38 minute read
Around the Region
BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend x ESMEDIA
On the 27th-28th June 2022, BBC Radio 1 sprung back into War Memorial Park, Coventry, for another series of the star-studded Big Weekend festival, a return since their debut event held back in 2018. Local photographer Esmé Spurling was selected directly from the Content Producer of Photography from the BBC, to attend and cover the event as Press Photographer.
The Big Weekend was attended by 80,000 fans throughout the three days of the festival, which was fantastic for the city, shining a real spotlight on the most recent City of Culture.
The BBC Creative team were conscious to select 10 press photographers who were from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, ages and gender. The decision of this inclusion was noted by Esmé as being a huge step forward and particularly highlights the significance of women working in the current and very competitive media industry.
Esmé is the sole owner of the awardwinning media business “ESMEDIA”, with a range of services offered since opening in 2017. Sevices include social media content management, commercial photography and videography tailored for web and socials.
Imagery was taken from the very heart of the festival, in the photography pit featuring stars from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Lorde, locally based artist Tom Grennan and the headliner to close the show to thousands of adoring fans - Harry Styles. The BBC Radio 1 event has since provided Esmé and her media business “ESMEDIA” with further work opportunities, such as working with local BBC Coventry & Warwickshire to create video highlights of the Commonwealth Games fringe-events and photography for Coventry-based design agency, ‘Jade Brand Agency’.
Esmé is continuing to produce various local and national commissions whilst working full time teaching as Assistant Lecturer on the BA Photography (tons) course at Coventry University and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, Coventry & Warwickshire.
For further information visit www.esmespurlingmedia.com
MotoFest Coventry is back for 2022 and looking to the future
MotoFest Coventry is back for 2022, with the return of its unique Ring Road circuit in the heart of Coventry City centre. A new date and a fresh look into the motoring future are amongst the highlights for this year’s festival. There are some fantastic opportunities for local businesses to get involved.
Following last year’s scaled down format due to Covid restrictions, MotoFest Coventry will return on Saturday 10th September and Sunday 11th September 2022, with its biggest and boldest festival yet. It will host a full events programme based around the past, present and future theme.
This will include the return of the unique Sprint Circuit carved out of Coventry’s Ring Road and other devoted urban spaces showcasing dynamic, live motorsport across the city centre.
The 2022 Festival will also provide the finale for ‘Our Future Moves’. A project involving Coventry City Council, Coventry MotoFest and other regional partners, dedicated to showcasing the region’s work in world leading transport innovation, though a year-long celebration of events and activities.
James Noble, MotoFest Coventry Festival Director, said: “We are delighted to announce the full return of the MotoFest Coventry 2022 festival.
“This year MotoFest Coventry will be back bigger and bolder than ever, with a non-stop cultural celebration of the city’s motoring past, present and future. With the support of even more local companies getting involved in the action. We will welcome the return of the traditional MotoFest favourites such as the unique Ring Road Sprint Circuit, live motorsport displays and motorcycles, both on and off the track, to name just a few of our most popular attractions.
“What will be new are the event dates of the 10th and 11th September, replacing MotoFest’s traditional dates of the first weekend in June. The event will give the City and the surrounding areas the opportunity to enjoy the full, highoctane spectacle of the festival as it returns to its traditional one weekend format.
“With this year’s MotoFest Coventry weekend providing the finale to the Our Future Moves year-long celebration of transport innovation, we again look forward to putting on the UK’s biggest and best, free to attend, motoring festival.”
MotoFest Coventry has grown year on year with attendance figures smashing previous events when the festival was last held in its full format in 2019, there was a staggering 229,292 visitors across just two days. A significant growth from 2018. An independent economic impact study was carried out by Coventry University and found that the 2019 festival brought a huge, £10,727,200 uplift for the local economy, much of which benefitted local, independent businesses.
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Events, at Coventry City Council added: “I am delighted to hear about the return of MotoFest Coventry for 2022 as I know how popular this event is in both engaging Coventry residents and encouraging people from outside the city to visit and enjoy their weekend here in the city.
“Coventry has an amazing history and ongoing exciting story to tell on transport, innovation and how we are at the forefront of automotive design and technology.
