WHO SHOULD HAVE ONE? This is based on individual choice and circumstance. Although some may feel that to introduce such practical measures almost dooms the marriage others are perhaps more pragmatic and cautious, particularly if it is a second marriage or those who do not want to be subject to the ‘lottery of discretion’ which underpins English matrimonial law. Cases where a prenuptial agreement should be considered: • Someone entering in to a second marriage and bringing capital from the first marriage which they want to protect • A party who has children from a previous relationship and wishes to ensure they are individually provided for • Where someone is bringing wealth to the marriage that was acquired solely by them • A party who has assets which already form part of a trust • Where a substantial inheritance is anticipated during the course of the marriage • People who wish to have a degree of control and autonomy on how their assets should be divided upon separation

WHERE TO GET FURTHER ADVICE OR INFORMATION Having accurate, up to date and comprehensive legal advice for either those contemplating the need to protect assets or for those being asked to sign away potential rights against such assets is an absolute necessity if you want to avoid the risk of costly litigation in the future. For further information please on any aspect of family law, please contact Kirsty Bowers on 01582 514302.

Issue Six

You’re in the employment tribunal facing the panel... IMAGINE BEING SUMMONSED TO APPEAR OVER AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. BINA BRIGGS AND BRONWEN PHILPOTT, OF PLAIN TALKING HR, ARGUE THAT GETTING IT WRONG COULD BE COSTLY. In their careers as human resources specialists, Bina Briggs and Bronwen Philpott have come across some shocking case studies of businesspeople who have put their companies at risk by getting it seriously wrong when it comes to written contracts of employment. Having an employee working illegally without a contract risks heavy penalties at employment tribunals if something goes wrong in the working relationship. “Companies are sitting ducks if they cannot prove they have a written contract,” says Bina Briggs, a director of Plain Talking HR in Luton. “As an absolute minimum, the law requires you to provide all employees taken on for one month or more with a written statement of employment particulars. “You must do this no later than two months after the employee starts work.” This statement will not necessarily cover every aspect of the contract of employment, but it will constitute important evidence of the principle terms and conditions. In practice, most employers issue a more detailed contract of employment which incorporates all the matters that are required by law to be covered in the written statement, plus additional clauses. The written statement must cover a few basic things: • The names of the employer and employee. • The date when employment (and any period of continuous employment) began. • The rate of pay (including any bonus or commission payments, shift premiums, overtime payments, benefits-in-kind, etc.) and the intervals at which it is paid. • Hours of work. • Holiday entitlement. • Entitlement to sick leave and sick pay. • Pensions and pension scheme (and whether or not a pension’s contracting-out certificate is in force for the employment). • The entitlement of employer and employee to notice of termination. • Job title or a brief job description. • Place of work (or, if variable, the employer’s address). • Where employment is not permanent, the period for which it is expected to continue

Winter 2014/2015

if temporary, or, if it is for a fixed term, the date when it is to end (remembering to include a “break” clause so that you can terminate an employee’s employment before the end of the fixed term if need be). • Details of the existence of any relevant collective agreements. • The disciplinary rules and the dismissal and disciplinary procedures applicable to the employee. • The person to whom the employee may complain if dissatisfied with any disciplinary or dismissal decision or if they wish to raise a grievance relating to their employment (and any further steps which follow from making such an application). In addition, where the employee will be required to work outside the UK for more than one month, the written statement must include the period for which employment abroad is to last, the currency of pay, any additional pay or benefits and any terms relating to the employee’s return to the UK. Bronwen Philpott, also a director of Plain Talking HR, added: “If an employee complains to an Employment Tribunal that they haven’t been issued a contract, a hefty fine could be coming to the company. “There are many different types of contracts, from full or part-time, permanent or temporary, fixed term, zero hours and service agreements. A word of warning; be very clear about what you agree to in the contract; be aware of what you are committing to! That is relevant whether you are the employer or the employee.” When it comes to the application of policies and procedures, that is usually referred to as the Employee Handbook, which is one place of reference for managers and employees. Each Policy will describe what is expected of both the management and the employee and included will be legal requirements like disciplinary and grievance procedures, sickness and absence, maternity, paternity and adoption and will also reflect the company culture. Bina added: “Everyone can go to the Employee Handbook to find out what to do, how to do it and why they should do it. “It may all seem like bureaucratic red tape but the bottom line is that it is an investment well worth making. If something goes wrong in your employment then the costs of getting it wrong will vastly outweigh the costs of getting it right in the first place.”

Contact PlainTalkingHR by telephone 01582 488410, email bina@plaintalkinghr.com webiste www.plaintalkinghr.com and on Twitter www.twitter.com/PlainTalkingHR

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

awards 15

We are the champions A picture special from the East of England Business Champions This page is kindly sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) A fine food retailer from Pepperstock, near Luton, scooped the overall East of England Business Champion title at an awards lunch at Center Parcs in Bedfordshire. As well as the overall title, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Harpers Food took the Bedfordshire Business Champion and service excellence accolades against opposition from across the east of England. Here are all the winners from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Overall East of England Business Champion, sponsored by the FSB. Winner – Harpers Food, Pepperstock, near Luton. Hertfordshire Business Champion, supported by Hertfordshire Business Independent. Winner – One Life Wealth. Runner up – Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel Business Person of the Year, supported by 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty Spa. Winner – Abi Purser – Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel. Runner up – Mostaque Koyes Enterprising Business, supported by London Luton Airport. Winner – Longcroft. Runner up – Jagged Edge Service Excellence, supported by London Luton Airport. Winner – Harpers Food. Runner up – Fluid Studios. Employee of the Year, supported by Basepoint. Winner – Carlie Cleaver – Ronnie Sunshines. Runner up – Robert Stone – ClearPlan Networking Group, sponsored by the FSB. Winner – Mums Unltd. Runner up – Suffolk Business Women. Best New Business, supported by Inspire business magazine. Winner – Ugg Foods. Runner up – Office Wings. Bedfordshire Business Champion, sponsored by the FSB. Winner- Harpers Food. Runner up- Jagged Edge.

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Issue Six

tax

Page kindly sponsored by

Telephone: 01582 608601

Ensure that you submit your tax return on time JOHN WRIGHT OF STOTEN GILLAM URGES ACTION BEFORE THE TAXMAN GETS TOUGH The final deadline for submitting your 2014 self assessment tax return is fast approaching and you should ensure that you are taking steps to avoid unnecessary penalties for late submission. Tax returns are normally issued shortly after the end of the tax year. The tax year runs from 6 April to the following 5 April, so the current tax year 2014/15 runs from 6 April 2014 to 5 April 2015. Those individuals who complete returns online are instead sent a notice advising them that a tax return is due. If you are not issued with a tax return but believe that tax is due, you should notify HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), who may then issue a return. There are different dates for sending back paper and online tax returns. These dates are called the filing dates.

Deadline A paper tax return must be submitted to HMRC by 31 October following the end of the tax year. This means that the deadline for 2013/14 returns submitted in ‘paper’ format was 31 October 2014, which has now passed. A taxpayer who files a return electronically normally has to file their tax return by 31 January following the end of the tax year. Therefore, the 2013/14 return must be filed by 31 January 2015. Any outstanding returns must now be filed online, otherwise penalties will apply. There are strict penalties for sending in a tax return late. The penalties increase the longer the return remains outstanding. Late filing penalties apply for personal tax returns as follows:

• £100 penalty immediately after the due date for filing (even if there is no tax to pay or the tax due has already been paid)

Other deadlines of which you might need to be aware are:

• HMRC may correct a self-assessment within nine months of the

Additional penalties are charged as follows:

• over 3 months late – a £10 daily penalty up to a maximum of £900 • over 6 months late – an additional £300 or 5% of the tax due if higher

• over 12 months late – a further £300 or a further 5% of the tax due if higher. In particularly serious cases there is a penalty of up to 100% of the tax due. You can appeal against the penalty to have it removed. To be successful, you will need to show that you had a reasonable excuse for not filing your tax return on time. Aside from avoiding penalties, there can be other reasons for ensuring that your returns are submitted in good time.

