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Business Engage Profiles
A multi-million pound investment is leading Coventry Building Society Arena into an exciting new chapter in the venue’s development.
The world-class exhibition, event and conference centre took on its new name earlier this year and has also seen work begin on the new state-of-the-art Commonwealth Convention Centre at the venue.
Wasps Group agreed a major new 10-year deal with Coventry Building Society for the naming rights to the Arena in May, and the Arena has undergone major cosmetic changes since the deal came into effect in July.
It comes as the Arena strengthens its position as a market leader in the exhibition industry with the Commonwealth Convention Centre project, which includes a major refurbishment of the existing 1,750 square metre conference and exhibition space in the lower halls.
Work on the lower halls will seamlessly connect them to the rest of the venue and give organisers access to 7,750 square metres of space, including the newly refurbished Indoor Arena – Coventry which hosted its first event in July.
The project will also see the development of a pavilion entrance at the south side of the venue, which will be a gateway to the new Commonwealth Convention Centre. Lift access will ensure easy accessibility and inclusivity for all users.
The work is being funded with £3.8 million granted to the venue by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), which secured the funding through the West Midlands Combined Authority as part of the Government’s Getting Building Fund.
The Commonwealth Convention Centre is expected to open its doors by Q1 2022 and is only one of the exciting recent developments at the Arena.
As Coventry City fans returned to the Arena, The Anecdote sports bar opened its doors for the first time and has since been packed out with punters for some of August’s biggest sporting events.
The bar is now open seven days a week from 11am to 11pm and is establishing itself as the perfect backdrop for a social occasion, welcoming individuals, families and groups of friends.
Coventry Building Society Arena sees one-and-ahalf-million visitors through its doors on average annually and has a packed schedule of conference, exhibitions, concerts and sporting events over the coming months.
Paul Michael, Commercial Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “It’s been a very exciting and action-packed few months for us here at the Arena and that will continue as work completes on major projects around the venue.
“From the new name and new looks, to The Anecdote and the Commonwealth Convention Centre, this really signals a new era for the Arena and the changes taking place will cement our position as one of the leading multi-purpose venues in the UK.”
New chapter for Coventry Building Society Arena
To find out more about Coventry Building Society Arena and to see its upcoming event schedule visit www.CBSarena.co.uk
LDP Luckmans continues to innovate to grow
Lockdown did not mean a slowdown for one of the region’s most respected Chartered Accountancy practices.
In fact, the past 18 months has seen LDP Luckmans, which is based in Coventry, surpass 50 staff for the first time in the firm’s 65-year history as the firm reacted to the pandemic by implementing new systems and services.
The company is now emerging in a stronger position to support its many hundreds of clients to grow through business and taxation advice – from accountancy through to corporate finance services.
“We adapted quickly to the first lockdown,” said Director Ash Rishiraj. “We kept our clients fully informed of what was happening through daily email alerts and developed new CRM management systems to help with the changing work practises.”
LDP Luckmans was a first responder to the Job Retention Scheme for more than 600 employers and assisted a range of businesses in accessing vital cashflow through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. It raised more than £10 million under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme for SMEs and offered a weekend and out-of-hours hotline for clients in need of support.
It saw the company add more than 400 new clients at a time of great uncertainty.
“We’ve developed a range of new services which will stand us in good stead as we continue to grow,” Ash said.
“We now offer an online platform for fully integrated book-keeping and payroll services which helps to put our clients in control.
“We are now helping to identify detailed cashflow planning in order to support clients in micro-managing their business during the ups and downs of these uncertain times.
“On top of that, we have launched a service to get ahead of the game of the forthcoming ‘making tax digital’ which is going to affect more and more businesses moving forward.
“The team has also recognised, due to the ageing population, the need to increase our offering in the planning for inheritance tax by getting ready to be authorised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales as an approved provider of probate services.
“We are also offering new tax planning for businesses that are experiencing difficulties with importing and exporting goods and services post-Brexit.”
Those new services, with more on the horizon – such as an open platform for digital services relating to accounting and tax and a new management development programme, led to the addition of 11 new employees.
Over the past 18 months, the company has added – among others – a new associate tax director for tax planning and changes, a new associate director in accounting and audit, and two new managers in audit, accounting and tax.
There are also new seniors in the fields of VAT, payroll, book-keeping and accounts preparation.
Ash said: “We are open for business and want to work with local businesses and professionals by offering services to them that are innovative, relevant, efficient and value for money for their investment.”
