Business News - Issue 2

East Hampshire

Business News

July 2012

Apprenticeships in East Hampshire See page 25

Inside Free gym membership - p21 Changes to accident reporting - p15

Don’t forget to visit www.businesseasthants.org

Issue 2

Business East Hants is supported by East Hampshire District Council

Contacts Publisher Business East Hants Editor Angela Kiwanuka, EHDC Design Richard Wells, EHDC Businesses are welcome to submit articles to: Email: beh@easthants.gov.uk Tel: 01730 234165 Advertising rates or placing an advert: Email: beh@easthants.gov.uk Tel: 01730 234165 Address Business East Hants Economic Development Office, East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, GU31 4EX Tel: 01730 234165 Email: beh@easthants.gov.uk Website: www.easthants.gov.uk/beh

Business East Hants A new Chair for East Hampshire David Joel, new Chair of Business East Hants (BEH) is a local businessman with a wealth of experience in both large and small companies in the aerospace and defence sector.

He currently runs Lanson Consultants Ltd, a business consultancy based in Clanfield.

The consultancy specialises in: Management Development, Training, Bid Development, and Defence Sector Marketing.

David’s experience in leading political, cultural and people change programmes for large organisations and overseeing complex bids has equipped him for specialising David Joel Chair, Business East Hants in business performance improvement. Customers include Atomic Weapons Establishment on behalf of Lockheed Martin, British Nuclear Fuels and Serco.

David is keen to drive BEH forward, focussing on specific areas where the partnership can make a real difference. He will concentrate on developing actions supported by research carried out with the business community.

One of the areas of particular interest is promoting local employment opportunities by encouraging local businesses to take on apprentices.

Business East Hants makes no warranties in relation to the content of any advertisements placed in the East Hampshire Business News and shall have no liability for any losses resulting from the adverts.

Business East Hants makes no endorsements whatsoever with regard to any advertisements in the Business News

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David said “Local companies are showing a lot of enthusiasm for taking on apprentices; however they sometimes find that in practice, recruiting an apprentice is not that easy. Working with colleagues in BEH that are very experienced in this field, we are putting together a step-by-step guide on How to Employ an Apprentice”. Watch this space for more on this step-bystep guide to apprenticeships.

David added; “BEH has a crucial role to play in communications, hence the importance of this business magazine, which is going from strength to strength. I urge all businesses and organisations to support the magazine by submitting articles for publication.”

Contents 4

Gala dinner toasts success of BEH

Businesses and authorities came together at a glittering gala dinner in celebration of a local business partnership. The event marked two years of Business East Hants, a fruitful partnership between the private and public sectors. page 4

8

Loos for Do’s win Farnborough Air Show contract

Loos For Do’s, Hampshire’s luxury toilet provider, have been appointed suppliers for the prestigious Farnborough International Airshow 2012.

15

Changes to work related accident reporting requirements

From 6 April 2012, the over-three-day reporting requirement for people injured at work will change to more than seven days.

page 20

20

Businesses supporting the local community

Futuresys and MI Bone Builders show support for their local communities by sponsoring events.

21

Free Taro membership

If you are aged between 35 and 50; are not on regular medication and would attend a gym or leisure centre but would like to increase your fitness, improve your health outcomes and increase your wellbeing, Taro Leisure Centre would like to hear from you.

23 page 23

100 years of Gilbert White’s House

2012 is an important anniversary year – The Queen has been on the throne for 60 years, the Titantic went down, Charles Dickens was born, and the Olympic Games are coming to town. But for Selborne the most important of them is the anniversary of the Captain Scott expedition to the South Pole.

25

Alton College introduces Customer Service apprenticeships

Alton College is delighted to announce the introduction of Customer Service Apprenticeships offered at NVQ Level 2 Intermediate and NVQ Level 3 Advanced.

page 21

Cover Photo: Apprentice Sam Sawkins and Damian Hinds MP at the Taro.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business

Gala Dinner toasts success of Business East Hants Businesses and authorities came together at a glittering gala dinner in celebration of a local business partnership. The event marked two years of Business East Hants, a fruitful partnership between the private and public sectors.

The black tie event held on Thursday 24 November 2011 at Old Thorns Manor Hotel (Liphook), was open to all businesses and organisations in Hampshire and paid for through ticket sales and sponsorship. Over 135 guests attended the prestige event.

The speakers included Damian Hinds MP for East Hampshire, and Tim Colman the regional Vice Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Rodger Broad, a Regional Director of the Institute of Directors, and Graeme Fraser, the Managing Director of AMK Chauffeur Group, both spoke about the value apprenticeships, one of the central

tenets of Business East Hants’ role to promote the local economy.

Caroline Collings, the Managing Director of Stafford Rhodes Group and outgoing Business East Hants chairman provided a background to the partnership and also launched the new website which supports the group’s role in enabling economic growth in the district and serves as a one stop shop for the business community. Caroline has been very instrumental in driving forward the

business partnership and providing training for local businesses.

Caroline will stay on as Board member of Business East Hants.

The event was proudly sponsored by:

A big thank you to the outgoing Chair, Caroline Collings The Business East Hants Board and Members would like to thank Caroline Collings (Managing Director of Stafford Rhodes Group) for her dedicated support for the business partnership. Caroline has worked hard to make the partnership a success.

The Board and the BEH members have been able to draw on her vast knowledge, experience

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and expertise in addressing the challenges facing local businesses.

Caroline has been very instrumental in driving forward the business partnership and providing training for local businesses. She has provided free marketing training workshops and seminars for local businesses and we are confident that she will continue to do the same as a Board member. Caroline

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

will stay on as a Board member of Business East Hants.

For more information about Caroline Collings and the Stafford Rhodes Group, please visit: www.staffordrhodesgroup.com

Business

Green Oak Carpentry Company The Green Oak Carpentry Company has won Gold for the third time, at The Wood Awards 2011. The award was presented at The Ricoh Centre in Coventry in front of the judging panel provided by The Master of The Worshipful Company of Carpenters. The Green Oak Carpentry Company was delighted that its project: Windmill Hill, part of The Rothschild Foundation, won its category and then went on to win overall Gold. (More information about The Wood Awards can be found at: www.woodawards. com). The design is a modern reinterpretation of a barn structure, the structural frame being a timber diagrid formed from European oak laminated beams The Green Oak Carpentry Company has won Gold twice previously. In 2003, the award was presented for The Downland Gridshell, this being the first timber gridshell to be built in Britain and in 2006 it was presented for The Savill Gardens Visitor Centre, in Windsor Great Park. All buildings are outstanding successes as technical and innovative timber structures demonstrating the scope of green oak to create dramatic, open volumes of space. They all required close liaison with both architects and engineers and a specialist knowledge of timber an expertise built on a history of well established carpentry skills and green oak framing, based on traditional skills.

Whilst enjoying the prestige that such an award brings, especially for modern, contemporary structures, the Green Oak Carpentry Company prides itself on being a small company that provides its clients (whether they be The Crown Estates, a big public company, or

an individual householder) with a beautiful green oak structure which is both aesthetically pleasing and ideally suited to purpose. These traditional skills mean that The Green Oak Carpentry Company is able not only to deliver new structures but also enjoys working on renovation projects, using the same skills and methods used by medieval carpenters! The Green Oak Carpentry Company also conserves historic timber structures and has carried out projects for The National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces, Museums and Local Authorities, as well as private clients.

The Green Oak Carpentry Company employs 12 skilled craftsmen, many of whom have worked with the company for several years – one well past retirement age! The timber is crafted in our workshop, each team having their own barn, and clients are able to visit to see their projects develop. Once ready the timber is taken and assembled on-site. In addition to these 12 carpenters we have a number of sub-contractors whom we like to keep busy! These are usually long standing employees, often team leaders, who have decided to branch off and become selfemployed to suit their own lifestyle, one working out of his yard in France and coming over to England with the frame when it is ready to assemble!

The craftsmen are supported by a small office team who ensure the smooth running of the business.