Winter 2014/2015

For example, the taxpayer has the option to ask HMRC to compute their tax liability in advance of the tax being due, in which case the return must be completed and filed by 31 October following the tax year. This is also the statutory deadline for making a return where you require HMRC to collect any underpayment of tax, up to £3,000, through your tax code, known as ‘coding out’. However if you file your return online, HMRC will extend this to 30 December.

return being filed in order to correct any obvious errors or mistakes in the return. • An individual may, by notice to HMRC, amend their self assessment at any time within 12 months of the filing date. • HMRC may enquire into any return by giving written notice. In most cases the time limit for HMRC is within 12 months following the filing date. If you are having problems completing your tax return, you should seek help as soon as possible. Here at Stoten Gillam, we should be pleased to hear from you if you do need some assistance and we can be contacted on 01582 608601. Alternatively, you can email us at john.wright@stotengillam.co.uk.

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

inspiring offer 17

Inspiring offers SCAN YOUR BUSINESS CARD AND GET THOUSANDS OF COPIES FOR JUST ÂŁ40 You can get some great offers on business cards, including from Bartham Press the printers of Inspire business magazine! But we have a great offer for you if you have a business card. How about you scan a copy of your business card and send it to us at inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk We will then print thousands of copies. Not only that, because we distribute to venues across the MK, Luton, Bedford, Aylesbury, Hitchin and Hemel Hempstead area, your business card will be distributed, too. We also hand out copies of the magazine at business networking events.

With your business card. Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great offer. But wait... thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more... weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re active on social media, too. Follow us on Twitter @inspirebizmag and see how we promote the magazine and the people and businesses who support us. We call it #TeamInspire Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also online at http://issuu.com/inspirebizmag where we attract hundreds of readers. For an offer like that, with printing and active promotion, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d expect the cost to be sky high. Well, how does ÂŁ40+VAT sound? Good eh? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t delay, scan your business card and send it to inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk now. The first to apply, quoting #InspireOffer will get a surprise discount. Email inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk NOW

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Unit A â&#x20AC;˘ Park Avenue Industrial Estate Sundon Park Road â&#x20AC;˘ Luton â&#x20AC;˘ LU3 3BP T: 01582 573471 Ext: 225 M: 07931 973967 E: mostaque@barthamgroup.com

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Issue Six

Inspiration

Learning from FORMER BROTHEL OWNER MADAM BECKY’S LEGITIMATE SUCCESS IS BASED ON EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK Imagine running your business if marketing, advertising, recruitment and sales became illegal. Could you grow your company into an international brand with a £million plus cash turnover with no way to ever directly contact your customers? What would you do with none of the usual business resources to attract customers and keep them returning? Becky Adams, 48, from Bletchley, found the not-so-magic formula of putting the entire focus on customers in her 20 years as a madam with Madam Becky’s an escort agency she opened with some mums from her daughter’s school!

Experience Former convent schoolgirl Becky came from an affectionless background and fractured home life with an aggressive mother and an uncommitted father. She had zero business experience or training but an innate ability to understand the sub-conscious fears of her clients and a drive to counter them head on. “Along with staff safety, focusing on satisfying our customers was my only priority when I was running my ‘house of ill repute’,” said Becky who now runs Seductive Customer Servicing, a business consultancy with a difference! “When I suggest that most traditional business practice is a frustrating waste of time, many people don’t like it. “There have been stand up rows and tears at my seminars, when I suggest people are wasting time blogging and writing content no one wants to read’’. ‘’You will never be able to seduce and satisfy your customers until you’ve really understood what turns them on or turns them off’’. ‘’You have to read your customers minds first and connect with their hearts, then you can go and tweet yourself silly.’’ But Becky’s journey to renowned author and business coach has been a winding one to say the least. As a 13 year-old and after her father’s business collapsed, she and her mother and brother found themselves facing ruin.

Winter 2014/2015

Her father did a runner and the remainder of the family upped sticks to Barnstaple. “My mum was under a lot of pressure, and it made her distant and aggressive,” said Becky. “There was no affection but a lot of physical violence. “I could either be a victim or someone who stands up and says “no” so I decided to stand up and protect my brother and I.” Her view of authority figures as the enemy was set during those early days. Even now she regards the Inland Revenue as the “Inland Revenge” and she rails against being told what to do, including by a raft of so-called “business advisers” who tried to blitz her mind with all kinds of ideas she knew were pointless and confusing.

Overwhelmed ‘’When I started running a legal business in the ‘real world’ I was totally overwhelmed with everything I was told I had to do if I wanted to succeed. Hours of social media, email marketing, adwords, blogging and what on earth is Google+?’’ ‘’I had built a hugely fun, empowering, all be it illegal business doing none of these things, with none of the usual resources available to other businesses, by just focusing on making my staff and customers happy. Doing it my way, the seductive way’’. After breaking free of a suppressive home life, Becky decided she would live her life her way, with very little thought for the consequences. In the early 80’s refusing to study A levels in college just to please her mother, Becky horrified the family by enrolled on a YTS trainee scheme with the British Horse Society. After passing her BHS exams, and several years teaching riding for the disabled, Becky found

the BHS as inflexible and oppressive as the life she was trying to avoid. A chance encounter with a heavily tattooed, Dr Martin wearing petty criminal in Aylesbury Market square in 1986 took her life off in a more unpleasant direction. “I call it my crime co-ordination phase,” said Becky, who took pity on the inept efforts of these overly inked boys and set out to make them more “efficient” in their criminal enterprises. Several years, and one beautiful daughter later, Becky was on bail for organised crime and awaiting sentencing at Milton Keynes.

Trouble “I knew I was in a lot of trouble, I’d been a complete idiot. Running wild and being really hurtful, selfish and self-destructive. “As mitigating circumstances, to show the courts I had turned over a new leaf and to keep me out of prison, I decided to start a business and become a pillar of the local community’’. “Quite why I thought “Scrubbers” a topless car valeting company would endear me to the bench I have no idea. It didn’t. “I was on Anglia TV every night with the local up in arms, but the tabloid press loved me. I was public enemy number one at the council, but we were actually great car valeters and had an impressive set of customers.” Sentenced in 1993 to 2 years maximum community service, having her house repossessed and being deservedly dumped by her boyfriend Becky suffered a nervous breakdown. “I had absolutely no idea who I was or what I was doing,” she said. “I really wasn’t a very nice person and I needed to learn some tough lessons. I guess I just blew up. I was left with

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

the illegal nothing, apart from guilt, and a burning desire to understand why I was such a prat and change it.” So as she faced rebuilding her life and with a group of friends the business idea that came to define her during the next 20 years began to slowly form. “One of my friends decided to start escorting but I was frightened for her so I took to driving her to clients,” Becky explained. ‘’To be fair, she took to it like a duck to water, and soon the other single mums started thinking about working as escorts to pay their bills’’.

