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HOT DINNERS
PLANNING BOTTLENECK
SWEET SUCCESS
App to fill empty restaurant seats wins investment – page 2
Fast-recovering Bristol property market hits hold up – page 6&7
Sales coach Brad Sugars to share secrets with city – page 5
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OCT
2014
RENEWABLES
BURNING AMBITION Growing solar firm hopes for bright future after move to science park – Page 3 EPB-E01-S3
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Leisure
Eating out
Super saver Restaurant app firm one of Europe’s hottest start-ups
Solo diners a growing part of dining market
Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
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BUSINESS which helps restaurants fill empty tables with last-minute offers has been chosen as one of Europe’s seven hottest tech start-ups. Wriggle, based at the Engine Shed in the SetSquared business incubator was chosen as a winner at Seedcamp 2014, staged at Google’s London HQ. The business, founded by former lawyer Rob Hall, will receive mentoring, guidance and investment worth more than £100,000. Rob said: “It’s amazing that Wriggle has won – it’s a huge opportunity to show people what we’ve been working so hard on and it’s great that the judges saw the value in the business.” After coming through the WebStart Bristol programme, Wriggle launched its mobile app in May. It aims to create a new spin on the deals sector dominated by firms such as Groupon. Its point of difference is that only works with hand-picked independent businesses, charging a commission and
● Wriggle’s Ben Reynhart, Robert Hall, Zamira Drew and Yasmin Amarante with Mike Jackson from WebStart Bristol filling empty spaces at short notice so restaurants, bars and venues cut waste and increase revenue. Since the launch, it has grown quickly, working with 100 local firms – including The Old Vic, Tobacco Factory, Steak of the Art and Zazu’s Kitchen. The app has been downloaded 5,000 times and brought 1,500 customers to local businesses. Rob
plans to expand the business into Bath and London in the coming months and has raised £150,000 to fund that growth. Rob added: “The point of Wriggle is to support local business and we’re really excited by the results so far. “It’s about creating a sustainable channel for businesses to fill their empty seats at the last moment, and
give customers an incentive in the form of an offer to do so. If we can ensure customers keep coming back afterwards, that’s brilliant. “We work really hard to pick out great places and it’s hugely satisfying to see that our users like them as much as we do. There’s a real desire among users to support local and it’s great to be part of that.”
● RESTAURANTS are being urged not to miss out on a growing part of the market – solo diners. A staggering 29 per cent of the 26.4 million households in the UK in 2013 are just one person and it seems more of them are prepared to eat out alone. At one Bristol restaurant – The Chophouse restaurant at Future Inn hotel by Cabot Circus – 80 per cent of customers are lone diners. Staff there have been briefed to make extra efforts to be more attentive to solo diners if they appear to require it, offering a wider selection of seating choices and a newspaper along with removing unwanted place settings. It has even introduced a new menu with solo diners in mind, with quick to prepare meals for customers who simply want to eat and go. General manager Alicja Berthon said: “Some guests are very content being on their own and do not want to be disturbed, others are more interactive with staff. Many of our solo guests are men that travel for business three to four days a week and we find that they enjoy homemade comfort food. “Therefore we run a specials menu along our a la carte; currently our head chef Michael McCarlie is creating hearty autumn selections which will include classics such as toad in the hole. But we do have healthier options too.” A recent study by O2 found 53 per cent of diners are happy to eat alone if they can browse the internet, check emails and connect with friends.
Commercial feature
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Apprenticeships schemes can help your business grow MORE than 6,000 16-24 year olds were employed in apprenticeship schemes in the West of England last year and national figures show that 96 per cent of firms that take on an apprentice reported a benefit to their business. The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is working with the National Apprenticeship Service and local training providers to encourage even more employers to boost their businesses with an apprentice. Apprenticeships are available to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors. Many employers in the West of England currently use apprenticeships to attract new talent, re-skill existing staff and tackle skills shortages. The West of England Apprenticeship Hub offers impartial, free advice and support to help businesses and individuals through the maze of selecting an apprenticeship framework, identifying the right training provider and employing the best apprentice. The Apprenticeship Hub also offers information on the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) which can offer businesses £1,500 provided that they haven’t taken on an apprentice within the last 12 months. This service is part of the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Skills offering, which aims to encourage business growth and in support of this the Apprenticeship Hub will provide an essential service to businesses in the region. The Skills Junction is another prominent part of the LEP Skills offering, a dedicated search engine for training and skills in the West of
England. It features the four universities in our region (University of Bristol, UWE, University of Bath and Bath Spa University) in addition to the major FE institutes (City of Bristol College, St Brendan’s Sixth Form, City of Bath College, Weston College and Norton Radstock College). Skills Junction provides access to information about where to source training for your existing staff and where to look for new recruits who possess your required skill set.