This means that the Company is able to take the project from its initial concept through its architectural design, planning, and engineering stages to the installation of the final timber structure.

Conservation Carpentry Timber Frame Design & Fabrication

The Company was founded in the 1990’s by Andrew Holloway who originally joined in as a team member. Now he spends most of his time on the sales, design coordination and general management of the Company, though he still likes to work with tools whenever the opportunity arises!

Green oak is a great product which lends itself to so many projects and that is what makes the Company so interesting. The craftsmen enjoy working on varied projects, moving from building bridges or lock gates, to renovation work, through to house frames and modern gridshells, and then back to garden structures or conservatories. What remains the same however, is the attention to fine detailing and the adherence to traditional skills.

Website: www.greenoakcarpentry.co.uk

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business

Busy Ant Wins Contract to Design Largest 4G In-building Coverage System

When the University Hospital of North Staffordshire needed a multioperator cellular coverage system for their new PFI hospital, they turned to Hampshire based Busy Ant for expertise. Their problem was, that due to modern building methods and materials, such as metallic screened windows, there is very poor penetration of radio signals from outside base stations.

After measuring existing coverage levels, building propagation characteristics and dealing with challenging areas like X-ray and Theatres, Busy Ant applied their state of the art modelling tools to create a 3-D model of the 500,000 square metre site and simulate propagation throughout the buildings for the Teko Telecom Radio over Fibre system proposed.

With approximately 7,500 patients, staff and visitors on-site, the NHS trust felt that it was important to provide a range of communications facilities for staff and patients alike.

The resultant design of over 500 antennas, 16 km of RF cables and 6 km of fibre cables is one of the single biggest distributed antenna systems in the country and the only one to be already LTE (or 4G)

capable from the outset without further upgrades at a later date.

This means that when Ofcom auctions the 4G spectrum later in 2012, this hospital design is futureproofed and ready to go!

Next task is to survey and audit the enterprise wi-fi solution over the same campus. Just another day in the life of a Busy Ant. Website: www.busy-ant.com

Š EHDC 2012

Sponsor Stages Posters/flyers Wristbands Merchandise Clothing Banners

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Reach up to 3,000 young people by sponsoring Butserfest 2012 If you are interested in sponsoring our festival, please contact Stephanie at Stafford Rhodes Group Limited on: 023 9279 3400

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

butserfest.co.uk/about-us/sponsors

Business

Outstanding results for ADP Security Systems in annual audit Petersfield-based security company, ADP Security Systems has received an industry-leading score following an annual audit conducted by the industry’s regulatory body, the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The score has placed ADP in the top 10% of UK based Approved Contractors under the scheme, known as the ACS. ADP was one of the first companies in the UK to gain Approved Contractor status in 2006 and its high score has been improving year on year. An area of particularly good practice highlighted in the ACS report was ADP’s use of the latest digital technology and enhanced imagery for assignment instructions and reporting.

David Preston, director, who runs the company with director, Alan Day, both from Petersfield, said: “The audit went very well due to continued hard work by our security officers and management team.

The score has increased again and according to the SIA this puts us well in the top 10%, and just short

of the top 5%. It’s an outstanding result for us as a small business and proves that we are a serious player in the security industry.”

Having established its reputation mainly by word-of-mouth recommendations, ADP offers clients a tailored security solution comprising remote CCTV monitoring with guard response, mobile patrols, alarm monitoring and key-holding. It has a 24 hour CCTV control room in Petersfield, Hampshire.

The Private Security Industry Act of 2001 required the SIA to establish a system of inspection for providers of security services. The SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme is a voluntary scheme that requires companies to continually improve performance and focus on customer service.

More about ADP Security Systems:ADP regularly sponsors local community activities in Petersfield; and the company

was Highly Commended at the Life in Petersfield Business in the Community Awards 2011. It is a member of the Guildsafe initiative between Police and Retailers in Surrey.

Founded in Petersfield in 1996, ADP provides complete security solutions tailored to individual customer requirements covering electronic security, manned guarding and physical security.

ADP Security Systems has the environmental standard BS EN ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 quality accreditation. The company is an SIA Approved Contractor and is recognised as an Investor in People.

Two of ADP Security’s officers have won the BSIA award for Best Newcomer nationally in 2009 and 2010.

David Preston, Director ADP Security Tel: 01730 261510 Website: www.adpsecurity.com Keren Burney. Public Relations Consultant, Compege on Tel: 01730 894123

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business

Loos For Do’s wins Farnborough International Airshow 2012 contract Loos For Do’s, Hampshire’s luxury toilet provider, have been appointed suppliers for the prestigious Farnborough International Airshow 2012. Following a competitive

Association, beating over 1400

Common’ and has been awarded

competitors.

the “Attendant of the Year” award

The award recognises suppliers who deliver quality ‘away from home’ facilities for staff, customers and visitors. Every entry receives

for 2011 and 2012 for their cleaning staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the cleanliness of the facilities.

an unannounced visit from an authorised Awards Inspector who

Loos For Do’s Ltd are based in

assesses the facilities against over

Hampshire and specialise in

attracts more than 250,000 visitors

100 judging criteria – including

portable toilet hire for events

from across the globe.

signage, decor, fixtures and fittings

as well as long-term toilet hire

and overall standards of cleanliness

across London and South East

Loos For Do’s cleans up at the British Toilet Association Awards

and management.

England. Further information

In addition to winning the

the UK and attended the Brighton

tender, Loos For Do’s were awarded the contract for the event which

Farnborough International Airshow 2012 contract and the award for “Loo of the Year 2011”, Loos For Do’s have recently been awarded

The British Toilet Association completed its 2012 search to find the best ‘away from home’ toilets in

Loos For Do’s Ltd (01420 588 355) or visit: www.loos.co.uk

Marathon to judge the toilets which were all provided by Loos For Do’s for the second year running.

the No.1 accolade as “National

Loos For Do’s also won a 5 star

Mobile Toilet Supplier of the

Gold Award in 2011 for the toilets

Year 2012” by the British Toilet

at Ben & Jerry’s ‘Sundae on the

Discounts or rate relief Payment plans Change of details Difficulty paying?

Direct Debit 8

contact: Nicky Warner, Director,

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Talk to the East Hampshire Revenues team about your 2012 rates bill Call right now.

01730 234159 revenues@easthants.gov.uk www.easthants.gov.uk/ businessrates

Business

The Value of Design at Alitex The value of design at Alitex, experts at designing and manufacturing glass and aluminium structures, is enormous. Our designers use the latest 3D computer-aided design software to construct your ‘virtual’ greenhouse or conservatory prior to manufacture. Perhaps the best way to showcase the vital role of design at Alitex is to provide a case study.

Fulham Palace Vinery and Alitex In 2011 Alitex were commissioned to design a replacement aluminium greenhouse as the previous wooden one was reduced to a jumble of beams. The enormous challenge for Dave Trevena (Alitex) was the inconsistent curve in the arced wall and the uneven elevation which the greenhouse was to sit against. Alitex worked with Vinci Construction to complete the project, overcoming a variety of design, manufacturing and construction challenges along the way. The greenhouse is a beautiful modern technological feat, with a glass roof sitting snugly up to the aged wall, layering glass to create a seamless join and to follow curves.

More info and short film: www.alitex.co.uk/newsandevents/ post/2012/01/30/Fulham-Palace-Vinery-and-Alitex.aspx Please call Alitex on 01730 826900 or email enquiries@alitex.co.uk for more details.

Before and After at Fulham Palace Vinery

Farrow Creative brings a splash of Creativity to Mentoring Scheme Managing and Creative Director Sam Farrow of Petersfield-based design agency Farrow Creative, can’t wait to get started in her mentoring role as part of the Local Business Accelerators Scheme.

The programme encourages collaboration between experienced business owners and those starting new ventures. The scheme is backed by Dragons’ Den judge Deborah Meaden, who says, “I’m so proud to support the project, building thriving, industrious communities.”