Aggressive “The escort agency they joined had shocking customer service. They would send girls out to clients who didn’t like them. Clients would get aggressive, refuse to pay and frighten my friends, so we set up a mums’ escort agency. A co-operative! We looked after each other, listened to the clients, and gave them what they wanted.” But Becky hadn’t considered she was effectively running a business, generating an income which was liable for taxation. ‘’I thought as running brothels and escort agencies is illegal, you wouldn’t have to pay tax. I was wrong, if you’re a madam, thief or drug dealer, you still have to pay a share of your illgotten gains to the revenue. They will estimate what they think you owe, despite the police closing you down repeatedly and stopping you trading.’’ “We were closed down and moved on at least 40 times in those 20 years but the customers kept finding us and coming back,” she said. “They were incredibly loyal. We had no customer relationship management system and no contact details for them but we had such a strong brand.”

In 2008, following a run in with the police and Aylesbury Vale planning department Becky went to live in France but suffered a stroke. Selling Madam Beckys in 2009 to one of the ladies, Becky wrote her award-winning and acclaimed memoirs MADAM - Prostitutes, Punters and Puppets.

Help ‘’As I recovered from my stroke, I started to do a lot of after dinner and business speaking, where people would ask me if I could help them grow their companies as I had Madam Becky’s’’. But when Becky started working in the ‘’real world’’ she again felt that horrible oppression and frustration she’d felt as a bullied child. “People kept telling me what I was supposed to be doing,” she said. “Blogging, tweeting and everything except focusing on customers. I felt miserable, lost and clueless. “I freaked out. No-one mentioned the customers. “Then I asked myself how did I manage to run a business making millions with absolutely no resources.”

Inspiration

The customer focus Becky says people should concentrate on is seducing them, satisfying them and keeping them coming: • Understanding how people feel subconsciously about your sector, • Understanding and overcoming the customers’ subconscious fears. • Understanding what the customer needs to hear from you to make them feel safe Removing friction from the customer journey. Fear and friction stop people buying In the case of the Madam Becky’s business it was all about removing the fear of the punters from being seen in public. “The most important concern was to do with parking,” said Becky. “We worked hard on making sure the premises we used were in the right place for the punters and we put no pressure on them to do ‘the business’. They had to feel relaxed and safe.” Now Becky is working on a new book, targeting the ‘real’ business world. She promises it “may well be the most controversial ever!” “I hate being told what to do, and I don’t want to feel suppressed and miserable running my business” she said. ‘’I decided to ignore traditional business practice and start applying the lessons I’d learnt from the sex industry to my clients companies. It works like a dream!’’

Noise Becky created Seductive Customer Servicing to wean people off what she calls “Google Guilt” and blindly following frustration business practice. “Everyone is tuning out from all the white marketing noise,” said Becky. “When I ask people about the last blog or tweet they read, no-one remembers. People shouldn’t waste their time on this stuff. Go on holiday, have sex or eat a biscuit instead.” Becky’s website: www.seductivecustomerservicing.co.uk Becky’s first book: www.amazon.co.uk/Madam-Becky-Adams/dp/0957148909/ref=tmm_ pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1329821948&sr=1-1

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Issue Six

skills

Luton learning all stars! TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADVANCED THEIR SKILLS AT CENTRE HITS 9,000 At the Luton Learning Centre annual awards ceremony a large selection of learners, who have achieved nationally-recognised qualifications, were presented with their certificates by Mayor of Luton Cllr Mohammed Farooq. This cohort of 500 brings to 9,000 the total of people who have advanced their skills in IT and more since the Luton Learning Centre was opened in April 2001 by Bedford College. Bedford College has four learning centres in Luton, Bedford, Rushden and Milton Keynes. Established to help people upgrade their IT skills, the centres now offer a range of additional courses which link directly into employment such as those to become a teaching assistant, bookkeeper, or work in catering or social care. One winner has been Angela Marshall who at 51 has been offered a job with a care company after looking after family members. She needed to translate her experience into professional qualifications. Having completed IT courses she also passed others in “preparing to work in social care” and Health & Safety in catering. “I left school at 17 and haven’t studied since but found the Learning Centre very helpful. I’m loving it.” Angela was nominated for an award at the main Bedford College Achievements Ceremony on November 20th held in Bedford Corn Exchange. She was one of the few who were put forward from 16,000 students from across three counties. Dave Pridmore, Deputy Chief Executive of Bedford College said he was happy to see so many parents collecting their awards and being applauded by their children. As he lived in Luton members of his family had studied at the Luton Learning Centre so he could personally vouch for the value of the studies. Kevin Clohessy won the free prize draw for a Kindle Fire.

Winter 2014/2015

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

marketing 21

Are you talking a language your customers understand? I recently received a cold call from a company offering a marketing service. I listened to the pitch, but had no more idea what they were offering at the end of it than when the call started! She basically reeled off a long sentence made up of about 30 marketing buzzwords, assuming that would impress. Wrong. She may as well have been speaking French for all the sense it made. Using big or buzzy words just because you think they make you look clever or your product modern and funky is a common mistake. If the customer doesn’t understand quickly and easily what you’re selling, these words that are designed to impress will have the opposite effect and put a barrier up between you. This is a good marketing lesson that can be carried across to all marketing materials such as leaflets and email shots – if you aren’t speaking

the same language as your customers, then you can’t expect to sell successfully to them. As it can be hard to judge this for yourself, whenever I produce a leaflet or brochure for our business I will often give it to a third party to have a read of it and make sure they get the message I intended. Google Adwords is a great place to learn what terms potential customers are using to describe your product, allowing you to capitalise on this in your advertising. For instance, one of our core services is leaflet distribution, which is known by many terms including leaflet delivery, flyer delivery, leaflet dropping, unaddressed mail and circulars to name a few. So which one should we use in our day-to-day communication with customers? Our research shows overwhelmingly that in the UK most searches carried out on Google are for leaflet distribution, followed by leaflet delivery in second place. So our marketing material uses leaflet distribution because that is the most commonlyused term, and so the one that is likely to connect with the most people.

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ROBERT WILLFORD, DIRECTOR AT SURE2DOOR LTD, LOOKS AT HOW YOU CAN TRANSLATE WHAT GOOGLE TELLS YOU INTO ADVERTISING MATERIAL

The other issue we came up against is that we spent a lot of time and money joining the DMA (Direct Marketing Association). Our more corporate clients with marketing managers knew exactly what the DMA was and what it stood for. However we also serve a lot of smaller independent business that had no idea about the benefits of using a direct marketing agency that was a member of the DMA. Rather than dropping it in communication with smaller clients we have spent a lot of time educating them about the benefits they gain by working with a DMA-approved company and the resources they can access through us as members. To sum it up, keep it simple and speak the language of your customer not your industry because great marketing is all about effectively communicating with people to take them from not knowing they need your product or service and turning them into a loyal customer who can’t live without it. Sure2Door Ltd, Unit 19 - 20 Carters Yard, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, MK11 3HL, 01908 560297, www.sure2door.co.uk

Issue Six

local economy

MK is a ‘giant watercooler’

Photographs printed with the kind permission of www.amazing-mk.co.uk/Words/Prosper

BEING LOCAL REMAINS VITAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUSINESS LEADERS IN MILTON KEYNES HEARD Town and city centres drive economic growth just by being places where businesses gather and exchange ideas. That was the conclusion of Paul Swinney of the Centre for Cities when he spoke at a breakfast networking meeting in Milton Keynes. Comparing city centres to giant watercoolers, he said: “Local remains important.Some people thought the internet would mean the death of distance but it’s not. Economic activity centres on cities. “Cities are 15% more productive than other areas.”

The new city is also proving robust when it comes to attracting young talent. “18 to 21s move out to study but once they’ve finished they come back,” he said. “Other cities can’t attract young people.” MK is more affordable than other areas and the centre in particular is a hub of economic activity. Mr Swinney said while other cities are ‘hollowing out’ their centres, Milton Keynes centre is an engine of growth.

