Stratford poised for positive future

Stratford is in a prime position for strong economic growth – but the opportunity must be matched by investment in infrastructure and skills, a business meeting has heard.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s South Warwickshire Branch met at Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa and heard from Cllr George Cowcher, who holds the Planning and Economic Development Portfolio at Stratford District Council.

It was Cllr Cowcher’s second meeting with the Chamber since the Liberal Democrats took overall control of the District Council in May.

He said: “We are very keen to hear the views of businesses and to make sure we are in regular dialogue with organisations such as the Chamber.

“There is great potential for growth in this region but it’s important to ensure that everything is joined up.

“We need to build more homes in order for people to be able to live in the area and fulfil the roles that businesses need to grow, but the infrastructure has to keep up.

“For example, we’ve built one new primary school in the district over the past 20 years and the transport system hasn’t kept pace with growth.

“When I speak to businesses, they talk about skills and labour shortages as a barrier to growth.

“So, when we draw up a new iteration of the Local Plan and create a new economic strategy for South Warwickshire, it will be

RBLI charity golf day goes with a swing

It was tee time at the recent Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) charity golf day where IPP was proud to sponsor a hole.

‘Tommy Tee Off’ took place at The Weald of Kent Golf Course and IPP, which has a long-standing relationship with RBLI, also took to the fairway with some of its customers to support the good cause.

The fun day of golf raised £30,000 and IPP’s involvement saw its logo displayed on its sponsored hole, along with appearing on various other promotional materials.

James McDonald, account manager at IPP who swapped the office for the greens, said: “Tommy Tee Off was a great opportunity to show our support to some of the UK’s most vulnerable veterans.

“The RBLI does an amazing job creating homes and jobs for those in need and we were delighted to sponsor a hole.” with all of this in mind and it will be ensuring that new development happens in the right place.”

The RBLI has been providing high quality and life changing support to the Armed Forces community every day across the UK ever since its inception in 1919.

Through its various divisions it provides homes, welfare and jobs to veterans along with their families.

IPP has a strong association with RBLI, having previously worked with its veterans to repair its pallets at the RBLI site in Aylesford in Kent.

Larry Coltman, the chair of the South Branch of the Chamber, said: “We are always listening to the views of our members who are businesses of all sizes and sectors and we are able to feed that back into decisionmakers.

“It was great to hear from Cllr Cowcher and we look forward to having ongoing engagement with the new administration.”

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, updated the meeting on two key strands of work being undertaken by the Chamber on skills and employment land.

The Chamber’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) was recently given the green light by Government and puts business at the heart of improving skills in the region.

The Chamber has also recently published a report on employment land in the region to highlight how a shortage of space is holding back business growth.

Corin said: “These are two of the key factors that our members cite when they talk about being unable to grow at the pace they would like and that is why the Chamber is leading in these areas.”

“What another fantastic Golf Day had by all today; as a number of RBLI partners, supporters and veterans took to the Weald of Kent Golf Course raising vital funds for the Armed Forces community. I’d like to thank all of today’s sponsors who made today such a huge success,” said Lisa Farmer, Chief Executive of RBLI. For more information on IPP, visit www.ipp-pooling.com

For more information on the RBLI, visit www.rbli.co.uk.

Peace and Joy at Christmas

Coventry’s Telegraph Hotel is already well established as the premier place for that special event just two years after it opened.

This Christmas period looks to be busier than ever with all six Friday and Saturday party nights already sold out in September.

But there are plenty of other ways to soak in the Telegraph’s 1950s vibe in the run up to Christmas and there are still slots available for corporate and private mid-week parties.

From November 29 to December 20, The Telegraph’s glazed atrium restaurant will be offering sumptuous three-course Christmas meals at lunch and dinner alongside its normal menu.

The new menu has a range of options including chicken liver parfait, carrot & parsnip soup, oak smoked salmon and brie & garlic basked mushroom to start. It wouldn’t be Christmas without roast breast of turkey and all the trimmings as a main course, with options of beetroot & red onion tarte tatin and fillet of stone bass also available.

Desserts include Baileys and milk chocolate cheesecake, Christmas pudding and lemon posset, but only for those with a Santa costume to fill!

The Telegraph’s chefs are also laying on a festive version of the hotel’s traditional afternoon tea and includes a selection of assorted sandwiches, plain and sultana scones – served with strawberry jam and clotted cream – along with a series of tasty mini desserts, including macaroons and spiced orange sponge. It can be ramped up with a glass or bottle of prosecco!

Amy Windsor, General Manager, said: “It has been a very busy year, serving guests from all across the world and locals alike. I’m particularly pleased at how the hotel has become a home from home to so many regular guests.

“Our team are a big family, working hard to give the best customer experience. So why not join our family this Christmas and meet up with your colleagues, family and friends for special start to the festive period? But, please do book early as unlike Santa, we can’t fit everyone in.”

And, as businesses start to plan ahead for the New Year, Coventry’s Telegraph Hotel is offering a range of conference and events packages covering everything from 12 to 140 delegates. For more information or to book go to www.telegraph-hotel.com