“MotoFest is another great event for Coventry to host and I’m sure the weekend will be a roaring success later this year.”
As part of MotoFest Coventry 2022’s past, present and future theme, there will be the traditional classic car and modern modified static car displays across the City centre. There will also be a significant future technology focus, with a showcase of the latest alternatively fuelled vehicles, electric cars, and advanced automotive technology.
MotoFest Coventry is a two-day festival dedicated to the City of Coventry’s motoring heritage, taking place on Saturday 10th September and Sunday 11th September 2022. It will feature a unique blend of racing demonstrations, static displays, live music, and anything else with a connection to Coventry, transport, culture and the city’s motoring heritage.
Coventry MotoFest is a not for profit, community organisation who put on the annual MotoFest motoring festival to highlight the heritage and pioneering future of Coventry’s automotive industry. The festival has been designed to be created by and for the people and businesses of Coventry and the wider local region to inspire, motivate and celebrate the global love of motorised vehicles in all its forms.
There are many ways to get involved with MotoFest Coventry, particularly for local businesses through trading and catering to thousands over the two-day festival to pushing awareness of your business through sponsorship at the UK’s largest urban motoring festival which truly celebrates Coventry, culture, and all things automotive.
Coventry venue wins top industry award
Coventry Building Society Arena has been crowned by one of the event industry’s most influential trade bodies.
The venue landed the prestigious Venue of the Year under 20,000 square metres industry prize in the AEO Excellence Awards – organised by the Association of Event Organisers (AEO).
The awards recognise the best that the events industry has to offer and Coventry Building Society Arena overcame competition from across the UK to win the honour – beating the likes of ACC Liverpool, Farnborough International and Business Design Centre.
It comes on the back of a hugely successful year for the world-class exhibition, event and conference centre since the lifting of COVID restrictions, with more than 350 large conferences and meetings, over 55 exhibitions and ten new shows giving the arena its most successful year yet.
The venue has also attracted major concerts and events including the MOBO Awards and world-famous bands The Killers, Rammstein and The Specials.
Coventry Building Society Arena has grown to a repeat business rate of 77 per cent and welcomed more than one-and-a-half million visitors.
With the venue thriving, work continues behind-the-scenes to strengthen the arena as a market leader in the exhibition industry. Investment is being made to expand available space at the arena, giving organisers access to 7,750 square metres of conference and exhibition space, and also to enhance its digital capabilities.
The success of the venue has seen occupancy levels at its onsite hotel recover to pre-pandemic levels and the average room rate exceed the heights of 2019.
Paul Michael, commercial director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been named the top venue less than 20,000 square metres by the Association of Event Organisers.
“Coventry Building Society Arena has had a phenomenal year and we continue to go from strength to strength. The foundation of that success is the strength of our relationships with event organisers and that’s reflected in the continued growth of our repeat business rates.”
David Stanley (Aztec Event Services, award sponsor), Paul Michael (Coventry Building Society Arena) and awards host Kevin Bridges.
Businesses meet Coventry MP
A Coventry MP has told firms in the city that she backs reform to business rates to help create a level playing field for companies.
Taiwo Owatemi, MP for Coventry North West, met local firms at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s latest Coventry branch meeting.
She heard from companies in manufacturing and the service sector on a range of issues such as the cost of doing business, recruitment and skills, as well as working from home.
The MP said: “Small and medium sized businesses make a huge contribution to both the local economy and to the wider community.
“One of the areas I would like to see them helped is through reform of the business rates system. The current system needs to be scrapped because it is outdated.
“At a time when we want to get more people back to the high street, the current business rates system is holding smaller businesses back.”
Taiwo Owatemi said she supported the Chamber’s call for an emergency budget to help companies across the patch deal with the cost of doing business which includes an easing of upfront costs of doing business by reversing the recently introduced National Insurance increase until at least 2023/24.
The Chamber also wants help for firms to manage the impact of rising energy prices by cutting VAT on their energy bills from 20 per cent to 5 per cent for a minimum of one year as well as assisting with labour shortages by reinstating free Covid tests for companies to ease the strain on productivity caused by persistent high absences.
The MP added that there said there should be a renewed effort to ensure that young people were being equipped with skills that businesses in the region need to grow.