People naturally gather in city centres, exchanging ideas and solutions, hence the comparison to office watercoolers, where people do the same but on a micro scale.

Challenges The picture Mr Swinney gave to the City Breakfast Club wasn’t entirely rosy. There are challenges. He claimed that the centre has a relatively low business density, which he argued is a challenge.

Performer Mr Swinney said Milton Keynes is a “top performer” when compared with other urban areas. “It is a very strong performer across the board and attracts people in.” Milton Keynes is in fourth place for business starts, he said and although many of those firms fail he saw that as a positive. Taking a Darwinian point of view he said those companies that can survive the intense competition cities provide end up being much fitter as a result.

Winter 2014/2015

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

feature 23

Following her dream AS SOON AS ENTREPRENEUR JACKIE BURGESS SAW A RUN DOWN PROPERTY IN LEIGHTON BUZZARD, SHE KNEW IT HAD POTENTIAL When Jackie Burgess saw a prime – but run down - property in central Leighton Buzzard she had a vision to turn it into a community hub in the market town. The entrepreneur, who turns 57 in January, has invested blood, sweat and tears – as well a tens of thousands of pounds – into creating The Green House speciality tea shop and weekend music venue in Market Square. “People thought I was mad,” said Jackie. “But we spent 10 months turning what was a three storey pigeon loft, complete with floors caked in pigeon mess, into a venue the town can be proud of.” Members of Jackie’s family put in hour upon hour of their unpaid time into making the historic premises habitable and with a character all its own. “The word is definitely spreading,” said Jackie. “Our customers say we have a grown up atmosphere where people can go to support local musical talent, which is exactly what we want to create.” Jackie has a solid grounding in the leisure industry, having managed the restaurant and cooked the food at the Carpenters Arms in the village of Stewkley, near Leighton Buzzard, and a gift shop and cafe in Leighton Buzzard High Street over many years. It was during this period that she began to notice potential at what is now The Green House. One of its former uses was as an Oddbins off licence. Parts of the building are believed to be many hundreds of years old and it is even understood that there are tunnels from the building under the High Street. “I love old buildings and this one has real character,” said Jackie. “This place is in just the right spot to attract customers. It’s a real passion for us to create a venue where local artists can perform and where local people can work. There’s a lovely atmosphere.” The tea shop transforms into a wine bar on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. A grand piano is used on Fridays and Saturdays, with paid musicians performing on most Sundays. Open mic nights allow local talent to try their skills. “We will always use local suppliers, too, including a cake-maker who has just set up in business.” Jackie has also teamed up with another entrepreneur, Rosa Cristini, to host her soyou fashion boutique inside the venue when it is open during the day. The Green House has also hosted a soyou fashion show. Two years into running the venue, Jackie remains full of ideas to take the business forward and to making a great success of the venture. Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

How do you a whole Maximise your reach and your budget. Get the attention of a wider audience and let your message be heard loud and clear.

Inspire Business Magazine and Community Magazine. Sometimes two reads are better than one. www.communitycommunications.co.uk Issue Six

finance in the news

In the news Dunstable’s regeneration Business A new short film showcasing the impact of ongoing improvements and plans to regenerate Dunstable has been released by Central Bedfordshire Council in a bid to engage local residents, businesses and investors in the vision for the town. ‘Dunstable – The Next Chapter’ features interviews with local residents, businesses and organisations and highlights progress on projects to enhance the town’s transport and roads, shopping and leisure facilities as well as boosting job opportunities and housing. Councillor Nigel Young, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, who also features in the film said: “The next two years will bring many of our long term plans to fruition and the film shows how our vision to make Dunstable a destination of choice for people thinking of setting up a home or business is becoming a reality. There’s a growing optimism and confidence about Dunstable and I really hope that the film will add to that buzz.” To watch ‘Dunstable – The next chapter’ go to www.youtube.com/centralbedfordshire or for more information about the regeneration plans for Dunstable visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/ dunstable.

showcase

Businesses showcased their products and services and met potential customers at Luton Enterprise Day in November. More than 500 people attended the event hosted by Marsh Farm Futures (MFF) at Futures House, Luton in partnership with Job Centre Plus and Luton Borough Council. Local jobseekers were given advice on setting up businesses, information on apprenticeships, funding and help available.

Broadband call

Good broadband speed is vital to most businesses in the UK, however many businesses across rural and urban areas still struggle with good quality affordable broadband, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

In a recent report, the FSB is calling for Government to adopt much more ambitious targets for rolling out high speed broadband for businesses across the UK. Nigel Crump, FSB member and professional photographer says: “I live in Wingrave, and my connection speeds are rubbish. So much so that I have to often go into my studio in Luton just to upload many files to my clients. It annoying as it is a round trip of some 40 miles and this seriously adds to my costs in terms of time and money.”

Cash carriageway Road projects unveiled in the Autumn Statement inlude dualling the A428, which runs from Milton Keynes to Bedford to Cambridge, to reduce journey times and significantly improve access to east coast ports. These projects were unveiled in parliament as part of a £15 billion plan to triple levels of spending by the end of the decade to increase the capacity and condition of England’s roads. They are the result of extensive consultation with the South East Midlands Local Enterprise

Winter 2014/2015

Partnership (SEMLEP), which has been working with local authority partners to ensure government prioritised these projects. Dr Ann Limb OBE DL, who chairs SEMLEP, said: “These new projects will enable new jobs and homes to be delivered as outlined in our Strategic Economic Plan which we submitted to government earlier this year.” James Jamieson, SEMLEP Board Director and Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “By supporting these projects, which will bring new jobs, more homes and a dramatic reduction in congestion, the South East Midlands will benefit from improved connectivity and economic growth.”

Luton Enterprise Day organiser and Programme Manager for MFF, Ishaq Kazi said: “The event was an excellent opportunity to show Luton’s flamboyant entrepreneurial culture. Marsh Farm Futures are committed to events like this that embrace and assist business growth and support the community.” Marsh Farm Futures (MFF) is a local community organisation, a registered charity, operating as a social enterprise in Marsh Farm - North Luton. MFF set up in 2009 to improve the well-being and quality of life for those who live and work in the area in partnership with other providers. MFF owns and manages the newly opened £9m Futures House where integrated services are delivered by statutory and voluntary organisations to residents.

For more news turn to pages 34 and 35.

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feature 25

Washing your

hands of stress TANIA BARNEY’S NEW BUSINESS TACKLES THE NUMBER ONE SINGLE GREATEST CAUSE OF WORK RELATED ILLNESS - STRESS A new Dacorum-based business is offering a unique approach to stress management which includes changing the way you wash your hands. Tania Barney runs Sensoria out of Berkhamsted, covering the Dacorum and West Herts area, and believes she is the only person using her approach within the UK. Tania, formerly an NHS occupational therapist for many years, said: “Stress is the number one single greatest cause of work related illness and it is a threat businesses need to tackle to ensure people can be happy and more productive in their work.” Tania says the ‘problem’ with lots of stress management approaches is that they suggest you go away and learn new skills, such as mindfulness or meditation. She said: “While these approaches work and are effective, they take time to learn and need time in the day to use. When we are at our most stressed, we are least likely to learn or use such techniques. It is easier to build small tweaks in the way we do things into our daily routines.”