Sam says, “I’m delighted to be a mentor. I think both my mentees and I will benefit enormously from the process; they need guidance and support to grow from solid foundations, and the scheme will be a great learning experience for me too; my mantra is “I’ll never

know enough”, and I’m sure this programme will prove me right.”

Sam believes the mentoring initiative is also great for the mentors’ businesses from a PR and Marketing perspective.

“By working with exciting, fresh, young companies, we’re spreading the word about what we do too.

In these tough economic climes, collaboration between local companies, both well-established and new, is essential to create opportunities for us all.”

So if you’re determined to change your business, look no further than Farrow Creative To learn more about Sam’s mentoring experience, follow the Farrow Creative blog at: www.farrowcreative.co.uk/blog

Samantha Farrow

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business

‘Deliciously’ satisfying results from Acoustic Specialist Custom Audio Designs Ltd Custom Audio Designs Ltd, a leading independent UK acoustics consultancy, was the first choice of prestige event organisers Creative Catering for advice on a noise problem in ‘The Green Room’ – a purpose-built client area used for tasting sessions and cookery courses, as well as showcasing table displays.

A sound test performed by one of the company’s IOAqualified technical team determined that the venue suffered from excessive reverberation resulting in poor speech intelligibility and acoustic discomfort.

The solution? ProSonic FG acoustic panels positioned according to design-stage detailing from Custom Audio Designs.

Developed to provide a high performance, durable and cost-effective solution for reducing excessive reverberation in large spaces, the ProSonic FG panel has a Class 0 semi-rigid core with a Class 1 or Class 0 fabric covering available in a wide range of colours.

Clients may choose their own images to be digitally printed on the fabric as in this case (see inset).

The result: the acoustic panel treatment reduced the overall reverberation time Tmf from 2.5 seconds to 0.6 seconds and the subsequent reverberant sound pressure level within the space dropped by 6dB, all

Lovely images of the bespoke panels that were used to solve acoustic problems for a local catering and marquee business in Winchester

of which enhanced acoustic comfort and ‘softened’ the room’s ambience when in use. Other offices and meeting rooms are now to be improved.

BS EN 9001:2008 (UKAS Endorsed) Quality Management Accreditation: Acoustic Consultancy and Supply Services Tel: +44 (0)1730 269572 www.customaudio.co.uk acoustic-insights@customaudiodesigns.co.uk

The Plaza event suite The Plaza event suite features four modern, flexible and fully equipped rooms that can be booked together or separately.

These adaptable facilities are well suited to conferences or AGMs, meetings, exhibitions, launches and weddings

Civic Centre Road, Havant, PO9 2AX For more information or to book, please contact Neill Payne at Havant Borough Council on 023 9244 6646 or email neill.payne@havant.gov.uk

www.publicserviceplaza.co.uk

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East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Business

Ex Local Government employees establish successful planning consultancy in just 12 months.

Recession, Redundancy, Funding Cuts, Construction Crisis… are statements that do not usually bode well for a new business. However, within one Fusion Tp has become, by any measure, a highly successful new enterprise. The news in 2010 of severe Local Government funding cuts and unprecedented redundancies was enough for three Town Planners, with experience across the area, including East Hampshire, to decide it was time to take their future into their own hands.

In March 2011 they joined together to start their own planning consultancy, and Fusion TP was born.

With over 40 years of Local Government planning experience between them, in both urban and rural planning issues, and special expertise in heritage and building conservation planning, the three planners are well placed to offer advice to private individuals, small businesses, and developers. Fusion Tp has completed more than 80 projects within the first twelve months of operation, exceeding targets. Projects included extensions on private residences, and change-of-use applications for small businesses (especially retail) and property developers.

Some projects have been sensitive, even high profile, but the Fusion TP team’s motto of “Don’t worry, we’ll sort it,” has been delivered to clients throughout Hampshire and West Sussex.

The company continues to grow its client commissions as well as adding more regional offices to the recently established Birmingham office.

Contact: Jon McDermott, Managing Director, Fusion TP

B2B Management – ‘Not Just another Consultant’ Article by B2B Management Consultancy & Sales Training Hampshire management consultant and business coach Neil Hawkins knows that his expertise can really add value to businesses, without just teaching them to suck eggs!

Neil typically spends time engaging with Senior Managers and employees alike to gain a real sense of how the business works, but more importantly, how it could improve.

“It is not just systems that might need refining” says Neil.

“Sometimes I will work on small changes to a sales process or

technique or perhaps to a person’s attitude to valuing their product or services. These small tweaks can produce big results without compromising manager time”.

especially important when funds are tight.

B2B Management Consultancy and Sales Training founded by Neil in 2009, focuses on improving sales and productivity. It offers sales training and workshops, business coaching and management consultancy on either a one to one or company wide basis.

Unlike other firms B2B Management Consultancy & Sales Training will not insist on fixed term contracts, enabling firms to access hands on, practical support for all budgets,

If you do not have enough time, money or resource to improve your business, B2B Management Consultancy will do it for you; tailor the training to your specific needs and provide you with a practical application that works. Over 70% of the business comes from referrals.

B2B Management Consultancy also runs regular workshops. Please contact Neil for further details.

For a FREE initial appraisal meeting please contact Neil on 07747 690802 or visit www.b2bmanagement.org.uk

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business

New owner and relocation for Home Help UK A home care company, specialising in helping elderly, infirm and disabled people in their own home, has relocated its Hampshire branch office to Liss, under the new ownership of Lindsay Dibden, a specialist in healthcare investment.

Home Help UK Ltd moved into its new premises at Suite 3, Oakfield Barn, Brow’s Farm Business Park in Liss, in March. Formerly, the business was based in Buriton.

Lindsay, who lives in midHampshire, spent 23 years working for a private equity investment company, HgCapital, specialising in the healthcare market. When the opportunity came up to purchase

Home Help UK Ltd, he jumped at the chance to bring his experience to a local company.

Lindsay Dibden, managing director, said: “The UK’s homecare market is growing rapidly and we would like to expand our business locally. Being close to the A3 corridor and A272 makes Liss the ideal location for us in terms of access to our offices in Midhurst and Bognor. Also, we are the first care company to locate in Liss and look forward to serving our existing and new local clientele.”

Home Help UK Ltd has a reputation amongst customers for handling a wide range of care needs, however challenging. Its care-workers carry

Sue Kimberley receives award from Howard Linsley (L) and Lindsay Dibden (R)

out daily tasks, preparing meals, housekeeping and managing personal hygiene, or provide transportation for appointments and shopping. Services range from regular, fifteen minute appointments organised on recommendation from Social Services; to full-day appointments and even 24 hour care.

For further information, call 01730 892788.

Navigate Design celebrates 10th anniversary This year marks the 10th anniversary of Navigate Design, a Hampshirebased services marketing and communications agency. In January 2012, Navigate launched Communicate, a 16-page printed newsletter, to commemorate 10 memorable years since it was founded by Gareth Gammon in Petersfield.

Gareth said: “We are very pleased with our strong portfolio of clients.

We are also proud of our team and the quality work they produce”.

For more information about Navigate and services offered, please visit: www.navigate-design.com

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(l to r): Gareth Gammon, Julie Blackwell, Emma Gaisford, Neil Pafford, Dan Vear, Joe Ogden, Nick Keith, Graham Martin, Florence Howes, Nikki Jeffries, Joe, Polly, Ann Cooper, and Treina Smyth

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Business

Environmentally friendly bird lovers ensure pet shop recycling scheme is a fly away success Bird lovers in Petersfield must be among the most devoted in the country if the sales of bird seed at a town pet shop are anything to go by. What’s more they are also supporting the environment by buying seed through an innovative plastic milk bottle recycling scheme.

Customers of Farringdons Pet Care Centre, in Lavant Street, buy the seed in recycled one pint, two pint or four pint bottles. Every time they bring a bottle back they get ten pence off their next purchase. The scheme has been operating for just nine months but already it’s proving a big hit with local people.

The scheme was the brainchild of Mrs Carter’s daughter Abbie, 22, who first came across the concept of selling bird seed in bottles in America and Canada while working for a big wholesale pet food

company. However, as glass bottles would require large amounts of storage space and be prohibitively expensive the family decided to reuse plastic milk bottles.