Tim Squires, the chair of Chamber’s Coventry branch, said: “We were very grateful to Taiwo Owatemi for joining our branch meeting.
“It’s important to businesses across the city that their voices are heard by decision-makers and that issues are fed back to politicians locally, regionally and nationally and from all parties.
“From my experience speaking to companies, there are so many businesses that are geared up to grow and have enough work to be profitable but it’s just all of the other issues surrounding them that are holding them back.
“It’s up to decision-makers to set the right conditions and businesses will grow, take on staff and contribute positively to the economy and their communities.”
King of rock and roll test rides e-bike
Nuneaton-based e-mobility company, Eskuta recently took part in The Big Lemon London to Brighton EV rally sponsored by EDF energy.
Now in its second year, the rally was set up by Brighton-based electric bus company, The Big Lemon, to showcase the latest in electric vehicles and clean energy from the automotive, leisure and manufacturing sectors.
Eskuta showcased its popular SX-250 e-bike and KS-450 e-scooter which hundreds of visitors to the event’s e-village on Madeira Drive, Brighton could take for a test ride, including nonother than Elvis – also known as Elvis tribute act, Ivor Potter!
Communications manager for Eskuta, Gemma Chatt, said: “Fun events like these are testament to the growing popularity of electric vehicles and their increasing prevalence and popularity on our roads and cycle lanes.
“For us here at Eskuta, it was brilliant to be able to showcase our e-bike and e-scooter to the people of Brighton and for them to have the opportunity to take a test ride. It was a fabulous day and we’d like to thank The Big Lemon for inviting us to take part.”
New visitor attraction creates local jobs
A vacant space inside a boutique hotel in Coventry has been transformed into the UK’s first permanent, immersive digital art gallery.
Leamington law firm Wright Hassall helped negotiate a lease for The Reel Store, which has been turned into a new state-of-the-art visitor attraction.
The 800m2 exhibition space is based in the old reel store at the former home of the Coventry Evening Telegraph newspaper – now home to the Telegraph Hotel.
The deal was completed for Coventry City of Culture Trust and has seen more than 20 new jobs created.
Nathan Hinks, associate in Wright Hassall’s commercial real estate team, who handled the lease, said: “I’m really pleased to have helped secure this for Coventry City of Culture Trust.
“This is an original use of what was a disused, vacant space and will create a unique new visitor attraction for the region as well as jobs.”
The site will feature innovative experiential art commissions.
The Reel Store has been backed by funding from partners including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; Coventry City Council via the council’s Cultural Capital Investment Fund; the government’s Getting Building Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP); The Patrick Trust; The Linbury Trust; Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Martin Sutherland, chief executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, added: “The Reel Store is a hugely exciting venture, with Coventry becoming home to the UK’s only permanent, truly immersive digital art gallery – a major draw for Coventrians and visitors.
“We’re delighted that our partners have backed the vision for this new visitor attraction, transforming old media into new media, as part of the legacy of our year as UK City of Culture.”
Wright Hassall associate Nathan Hinks and chief executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, Martin Sutherland
June celebrates special milestone
Wendy Brown (left) with June Picken
A Coventry-based consultant to the hotel and leisure sector is marking her first year in business after receiving support to get started.
June Picken is a well-known figure in the industry in Coventry and Warwickshire after stints at venues including, most recently, Coombe Abbey Hotel.
June decided to take voluntary redundancy after uncertainty in the sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was unsure whether to take the plunge and set up her own consultancy but two contacts helped make her mind up.
“I received a call from a regional conference centre who asked if I was planning to do any consultancy work because they wanted to hire me for a couple of days,” said June.
“That made me think that there might be the work out there. I knew I had the skills but I didn’t have any experience of running a business.”
Then, through a contact at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, June was introduced to the start-up team who – through business adviser Wendy Brown – delivered one-to-one support. The support was delivered through the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is partfunded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
It helped to give her the grounding in some of the fundamentals of business, including how to set up the business as a legal identity and get the relevant insurances in place.
Now June, who has set aside a number of days to the business per month, has now filled that time with work – including some with the Chamber.
June said: “Thankfully, I’ve had lots of interest and have picked up some exciting contracts.