Neuroscience Tania’s approach is based in neuroscience - how the brain works and is in fact already commonly used within therapy to help children. But the same same theory applies equally well to healthy adults in the workplace. Tania explained: “It is possible to change brain functioning through the use of the senses and unconsciously people do this throughout the day. The unique approach taken by Sensoria, is to teach people how to use their senses – touch taste, smell, vision and hearing, plus two hidden senses; balance and body position to reduce their stress. “Hand washing is just one of the many practical techniques that people learn. We wash our hands numerous times throughout the day, so this is a really easy way to bring in deep pressure touch. Deep pressure touch is calming for most people; this is one of the reasons why massages are so relaxing. By changing the way you wash your hands, to bring in this deep touch, you can help to calm and reduce stress. “Through learning key principles about how the senses work, you will be able to consciously utilise a range of simple, practical strategies to either calm or alert according to your needs at the time. In this state, we work at our best and are more focused and productive.” Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

Tania Barney, of Sensoria, is pictured delivering training, explaining how the different senses can either be used to calm or alert.

Techniques used by Tania include changing how you wash your hands, adding or removing sounds/noise, considering drink and snack choices and the use of movement. As well as the individual employees, Sensoria considers the impact of the environment on work. Tania added: “Everybody works and learns best when their mind is in a ‘calm, alert’ state. In this optimal brain state, we are more productive, creative and effective in whatever we are doing. “I teach people simple practical techniques, which can be easily applied as part of everyone’s daily habits and routines. As stress tends to be cumulative, these little ‘tweaks’ used throughout the day help to prevent stress from building up. I also look at how the environment can add to stress, such as if it is too loud or too busy with lots of visual distractions. “My training benefits people by helping them to reduce their stress, be calmer, be more productive and reduce stress related illness. Stress is the number one single greatest cause of work related illness.“ Contact Tania by mobile: 07816 673731, email: enquiries@sensoria. info at the website: www.sensoria.info Twitter: @SensoriaUK Facebook: www.facebook.com/sensoriauk

Issue Six

training

Adding strings to

business bows WORKSHOPS IN THE NEW YEAR GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN VITAL SKILLS

Firms have been given the opportunity to learn vital skills to help grow their business in the New Year, with a series of free workshops. The workshops are being staged by Velocity, a business support service set up as part of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and give businesses the chance to brush up on their existing skills and find out the latest techniques and trends that could help give them the edge over their competitors. Velocity programme manager James Stancombe said: “Whether it’s a session on smashing your sales targets, bringing you up to speed on all the latest trends in web design or learning more about the grants and loans available to help grow your business, there’s a workshop waiting with your name on it.

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“Building and growing a successful business is not easy and you need to have all the pieces of the jigsaw in place. These workshops help to give you the information you need to piece together that jigsaw and go on to great things.” The workshops are being held across the South East Midlands, with several lined up in Luton, Cranfield, Aylesbury, Northampton and Daventry over the coming months. There is no charge to attend any of the three-hour sessions.

Relevant Feedback from the initial workshops has been strong, with John Milner of Chase Technology saying: “I really enjoyed the digital marketing workshop. It was very relevant and delivered in plain English. It was a good introduction to the subject.” A social media campaign is also running alongside the workshops, encouraging all those who attend to tweet @VelocityGrowth with #WhatYouKnow at the end of each session. For more information on when and where you can find a workshop to suit you, visit http://www.velocitybusinesssupport. co.uk/workshops/ and discover a free and easy way to add another string to your bow.

inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk Winter 2014/2015

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leisure

GETTING IN THE SWING A COMPUTER SIMULATION ALLOWS PLAYERS TO TRY OUT 26 TOP GOLF COURSES... INDOORS

Golfers in Milton Keynes will be able to play their favourite sport at any time of the year thanks to a brand new indoor facility at Bucks-Biz business centre in Newport Pagnell. iPlayGolf, at the I:Centre, is a top quality interactive computer simulation with information fed in for more than 26 golf courses around the world. Neil Wilcox, of iPlayGolf, said: “The simulation is so good that if you choose to play at some of the most celebrated courses in the world you’ll feel like you’re there!

Unaffected “Keen golfers will be able to keep up their practice regime with maybe an hour on the driving range, unaffected by the British weather and using real balls, or play just a few holes with friends or even a full competitive round.” The simulators and putting facilities focus on the best that golf has to offer and the new venue is staffed by people who love golf, live for golf. There’s plenty of opportunity to work on your technique with the help of professional coaching.

True State-of-the-art club and ball flight analytics give you a completely true to life depiction of everything about your swing, your game. Or perhaps you just want to get together with friends, family or work colleagues for a few hours of active entertainment. There’s a cafe and bar too, and the offer of club membership to bring you together with other players and new challenges. Affordable, iPlayGolf is perfect for people on the go, easy to pop in for an hour or so whatever the weather.

Competitions You can sign up for competitions and even golfing holidays, and there’s premium quality equipment and advice from the custom fitting lab. Joe Muscat, of Bucks Biz, owners of the I:Centre, said: “We have space for all kinds of businesses at our premises and it is a pleasure to be able to welcome Neil’s to the I:Centre.” Visit the iPlayGolf website at www.iplaygolf.co.uk Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

Issue Six

development

Picture printed with kind permission of the Cabinet office

Good relationships A HOUGHTON REGIS BUSINESSMAN IS INVESTING TIME TO GET DEVELOPMENT PLANS RIGHT A business entrepreneur behind proposals to build 12 one-bed apartments/maisonettes on land next to a Houghton Regis pub says he will work with the local community to make the scheme one everyone can be proud of. Kishor Patel, who recently sold two Nisa convenience stores in Houghton Regis and one in Toddington earlier this year to concentrate on other business plans, remains embedded with the Nisa stores and in the local community. “The renovation of the Dog & Duck pub in Parkside Drive will be something the whole community will be proud of,” said Mr Patel, the managing director of Houghton Trading. “Houghton Regis Town Council has raised some concerns and objections and we will take the time to get it right. “I am very grateful to the community in Houghton Regis for supporting our convenience stores over many years and wouldn’t want to do anything to upset that relationship, ” The Dog & Duck is a 1970s/80s-built structure sitting on 0.87 acres, with an ample 49 parking spaces in the proposal, 12 for the dwellings, six for visitors and 31 for the pub/restaurant. Mr Patel’s company has invested heavily in refurbishing the run down Dog & Duck, which is set to become a major quality asset, providing jobs and a venue the town will be proud of.

Winter 2014/2015

There will be an annoucement on internal designs, layout, menu and chefs as soon as the details have been finalised. “There is a lot of land at the site, which already has planning permission for housing,” said Mr Patel. “We listened to local people who told us that they needed quality one-bedroom apartments. They won’t be rabbit hutches, they will have high quality finish and facilities “It has taken us over two years to get to this position and we are working with the architect, consultants and Central Bedfordshire Council to iron out the issues. I very much hope Houghton Regis Town Council will be able to reconsider the planning application and I extend an invite to them to visit the site.”

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digital marketing

Online is the new landline A LARGE NUMBER OF MICRO-BUSINESSES AND SOLE TRADERS HAVE SO FAR STAYED AWAY FROM HAVING A WEBSITE. NOW A GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN AIMS TO CHANGE ALL THAT Government research suggests that a staggering near 2 million UK businesses are not online, and of those that do have an online presence; more than two-thirds are not transactional. But now the government wants to ride to the rescue with a campaign called Do More Online, which includes £2 million for Local Enterprise Partnerships to help micro-businesses and sole traders increase their online presence. The help includes a business support helpline on 0300 456 3565 and specific resources for small businesses. Business and enterprise minister Matthew Hancock said: “Thousands of potential customers are searching online for local small businesses and without an online profile businesses will lose out.

