POOL & SPA INDUSTRY
Sad News During A Difficult Time With Coronavirus dominating both the headlines and the day-to-day operations of many businesses, Chris Hayes provides his latest industry update
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hat an incredible and sobering year we have witnessed so far. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc around the World, the UK has been adversely affected more than most, with deaths from this disease. It is always more shocking when it happens to family or friends, and our industry has witnessed people gravely ill and sadly, there have also been some fatalities. To the families and friends of everyone who has died, I extend my sympathy to you for your loss. I would like to make special mention of Steve Franks (CEO at Water Babies) who was one of the people who has died from COVID-19. I had the pleasure of knowing Steve, first in his role with STA and then again when he took on his role at Water Babies. He was a keen and passionate advocate for our industry and firmly believed in the importance of education. He was especially keen to support children develop to their full potential. He set up, in partnership with a broad array of others, The Children First Alliance, which he launched in the Houses of Parliament last year. The Alliance is in its infancy but if anyone would like to support Steve’s legacy, his wife Alison would very much welcome your donation. As The Children First Alliance’s bank account is partway through being opened, Paul Thompson at Water Babies
has offered to pass on any monies donated to The Children First Alliance. The Water Babies bank account details are: Account name: WBX Limited; No.: 06348041; Sort Code 18-00-02. I would also like to mention Allen Wilson, who has also recently died (but not from COVID-19). Over many years, Allen would correspond with me on industry matters and during his time as ISPE President, I got to know Allen very well, as we prepared for the Gala Dinner and the awards part of the evening. He was extremely knowledgeable and his wry sense of humour will be sadly missed and our thoughts are also with Allen’s wife Sandra. COVID-19 has brought about changes to the way we work and how we interact with our wider family and friends. Working from home and having online meetings has increased exponentially. Working online has been second nature to the BISHTA and SPATA committees, who have been busy supporting members. In her article following this page, Sallie Leslie-Golding has also outlined how the industry is moving forward together with BISHTA and SPATA using their respective websites, not only for members but to the wider industry. I would like to add my personal thanks to Alex Kemsley for the donation of an infographic that we have put on the website about COVID-19 and our thanks again to our friends at The Arboricultural Association for the use of their original material. Although a number of face-to-face training opportunities have been postponed, to help members, a series of webinars have been hosted live by BISHTA and SPATA. Thanks
The incredible weather that we have been experiencing in most parts of the British Isles for the past few months has been some compensation and has certainly helped drive demand for many of our products and services”
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also to Nick Clamp, amongst others, for putting on some other webinars, providing much-needed assistance to the industry. The incredible weather that we have been experiencing in most parts of the British Isles for the past few months has been some compensation and has certainly helped drive demand for many of our products and services. With gardens becoming the centre of attention for so many of us with access to one, there will be increased demand for garden improvements, and we will be ready to provide those products. We have seen huge pent up demand, with sales of items such as inflatable spas meaning that a whole new generation of people will be getting used to the benefits of water recreation. All of this extra demand should mean there are many more projects to be entered into the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards 2021 (or beyond). The entries for the Awards will be open this month, and so members are encouraged to enter the industry’s longest established awards event. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of a number of BISHTA and SPATA members, who help to make it possible to put on the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards, this helps to promote the industry and to recognise the achievements of the work undertaken by members. Following the Awards, Sallie LeslieGolding and the PIP Committee then maximise exposure to generate publicity within the trade and consumer press. On page, 32 Sallie explains the national campaign to promote the UK pool and hot tub industry in the wake of Coronavirus with our newly-appointed PR partner Speed Communications. This is a very exciting time for the industry to raise its profile further. Finally, in this issue, my thanks to Claire Halle-Smith at Wright Hassall for their article on page 33 explaining IR35 (the off-payroll working rules). Wright Hassall’s professional support is always welcome, and I know that some SPATA members choose to use them when they need legal assistance. Stay safe!
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