“Wendy at the Chamber has been brilliant. She’s completely understood what I want to get from the business and what I can offer to clients.”
Wendy Brown added: “It can be quite daunting when you’ve reached a certain point in your career to take the plunge and start a business but, with our support, we can help people navigate their way through that and June is testament to that.”
Growth on the menu as local bar receives help
A Leamington bar, which serves everything from brunch through to evening cocktails, is planning for growth after receiving support.
Hart + Co, in Augusta Place, was opened by Louise Hart four years ago after she’d spent several years in the hospitality sector during her university days in Kent.
The venue has established itself as a place that welcomes everyone, especially providing a safe space for women while its menu items are named after family and friends who have supported Louise’s venture along the way.
It can cater for around 90 people at a time and the décor is very pink, including balloons, furballs, family photos – and even a bathtub!
The business, which opens seven days a week and employs 12 people has been helped by Project Warwickshire – a free recovery and growth business support programme to help companies in the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors in the county, in the wake of the of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Project Warwickshire is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council. The support is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Shakespeare’s England and Northern Warwickshire Tourism.
Louise said: “I always say that I owe this business and the fact we are here to the Chamber.
“I was at a point a few years ago when it was my dream to open the venue but I knew I needed some help and I spoke to the council who pointed me in the direction of the Chamber.
“The advice I received was amazing and really helped me to launch the business and get started in the right way. I’d worked in hospitality but I had no idea of all the things I’d need to know to start a business.
“More recently, I’ve had some additional help on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic when Marie Stephenson from the Chamber has given me one-to-one help.
“It’s been so helpful. Marie has helped me with everything from pricing to help us become more profitable right through to marketing. We are now, we believe, the most followed bar in Leamington on Instagram!”
The business now offers a range of classes – from cocktail making through to jewellery making – and offers table-service cocktails from 6pm through to 10pm.
Louise is also considering creating extra space to offer more opportunities for private hire.
Marie said: “I am so thrilled to see Hart + Co continuing to grow and we are really pleased to have supported her along the way.
“As it’s a fantastic business, created in Louise’s image, she prides herself on giving great service and even ensures all members of staff are given lifts home to make sure they get back safely in an evening.
“Our support has very much been about helping to Louise to be true to herself but ensure that she puts in place all of the fundamentals of running a business to help Hart & Co to thrive.”
Warwickshire County Council's Business Growth & Support Programme Manager, Gillian Dale, said: “Hart + Co is a great example of the innovative business, driven with real passion and energy by its management and staff, which makes Warwickshire's hospitality sector so vibrant.
"I am delighted that Project Warwickshire has been such a great source of help to Louise. Warwickshire County Council is pleased and proud to have created and part-funded Project Warwickshire to support our wonderful tourism, leisure and hospitality sector."
Cllr Kam Kaur, Gillian Dale (both Warwickshire County Council), Caroline Trainor (Chamber), Louise Hart
Caludon District Scouts make a big splash at the Heart of England
The Caludon District Scouts from Coventry were making a BIG splash at The Heart of England Conference & Events Centre this June with their spectacular ‘Water Weekend’ Event.
The intrepid cubs and scouts camped lakeside overnight on the event fields 10th - 12th and 17th - 19th June.
Stephen Hammon - The Managing Director and Owner of The Heart of England said: “It’s always a pleasure to welcome local groups to The Heart of England. Seeing happy smiling faces enjoying and making the most of the beautiful countryside, park and lake surroundings we have to offer at Heart of England is a joy.
We look forward to welcoming the Caludon District Scouts back again soon.”
For any groups looking to do something similar, please get in touch with The Heart of England by calling by emailing sales@heartofengland.co.uk
On a roll after Chamber help
Heath Stone and Helena Bassett
A Midlands company has got it skates on when it comes to expansion thanks to an injection of new funding.
Sk8hire, a mobile roller disco company based in Coventry, has been awarded a £26,000 business grant through the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Investment Fund after being supported by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and its Accelerated Growth programme.
It was the perfect boost to help the business expand after facing tough times during the Covid-19 crisis and, as well as the funding, received help and advice through the programme to keep it on the right path.