The family wash and dry the bottles, fill them up and label them as required. Whether it’s basic wild bird seed, specialist varieties, or even meal worms, all types of bird feed are now sold in recycled milk bottles.

gardens. Many are elderly people who get a special thrill out of having feathered visitors but we also have bird seed customers from every age group. Petersfield is very much a bird loving community.”

For further information contact Lorraine Carter on 01730 263297 or email farringdonspets@ btconnect.com.

The shop has a lot of bird seed customers and seed sales make up a big part of its business, especially during the winter. Typically it will sell about half a ton of bird seed a week – which means a lot of milk bottles are reused.

Lorraine Carter, who owns the shop with husband Adrian, said: “There are a lot of bird lovers out there, when they come in they really like talking about the birds in their

Lorraine Carter with one of the reused milk bottles PLU

MB ING £££ £ Pic © Killgerm Chemicals Ltd

Counting the cost of a pest problem?

Pest problems cost British businesses thousands of pounds each year.

From damage to / contamination of stock, closure of business due to infestations, damage to electrical cables or pipes, the implications are endless.

East Hampshire District Council Pest Control provides a pest control or prevention service for all commercial businesses.

Our service can be tailored to suit individual needs, from ad-hoc treatments to long-term contracts.

To find out about our range of services and prices, please go to our website: www.easthants.gov.uk/pestcontrol If you have a pest problem or want to avoid having one, we’re here to help. Call 01730 234 360 for a free, no obligation quote.

NG

IRI

£ £ £ £

W RE

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business

East Hants Businesses Save Money & Resources East Hampshire Environment Network (EHEN) has been given a grant by the EH Community Partnership to help businesses save money and resources by adopting environmental management. EHEN will hold a series of meetings with business groups and individual firms over the coming months to discuss environmental management and the benefits it can bring in terms of cost saving, increased efficiency, enhanced reputation, and expanded opportunities.

EHEN will base its work on an environmental management system designed specifically for small businesses, called STEM (Steps to

Environmental Management). As the name suggests, STEM is a step-bystep programme: it is easy to use, on-line, compatible with ISO14001… and best of all its FREE! STEM offers a framework for businesses to analyse their energy and resource use, check that they are compliant with regulations which apply to them, develop environmentally friendly policies, reduce costs and win new business.

Steve Longmore of Novatech (computer manufacturer) in Portchester says “The title “Steps to Environmental Management” does not do justice to this project – this is truly a powerful management tool

that will save businesses money.

Landfill waste was a huge cost to our business. Elimination, reuse and recycling have resulted in significant savings. We are now looking at other areas for more savings...”

EHEN will contact businesses across East Hants in the coming months to invite them to join our programme.

For more information about Saving Money and Resources, contact John Charnock-Wilson, EHEN Director on 07785 502302 or email john.cw@ easthampshire-environment.net

Horndean businesses pulling together in the Horndean Business Network Never has there been a better time to build local alliances. One of the few upsides of an economic downturn is that businesses become more creative, more receptive to new ideas and seek out new ways of working. One such success story is the Horndean Business Network, a group of diverse local businesses working together, promoting each other and helping the community.

From organising Christmas Markets to Exhibition stands, the Horndean Business Network has brought local people together for fun and for business opportunities. Established

by Brendan Charles, Community Manager at Merchistoun Hall, the Horndean Business Network is working with the Horndean Parish

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Council and East Hants District Council to enhance the area.

“Horndean is a fabulous place” explained Brendan “and collectively we can help our community thrive.”

Their latest event “Business Alliances and Developing your Business in Horndean” comprises a series of workshops and exhibitions held at Merchistoun Hall. The first event, aimed at helping young people meet local employers and explore the possibility of starting their own businesses was held on 27 April 2012.

With a business networking session over lunch, the event also reflected the need to build a base of local businesses supporting each other, extending opportunities to develop alliances and find new customers.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Participating firms include RKdia, Japics Photographic, Web of Knowledge, Citylocal and Create with Joy. The Horndean Business Network welcomes new members and further information is available from admin@merchistounhall.co.uk.

Business Regulatory Services:

Changes to the reporting of accidents and incidents at work requirements The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) is the law that requires employers, and other people who are in control of work premises, to report and keep records of: • Work related deaths • Serious injuries for example an amputation, dislocation of a shoulder, loss of sight • Cases of diagnosed industrial disease and • Certain ‘dangerous occurrences’ (near miss incidents).

From 6 April 2012, the over-threeday reporting requirement for people injured at work will change to more than seven days. From then, you only have to report injuries that lead to a worker being incapacitated for more than seven consecutive days as a result of an occupational accident or injury (not counting the day of the accident but including weekends and rest days). The report must be made within 15 days of the accident (go to www.hse.gov.uk/ riddor).

You must still keep a record of the accident if the worker has been incapacitated for more than

three consecutive days. If you are an employer, who must keep an accident book under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, that record can be treated as a record for the purposes of RIDDOR. These are the main changes to the reporting requirements for deaths, major injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences that employers need to be aware of.

For more information, please visit www.hse.gov.uk

First Friday Petersfield is 9 First Friday Petersfield, the monthly business networking lunch event, celebrates its ninth anniversary in 2012. Organized jointly by Navigate Design and Antrobus, First Friday has booked a great line-up of events for this year, and notable speakers with insider information for business – including Damian Hinds MP and the Bank of England.

These popular business meetings on the first Friday of the month start at noon with 30 minutes of networking, followed by a twocourse meal – hosted by Mary Arshadi at the Folly Upstairs, College Street, Petersfield – and finish with a speaker or event.

The first event of 2012 on 3 February featured Butser Ancient Farm and attracted more than 50 attendees.

This is the Ancient Farm’s 40th

birthday and directors Simon Jay and Maureen Page outlined an exciting programme of events for the year. www.butserancientfarm. co.uk Given the difficult economic situation, the First Friday speaker on 2 March ticked all boxes. Chris Piper joined the Bank of England in 1975, and spoke at First Friday in 2008, at the start of the downturn.

In May Damian Hinds MP came to First Friday Petersfield for the second time to share his observations, his hopes, plans and responsibilities for our area, and to answer questions. He talked about role and impact of Government policy, which is felt more strongly by business than ever – Budget cuts, spending reviews, defence reviews, abolition of SEEDA, red

(from l to r) Gareth Gammon, Simon Jay, Mary Arshadi, Mike Kirby (Antrobus), Maureen Page

tape, taxation, PAYE, VAT etc. They all impact on our daily, professional lives.

First Friday returns on 7 September with an inside view of the Olympics from Petersfield resident and businesswoman, Tracey Richardson, a member of the Olympics Media Team.

For full details and to book, go to: www.first-friday.org For further information, contact, Florence Howes, Navigate Design 01730 235666. florence.howes@ navigate-design.com East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

15

Business

Buy With Confidence, the Council’s own approved trader scheme, is proud to announce that it has just approved its 600th local business member!

1 All members are fully audited face to face by Trading Standard Officers to ensure they comply with both the spirit and letter of the law and act in a honest and fair way.

That means there are now 600 reputable local businesses – including plumbers, electricians, tree surgeons and many other things you might need - approved

by Trading Standards to show that they are trustworthy.

2 All members must pass basic criminal record checks, be fully insured and pass customer reference checks, to name but a few of the requirements.

when employing a local trader:

S

TR

TA Dwhy the public use Three reasons S NGBuy WithNConfidence I A the scheme D

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Choose from 600 businesses approved by Trading Standards and Buy With Confidence!

TRADING STANDARDS

If you think your business has got what it takes and you want TRADIN G STdelay…

ANDA to get involved, don’t APPRO RDS apply today at VED www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

LEGAL HONEST FAIR

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3 It’s one of few schemes that will help both parties should there be a problem or complaint. A Trading Standards Officer is there to help resolve matters and take away the worry and stress.