● Take a look at the Skills Junction skillsjunction.co.uk, follow us on Twitter @WoESkills, or like us on
“ Skills Junction provides access to information about where to source training for your existing staff and where to look for new recruits who possess your required skill set. www.facebook.com/skillsjunction to find out more. ● For more on how we’re working with employers, colleges and training providers to support apprenticeships and to get involved in the West of England Apprenticeship Hub – please email: apprenticeships@woeskills.co.uk ● www.westofenglandlep.co.uk
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
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Energy
Solar flair Eco firm moves to science park Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
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GROWING green energy business has moved to a new base in Bristol as the city prepares to become European Green Capital next year. Your Power has marked its fifth anniversary with a move from Keynsham to the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green. The firm specialises in solar installation and its relocation has been sparked by a surge in demand as individuals and businesses look for ways to cut bills and carbon emissions. Commercial director Kerry Burns said: “We are growing and recruiting, so we needed a flexible space. “We also wanted to share with other future-technology companies to add creative juice to what we do. “Bristol & Bath Science Park is a fantastic seedbed for growth, full of go-ahead people and we are already having really inspiring conversations with some of the companies here. “It’s an exciting time for Bristol and we want to plant firm foundations to help the South West lead the way in the renewable energy sector – showing the rest of the UK what’s possible when positive regional com-
● Your Power commercial director Kerry Burns at the Bristol and Bath Science Park
Entrepreneurship
Green Man Festival boss urges women to go for it
Join us for the
Buying Customers ’ Seminar
‘
Presented by Brad Sugars, Founder of Action Coach
Thursday 23rd October 2014 18:30 to 21:30
What if you were guaranteed that every new customer buying from you would spend the next 5 years buying more products at ever higher price points? ● Fiona Stewart is speaking at the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs at the Colston Hall
“ The festival gives women a place to talk business, a place to think big. Joni Farthing
The Women Outside The Box Festival of Female Entrepreneurs, which takes place on October 20 at Colston Hall, is the biggest of its kind in the UK and attracts up to 1,000 people. The free event features more than 60 exhibition stands, speed networking sessions and areas dedicated to tech, retail, B2B and marketing. Women Outside The Box founder Joni Farthing said: “The festival gives women a place to talk business, a place where they can think big. “I want to help women start large, profitable companies, and the festival can absolutely help them to do that. “The speakers and exhibitors at FFE14 will offer inspiration and support to build women’s confidence and skillsets so that they can thrive financially.”
Or you were certain that every Pound spent on your marketing or advertising would return extra Pounds to you down the road? Now, you can … with this innovative new seminar from Brad Sugars, The World’s Leading Business Coach. Discover the proven strategies of massively boosting your number of new clients almost immediately with Brad Sugars and his “Buying Customers” seminar.
UWE Bristol Exhibition and Conference Centre, Filton Rd, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8QZ
EE at
Register now for FR
radsugars
www.bristolpost.co.uk/b
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WOULD-BE women entrepreneurs should go for it, according to music festival organiser Fiona Stewart. Fiona, who owns the Green Man Festival is the keynote speaker at a Women Outside The Box event later this month. She told the Post women in business should: “Do what you said you will do, but when you have done it, own it!” She said men were often brought up to take credit and ownership of their work but women often did not, to their own detriment. But Fiona said when breaking into an industry where men dominate, it was best to take an understanding approach. “When I started putting on festivals in the 1990s, there were times when I would go outside the room to pretend to make a call to my boss,” she said. “The men I was dealing with had never sold a big top tent or whatever to a women before. It’s a lot of money and they were nervous. The industry has changed now though.” Women such as Fiona who have blazed a trail in male-dominated areas can be strong role models for those who follow. But whether a man or a woman, Fiona said entrepreneurs needed to act. “There’s often a feeling that you can get educated into the job of your choice,” she said. “You can learn useful skills which will help you, but ultimately being an entrepreneur is much more personality led. You have to go for it.”
Pic: Barbara Evripidou
munities embrace solar.” The firm employs 12 people directly and also shares resources with sister companies in Your Group. It also uses more local subcontractors. It has a turnover of more than £4 million and is carrying out around 1,000 solar installations each year. That number is growing and the company will be hoping for another lift amid publicity around Bristol’s European Green Capital 2015 status. Kerry, who joined the firm earlier this year, said: “I joined because this is a forward-thinking company with a scale of ambition that matches my own. “My vision is to see the company as the go-to regional experts in solar – making a UK-wide impact within months not years.” Alongside the move, the firm has created a new website, which was designed to promote its values as much as its products. Operations director Nick Spicer said: “We wanted a radically different new website that told our story – that Your Power is a people-first company that walks the walk. “It sets the standard for how we want to present ourselves.” He added that the firm wanted to improve the way customers think about the energy industry. “Many people have run out of patience with traditional energy companies – and sometimes that lack of trust spills over into renewable energy providers,” he said.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Aerospace
Benefits
Cheering workforce watch maiden flight
KPMG staff offered mortgage rate deals
THE first of a new, more fuel-efficient Airbus plane has carried out its maiden flight, cheered by thousands of staff at the manufacturer’s Filton plant. The first A320neo took off from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport France at noon local time, landing safely in the same place just over two hours later. The aircraft was flown by Airbus test pilots Philippe Pellerin and Etienne Miche de Malleray and engineer Jean-Paul Lambert. Like all Airbus planes, the wings and fuel and landing gear systems were designed in Filton, where employees watched their hard work come to fruition on big screens. This particular aircraft, MSN6101 with registration F-WNEO, started assembly in March of this year, followed by roll-out in July. Since then, it has undergone various checks and ground tests in preparation for the first flight today. Neo stands for new engine option and the plane has a more efficient engine than its predecessor. The plane also uses large wing tips called sharklets which help cut fuel use by 15 per cent. The first planes will be delivered at the end of 2015.