The grant has gone towards a new vehicle which will help the companyin its work with schools, community projects and promotional events.
The family-run business, which employs ten staff, has recently secured new work with Leicester Council and Brighton Council, with roller skating rinks planned in both cities for the summer months.
Heath Stone, Founder and Events Manager at Sk8hire, said: “The contrast between today and the hospitality shutdown back in 2020 is remarkable. The business was hit hard and we were forced to strip operations right back to basics.
“We are now looking optimistically to the postpandemic future. Securing a new vehicle was something we pinpointed as key to our strategy going forwards and we’re thankful to the Chamber for helping us achieve this through the funding they’ve supplied.”
Heath first contacted the Chamber in 2010, when a £500 start-up grant took his roller disco venture from concept to reality – with the Chamber’s advice in setting up the business proving invaluable.
SK8hire is now hoping to win work with two further leisure centres in the coming months following on from its first weekly roller disco events outside of the Midlands in Andover and Plymouth.
It is also looking to use the backing to relaunch its international operations, following on from projects in Dubai, Hungary and Spain.
“We’ve been to Barcelona, Budapest and back again delivering roller discos to business functions, private events, after parties and festivals in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. It’s been a wonderful journey so far with ups and downs – which first began after our initial conversation with the Chamber twelve years ago”, said Heath.
Business Advisor, Helena Bassett, has been Sk8hire’s contact through the Accelerated Growth Programme. This project forms part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Stone added: “The Chamber have provided us with an amazing level of support over the years. Helena and her team believed in my business idea when others doubted me – which we are very thankful for. We have learned a great deal from the advice given to me about business operations, which has stood us in good stead over time as the business has developed, diversified and grown.
“When grant funding has become available that Helena has thought would help Sk8 hit even greater heights, she’s put them to us straight away. Nothing has ever been too much – and I can’t recommend the Chamber’s services enough to fellow business owners.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Helena and the Chamber and are particularly grateful to them for putting their heart and soul into our business over the years.”
Helena Bassett, business adviser at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s been great to support Heath and the team at Sk8hire and watch them progress into the diverse business they are today.
“It’s been a very difficult time for many companies - so to be able to help a local business establish itself and progress through the winning of new business and offering employment opportunities for local businesspeople is really important to us.
“We’d encourage other businesses to get in touch with the Chamber to find out how we can support them and help to grow their company and the regional economy as a whole.”
Contact the Accelerated Growth team by email on businesssupport@cw-chamber.co.uk to learn more about the programme. To find out more about the services provided by Sk8hire for both UK and international events, visit www.sk8hire.co.uk.
South Warwickshire Open for Business
The need to increase the amount of affordable employment land in south Warwickshire and its role in allowing local start-ups to grow and thrive was discussed at a meeting of a key regional business organisation.
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s South Warwickshire Branch meeting brought together Chamber members, councillors, council officers and housing developer CALA Homes to discuss how businesses were being priced out of expansion due to a lack of affordable units to move into, and the best ways to address this.
It was held at Long Marston Airfield, where 3,500 homes are set to be built over the coming years along with six hectares of dedicated affordable employment land.
Attendees initially heard from Cllr Daren Pemberton, deputy leader of Stratford District Council, about how the council is looking to prioritise the creation of affordable employment land for new businesses and is working directly with developers in the area to facilitate it.
He said: “The key message we want to get across as a council, especially post-pandemic, is that we are open for business.
“Through our regular dialogue with the Chamber, we realised new startups, many of which started during the pandemic, are limited in their growth potential due to a lack of affordable business units for them to expand into.
“It is crucial that we collaborate with developers like CALA Homes to ensure the inclusion of affordable employment land is viable to them, and with business organisations like the Chamber to understand business’s needs on the ground.”
Jonathan Thompson, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, then told attendees how the creation of affordable employment land would stimulate the local economy.
“Delivering affordable employment land across the region is a key focus of the Chamber,” he said.
“It had been overlooked by certain stakeholders in the past, but we are now working directly with local authorities and developers to pass on small business’s concerns and giving them avenues for growth.
“It’s great to hear that Stratford District Council is taking the issue seriously, and is working proactively to deliver employment sites as quickly as possible.”