Investing “To make sure consumers get the best deal and small businesses spread their nets far and wide, the government is investing in a range of advice to help them do more online. I am committed to making the UK the best place in the world to start up and grow, and this is integral to achieving that.” Exact UK, HP, Microsoft, Telefonica, The Coalition For A Digital Economy and Virgin Media Business have endorsed the campaign. Whitehall’s department for Business, Innovation and Skills has an Entrepreneur-inResidence, Simon Devonshire, who believes having an online presence is more important than having an office landline telephone number. He said: “Online is the new landline. A landline number used to be a mark of authenticity for businesses. “The move to a digital economy has meant consumers are more likely to trust a business

with a website and consider a business more credible if they offer the ability to transact seamlessly online. “I cannot think of a business to whom being on-line is not now vital to their trade, irrespective of their ambition to grow. I think those businesses that embrace the digital opportunity are improving their opportunity to reduce costs, to scale-up, and possibly even export – giving a further boost to the UK economy.” Rachel Neaman, CEO of digital skills charity Go ON UK, said: “31% of small businesses in the UK lack basic digital skills, making them less competitive than many of their peers. The UK is embracing technology more and more with new jobs and new businesses being ‘born on the web’; yet just half of small businesses and charities have a website.” Eileen Naughton, Managing Director of Google UK, said: “The internet is playing a key

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role in helping companies of all sizes across the UK reach new customers, manage marketing expenses and use data-driven consumer insights to help their business grow.

Crucial “We believe that it is crucial that companies like Google and the government invest in programmes that show small businesses how easy it is to get online and start reaping the rewards of the digital economy.” Marcelino Castrillo, Managing Director of SME Banking at Santander, said: “More trade than ever now takes place online and a digital presence is essential for all UK businesses, but especially those that want to expand overseas. “Surprisingly, our Business Growth Survey 2014 found that more than a third (34%) of UK businesses, looking to export, don’t have their own website and 63% don’t currently have the capacity to accept online payments.”

Issue Six

collaboration

University Challenge

BUSINESSES HAVE TEAMED UP WITH LEADING ACADEMICS ACROSS THE SOUTH EAST MIDLANDS IN A BID TO BOOST THE REGIONAL ECONOMY University leaders have vowed to form close working links with businesses, giving them the chance to make the most of the expertise, research and facilities at their disposal. Representatives from the South East Midlands Universities (SEMU) addressed dozens of businesses at the Innovation for Business Conference & Marketplace event, held at the Transport Systems Catapult Centre in Milton Keynes on November 26. An expert panel from Cranfield University, The Open University, The University of Northampton, University of Buckingham, University of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire New University and University Campus Milton Keynes (UCMK) showcased their potential to support businesses in becoming more competitive and innovative. The event, organised by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) through their Velocity Business Support programme, aimed to support innovation and economic growth and to explore the challenges of innovation and commercialism. Daniel Mouawad, chief executive of SEMLEP, said: “These universities are our very own ‘Magnificent Seven’. Local businesses can take advantage of the phenomenal wealth of knowledge in our universities. It’s time to start thinking big and thinking collaboratively.” Delegates learnt how best to connect and extract value from knowledge transfer opportunities and about new funding opportunities, innovation, collaboration, entrepreneurship and growth.

Winter 2014/2015

The event also saw the unveiling of the new ‘Universities Mean Business’ prospectus, produced in partnership with SEMLEP, which sets out in clear and simple terms the offer that universities in the South East Midlands provide through their higher education, innovation and research activities. Greg Clark, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities said: “The collaboration between these seven universities in the South East Midlands and local businesses is an excellent example of how to get the most from the UK’s education, innovation and research potential. “This prospectus clearly sets out the exciting offer for local businesses and will help deliver long-term economic growth for the region.” Each university attending the event was given 10 minutes to explain how they could benefit local businesses if they were to team up with them on future projects. Professor Sir Peter Gregson of Cranfield University said: “We are a specialist university with a very distinctive remit. We transform people and organisations. We create leaders in technology and management.” Dr Sanjoo Paddea focused on ‘Stress Map’, The Open University’s measurement services business unit which is one of only two facilities worldwide which offers The Contour Method residual stress measurement services. Stress Map draws on the capability and expertise of the Materials Engineering Group and is effective in identifying stresses that may cause premature failures particularly in the transport and utilities industries. John Spoerry from the University of Buckingham said: “We are an independent university but we punch well above our weight.

We get people to open up their minds. Rather than concentrating on teaching, we focus on learning.” Dr Nick Lancaster of the University of Bedfordshire said: “Our vision is a world where all, including businesses, are able to benefit from transformational educational experiences.”

Importance Dr Paul Sant of UCMK looked at the importance of ‘big data’ in the business world and added: “Data can potentially make you money and let you do things in a more efficient way; we would love to work with businesses and would welcome them into our innovation space.” The concept of ‘social innovation’ was the main focus for Clive Lawrence-Forbes of the University of Northampton, who said: “The companies that perform the best are those that invest back into their communities to improve peoples’ lives.”

Diverse Ian Harper, general manager of Buckinghamshire Education, Skills and Training (BEST), a new partnership venture between Buckinghamshire New University and Aylesbury College, added: “We already work with a number of local SMEs and we can deliver a range of diverse, contemporary and vibrant projects.” Collectively, the South East Midlands Universities (SEMU) generate a combined annual income exceeding £928 million (2012/13) through their higher education, innovation and research activities. The Universities Mean Business publication can be downloaded at www.semlep.com/SEMU

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business development 31

Pooling town resources BEDFORD HAS VOTED – NARROWLY – TO CONTINUE WITH ITS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHILE LUTON HAS TAKEN THE PLUNGE FOR THE FIRST TIME A scheme whereby businesses are charged extra to promote their town centres has won renewed approval in Bedford and for the first time in Luton. The result of the vote for a third five year scheme in Bedford was narrow in terms of the numbers of businesses, with 115 voting for the Business Improvement District (BID) and 106 voting no. The yes voters have a rateable value of £8.7 million while no voters had a rateable value of £2 million. Down the A6 in Luton the decision was clearer with 75% of the businesses and 66% of the aggregate rateable value voting in favour of the Business Improvement District. The scheme starts in Luton for the first time from the start of 2015. BIDs run for five years and work by businesses, in Luton, paying between 0.75% and 1.5% of their rateable value of their premises with fixed bands for the smaller businesses. This will generate around £420,000 a year in town for the next five years which will be used to fund activity identified in the business plan. In Bedford only those businesses with a rateable value of £8,100 or more pay the levy which equates to 2% of their rateable value. Aggregated in Bedford it means that £2.5million will be available over five years. The money from businesses is managed by businesses and is used to promote the town centre to prospective visitors. It operates under the marketing brand of Love Bedford. Director Christina Rowe said: “Times are getting tougher and the local council admits it doesn’t have the funds to push the town centre. A BID means businesses can work together to help the town centre thrive.

“The bigger businesses effectively subsidise the smaller independent outlets via a BID to increase footfall in town for the benefit of all. Without a BID there would no way of raising such a sum.” Bedford was the first county town in the UK to vote in a BID in 2005, under the late Mayor Frank Branston. The local MP at that time, Patrick Hall, was part of the Labour Government which agreed the legislation governing BIDs. Since then the coalition Government has given its backing to BIDs as a way to save town centres. This is in addition to Business Rates, but the levy goes straight into a pot managed by a board of levy-paying businesses. The BID is not run by the council, but as a town centre property owner, the council pays a levy and has a seat on the Board. Projects and campaigns run under the Love Bedford banner are outlined on the BID website www.lovebedford.co.uk One of the success stories of the BID has been the Love Bedford vouchers of which more than £700,000 have been sold and which in turn put money back into the tills of local businesses. They are now on sale at the Bedford Swan Hotel. In Luton the initiative has been developed by business representatives from across the town who form what is known as the ‘Town Team’ working with the Luton Borough Council and supported by BID specialist company Partnerships for Better Businesses (pfbb uk) who carried out extensive research in preparation for the Luton town centre five-year business plan. This included participation by businesses in surveys, extensive one to one interviews and numerous workshops and street surveys with the general public.