such as our A350 XWB and A330neo. “Demand exceeds supply for these new generation aircraft, especially in the 2017 to 2022 time period and beyond, so naturally we are studying production increases on both models.” The first A350 XWB will be delivered later this year while the first A330neo in 2017. It predicts wide-body demand will include 7,800 twin aisle aircraft with between 250 and 400 seats and some 1,500 very large aircraft with over 400 seats for operation on the busiest routes. Reflecting a higher than average growth and concentration of populations around cities, almost half of the new passenger wide body planes will be delivered to carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region, then the Middle East (16 per cent), Europe (15 per cent) and North America (nine per cent).
● THE 400 Bristol-based workers at accountants KPMG are to be offered preferential mortgage rates. The firm has negotiated a deal with Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks which includes a private banking service, worldwide travel insurance and a range of preferential products and services including mortgage rates. It’s a sign of the increasingly competitive recruitment market as companies not just in London but centres like Bristol too have to fight for the best staff. Professional services and other sectors have found themselves with large numbers of vacancies as the economy grows but without the pipeline of talent to meet demand due to lay off and lack of recruitment in the recession. The Bristol office, along with others across the country, was shut for a day so staff could travel to the 02 Arena for the announcement. Phil Cotton, right, Bristolbased South region chairman at the firm, said: “As a large employer we’re always looking for ways to help our people meet the different needs they have at various stages of their career. “Our recent research with Shelter showed that more than half of all 20-34 year olds could be living with their parents by 2040 and housing prices could quadruple in the next 20 years if we don’t fix the housing crisis. “Owning a home is fast becoming a fairytale for all but society’s wealthiest. We are working hard to raise the issue with policy makers and clients but we also want to make a tangible difference to our staff who also face this problem. “We are delighted that we have been able to negotiate access to a dedicated range of products and services with Clydesdale Bank & Yorkshire Bank on behalf of our employees. “While a successful application very much depends on an individual’s circumstances, we hope that this offer will help our staff struggling to make home ownership a reality.” Mortgage rates will depend on individual circumstances.
change of approach. He said: “Recently, we have seen a hardening of HMRC’s stance and more of a push to apply a higher penalty in certain circumstances. “During the past fortnight I have helped Bristol-based clients who were facing 100% and 70% penalties – this has hardly happened at all over the past six years. “Businesses should be on their guard and the risk of penalties for under-declared VAT should be taken more seriously than ever, as the cost to a business could be substantial.” Mr Hedges agrees. He said: “HMRC do not publish much data about penalties but talk more about their figures which show an increased focus on tax investigation work. “Their figures show that this greater focus is bringing more yield. By implication, more yield equals more penalty income. I’d certainly agree with Mark that we are hearing more and more cases where the letter of the
law is being enforced, often at the higher end of the penalty spectrum, where in the past businesses might have expected more leniency. “It’s probably no coincidence that the new regulations, which came into force in 2008 just before the recession started, are now being enforced more stringently when the economy is getting itself back together again. “Businesses have a responsibility to the rest of society to pay the tax that they owe, and it’s no surprise to see HMRC being stricter in making sure that this happens.” Businesses can minimise their penalty risk by ensuring their VAT affairs are in order – before an inspector comes knocking. Moore Stephens offers a VAT healthcheck, which is a review of procedures that can demonstrate that a business is taking reasonable care and can also reveal if a business is not claiming all the VAT to which it is entitled, potentially offering a saving.
● Staff at Airbus in Filton watch and applaud as the first A320 neo, inset, takes off for its maiden flight in Toulouse
Soaring demand China to become aviation hotspot, predicts Airbus Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
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HE biggest growth in the aerospace sector will come from the Far East in years to come, with China set to become the number one market, according to the bosses at Airbus. One hundred years after the first plane for paying passengers took to the skies, the manufacturer has been forecasting the future direction of the industry. Today, 32 million flights carry three billion passengers and 50 million tonnes of freight a year. Globally the aviation sector’s economic impact is estimated at £1.5 trillion annually. Airbus’ global market forecast predicts the growth will continue at a healthy rate.