• directory now available

• H O NEST

TRADING STANDARDS • LEGALapproved by trading standards…

It’s easy! To find local businesses • HONEST or to find out about joining the scheme: RADING • FAIR Telephone 08454 040506 NDARDS or visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk PROVED Legal • Honest • Fair

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East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

T ST AP

Business

Managing sickness absence manage how sickness absence impacts on business and their bottom line.

Karen Jackson

The cost to British business of sick days is estimated to be £16.8bn per year. Every employer will recognise that it’s inevitable that staff may need time off for illness. It’s a fact of life. But how exactly are employers to manage this and minimise the impact on their business?

Employers often don’t appreciate that there is a lot they can do to

comes to the law. The disability discrimination legislation in the Equality Act 2010 imposes a number of obligations on employers which they simply cannot afford to get wrong. The stakes are high.

Employers must have a clear sickness policy, self-certification forms and need to organise return to work interviews. None of this is as onerous, time-consuming or formal as it sounds. They need to have a clear plan of action to tackle repeat intermittent shortterm absences. These should be recorded, investigated and raised to disciplinary status. They also need clear policies around longterm absence for more serious conditions.

Such matters need to be dealt with by specialist lawyers with experience and skills in dealing with an often tricky situation which needs sensitive handling. We can help employers before they get into trouble. We urge employers to take steps today to protect their businesses from the risk and offer a free initial consultation.

If a condition is sufficiently longterm, employers may find they are dealing with disability. This is a whole different arena when it

www.didlaw.com

Better business, together

Generate more profit for your business Strategic Alliances (SAs) allow you

will have a bookkeeper but what

credibility and could form part of a

to reach new markets and improve

about marketing? Or IT services?

potential client’s decision to trade

your bottom line at low cost,

Benefit: an opportunity to cross sell

with you over a competitor. Benefit:

minimal risk. Benefit: shown to

and retain customers.

new custom.

Mutual data sharing enhances any

Anticipate clients’ needs and tell

SAs are becoming a more and

marketing you do. It costs between

them: “We can do that” and watch

more common tool for expanding

4 and 10 times more to acquire

your profits grow.

the reach of your company without

a new customer than to keep an

committing yourself to expensive

existing one (CIM). Benefit: lower

internal expansions beyond your

your customer acquisition cost.

boost turnover by 18%!

core business. Benefit: provide

To find out more about SAs and how to benefit your business

To conclude: Clients don’t buy

contact Madeline Morton

from you for what you do but for

023 9269 8945 / 07425 133084

Clients benefit from your larger

what your services will do for them.

e: info@

network. A typical accountant SA

A well- chosen SA will boost your

businessgrowthandsupport.co.uk

extra services at little or no cost.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

17

Business

Coaching and Counselling – how do they differ?

If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between

So in essence coaching is:

coaching and counselling you’re not alone. The two

• The process that moves you forwards from the place you are right now to the life you’d rather have.

terms are often confused, but in fact they’re very different.

Counselling focuses on the past and is about understanding and coming to terms with what’s happened to you. However, coaching recognises that the past is important but draws a line underneath it and focuses on your future.

They are constantly amazed that small but significant changes at home and work can help them achieve the very goals that they may have regretfully set aside.

And that life can indeed become easier, happier, more exciting and more rewarding.

• A confidential and special partnership between coach and client that inspires you to achieve things that you never thought possible.

• Not just a to-do list. It’s about setting inspirational goals and achievable actions. It’s also about developing self-awareness; learning how to manage emotions and gaining a fresh perspective on things.

• Not an ongoing relationship. You might be surprised to learn that 6 sessions over 3-4 months are usually enough.

Why not find a coach? It could transform your life Cara Moore Professional Coaching; www.caramoore.co.uk

Networking for business - Does it work?

The short answer is yes, but the real question at the back of people’s mind is “when” and the answer to that combines a number of factors.

Networking for business is about the long-term, and should be very much considered as the journey and not the destination in terms of gaining business. It is extremely rare that you will meet someone with whom you will do business immediately - it can happen, but not often!

Networking for business is about building relationships, establishing trust and allowing people to know and understand the product or service you offer. When you achieve that, people will feel able to refer you when they are talking to their contacts or become a client/customer when they have a need for the product or service that you provide.

18

But business networking is about so much more than simply gaining new business. What you find when networking are like-minded people, support, advice, potential business alliances and opportunities to work with others for mutual benefit - and, often, new friends

• Is your business very specialised? Do you need to network in specific professional groups? Do you need to network in single gender groups?

If you have gained absolutely nothing from networking for business then here is some ‘food for thought’:

• Are you selling instead of networking?

• Does the way you tell people about your business tell a strong story of what your business does?

• Do you know who you want to connect with and are you specific about that?

• Are you prepared to ‘give’ first?

• Do you follow up every lead or referral you are given?

• Do you just hear or do you really ‘listen’ to the other person?

The final tip, be confident and enthusiastic about your business and smile!

• Do you ask questions?

Happy Networking!

• Do you share logical and coherent information or simply bombard the other person with detail about your business?

© Laura Swetman AQ Networking for business

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

www.aqnetworkingforbusiness.co.uk

Business

So you want to start your own business?

Are you ready?

Really, really ready for take off?

Article by: Cathy Hogg, Charwell House (Alton)

The most important thing in business is to know who you are competing with: what they offer, their standards and their prices.

How will you will be different? Take British Airways – they are top of their market in quality and price.

EasyJet is also a household name and very successful, but the quality is different and the prices reflect that. Find the market sector which suits you and match the prices, materials and packages. It would be no good to have BA prices, but offer an EasyJet service. Or vice versa. Both are two of the best and we go to each of them knowing exactly what we are going to

receive. It is all about expectations and that way you will keep your clients. They come to you with an expectation and it needs to be met. A mismatch causes problems: honesty in everything you do is the winning formula.

Once you have found your Unique Selling Point (USP): find a short sentence that explains what you do and what makes you different from the others. BA’s USP is quality and style. EasyJet’s USP is low cost flights with no frills.

business world is finding new clients. Once you have them, nurture them, so that when competition comes knocking, they are not interested because of the bonds of trust and loyalty are well established.

Now, it’s your time to fly with your flag held high!

Charwell House, The Alton Business Centre, Wilsom Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2PP. t: 01420 540 258 f: 01420 544 098 w: www.OfficeSpaceAlton.co.uk

Now you can decide on your logo, your materials, your agreements, your website – these are all things that should reinforce your USP. The most costly thing in the

Too much advice is bad for business Article by Sheryl Andrews

Are you great at giving advice and suggestions to others, how often are those ideas implemented?

Advice is only helpful if it is exactly the right advice at the right time.

So how do you know when it is the right advice at the right time?

Answer: Ask questions like: What is working and how do you know it is working?

What do you hear and see that tells you it is working?

What is not working and how do you know what do you hear and see that tells you that?

to team discussions.

What needs to happen for it to work better?

Tell your team the solution is to pre book calls and then think everyone will start making calls. What if they have a fear of the phones no matter how much pre booking happens calls won’t happen.

Here is an example: Problem: Team not making enough sales calls and now the team leader is avoiding having discussions with them, not wanting to listen to their excuses.

Solution: She found making calls to her clients easy, because she had planned and booked them in advance. The people were expecting her to call and she was unlikely to be ‘rejected’ She decided to transfer this skill and attitude over

Possible Big Mistake:

Top Tip: Ask questions to fully understand the problem before making suggestions. They will often find their own solution saving you both time and energy.

Sheryl Andrews Step by Step Listening

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

19

Business in the community

Businesses Supporting the Local Community Futuresys like to give back to the local community and is sponsoring a major event in Liss, the “Sewards of Petersfield Steam and Vintage Vehicle Gathering” in July. The organisers of the event are looking for more sponsors and will help promote your business online. Visit www.sewards-of-petersfield.co.uk or email events@sewards-of-petersfield.co.uk Futuresys are an established UK web design and development agency providing quality web services to businesses of all sizes from small start-ups to international corporates. Futuresys helps its customers

to get more from the internet and the ever changing online technologies available. As part of its web service the business is constantly reviewing what the web can do for its customers’ businesses and how the online community can help businesses grow and become more profitable. Futuresys adopts a flexible approach which means all our customers, regardless of size, are given the same level of attention and professional advice and service.