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Pictured is Bedford Swan Hotel Sales and Marketing Manager Natasha Trudgill and a BID Bluecap

From this feedback four key objectives emerged under the vision of ‘developing an energetic business community which strengthens the business sector and creates cohesion, a vibrant town centre, a great visitor experience and a sense of pride in our town.’ The four objectives in the plan are:

PROMOTION To promote the strengths and the business offer to change perceptions of the town.

ENVIRONMENT To ensure that the town centre is accessible and appealing

EXPERIENCE To provide a safe, attractive and appealing experience for visitors and workers

BUSINESSES WORKING TOGETHER Support and promote business growth, development and investment and a sense of business community. Mark Broadhead, the manager of the Mall who also chairs the Town Team, said: “This is an exciting project which gives businesses their own budget and a real influence on matters which directly impact upon their ability to attract clients and customers and make a difference to their turnover and profit. “The BID business plan pulls together a range of activities which will change the way in which Luton is perceived by businesses and the public over the next year or so, as the plan starts to be delivered’.

Issue Three

hemel hempstead

Town within a park HEMEL HEMPSTEAD’S REGENERATION PLANS CENTRE ON IDEAS TO KEEP SHOPPERS AROUND FOR LONGER

A £30million plan to transform the centre of Hemel Hempstead into a place where people want to stay a lot longer is using the concept of a “town within a park”. The local council has invested in planting seven 10m high mature tulip trees in the main Marlowes shopping area to create a central line of greenery down the pedestrianised area. Leader of the Council, Councillor Andrew Williams, explained: “We’re reviving the original concept of ‘a town within a park’ thought up by Water Gardens designer Geoffrey Jellicoe. “When we open up the views through the Bank Court and add the new play areas, paving, lighting and seats and interactive water fountain, this will become a pleasant green space for people to relax and enjoy, encouraging shoppers and visitors to stay for longer. “Our primary aim throughout all the improvement works has been to keep Marlowes open for business. Transporting and installing such large tree specimens is a complicated job, but our contractor Greenford has been working hard to let everyone know what’s happening and to minimise disruption.” More trees will be planted under the £30million regeneration programme called “Hemel Evolution” during the new year to further soften the urban landscape. The tulip tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera) was chosen after consultation with tree experts – both from the landscape architects and the council – because it only needs low maintenance, keeping its leaves for longer but dropping them in the autumn over a short period of time. Hemel Evolution has also meant a move for the town’s antique and bric-a-brac

Winter 2014/2015

market from Market Square to the Marlowes pedestrianised shopping area. Cllr Williams says: “Making the move to the Marlowes just before Christmas will allow market traders to take advantage of the extra footfall from Christmas shoppers in the busier, pedestrianised part of town.” The antique market is open every Wednesday until 1pm. It is run by market operator Saunders Markets which also runs the Thursday, Friday and Saturday markets on Marlowes. Market operator Gary Saunders says: “There are some amazing stalls currently trading on Wednesdays and we hope that the relocation to Marlowes allows them to gain a wider customer base and that we can build on the number of antique and collectable stallholders attending the market. The move is an opportunity for the Wednesday market to grow and create a unique retail offer within the town.” The market move paves the way for the redevelopment of Market Square to create

a vibrant night-time economy (with leisure facilities including a cinema and restaurants), improve the appearance of the area and complement planned improvements to the Water Gardens.

Access Until then, contractors Greenford Ltd, who are carrying out the Marlowes pedestrianised shopping area improvement works, will be using the area as their site base. Pedestrians will still be able to access the shops and toilets in Market Square. Improvement works are pausing until January 6 so Christmas shopping and festivities can go ahead without any disruption. Some low key activities will be carried out to keep the momentum of the transformation going. For more information on the regeneration taking place in the town centre visit the website www.dacorum.gov.uk/ hemelevolution, like Facebook at www. facebook.com/dacorum and follow @ dacorumBC #HemelEvo on Twitter.

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aviation 33

Up in the air LONDON LUTON AIRPORT’S POSITION AS A PRIME BUSINESS AIRPORT IS BEING CHALLENGED... BY CRANFIELD A quiet revolution in business aviation is taking place in Cranfield. The Bedfordshire-based university used to be a Royal Air Force base and has its own airport, a fact that surprises a good few people. The airport is already used for business flights with it possible to take a car to the aircraft steps, sail through streamlined customs and security and with no two-hour check-in time. Nearby Luton already has one of the world’s most used business airports but now Cranfield is eyeing a piece of the lucrative pie. Business leaders from Milton Keynes have been on a fact-finding trip to Cranfield Airport to find out more. Members of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership and invited guests including MK Council Cabinet Member Rob Middleton and Chief Executive Carole Mills, heard Jason Ivey, Airport Director of Cranfield Airport reveal they have city companies on their radar as part of plans to increase the number of business jet flights. Mr Ivey told one of MK Business Leaders’ regular Breakfast Briefings, that Cranfield currently has around seven business jet flights a week. A few years ago it was just two a week and in a few years’ time it could be 3-4 a day. Putting that in perspective he said, the airport which is home to several flying schools, has 40,000 take offs and landings a year.

Pictured from left: Councillor Rob Middleton, Jason Ivey, Carole Mills and Philip Smith, of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership

While Cranfield is the base of a four-engine BAe 146 research plane, can accept Boeing 737 airliners and even the much larger 767, it is not aiming at charter, scheduled or holiday flights said Mr Ivey. “With our location close to the M1, short journey times to London and with Milton Keynes, one of the fastest growing business areas in the country on our doorstep, the logical step for us is to develop business aviation,” he said.

Partners The airport’s owner, Cranfield University has invested in new taxiways and hard standing, runway lights and landing technology, security fencing and a refurbished hangar, while commercial partners are being sought. Mr Ivey said they are talking to business aviation companies and multi-national firms with jets based in Milton Keynes, about moving their operations to Cranfield. He said using a business jet makes business sense with a Cranfield to Paris return flight in a chartered eight-passenger Hawker 900 costing around £500 per person. “Compare that with a business class ticket – and of course you can fly when and where you want to,” he said. Business jets from Cranfield already fly non-stop to New York and California. Local people would be concerned about noise but Mr Ivey said modern business aircraft used ‘whisper jet’ technology and the airport is working closely with local authorities. Reducing aircraft noise is also a serious area of research at Cranfield University.

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Speaking afterwards Dr Philip Smith, chair of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership, said business aviation was an important issue for the city and the wider region.

Links “MK Business Leaders recognise that MK is already ideally placed with excellent road and rail links, but a well-developed business air travel facility as envisaged at Cranfield Airport could better connect us with the rest of the UK, Europe and the world, further strengthening the city’s position as a commercial hub.” Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership (MKBLP) is a group of individuals from a broad cross section of backgrounds who utilise their skills and knowledge for the benefit of the wider business community.

Growth As part of the vision for the continued growth and development of MK MKBLP is focusing on key areas identified as fundamental to the success of the city including: Transport; a Knowledge Based Economy and Sport. As an independent organisation, funded through member subscriptions, MKBLP works to identify and develop interests that are specific to the business community in the city. Its aim is to influence change as Milton Keynes develops and grows by utilising proven senior leadership qualities from across the membership. Member feedback provides a catalyst to enable us to work with other partners to help business thrive and prosper.