The firm predicts passenger traffic will grow annually at 4.7 per cent driving a need for around 31,400 new passenger and freighter aircraft (100 seats and above). The passenger and freighter fleet will increase from today’s 18,500 aircraft to 37,500 by 2033, an increase of nearly 19,000 aircraft. Some 12,400 older less fuel efficient passenger and freighter aircraft will be retired. That should be good for Bristol’s world-leading aerospace cluster, although the fastest growth will come from emerging markets such as Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Already carriers such as Ethiad and Qatar are among the biggest customers for the soon-to-be-ready A350 XWB. Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy said: “Aviation is growing impressively and our latest forecast confirms its long term growth. “While mature aviation regions
such as Europe and North America will continue to grow, Asia will stand out along with emerging markets for dynamic development. “This growth trend is confirmed by Chinese domestic traffic becoming the world’s number one aviation market within the next 10 years.” The Filton plant employs 4,000 people who design the wings and test the landing gear across the Airbus fleet, as well as assembling the wings for the A400M military transport plane. But there are thousands more jobs linked to the firm’s presence. Components specialist GKN, for example, manufactures wing parts from composite materials for the A350 XWB from its specialist Severn Beach facility. The wide body market is where Airbus believes it will see most growth. John said: “We see especially strong growth in wide-body twins
Tax
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Warning as firms face tougher line on VAT TAX experts are warning of a clampdown by HMRC on penalising businesses which under-declare VAT. HMRC has recruited extra investigators to look into tax evasion and aims to prosecute 1,165 people between now and the end of 2015, up from a target of just 565 over the previous two years. Mark Chesham, director of Indirect Tax Services at the Bristol office of Moore Stephens and David Hedges, of Hambrook–based Edge Tax have told bosses to get their affairs in order. The current penalty rules for under-declared VAT, in place since
2008, are primarily based on the behaviour leading to the error. If HMRC finds a VAT error and considers there to have been a lack of reasonable care by the taxpayer, a potential penalty of 30 per cent of the VAT concerned could be imposed, plus interest. Deliberate errors can result in 70 per cent fines, while deliberately concealed errors carry a maximum fine of 100 per cent. But Mr Chesham said that, in practice, HMRC had previously been fairly lenient, usually imposing only the minimum penalties, suspending the penalties or even reducing them
● Mark Chesham of the Bristol office of Moore Stephens and Dave Hedges of Edge Tax to zero if there is a satisfactory explanation. Now, though, he has noticed a
www.bristolpost.co.uk/business
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Seminar
Housing
Sales inspiration ‘This man can help you make record profits’ Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
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NE of the world’s leading sales coaches is coming to Bristol to share his secrets with the city’s business community. Australian Brad Sugars founded the ActionCOACH business which now has more than 1,000 offices in 40 countries. He tours the world giving seminars and talks drawing crowds of up to 1,000 a time and Local World, publisher of the Bristol Post, is sponsoring the event. Nigel Jew, ActionCOACH’s business coach for the Bristol area, said he expected Brad’s appearance to be very popular. He said: “It is fantastic to have the world’s leading business coach in Bristol to help local business owners take their business to the next level. “Brad has previously coached and trained tens of thousands of business owners and made a massive difference in their business and lives. “Brad has also built and sold 50 successful businesses and amassed a personal fortune along the way ... he’s not just the author of 15 books on business and investing – four of them international best sellers, he’s also a phenomenal speaker and this is someone who can help you break out of the daily rut, grow a great business, and make record profits, because he’s been there and done it many times over.” The session is a chance for entrepreneurs and business owners to hear about Brad’s Buying Customers techniques. It is aimed at people starting out in business through to seasoned entrepreneurs, business owners and marketing professionals. It will focus on how to:
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Firm praised in Ed’s speech moved to city ● THE company which employs a software developer who was trending on Twitter after being name-checked by Ed Miliband moved to Bristol because of the house price problem which the Labour leader highlighted in his party conference speech. Mr Miliband mentioned several people in his keynote speech in Manchester, including Gareth, who he said could not afford to buy a home in London despite having a good job. The Gareth in question was Gareth Edwards, who works in the capital for Softwire. The Post has learned London property prices drove the company to set up an office in Bristol two years ago. It now employs 25 people at Colston Tower in the city centre and is helping build Bristol’s growing reputation as a world leading technology hub. The firm has been a regular feature in The Times Top 25 UK Small Companies.
“ It is fantastic to have the world’s leading business coach in Bristol to help local business owners take their business to the next level. Brad has previously coached and trained tens of thousands of business owners and made a massive difference in their business and lives. Nigel Jew
● Gareth and the Softwire team meet Ed Miliband
● Build a marketing strategy that generates more customers and how to make every pound you spend on marketing a true investment ● Grow your customer base and generate leads including an effective referrals system. ● Focus 80 per cent of your resources on the top 20 per cent of your customers ● Turn your best customers into fans who build your business for you ● Test, measure and understand your numbers The free talk in Bristol takes place on Thursday, October 23, at UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre, Frenchay campus, before Brad flies out to the Caribbean for a series of events in November. Sign up at www.bristolpost.co.uk/bradsugars.
● Brad Sugars tours the world giving seminars and talks
General manager Ric Hill said: “Bristol has provided the perfect location for Softwire to continue to grow without sacrificing quality of employees, clients or output. We’re delighted to be helping build a thriving tech sector in Bristol.” More companies have followed Softwire’s lead to set up in Bristol because of overheating property prices and a shortage of talent. Online takeaway service Just Eat, the world’s largest mobile technology company Somo, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and digital specialist Kainos have all recently set up bases in Bristol. During his speech, Mr Milband said: “Gareth is high up at a software company. He’s got a five-year-old daughter, he’s earning a decent wage, he can’t afford to buy a home for himself and for his family, he’s priced out by the richest.”