For more information, please visit: www.futuresys.co.uk

M I Bone Builders M I Bone Builders are proud to be supporting the Soapbox Derby in Bordon. We are on the planning committee and will be supplying the crowd barriers, generators, control tents and vehicles on the day. We believe that in these hard times it’s important to support the community; this will give our company an advantage once the economy improves. For this reason we also sponsored Bordon’s Christmas for the past two years and have started sponsoring a local Hot Rod. Mi Bone builders will also be supporting the Whitehill Bordon Jubilee events

the business as they have seen it at the events, gone to the Mi Bone Builders’ website and seen its reports on Cheakatrade, all of which are invaluable when competing for work.

Mi Bone Builders is a family run building firm based in Bordon and with over 35 years’ experience.

The business is a member of

Local companies need to do more to support their future customers, good image and word of mouth are best advertising available. The business has found that sponsoring/ supporting local events has given us much more coverage then any other advertising they have tried.

The Bordon Soapbox Derby last year was shown on BBC Breakfast and this gave the business a national coverage. They have also found that when visiting potential customers to give quotes, the customers already know a bit about

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East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Checkatrade and works with East Hants District Council Private Sector Team, installing disabled alterations and wet rooms. Mi Bone Builders undertakes all aspects of building work and the business has a number of electricians and plumbers.

For more information, please visit: www.mibonebuilders.co.uk

Tourism, leisure and hospitality

Take an electric bike for a spin in the South Downs The Electric Bicycle Network has launched their first operation in the South East, in the South Downs, giving visitors the opportunity to hire and ride ebikes around the rural lanes and trails of the National Park.

The pilot scheme has a fleet of ten bikes based at the western end of the South Downs, available to hire at Alice Holt Forest Centre, Petersfield, Alton and Easebourne. Riders can stop to recharge themselves while they charge up their ebikes at 13 local attractions, cafes and pubs – supporting local businesses and helping to reduce the impact of traffic in the National Park.

Nick Heasman, Western Area Manager for the South Downs National Park which has contributed start-up funding to the project, said:

“By hiring electric bicycles people can explore the South Downs’ quiet country lanes and help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the National Park. This is also a terrific opportunity for local attractions, shops and cafes to become charge or hire points and work together to encourage visitors to enjoy the park more sustainably.

“The electric bicycles open up new parts of the South Downs National Park to the less agile, allowing more people to access the big hills and experience landscapes that were previously open only to the fittest cyclists.”

Camilla Swiderska, Sustainable Transport Campaigner for CPRE Hampshire, said:

“Last year CPRE ran a trial in Medstead and Four Marks which proved that ebikes are easy and fun to ride and very popular with people of all ages. So we thought that a new pool of ebikes in the National Park would be great for eco-tourism and the wider countryside.”

The full list of hire and charge points, as well as information on how to book bikes, is available from the Electric Bicycle Network at www.electricbicyclenetwork. com. The local businesses will set prices for hire but it’s estimated that the ebikes will cost around £15 per person for a half day.

(Story adapted from www.southdowns.gov.uk)

Need to get fit?

Free Taro membership Did you know that if you are a full time worker you spend around a third of your life at work? And – if that job involves sitting at a PC and you then go home and sit in front of the TV, are you aware that you are risk of developing health problems relating to sedentary behaviour – such as being overweight and obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some forms of cancer?

If you are aged between 35 and 50; are not on regular medication and would attend a gym or leisure centre but would like to increase your fitness, improve your health outcomes and increase your wellbeing, Taro Leisure Centre would like to hear from you.

They are looking to select 100 sedentary people to take part in an exciting project that aims to prove that they can improve your health – and in return for your commitment to fitness they will offer you a free 12 month membership to the newly re-furbished centre plus free health checks including cholesterol testing and blood pressure.

What’s more, you’ll be monitored during the year using the very latest technology that measures calorie output and effort.

Interested? Contact Dave Brown, Fitness Manager at Taro Leisure Centre on 01730 263996 for more information.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

21

Tourism, leisure and hospitality

Petersfield Museum Petersfield Museum is a small independent museum that encompasses two sites in the historic market town of Petersfield.

The museum has three main collections the Social History of the town and surrounding area, an extensive Costume collection with pieces dating back to the 18th century, and the collection of local artist Flora Twort, whose paintings and sketches depict the town in the early part of the 20th century.

The Social History collections are displayed at the late 19th Century Magistrates Courthouse, behind the Police Station. The Museum holds an extensive collection of objects, maps, photographs, oral history, and archival material on the history of Petersfield and the surrounding area.

Highlights in the museums displays include a Penny Farthing bicycle, a collection of archaeological artefacts on loan from Portsmouth Museum and Hampshire Museum Service that were excavated locally

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and show what life was like in this area thousands of years ago. There are also displays of local pubs and breweries and the music festival.

The museum has many different interactive exhibits that can be enjoyed by the whole family. If you visit during the school holidays there will be family activities to take part in and there is an Explorer Pack, which will help you to discover interesting facts about both sites, available all year. The museum has a well stocked gift shop where you can find a range of books on local subjects as well as unusual gifts.

A short walk across St Peter’s churchyard, the Flora Twort Gallery (Petersfield Museum) houses the Bedales Historic Costume Collection, the Community Gallery, and work by local artist Flora Twort.

Both the museum and gallery are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4pm from the 7th March to the 15th December 2012. Admission to both buildings is free.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Tourism, leisure and hospitality

Alton House Hotel Alton House Hotel bucks the recession trend with more customers than ever using the hotel for meetings and accommodation.

The hotel has seen business increase from both the commercial sector with room rates from £59 and meetings from £25 and leisure market with people taking breaks and holding parties. A particular trend is for 40th birthday parties, comments General Manager Peter Dann who went on to say that competitive pricing and a strong and enthusiastic team were the main contributors of this success.

The hotel has a talented back of house team as well with accomplished head and second

chefs, both named Chris and recently expanded its management team with a dedicated meetings and events coordinator, Sam Pitman. Alton House was recently visited by MP Damian Hinds on a fact finding tour of employers who run apprentice schemes, which Hollybourne Hotels, parent company of Alton House Hotel, runs very successfully with most apprentices gaining swift promotion.

Alton House Hotel along with the other hotels in the group, The Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke, Farnham House Hotel, Georgian House Hotel & Spa, Haslemere and Manor House Hotel and Spa in Guildford all offering structured

training programmes including apprenticeships together with facilities for meetings and events as well as overnight accommodation at special reduced rates for local businesses.

For more information visit the groups website www. hollybournehotels.com Contact: Jonathan Waugh 01420 541682

100th Anniversary at Gilbert White’s House & The Oates Collection in Selborne 2012 is an important anniversary year – The Queen has been on the throne for 60 years, the Titantic went down, Charles Dickens was born, and the Olympic Games are coming to town. But for Selborne the most important of them is the anniversary of the Captain Scott expedition to the South Pole.

Gilbert White’s House in Selborne was set up by a member of the Oates family to commemorate both the pioneering 18th century naturalist, Gilbert White, and also Captain Lawrence Oates, who accompanied Captain Scott to the South Pole. Oates is remembered for what are perhaps the most famous last words in history ‘I am just going out now and may be some time’. On 17th March 1912, knowing that he was holding his companions back and hoping to save their lives, Oates walked out of the tent, never to be seen again.

Gilbert White’s House has a brand new exhibition to Captain Oates which traces not only the fascinating story of the exhibition but also his early life as a soldier. It is illustrated by marvellous contemporary photographs taken on the exhibition

by Herbert Ponting, by fascinating archive film, some wonderful archive material and artefacts including an amazing model of Scott’s ship, the Terra Nova.

Downstairs we have a fascinating exhibition to Gilbert White, an excellent shop and a first class Tea Parlour serving delicious teas and excellent lunches. Outside is Gilbert’s garden restored as it was in the 18th century.