Further talks were given by Andrew Dicker, managing director of CALA Homes, and Chloe Millage of Warwickshire Skills Hub before South Warwickshire Chamber branch chairman Larry Coltman rounded off the talks.
Larry added: “South Warwickshire was one of the biggest generators of start-ups in Coventry and Warwickshire during the pandemic, and it became clear quite quickly that many were unable to fulfil their potential for growth.
“We relayed business concerns to Stratford District Council, who to their credit have listened and have actively put plans in place to address the lack of business space for fledgling companies to move into.
“We look forward to further positive discussions with the council around affordable employment land, and also around ensuring appropriate infrastructure is in place to serve the many people moving into the new homes being built in south Warwickshire.”
From left to right – Cllr Matt Jennings (Stratford District Council), Cllr Bill Tempest (Marston Sicca Parish Council), Emily Napier, Marie Stephenson, Phil Ingle, Jonathan Thompson, Charlie Budd, Chris Lawes, Larry Coltman, Cllr Daren Pemberton, Andrew Dicker, John Careford.
Funding helps business grow
A thriving Stratford business that started – literally – at a kitchen table is seeing sales rise after moving into a new venue in the town and widening its customer-base.
The Dough House was founded by Fulden Tur in her home four years ago after she gave up her corporate career to offer clients the chance to learn how to create their own traditional afternoon teas before getting to enjoy their creations.
It has now moved into a quaint venue in Ely Street in the town centre and, as well as attracting bookings from individuals and private groups, it has become a hit with corporate clients too. Eighty per cent of its sales in May were from business customers, including a group from Aldi’s head office.
The Dough House has also expanded its experiences to include pasta making, flatbread and meze making, sourdough pizza making and a Shakespearean cooking experience among others.
The business survived the height of the pandemic by selling produce and emerged from it with plans for growth, including finding premises where it could bring together more people at one time.
To support that growth, Fulden, who was trained by a range of organisations including Cordon Bleu in Paris, was introduced to the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce by a contact at Shakespeare’s England.
The business was eligible for support through Project Warwickshire – a free recovery and growth business support programme to help companies in the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors in the county, in the wake of the of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Project Warwickshire is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council. The support is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Shakespeare’s England and Northern Warwickshire Tourism, on behalf of Warwickshire County Council.
Chamber business adviser Russell Grant worked with Fulden to create a business plan for growth and also supported an application for a capital grant towards the refurbishment of the property, which was formally a hair salon.
The grant, for almost £15,000, was awarded through the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Fulden, who employs four people and is looking to add to the team in the next few months, said: “It is amazing to have our own space in the town centre and the response has been wonderful. As soon as I walked through the door, I knew I wanted to bring the business here and it’s helping to take us to a new level.
“I’d started to think about how I could grow at the end of last year and I put a post on social media. A contact at Shakespeare’s England got back to me and said I should speak to the Chamber.
“Russell was really helpful and talked through my ideas and helped me to create a business plan for growth. He also identified that there was an opportunity for grant funding and, with his help, the application was successful.
“Part of the plan was to really start to look at the corporate market and that is already proving to be huge for us. We had some major bookings in May with some very well-known companies bringing teams of people here to enjoy the experiences.
“That is an area of the business we feel we can continue to grow.
“I also work with other local companies which is good for the regional economy, including Katherine Attreed-Atkat Marketing, who has helped to support me on my marketing plan.”
Russell said: “It has been great to work with Fulden and to be able to support the business’s growth.
“It really highlights how well the eco-system of business support works in the region – from the initial introduction through to all of the help we were able to give.
“And the fact that it has helped the business move into new premises and also grow and diversify its client-base is testament to that.”
Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Martin Watson, said: "The Dough House is exactly the sort of creative, talentdriven small business that makes our towns and our county such a joy to visit. I am delighted that Project Warwickshire, which Warwickshire County Council is proud to co-fund, has been so effective in helping Fulden to advance with her growth plans."
Robert Marshall-Lee (Chamber), Russell Grant (Chamber), Hayley Lineker (Warwickshire County Council), Fulden Tur (The Dough House)
Warwick and Leamington a hive of innovation
Alistair Clark (AC Lloyd), Councillor John Cooke, Mark Edwards and Craig Humphrey.