Banking
TSB creates 150 jobs in office move in Bristol while many of the new roles will support its new mortgage intermediary service being launched next year. The office is described as being built with light, space and efficiency in mind. It has four floors covering 64,000 square feet, 259 car parking spaces and has newly installed staff facilities such as showers and a restaurant. One of the reasons for choosing the site was its good motorway links, with easy access to the bank’s offices in Swansea and Gloucester. Chief operating officer Helen Rose said: “Our new Bristol office represents another exciting step for TSB.
“An office environment says a lot about a business, which is particularly pertinent to us as we look to attract candidates as we prepare to launch our mortgage intermediary channel in 2015. “This is why the open-planned design is key because it encourages collaborative and transparent working, two of TSB’s core values. “We want to provide a workspace that our partners can thrive in and the new office allows us to create over 150 new jobs in Bristol and support local economic development.” The bank will continue to lease the office in Prince Street and use it as part of its contingency planning measures.
● Chief operating officer Helen Rose says office move is an exciting step
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BRITAIN’S newest high street bank is to create 150 jobs as it moves to new offices in Bristol. The TSB was revived as a bank as part of moves to create more competition in the marketplace. It is moving from its Bristol operation, which employs 300 people, from its current city centre base in Prince Street to Keypoint, in Almondsbury Business Park. The new premises will have more room and the bank is recruiting for 150 new roles. The expansion reinforces Bristol’s strong position as a key financial services centre. The bank has marketing, finance, HR and communication teams based
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Focus on start-ups | Sponsored by THEME SPONSOR’S NAME HERE.
Property matters
STRETCHED PLANNERS STRUGGLE TO K The recovery in the Bristol property market is gathering pace but that speed could lead to a bottleneck in the planning process. Gavin Thompson reports
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WO years ago there was little building work going on in Bristol. That has changed and quickly! In the residential sector we have Finzel’s Reach at the former Courage Brewery revived under new developer Cubex, Wapping Wharf near the M shed rising from the ground and the General Hospital conversion into flats is well under way. On the office side Salmon Harvester’s Two Glass Wharf stands proud in its Bristol blue colours while Skanska’s 66 Queen Square development is taking shape, with the steel frame that will sit behind the curving facade now visible. Then there’s all the bed spaces being created to accommodate the thousands more coming to study in
“ They cut the planning teams very hard and the ability to build back that resource to accommodate growth will be challenging Jo Davis, senior planning director at property agency GVA in Bristol the city each year at our universities (see Expert Eye column, right). And that’s just Bristol itself. The northern and eastern fringes are buzzing with largely house-building led activity, such as the Lyde Green development in Emersons Green and several sites around Keynsham. The upsurge is welcomed across industry, but the speed of the recovery has caught many off guard, not least the local authorities. Planning departments have not been exempt from years of austerity and deep cuts in local authority budgets from Whitehall. For the last five years, it probably didn’t matter because there was so
MIPIM commercial property
Mayor maps out the future at conference ● BRISTOL mayor George Ferguson will be speaking at a major property conference later this month. The MIPIM commercial property event is a mainstay of the industry calendar and the Bristol region has in the past sent high profile delegations in a bid to woo investors to the region. The event takes place in Cannes but this year a UK version of the event is being staged for the first time at London’s Olympia. Bristol’s elected mayor is taking part in a session called My Future City in 2050, staged by the Future Cities Catapult, looking at how places such as Bristol can become smarter and more successful. But overall, Bristol’s industry is taking more of a wait-and-see approach to the event. David Mace, regional senior director at GVA, which is attending the event but not exhibiting, said: “As a company GVA has been attending MIPIM in Cannes for some time, and for the last couple of years we’ve worked very closely with Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset on their presence at this hugely influential event – we’re looking forward to being there again in 2015. “It’s therefore a talking point for the property industry that the UK is to have its own event in London, and we’re hugely encouraged that mayor Ferguson will be representing Bristol in a Cities of the Future debate, clearly strengthening Bristol’s place as a core city. “We’ll be a keen and supportive observer of the London event this year both from the perspective of Bristol’s participation and GVA’s own.”
● Bridgewater House in Bristol’s Victoria Street which has been refurbished by Cubex, the firm behind the F little development activity. Jo Davis, right, senior planning director at property agency GVA, said last year in Bristol 878 homes were built, compared with 2,574 in 2008/9. “In the last three years, the only cranes we had seen in sky were at Southmead Hospital,” she said, speaking at a recent property seminar the firm hosted at the M shed. She praised Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North-East Somerset councils for using the downturn in activity to develop their core strategies for future development sites.
“We now have some planning policy certainty across the Bristol area,” said Jo. “The property industry needs to use that to ensure we speed up the planing process. “And the planning authorities need to be ready to take on the extra activity that is taking place. “That is more difficult. They cut the planning teams very hard and the ability to build back that resource to accommodate growth will be challenging.”