GILBERT WHITE’S HOUSE & THE OATES COLLECTION SELBORNE, ALTON GU34 3JH www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk 01420 511275 East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

23

Tourism, leisure and hospitality

Hampshire B&B scoops Gold at the 2011 Beautiful South Awards St Mary’s Hall in Alton won Gold in the Best B&B/Guest Accommodation category at the 2011 Beautiful South Awards for excellence in tourism.

The prestigious ceremony was held at Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking. Taking to the stage to be presented with their award, Joan and Jack from St Mary’s Hall were in good company. High profile winners in other categories included Royal Ascot, Gatwick Airport, Blenheim Palace and The Aviator boutique hotel in Farnborough.

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St Mary’s Hall is a beautifully converted church close to popular visitor attractions such as Jane Austen’s House and the Watercress Line. As well as the high standard of accommodation (four stars and a Silver Award from Visit Britain/Enjoy England), guests often comment on the warmth of welcome when they arrive – “More like staying with friends”, the excellent service and attention to detail throughout their visit – “A home away from home”.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

For more information about St Mary’s Hall, please visit altonbedandbreakfast.co.uk For more information about the 2011 Beautiful South Awards see beautifulsouthawards.co.uk

Employment, skills and training

Alton College introduces Customer Service Apprenticeships Alton College is delighted to announce the introduction of Customer Service Apprenticeships offered at NVQ Level 2 Intermediate and NVQ Level 3 Advanced.

Customer Service is at the heart of all businesses across a range of industries and in this demanding climate it is crucial that employers provide excellent Customer Service in order to succeed and grow to achieve a competitive edge.

Training is Government funded with the aim to provide a high quality, work based route for individuals in the skills that employers need for their business. Small businesses enjoy the added incentive of £1500 to take on an apprentice.

Training apprentices can be more

cost effective than hiring skilled staff, leading to reduced overall training and recruitment costs. The apprenticeship programme at Alton College has been designed to help employees reach a high level of competence and performance.

Apprenticeships combine on-thejob training with day release at Alton College to gain the appropriate nationally recognised NVQ qualification.

In East Hampshire, there has been an over 50% increase in the number of people beginning apprenticeships over the last academic year, with 280 people taking up places in 2009-10 rising to 430 for the year 2010-11.

Further apprenticeships are available in Management, Team

Damian Hinds and Sara Russell, Vice Principal Curriculum, Quality and Organisation Development in the Alton College Nursery who employ one of the apprentices

Leadership, Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Workforce.

Contact Christine Burkie, Apprenticeship and Training Manager at Alton College on 01420 592210

Ben Phillips - young enterpreneur from Walderton Ambitious 14 year old Ben Phillips from Walderton near Chichester is a student at Horndean Technology College in Hampshire and is keen to make an early start in the world of business.

Ben, who is studying Graphic Design and Business Studies at GCSE, is passionate about technology.

He is always looking for the next opportunity to earn. At the age of 14, the teenage entrepreneur set his sights high and starting his own professional business venture, BPE.

BPE’s first venture is a branded range of computer cleaning products.

Ben has some fantastic offers for retailers and fundraising organisations who are prepared to take bulk quantities, and has a list of prospective customers that he is planning to pitch to.

33% of the profit Ben made in 2011 went to Portsmouth Hospital’s NHS Trust Rocky Appeal.

If you would like support him in his venture by making a

Ben and his products

purchase, please go to www.bpenterprises.co.uk and remember that every purchase also helps the community through the great work of the Rocky Appeal.

For further details visit www.porthosp.nhs.uk/ rocky-appeal.html.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Employment, skills and training

Wheels to Work Is your business in a rural location?

Do your staff experience difficulties in getting to work?

Then Wheels to Work could be the answer.

If your staff are aged between 16 to 25 years old and have no access to private or public transport then

the loan period.

The scheme is funded by East

they could loan a moped in order to

Hampshire District Council and

access employment.

Hampshire County Council in

The mopeds can be loaned for between 3 to 12 months for a cost of £15 per week.

order to benefit young people by increasing the employment opportunities available to them, especially in rural areas.

All users will need to complete the Compulsory Basic Training and will be provided with a high visibility jacket, gloves and a helmet. All

Those wanting to find out more about the Wheels to Work

mopeds are fully insured and taxed.

scheme can contact Alison Wells,

During the scheme users will also

Wheels to Work Co-ordinator on

receive help with putting in place

0845 521 6405 or

travel arrangements for the end of

mopedloan@cfnf.org.uk

Year 6 go into business at Churcher’s College Junior School In the second half of the Spring term the Year 6 pupils at Churcher’s College Junior School embarked on the Young Enterprise scheme.

This has involved setting up 4 businesses with the help of the Young Enterprise business advisors who guided the students each week with their own ‘Board Meeting’ to discuss progress and set targets that needed to be achieved each week.

The 4 businesses of Hatch, Spark, Churcher’s Craft Company and Chirpy Chicks all focussed their attention on researching, making, marketing and finally selling their products at a stall they organised at The Square in Petersfield and at an end of term School Fayre.

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They made an incredible £735.44 profit – with all proceeds going to the Gambian Schools Appeal – a new charitable link the school has recently made which sponsors individual children.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Senior Teacher Alex Greenaway described the energy and entrepreneurial skills of the 11 year old pupils as ”amazing “, considering the children are only 11 years old – watch out Sir Alan Sugar”!

Business East Hants members

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Jackie Wright 0808 198 8314 or 07747 801430 info@jwutilities.co.uk www.jwutilities.co.uk

Charges, terms and conditions apply. See the Utility Warehouse website for full details.

Travelling Overseas on Business or GAP Year?

TRAVEL SAFETY AND SECURITY TRAINING THAT WORKS FOR YOU BUSINESS TRAVELLER A two day course designed to meet the needs of the business traveller. The course covers pre-travel preparation, travel safety and security, plus basic First Aid.

GAP YEAR TRAVEL SAFETY A one day course for young people travelling overseas for the first time or to unfamiliar areas.

JOHN JACOBS CONSULTING training courses are derived from the decades of experience that our trainers bring to the arena of insecure environment training.

Tel: 01420 87980 www.jacobsconsulting.co.uk

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business East Hants members

Mooka Gelato and sorbet bar Mooka is located at the Folly market in Petersfield Hampshire and offers a wide range of Gelati and sorbets.

All Gelati and sorbets are made in small batches using classic methods and natural ingredients.

The Italian state of the art machinery is on site and you are very welcome to visit the shop. Enjoy a cone or select your favourite flavours to take home in an insulated tub.

Gelato contain only 8% fat on average (about half the fat found in commercial ice-cream) and delivers sensational flavours.

Mooka sorbets contain around 50% fruit and offer fresh and tangy flavours. All sorbets are gluten egg and dairy free.

ready to serve and available in some popular flavours.

Mooka has some 30 different flavours of Gelati and sorbets on its menu, but other flavours can be made to your request and specification .Wholesale packaging is offered in 5lt tubs, but other sizes can be arranged to suit your needs. Mooka can supply cones, spoons or any other related items.

Depending on your set up you may wish to use our branded personal spoon in lid tubs (120ml) .Those are

If you are looking for something really special Mooka can offer handmade lollies (using our own Gelati or sorbets) in different shapes, sizes and finishes. Those are perfect for corporate events, weddings, hen nights, birthdays, christenings and any celebration.

Presenting to the world… without costing the earth!

Article by BeThere Global Over the past 3 years, Liss based BeThere Global has successfully recorded and web broadcast hundreds of conferences for major corporate clients and trade associations in places as far afield as Hong Kong and Hawaii.

What’s different about the BeThere Global solution is that it involves video recording the live action at the same time as directly recording the on screen presentations and immediately combining them as a single video stream. This means a remote viewer gets to see and hear exactly what they would if they were in the room. The equipment is so portable it can even be carried on board a plane and the entire operation can be carried out by just one technician.