Issue Six

in the news

In the news Celebrating women Ill-gotten

gains

Female entrepreneurs from across Bedfordshire were celebrated at the Bedfordshire BusinessWomen Awards at The Swan Hotel in Bedford.

This annual BBW event, which recognises the achievements of businesswomen living and working in Bedfordshire, brought together an eclectic mix of both business men and women at a sumptuous three-course meal. From the many entries received this year, six winners were announced, as follows: Hannah Catmur, Pocket Explorers (Start-Up Award), Rebecca Eastwick, Keech Hospice Care (Fundraiser of the Year), Georgia O’Keefe, Look C (Young Achiever), Laura Parra, La Parra Jewels (Self Employed BusinessWoman of the Year), Caroline Clark, Happiness Matters (Silver Heart Award) and lastly crowned Bedfordshire BusinessWoman of the Year 2014 was Teresa Brooks of Community Life Magazine.

The ceremony was presented by local Heart FM disk jockey, Matt Jarvis, who began the celebrations by thanking the generous event sponsors: Charles Wells, Bromley-Rahlke Financial, Basepoint Luton, Bedford i-Kan and Harpur Trust, with Heart FM themselves sponsoring the appropriately named Silver Heart Award. As a networking group, BBW succeeds in getting such women together once a month to network, share best practice and have fun along the way. For more information visit http://www. beds-businesswomen.org

Centre filling up The Cranfield Innovation Centre (CIC) at Cranfield University Technology Park has reached a record high in occupancy levels, as businesses expand their operations across the Milton Keynes and Bedford region. The CIC is now almost 90% let following new deals in October to three growing businesses. These deals take the number of new lettings, including lettings where existing occupiers have renewed their leases, to 16 this year, which equates to more than 20,000 sq.ft. Audio technology business Decibel Industries, Streams Claims Services and Adoored Limited, all new businesses on the Tech Park, have taken up office space at the CIC.

Winter 2014/2015

A Bedford fraudster’s ill-gotten gains will be recycled by the borough council and used to fund 15 apprentices annually over the next three years. The £450,000 funding is part of the total amount of £762,500 Bedford Borough Council will receive after the successful legal case against Hendrick Meniru who was operating a series of international fraud schemes.

Benefit These apprenticeship places are available to all but will be especially promoted to groups which might particularly benefit from the scheme such as ex-servicemen and Looked After Children. Following a five-week trial in March 2013 at Luton Crown Court, and after an investigation carried out by the Council’s Regulatory Services, Meniru was found guilty of conning members of the public, usually the elderly or vulnerable, out of money through a number of bogus claims and promises.

Costs Cranfield University Technology Park is a partnership between Cranfield University and St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist. The Cranfield University Technology Park is home to over 60 science, technology and knowledge based businesses, ranging from start-ups through to internationally renowned brands. For more information visit www. cranfieldtechnologypark.co.uk

Meniru was ordered to pay £3 million in total plus associated costs of £200,000. Under the Proceeds of Crime Application (POCA), the Council will receive the full costs of £200,000 plus a proportion of the confiscation order (£562,500). As well as money being used for the apprenticeship scheme, it is planned that the balance of £312,500 will be used by the Council to carry out further legal and enforcement activities.

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in the news

Booze and cigarettes Thirty-nine off-licences and convenience stores across Milton Keynes were inspected in a recent customs and council swoop which netted hundreds of bottles of wine, spirits and cigarettes. The joint council, HMRC and police team – complete with a specialist tobacco detection dog from Wagtail UK, made checks for compliance with licensing and trading standards legislation and searched for illegal or non-duty paid alcohol and cigarettes. In total, 15 premises were found to be operating in breach of premises licence conditions and seven breaching trading standards legislation.

HMRC seized more than 780 illicit cigarettes, 15 Kilos of Shisha Tobacco, 2.5 Kilos of ‘chewing tobacco’, 348 litres of wine, 41 Litres of Beer and 227 litres of Spirits amounting to a total revenue loss prevented (Duty & VAT) of approximately £6,000. Peter Millroy, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: “The sale of illegal tobacco and alcohol will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies. Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2 billion a year, and the sale of illicit alcohol which costs the UK around £1 billion per year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders. “We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

Parking charges Plans to add up to an extra 2,000 parking spaces in Central Milton Keynes funded from increased parking charges have been unveiled as part of budget proposals for 2015/2016. The proposal is the first part of an ongoing strategic parking review due to report in full during summer 2015.

Development plan Some 30,000 homes and 27,000 jobs are being planned across Central Bedfordshire over the next 20 years. Central Bedfordshire Council is consulting on a plan to guide proposed development to the north of Luton. Land to the north of Luton and adjacent to Sundon Quarry have been identified as locations for new developments providing new homes, jobs, community facilities, open spaces and a

strategic link road between the M1 and A6. The council’s development strategy will be examined by a government planning inspector in the Spring. A month-long public consultation on the plan started on November 10. Further information on the Framework Plan and public consultation can be found at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/north-luton or you can contact the Local Planning and Housing team by emailing LDF@centralbedfordshire.gov. uk or calling 0300 300 8307.

Takeaway owner sentenced

The now former owner of a takeaway business in Luton received a fourmonth prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 140 hours of unpaid community work, after being prosecuted by the town council for food safety and health and safety offences.

Horace Powell of Buxton Road in Luton, pleaded guilty to 16 hygiene offences and four health and safety offences at Luton Magistrates Court on November 11. He was also ordered to pay Council costs of £1,949 and a victim surcharge of £80. The court was told of a list of misdemeanours at People’s Choice takeaway dating from December 2012 to August 2013. These included a solid fuel barbeque being used in an enclosed kitchen with inadequate ventilation, bad hygiene and poor cleaning standards on five occasions during July and August 2013. Council officers found upright freezer shelves

were filthy with a sticky brown substance dripping down the sides. Puddles of dirty brown liquid had frozen into brown ice in the bottom of the chest freezer, with a bloody substance dripping down the sides. There was slimy grey muck around the hand wash basin and the floors were coated in black grease and dirt. Some wall tiles were completely shattered and patched up with wire wool. On one occasion, two dead mice were lying beside the chest freezer with mouse droppings on the floor. Cooked food was stored below 45 degrees centigrade, allowing bacteria to flourish. Councillor Aslam Khan, portfolio holder for Environmental Health, said: “Hundreds of food businesses in Luton manage to comply with food hygiene regulations and are clean and safe. But any businesses choosing to ignore basic hygiene requirements, putting people’s lives at risk can expect a fine and a possible prison sentence.” The takeaway business is now under new ownership and Mr Powell no longer runs a food business in Luton.

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Motorists have been asking for more standard rate parking spaces and proposals include introducing more flexible barrier parking to some car parks to allow people to pay for their parking when they leave, rather than up front. The full review is also exploring how new technology might help motorists more easily find parking spaces in the future. The public are being asked for their views about these budget proposals by the end of January. A roadshow event is being held around the borough during December and January. Wolverton Town Hall - Tuesday 9 December, 6.30pm–8pm The Olney Centre – Parish Council, Thursday 18 December 6.30pm-8pm West Bletchley Parish Council Offices, Thursday 8 January, 6.30pm–8pm Woughton Community Council Offices, Tuesday 13 January, 6.30pm–8pm Oxley Park Community Centre, Thursday 22 January, 6.30pm-8pm St Mary and St Giles Parish Hall, Stony Stratford, Thursday 29 January 5.30pm-7pm To give views visit www.milton-keynes.gov. uk/budget from 9 December. Email us on: letstalkbudgetmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk. The council’s final budget for 2015/16 will be approved in February 2015.

Issue Six