The final development in a major business and industrial park in Warwickshire is set to create hundreds of jobs and scores of new companies in Warwick and Leamington.
The Space Business Centre Warwick is being created by developer AC Lloyd Commercial and is designed to attract start-up and expanding enterprises and will be a mix of office, industrial and storage units and will provide shortterm flexible accommodation to help the businesses grow.
The scheme, which will feature 61 units ranging from 200 sq ft to 500 sq ft, is the final development at Tachbrook Park which was started by AC Lloyd in the early 1980s, and is now home to hundreds of companies.
AC Lloyd has successful Space Business Centres in Gloucester and Cheltenham and has already had strong interest in the £5.5 million Warwick scheme which is not due for completion until the first quarter of next year.
Mark Edwards, Managing Director of AC Lloyd Commercial, said: “It is totally fitting that the final development to complete Tachbrook Park is designed to help companies grow and thrive as, over the last four decades, that is exactly what the park has done for the local and the region’s economy.
“Our Space Business Centres are designed entirely to help companies grow. There are monthly licences rather than longer leases, and there is a range of spaces and uses which make them suitable for a wide variety of businesses.
“We have found that they are the perfect springboard for young companies, many of which have been developed in people’s homes or garages, and they offer the first step on the commercial property ladder.
“The Warwick and Leamington area has always been a hive of innovation and entrepreneurship and we have been really pleased with the level of interest, and hopefully many of the future tenants will thrive and grow to be employers on the park.”
The completion of the steel frame work for the 35,000 sq ft development was marked by a visit from Warwick District Council Planning Cabinet Member Councillor John Cooke and Craig Humphrey, managing director of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub.
Humphrey said the post-pandemic timing of the development could be perfect for many young companies.
He said: “Many people used the pandemic to re-evaluate their working lives and anecdotally many have started their own businesses. Two years down the line many of them will be ready to make the step from home into dedicated premises, and this scheme will allow them to do that without the long-term commitment of a more traditional route.
“It is always really important for any area to have a pipeline of growing businesses, and the Space Business Centre will help feed that.”
Councillor Cooke, who is also a county councillor, said: “Tachbook Park is a jewel in Warwickshire’s commercial crown and is home to some of our key companies, so it is great to think that the future generation of economic drivers may well be starting life at this scheme.
“AC Lloyd has been shaping Tachbook Park across four decades, and this will ensure that continues well into the future.”
Green space in the heart of the city
Three new outlets are bringing added flavour to one of the city’s most popular attractions after being unveiled following a significant investment.
Coombe Abbey Park LACo, working with No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM), which manages a host of venues and attractions across the region, including Coombe Abbey Hotel and St Mary’s Guildhall, undertook a £400,000 refurbishment programme to bring new tastes to the War Memorial Park.
The firm has repurposed two existing cafés on site and added a new ice cream kiosk at the heart of the park. Twenty new jobs are being created for local people while current members of staff are staying within the organisation by moving across to the new outlets
The Park Bistro, which sits adjacent to Kenilworth Road, is open from 8am for breakfast, and includes everything from a pain au chocolats and croissants to a Full English which available to eat in or take away until 11am.
Freshly made snacks and other small plates are available as lunchtime tideme-overs and include everything from Scotch eggs with mustard relish through to vintage cheddar rarebit. That sits alongside a dual lunchtime and supper menu – which includes a special WMP Burger as well as a Sri Lankan sweet potato and chickpea curry.
Afternoon teas, inspired by Coombe Abbey Hotel’s award-winning selection, are also on offer, featuring a daily selection of delicious fresh cakes, which are served between 2pm and 6pm.
The old café in the visitor centre has been given a 50s-themed makeover, and is now operating as a dessert diner, as NOHM has opened its second Sundae club after a successful launch at Coombe Abbey Park.
Customers with a sweet tooth have a range of different flavoured milkshakes and ice creams to choose from, along with hot, fresh waffles and crepes.
Richard Harrison, managing director of NOHM, said he was delighted with the new look hospitality offering at the park, and is sure that the new layout will set the 12-acre community space up for generations to come.