City hotel welcomes back guests with a new look
Quality Hotel Coventry, located near Allesley, used the time when it was closed due to coronavirus to carry out a refurbishment.
The hotel now has a new bar, restaurant and lounge area, complete with new flooring, lighting and furniture.
The new look will add to the hotel’s appeal as a venue for weddings, gala dinners and corporate events.
Ruthrene Miller, Sales Manager at the hotel, said the refurbishment has proven popular with guests since the venue re-opened on May 17.
“We have been busy since re-opening, with a lot of people coming back,” she said.
“The refurbishment has added another dimension to the hotel and a lot of people have been impressed with the new look.
“We are looking forward to seeing some of our regular guests again in the coming months, while also welcoming some new faces.”
The 80-bedroom hotel offers a Manor Suite which can accommodate up to 120 people for banquet weddings, Christmas parties, christenings, and birthdays.
The hotel, formerly known as Stonebridge Manor, is also a popular venue for corporate events, with four meeting rooms available which can host up to 200 attendees.
A range of events are being planned for the months ahead, including a murder mystery evening for guests and the public in December.
The evening will see guests told that a crime has been committed, before the mystery is acted out in between a three-course meal.
Guests will have the chance to turn detective and work out who has committed the crime.
Ruthrene added: “We are really looking forward to holding some of our popular events again in the months ahead.
“Whether people are looking for a pleasant place to stay in a peaceful location, an evening of entertainment or they are looking to hold a business conference, we will be happy to accommodate.
“After being closed for months due to lockdown, it is an exciting time for the hotel particularly following the recent refurbishment.”
The hotel offers delicious snacks in the bar or a sit-down meal in the restaurant. It also has a private courtyard leading to the Manor Suite and a private car-park.
Close to attractions such as Warwick Castle and Coventry Cathedral, Resorts World, NEC and Coventry Building Society Arena, the venue is popular with those looking to relax after a day of sightseeing.
A variety of room types are offered with standard en-suite bedrooms, business rooms with space for working needs and king-size rooms which have recently been refurbished for extra comfort.
The hotel can also accommodate guests with dogs by prior arrangement though charges apply and offers a full breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour reception.
Quality Hotel Coventry has a new look restaurant following a refurbishment
Law firm lays foundations for further growth
A Warwickshire law firm is emerging from Covid-19 restrictions with plans for stronger growth after expanding over the past 18 months.
Alsters Kelley, a specialist private individual law firm which has offices in Coventry, Nuneaton, Leamington and Southam, acquired Stratford-based Bonell & Co Solicitors in January to expand its presence across the region.
The acquisition, coupled with organic growth, means the company now employs more than 90 people across its five offices and is looking to increase that further as demand continues to rise.
Two members of staff have recently been promoted to Associates – Corrine Seabourne and Sarah Ingram – while the firm has also undertaken a rebrand and refreshed its website in recent months.
“The past year and a half has been tough for everyone,” said Cathy Wahlberg, Managing Director at Alsters Kelley, “but we got the message out straight away to clients that we remained very much open for business.
“Like everyone else, we’ve adopted technology and held meetings on Teams but our staff have ensured that clients knew they were available and contactable throughout the pandemic and that has stood us in good stead.
“Many of our clients are individuals and we are dealing with them at a key moment in their life – it could be a house move, a divorce or the loss of a loved one so it was vital that we maintained the highest standard of personal and professional service.”
All areas of the business have grown – including increased workloads in the family department, wills and probate, medical negligence and, of course, residential conveyancing.
“The housing market was building towards the stamp duty deadline at the end of June and it was extremely busy,” added Cathy. “It is expected to slow down after the end of September but the long-term aim is to continue to grow that area of our work along with all departments. "Our family department has been particularly busy and we took on three new members of staff to help us meet demand.”
The company’s full list of services include family (divorce, finances, children matters), children and families public law (adoption, care proceedings, abductions), private client (wills, powers of attorney, tax and trusts), conveyancing, personal injury, medical negligence, dispute resolution and criminal cases.
Alsters Kelley is now looking to build on the growth it experienced – even through Covid – and that could mean further acquisition.
Cathy said: “The acquisition of Bonell & Co was the perfect fit because both firms pride ourselves on a friendly, approachable service combined with expert legal advice. Our company mantra is being kind and excellent in the delivery of our service at all times.
“We have a strong platform to grow even further over the coming years to allow us to serve even more individuals during key moments.”