B015-1411 Bruton Knowles Bristol Post Commercial Advert 270x40mm AW 2.pdf
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Cubex which is behind the Finzel’s Reach development in Bristol city centre and has also been refurbishing Bridgewater House in Victoria Street to bring it up to grade A standard, has seen the problem first hand. He understands the challenges facing the city council, but would like to see action taken. “We have five planning applications being considered by Bristol City Council at the moment and are shortly to submit a further two,” said Gavin. “Collectively these represent over £100 million of development, more than 100 homes, a new
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The problem is that all those new developments need input from the relevant council all along the way, including public consultation, reports and eventual planning permission. Any big development will involve multiple applications. That means the slimmed down, austerity-sized planning teams are becoming a bottleneck that could be holding up economic growth in and around Bristol. Gavin Bridge, far right, director of
enquiries@brutonknowles.co.uk brutonknowles.co.uk
Achieve more from your property
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
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in association with
KEEP PACE WITH RECOVERY
We need to accommodate the surging student population
To Let - High Quality Offices Near Parkway Station, Bristol
MAGINE having to find space for the equivalent of a new town ten times bigger than Keynsham, somewhere in the vicinity of Bristol and Bath. Well that’s the prospect the two cities are facing as they seek to provide accommodation to cope with a continuing surge in student numbers. With Bristol, UWE, Bath and Bath Spa campuses predicted to grow significantly over the next few years demand for new student accommodation has absorbed many available sites – not just in the residential market but also around the area’s commercial, office and industrial locations. With four top universities within a 20-mile radius, the impact on Bristol and Bath will be more pronounced than in many comparable regional cities. Bruton Knowles has been closely monitoring the conversion trend since it gained traction during the downturn. Back then, owners, builders and developers were keen to keep busy and set about transforming secondary office and elderly commercial stock into residential – especially student – accommodation. But what was something of a stopgap measure has been boosted by the faster than expected recovery and is now fundamentally transforming the entire commercial sector. And whereas most people welcomed the transformation of so many abandoned offices or unused industrial premises, the continuing demand for even more student accommodation raises the question of where such development will take place – especially once the supply of secondary sites is exhausted. In Bristol, a number of well known office buildings have already been converted or earmarked for student accommodation, not to mention the city’s former ice rink, a police station and a number of old people’s apartments. Now developers are looking at ‘hands on’ industrial and commercial sites in Bristol and Bath – several of which have already been taken out of the sector to create additional space for student accommodation. Hands on businesses such as garages, tyre firms and repair shops have traditionally been located in secondary premises and many are beginning to run out of options if they need to move, after growing out of their old premises for instance. The level of demand we are seeing is certainly skewing development patterns and impacting on the city centre scene, transforming traditional commercial property function and usage. According to recent forecasts some 50,000 students are expected to be looking for accommodation in Bristol over the next few years with a further 20,000 in Bath – the equivalent of building a new town ten times bigger than Keynsham.
• From 980-1,980 sq ft (91-183.9 sq m) • 8 parking spaces • Easy access to M4/M5/M32 motorways • Flexible terms available
Contact: paul.williams@brutonknowles.co.uk
ge and the potential to create 800 new jobs. We enjoy an excellent ing relationship planners but have how the cutbacks ouncil to reduce ning officer bers has put tredous pressure he remaining ofs. his does cause ys in the planning ess whether before an cation is registered or during onsideration period. We would
BK code:2639
● Skanska’s 66 Queen Square development is taking shape with the steel frame now in place
welcome any measures that would provide additional resource and support to those officers.” The obvious impact is on new developments but any bottleneck will have an effect further down the chain. If, for example, a new office site is delayed, then firms interested in moving in might have to wait, meaning there old premises is tied up that bit longer. And the property merry-go-round stops. It’s an issue Bristol City Council is well aware of and it is looking to hire
Head of Agency Bruton Knowles paul.williams@brutonknowles.co.uk 0117 287 2101
0117 287 2101 brutonknowles.co.uk
the Finzel’s Reach development in Bristol city centre
Expert eye Paul Williams
more people. Zoe Willcox, service director for planning and sustainability, said: “The council’s development management section is managed to ensure it has resilience to flex and respond to the demands of the local property market. “The global financial crisis of 2008 resulted in a significant drop off in the amount of planning applications. Happily however, Bristol has been at the forefront of a national economic revival which has led to a significant increase in development activity in the city and we are currently in the process of recruiting in order to meet this renewed demand. We reg-
B015-1411 Bruton Knowles Bristol Post Commercial Advert 270x40mm AW 2.pdf
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ularly liaise with property organisations such as the Planning User Group and Bristol Property Agents Association to ensure that they are kept up-to-date with any developments to our service. In this way we feel confident that we will maintain a good working relationship with the commercial property sector at this increasingly busy time.” Recruiting skilled people in the current growing market is not always so easy however, as many private sector companies have found, so developers, agents and other interested parties will be watching closely.