He said: “The War Memorial Park has been a haven for Coventrians for over a century. To reflect its ongoing appeal and charm, the food and drink outlets have been designed to offer something to visitors from all walks of life each and every day, whilst staying true to the traditions of the park.
“With summer on the way and the city still basking in the success of the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend and the UK City of Culture celebrations, we’re looking forward to War Memorial Park’s new era, and are proud to have played a part in bringing it to fruition.
“There’s something for everyone across our three new outlets from breakfast to evening meals right through to one of our indulgent sundaes.”
Coventry City Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy leader of Coventry City Council with responsibility for parks, said: “The War Memorial Park is a wonderful venue that people of all ages can enjoy, and the new cafes and ice cream kiosk will provide a great offer. It’s a well-loved park and - most importantly - a major green space in the heart of the city. So, this is very good news.”
Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Kevin Maton, Lady Mayoress Angela Maton, Richard Harrison and Councillor Abdul Salam Khan at the bistro
More details on the park Bistro can be found at https://www.warmemorialparkbistro.co.uk/ and at https://www.facebook.com/thebistroatwarmemorialpark/ To get in touch with The Sundae Club and discover the amazing combinations you can create in-store, visit https://www.sundae-club.co.uk
Two sisters with a wealth of experience in the construction industry have celebrated their Nuneaton business’s first anniversary by planning for future growth.
Lisa and Julie Cartwright established Access Panel Shop at the Pool Road Business Centre in Pool Road in June 2021.
The flourishing business is a stockist and distributor of access panels for the construction industry for walls and ceilings with a wide range of standard and bespoke products.
Access Panel Shop was set-up after the sisters were made redundant at the same time and they approached the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce for assistance.
This led to the Chamber providing free support on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, through the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Warwickshire County Council and all five District and Borough Councils.
Lisa and Julie were assigned Rita Booth as their business coach and she provided free start-up business support through workshops and one-to-one coaching, which includes everything from advice on marketing through to business planning.
This has helped the sisters to establish a UK-wide network of customers from London to Scotland as well as closer to home – and plans are underway to launch an e-commerce website this autumn.
Julie said the Chamber’s support had been crucial in getting the business off to the right start.
She said: “We have over 40 years’ experience between us in the construction industry so when we were both made redundant, it was only natural to set-up a business in this sector because we know the products and the industry. It is in our DNA.
“Having our own business has given us greater financial freedom and an opportunity to make our own decisions and the first 12 months has flown by.
“In the last week, we have driven 1,000 miles to make site visits and deliveries and the customers we have built up have been brilliant because we can supply one item or hundreds depending on their requirements.”
Lisa added that the Chamber has been really supportive of Access Panel Shop’s plans every step of the way.
“It can be daunting launching a new business but Rita has really helped us with our confidence as well as practical advice,” she said.
“From where we were to where we are now is amazing and Rita has helped us more than she will ever know.
“She has also provided help with our online e-commerce site which is nearly ready to be launched where we will be selling our standard products because when it comes to the ordering of specialised products, we prefer to speak to our customers to make sure everything is just right.
“We also have an upcoming expansion of our range including roof and floor access panels plus the development of a new product in the future.
“From attending Chamber events, we have started going to women in construction events which we think is really important because we want more women to consider this as a career option.
“The sector is definitely changing because when we go on site visits now there are more women there which is really encouraging for the future.”
Rita Booth, Business Coach at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said she wanted to encourage other SMEs like the Access Panel Shop to become involved in the start-up programme.
She said: “The funding for this programme finishes in June 2023 and the help and information available is really important for new businesses.
“When I first met Lisa and Julie it took a few sessions to formulate a plan to make the most of all their experience in the construction industry.
“We put together a strategy to target national companies first and they are now starting to attract more business in Coventry and Warwickshire.”
Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “I am delighted that the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme has proved so beneficial to Lisa and Julie. The positive way they responded to having been made redundant themselves is an inspiring example of the enterprise and adaptability that we see in so many of Warwickshire's wonderful small businesses. It is great that the programme has helped them so much.”
Lisa Cartwright, Julie Cartwright, Rita Booth.
The Chamber has a range of support for start-up businesses, whether you want to make your business idea a reality, or require advice on how to build your new businesses. For more information go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/business-start-up/