Co-founder Martin Shepherdly said, “After a long career producing conferences, I started BeThere

28

Global because I couldn’t find a reliable method of webcasting a conference that didn’t involve a van load of gear, a team of technicians and an eye-watering bill at the end of it.” Martin added, “We also want to change the situation where truly valuable – in the medical world sometimes lifesaving – presentations produced at great effort and expense are typically seen once only by an audience limited to the number that can be squeezed into the room.”

In recent months the BeThere Global team have made another major leap forward and are now able to stream to iPad, iPhone and other mobile devices. This new facility had its first outing in Europe in February where they webcast the Blackberry Developer Conference in Amsterdam.

For more information visit www.bethereglobal.com

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

The Mooka shop is open now.

Please call 07748700937

Inner Health, Outer Beauty A Holistic Approach to Health

Reflexology Hot Stone Therapy Ear Candling Indian Head Massage Reiki Holistic Facials Aromatherapy Foot Health Practitioner No Hands Massage Crystal Therapy Call Kathy Justice today for an appointment t: 01730 895663 m: 07795 670962 w: www.inner-health.co.uk Based at a beautiful, enchanting home studio in Liss

Business East Hants members

Green Daisy Products Many customers do not want any artificial colours or fragrances in their products. It’s a NO to Parabens or SLS’s, NO to Lanolin and Petro Chemicals and definitely NO to animal testing. And that’s just the beginning of the list.

Article by Amy Murphy-Watts (Nature’s Wish t/a Green Daisy Products) Last year, when I started my business it meant so many things to learn, decisions to make and endless lists of things to do. But it has all been an exciting learning curve. Green Daisy Products was started because of my passion for Natural and Organic body cosmetics. When I started a family I became very aware of what ingredients were in products and saw just how many are not kind to the skin. So where possible I opted for a more natural kind. This in turn created a drive in me to find natural products which led to the setting up of a web site - Green Daisy Products.

Green Daisy Products is an online business retailing Natural and Organic Body Care and Cosmetics products covering pregnancy, babies, children and adults.

The business has opened up a whole new world for me. A world of wonderfully natural smelling products, made from Nature’s own essential oils. Who needs artificial perfumes (parfum) when the natural scents are all there ready to use?

Despite the current economic climate the Natural and Organic body cosmetics industry is booming. More and more people are aware of what they are actually putting onto their skin. Buying Natural and Organic gives you the feel good factor as you know it is good for your body. Most companies are now becoming very conscious about their ingredients and where possible they are also using renewable sources or recyclable material for their packaging. It is a win win! Good for you, better for the environment.

People say that buying Natural and Organic is too expensive. What they do not realise is that because of the nature of the ingredients you do not need to use as much. You may spend a bit more, but you will use less and so products last longer. Of course you may run the risk that you are enjoying them so much that you have to keep applying the wonderful hand creams for example. But you can not have too much of a good thing!

The Green Daisy Products website stocks everyday products from shampoos, shower gels to moisturisers and cleansers. There’s

also a sports range and wellbeing.

And for that extra special pamper there’s wonderful facial and body oils, body scrubs and more, that smell divine. The web site www. greendaisyproducts.co.uk was created to enable customers to browse and buy many ranges of products. It enables customers to compare the products, see the ingredients and order at their leisure.

For more information, please visit www.greendaisyproducts.co.uk

Photos: Examples of ranges sold on Green Daisy Products

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Business East Hants members

Sweet Inspiration - Cakes and cupcakes for every occasion Article by Angie Feeney (Sweet Inspiration) Receive a discount of 10% by mentioning ‘Business East Hants magazine’.

Sweet Inspiration is a boutique bakery offering gorgeous cakes and cupcakes for every occasion. The business although still fairly new, has already grown considerably and has a good reputation for their divine tasting cakes, and attention to detail. All cakes are baked from scratch by the owner Angie Feeney, and she always uses top quality ingredients - local, free-range & organic whenever possible.

The whole cake concept is made

by Angie - baked, designed and created to your satisfaction. Angie specialises in bespoke celebration & wedding cakes, with a traditional, elegant & romantic style. She also loves the ‘on trend’ cupcake towers.

Angie says, “I love to create these towers of beautiful cupcakes; they are little edible works of art.

Although the buttercream cupcakes are very popular, I love to design the more intricate fondant cupcakes with beautiful handmade sugar flowers”.

Angie is proud that she can offer cakes for your special occasion that are a little bit different to the normal round iced cake with a name on!

How about a Hatbox or a Handbag cake for that special lady, or a football/sport themed cake for the boys - both big and small!

Sweet Inspiration is fully insured and the kitchens are registered and inspected by Havant Borough Council.

For more information, please visit: www.sweetinspirationcakes.co.uk or call 07813 149861

Couples who wish to discuss their wedding cake will be offered a free consultation along with cake tasters. This does not include the budget range of wedding cakes being launched in April. This range will be a selection of sweet & simple cakes designed to give everyone the opportunity of a beautiful cake at affordable prices.

Handmade Traditional Indian Recipe MM Products is a growing company based in Alton Hampshire, manufacturing a selection of Indian savoury snacks. We provide a variety of savoury products to suit every occasion and all our snacks are made on request on a daily basis using quality ingredients, in the traditional home made way.

Our selection Spicy Gramflour Noodles Ready to eat crunchy fried strands of gram flour seasoned with spicy red chillies.

Savoury Crunchy Strips Ready to eat ribbon-like strips of crunchy pastry delicately seasoned with black pepper & carom Seeds.

Bhajia Mix Pre-prepared batter mix that can be ready in minutes – simply add water and sliced potatoes - and serve hot or cold as a light lunch or with dips for a perfect appetizer.

Try our tasty selection now!

For further info contact: mkmatharu@btinternet.com or write to MM Products, PO Box 122, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 5YN

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East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

Business East Hants members

Web Design and Full Steam Ahead Article by Futuresys

www.cluson.co.uk

Your website is the shop window to your business. Whether you sell tangible products directly online, through distribution channels or provide services, the first place your potential customers go to educate themselves about your business is your website. It is important customers find what they need quickly and easily.

Futuresys have the business knowledge and web design skills to help ensure your website drives sales and integrates with your internal processes to improve profitability.

The Clulite name is synonymous with quality and it was important the website portrayed this. Key requirements of the web design and development included clearly presented products, allowing customers to make educated decisions about which products to purchase, and high rankings in the search engines. The Futuresys design team, with their comprehensive search engine optimisation skills, delivered on both counts. The website now has an endless flow of customers purchasing a wide range of products.

One recent success is the new Clulite website for local business Cluson Engineering Ltd (manufacturer and distributor of high powered rechargeable torches),

Get a better website for your business, call Futuresys on 01730 300351, or visit www.futuresys. co.uk for more information.

East Hampshire Business News – July 2012

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Award winning social enterprise Providing virtual administration services Supporting local business and helping the local community _________________________________________________________________

Supporting your community, improving your social footprint ARC is a not for profit social enterprise whose services are delivered by women on Community Payback. Women in ARC work hard to deliver high quality administration services and are supervised by experienced assistants. Because they are on Community Payback, the women do not earn from the work they do instead for every £1 they make 25p goes back into the community to support local community initiatives.

Whatever the job, big or small, why not call ARC to see how we can cut your administrative costs with cost effective support, which will leave you free to spend your time growing your business and feel great about the fact that you have given a bit back to support your local community.

Open and transparent pricing Meeting Room facilities in the heart of Southampton from £8.00 per hour Leaflet Distribution £25 per 1000 within a 3 mile radius of Southampton Centre.

General Administration package rates to include database entry, research, diary management, telephone answering starting from £60 per month.

Mailings to include stuffing, sealing, stamping and posting (though not postage costs) from 5p per envelope.

Print finishing from £70 per 1000.

E-Mailshot £10 per month for 500 emails.

Photocopying from 5p per sheet.

Re-work—prices available on request.

Event Management—prices available on request.

We are also able to quote for telemarketing, report writing and marketing, media and design.

Call Tina now on 02381 780027