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0117 287 2101
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enquiries@brutonknowles.co.uk brutonknowles.co.uk
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www.bristolpost.co.uk/business
Business diary Growing your business into a winning brand seminar: Gregg Latchams and ActionCOACH host an event with guest speakers including cheese maker Todd Trethowan and Chris Head of the West of England Rural Network talking about creating and marketing a successful brand and how to grow a food business in the current climate. Email to kayleigh.groves@gregglatchams. com. Today, 10am-1.30pm, Puxton Park.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Bristol Post iPad edition launch
APPY DAYS: NEW IPAD POST Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
T
OpenCo Bristol & Bath: Festival celebrating region’s great technology businesses with events across city starting with launch party at Bristol and Bath Science Park on October 1 and closing at Engine Shed on evening of October 2. More at http://uk.openco.us/bath-bristol/. PAs’ Christmas pamper: A Christmas themed event for PAs, office managers and administrators organised by the Bristol PA Network. Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, 4-8pm, Thursday, October 2. Achieve Faster Growth in Aerospace & Defence: Free seminar for high growth companies in partnership with Transpire and supported by Lloyds Banking Group, West of England Aerospace Forum and UK Council for Electronic Business. 8-10am, Thursday, October 2, Lloyds Banking Group, Canons Way. Process Improvement seminar: APDS, supplier of drives and motors, holds event to educate industry leaders on how they can cut their energy bills without compromising production processes. October 8 at ABB training centre, Bristol. Book for morning or afternoon session via eventbrite. Bristol Distinguished Address: UWE’s series giving the chance to meet the leaders of industry returns starting with Leo Quinn, chief executive of aerospace ad defence business QineticQ. Bristol City Hall, 6pm, October 9. Register via UWE.
● Bristol Post editor Mike Norton and managing director Sarah Pullen launch the new iPad edition of the paper on the Imax big screen at Bristol Aquarium
Tweet Up Bristol: Meet the people you Tweet at informal, fun business networking event. No speeches or presentations, just folk in a bar talking business and Twitter. Tuesday, October 14, 6-11pm, Revolution, St Nicholas Street. Follow @TweetUpBristol. Google Digital Masterclass: Experts from Google give local businesses a masterclass in using the internet to turbo-charge their growth. The Google team will set up a pop-up Juice Bar co-hosted by Bristol West MP Stephen Williams. Sign up at https://events.withgoogle.com/ google-juice-bar-bristol/
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Women Outside the Box Festival: This year, Women Outside The Box is holding their annual festival of female entrepreneurship – Reach Out For Success – at Colston Hall. Monday, October 20. Email your business events to gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk. Events are sometimes cancelled without us being notified so please check with organisers before travelling.
● Simon Taylor and Tasmin Winstanley
BRJK20140924A-022
HE who’s who of the city came to Bristol Aquarium for #DownloadBristol – the launch of the Bristol Post’s new app. Editor Mike Norton and managing director Sarah Pullen unveiled the new app in giant size, on the Imax big screen. Most people will be using it in a slightly smaller size however as the app is a new electronic edition of the Post for tablets. The iPad edition went live last week and the Android version will soon follow. Those in attendance, who had the chance to explore the app using iPads placed around the room, were impressed. Many took to Twitter to share their views. Mike Jackson, who runs business incubator WebStart Bristol, said: “Attended the launch of the Bristol Post digital edition – looks fantastic and a great showcase for our city.” John Payne, of social media marketing agency Noisy Little Monkey, Tweeted: “The punters are loving #downloadbristol by @BristolPost And rightly. It’s a proper job app.” He added: “They just left all other local media in the dust.” Catherine Frankpitt, senior account director at communications firm JBP, posted: “V impressive, looks great.” The app allows people to subscribed to the Bristol Post electronic edition, which contains everything from the print version and more.
www.bristolpost.co.uk/business
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
EDITION ‘SUPERB’
Growth
Bank opening up business accelerator hub in city Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
A HIGH street bank has unveiled plans to open a business accelerator hub in Bristol. The Natwest hub will offer free workspace, hands-on mentoring, a start up boot camp and a free programme of up to 18-months of advice, support and funding clinics. Bristol is one of eight cities which will house such centres, with the first one opening in Birmingham early next year. A location has not been chosen for Bristol yet but it is likely to be in an existing Natwest or RBS premises, launching in 2015 or 2016. Alison Rose, chief executive for commercial and private banking, said: “This is a step-change in how NatWest supports entrepreneurial talent in the UK. “By opening up our premises and providing them with support and a far reaching network of contacts, we are backing the businesses of tomorrow and helping ambitious entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. “This is good for them, good for us and ultimately good for the UK economy. “We have a trusted partner in Entrepreneurial Spark and together we can really make a difference to those businesses at the start of
● Above and below, guests at the app launch
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their journey.” The hubs will have work space for up to 80 entrepreneurs, with two intakes each year. There will be a competition for places, open to businesses which have been trading for less than four years with a turnover below £1 million. They don’t have to be Natwest customers. Each intake will finish with a graduation event where entrepreneurs can network and showcase their businesses to potential investors. Entrepreneurial accelerators and incubators have become more common, originating in Silicon Valley but popping up in London and recently Bristol with the likes of Webstart Bristol and Bristol University’s SetSquared, both based at the Engine Shed. This move by Natwest and RBS, which they have tested in Scotland first, brings the idea very much into the business finance mainstream. Entrepreneurs will be eligible for so-called growth awards of up to £50,000. Kevin Morgan, pictured, Natwest regional director for Bristol and Wales, said: “I am delighted to see this fantastic programme come to Bristol. “At NatWest we are supporting entrepreneurs throughout the South West region as they embark on their business aspirations. “This is another important step as we strive to provide outstanding support to both our new and growing customers.”
Pics: Jon Kent
DOWNLOAD BRISTOL
Download your FREE 30-DAY TRIAL at:
bristolpost.co.uk/subscribe
Download on the Android
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www.bristolpost.co.uk/business
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
In pictures Institute of Directors networking event at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden
NEW RELATIONSHIPS BLOSSOM AS M
● Above and below, members and guests enjoying the Institute of Directors networking evening at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden
● Nick Sturge, from Engine Shed, Paul Hardman, from Gregg Latchams, and David Pinchard, from Transformation-Leaders
EMBERS and guests of the Institute of Directors enjoyed a balmy September evening at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden as the Bristol branch prepares for its autumn season of events. The Botanic Garden in Stoke Bishop is the first of its kind to be created in the past 40 years and boasts some 4,500 species from over 200 plant families. Covering 1.77 hectares, it is home to four core plant collections, evolution, Mediterranean climate, useful plants and local flora and rare native plants. Tours were held throughout the evening by curator Nick Wray and his team. IoD Bristol branch chair Rebecca Tregarthen said: “We always try and round off the summer with an event that is really all about networking and celebrating something special about the city. “The Botanic Garden is one of the city’s hidden gems and we were delighted that they were shown off on such a beautiful evening to many members and guests who had never visited before.” The event was sponsored by Gregg Latchams solicitors and the University of Bristol. The IoD autumn series of events kicks off with the Bristol Distinguished Address Series on October 9 at City Hall with Leo Quinn, CEO of the QuinetiQ Group.
In pictures Bristol Media Brand You Awards
Residential Investment Opportunity
Severn Point, Wyck Beck Road, Bristol, BS10 7FD
● Brand You Award winners
Creative sector celebrates top individuals
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An unbroken block of flats. ■
Freehold
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Total Current Rent Reserved: £184,020 p.a.
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Comprising 24 flats: 6 x one bed and 18 x two bed
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Attractive rental or break up opportunity
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EPC ratings: 24 x C
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Each flat currently let subject to an AST agreement
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Secure under-croft car parking for 31 vehicles
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Passenger lift
William Shoebotham 020 7344 2659
william.shoebotham@allsop.co.uk
Offers in excess of £2,750,000 are invited for the Freehold interest, subject to the existing tenancies and contract.
James Hood 020 7344 2637
james.hood@allsop.co.uk
www.allsop.co.uk
BRISTOL’S creative community celebrated their achievements at the annual Bristol Media Brand You Awards, which aim to recognise individual talent and contribution within the sector. More than 200 people gathered at Bordeaux Quay to see 14 winners collect their awards, which included categories for digital, viral content, PR, design, and animation and photography. Bristol Media chief executive Fraser Bradshaw said: “We’re delighted to see so many people from Bristol’s creative community gathering to celebrate the outstanding work of
staff and freelancers. “The creative sector currently employs 15,900 people in the region, generating £658.5 million GVA, so it’s important we take time to celebrate and reflect on the talent we have working here. “We received a fantastic response for nominations from both agencies and in-house departments in Bristol and Bath so congratulations to everyone who entered and to all the winners.” A judging panel made up of national and regional judges selected winners (see panel, right).
www.bristolpost.co.uk/business
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
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GUESTS MEET AT BOTANIC GARDEN ● Mimi Avery from Avery’s Wine Merchants, and Paul Hardman from Gregg Latchams
● Nicholas Wray, curator of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, gives a guided tour
Pictures: Simon Chapman
● Jan Ellington, a volunteer and committee member at the botanic garden
WINNERS
● Katy Davis, winner of both the Advertising & Viral Content Awards, with Lisa-Marie Smith from Forrest Brown who presented the award GALLERIES GALORE
FOR MORE PICTURES Check out our website at bristolpost.co.uk/business
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● Bristol Media CEO, Fraser Bradshaw, launches this year's Brand You Awards
PR, sponsored by the PRCA: Melissa Kidd, Marketing Support, PamLloyd Food Marketing & PR Client Services, sponsored by Creative Skillset, Laura McLeod, Account Director, Bray Leino Digital, sponsored by Smart Traffic, Julia Marsh, Founder & Designer, Pixel Folks Social Media, sponsored by Gregg Latchams, Harry Laflin, Social Community Manager, Bray Leino Marketing, sponsored The Agency Collective, Lizzie Everard, Creative Director, Visual Communication Viral Content, sponsored by Forrest Brown, Katy Davis, Freelance Animator & Illustrator Design, sponsored by FD Works, Jonathan Gaunt, Emma Hopkins, Freelance Creative Designer & Marketing Co-Ordinator Events & Experiential, sponsored by Destination Bristol, Andy Oswin, Managing Director, Bright Event Production & Management Animation, sponsored by Creative Skillset, Katy Davis, Freelance Animator & Illustrator Photography, Mark Ashbee, Mark Ashbee Photography Games & Apps, sponsored by Steer & Co, Tom Melamed, Product Director, Calvium Broadcast, sponsored by Creative Skillset, Paul Galloway, Designer and Creator of ‘Bottom Knocker Street’ Print and Publishing, sponsored by Brunel Print, India Rabey, Art Director, The Way Advertising, sponsored by Oakwood, Katy Davis, Freelance Animator & Illustrator
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