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DAVID COOPER Coffee’s his cup of tea
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Well-known stores in the ‘at risk’ zone
RETAILERS should prepare for a “bloodbath” on the high street in the new year, a Huddersfield insolvency expert has warned. Peter Sargent, president of insolvency industry body R3, has predicted continued gloom for the retail sector in 2010 – with 22 household names set to go into insolvency. That would match the number of well-known high street names to disappear this year. The warning comes days after high street book store chain Borders called in administrators after running into financial problems. The company, which has a store at the Spring Ram Retail Park at Birstall and 45 shops UK-wide, is continuing to trade while administrators from insolvency firm MCR seek a buyer for some or all of the stores. But a chilling survey reveals that 94% of R3 member firms in Yorkshire believe retailers are deliberately holding off from starting insolvency proceedings until the New Year – hoping they will recoup the money by boost-
ing sales over the festive period. think that the worst of the downturn is Some 61% believe creditors are also over, it’s worth remembering that hanging back – in the hopes of getting insolvency peaks usually happen after higher returns due to increased takings a recession ends. over Christmas. “We urge retailers to seek advice However, 81% of Yorkshire’s insolv- early when there is a better chance of ency experts believe rising unemploy- rescue, rather than desperately clingment will result in less consumer ing on, hoping that Christmas will spending – while 89% predict this cure all ills.” decrease in spending will push many Mr Sargent said the recent case of retailers into insolvency in early creditors reaching an agreement for 2010. payment with outdoor clothing firm In addition, 81% believe that any Blacks Leisure showed there were signs of economic recovery will insolvency and rescue procedures prompt creditors to start acting more available to stave off liquidation. aggressively as assets rise in value. More than 97% of creditors voted in The gloomy picture is compounded favour of a company voluntary by a return to normal for VAT in the arrangement, which aims to restrucfirst quarter of 2010. ture the company. Mr Sargent, partner with Begbies Blacks asked landlords of 89 closed Traynor covering Huddersfield and or closing retail stores to accept lower Halifax, said: “Rising unemployment financial claims on the firm. and decreased spending in the lead up Mr Sargent said the CVA route to Christmas coupled with heightened should be considered by other strugcreditor aggression in the New Year gling retailers. leaves the retail sector at risk of “These procedures could help many another bloodbath. businesses currently in the ‘at risk’ “While it would be comforting to zone,” he added.
Mark Lamont, project director at DMN, said the stands would be manned entirely by UK – and mainly Yorkshire-based – staff. He said: “We are delighted to have won this contract in such a difficult economic environment. “It is testimony to the expertise and quality of workmanship that we have
displayed for the past 46 years of trading.” Nick Duxbury, managing director of DMN, said: “We have done work for Amway in the UK and France, but in this case we were in competition with two German contractors. “It is significant that a UK company has won a contract in Germany, for a
Town talk at forum Business leaders have been urged to give their views on shaping the future of Huddersfield town centre. Members of the Commercial Property Forum hosted by law firm Baxter Caulfield were told about the consultation process being undertaken by Kirklees Council on how to make the town more appealing.
● Full story - Page 6
■ STORE WARNING: Peter Sargent, president of insolvency industry body R3
Firm exhibits right qualities to win top contract A COMPANY desiging and buildnig exhibition stands has landed a contract for work in Germany. Bradley-based DMN Display Maintenance Ltd is supplying stands for household products distributor Amway Germany at three major events in Spring and autumn, 2010, in Leipzig, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt.
INSIDE
German company against German competition.” Among other successes, DMN has landed key contracts with the British Marine Federation for the London Boat Show and with an Indian firm for the prestigious Heimtex textiles exhibition in Frankfurt. Both events take place next month.
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Down on the farm COUNCIL chiefs visited Longley Farm at Holmfirth as part of a fact-finding mission. Kirklees leader Clr Mehboob Khan and chief executive Rob Vincent discussed business issues with managing partner Jimmy Dickinson.
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Bank acts to quell Dubai debt worries BANKS facing losses from a potential default in Dubai have been promised emergency support by the central bank of the United Arab Emirates. The move comes after state-backed investment firm Dubai World asked to delay payments on its £36.8bn debts – sending shockwaves through world markets fearful of losses. The UAE’s central bank said it was standing behind all UAE banks as well as branches of foreign banks operating in the region. The central bank said it would make available to banks “a special additional liquidity facility linked to their current accounts at the central bank”. The move aims to prevent a wholesale loss of confidence in the region and a mass exodus of funds.
The London market languished in the red yesterday amid fall-out from the worst ever one-day declines seen on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets. The FTSE 100 closed 55.05 down at 5190.68 – with the banking sector worst hit. Lloyds Banking Group 3.45p lower at 55.15p while RBS dropped 1.545p to 33.18p. Other fallers included the London Stock Exchange itself, which is 22% owned by Borse Dubai. Shares dropped 23.5p to 752.5p. Dubai’s main stock exchange slid more than 7% and Abu Dhabi markets fell more than 8% on the first day of trading since news that Dubai World would seek a six-month delay in paying creditors. Peter Sands, chief executive of Stand-
Pubs chain in ‘sabotage’ claim PUBS firm Mitchells & Butlers has accused its major shareholders of sabotaging attempts to appoint a new chairman. The group, which owns the All Bar One, Harvester and O’Neills chains, has approached the Takeover Panel, claiming it has evidence that several key shareholders were seeking to gain control of the board. It said a boardroom representative of billionaire currency trader Joe Lewis, who has a 22.3% stake in the company, had vetoed the appointment of three independent candidates for the post of chairman – despite being involved in the selection process as a member of the
nomination committee. Mitchells said Piedmont, Mr Lewis’s investment vehicle, also requested the resignation of senior independent director Simon Laffin. If he does not step down, Mitchells has been told that a small number of large shareholders will vote against his election at the company’s annual meeting in January. Mitchells said the actions of the Piedmont representative undermined the “independence and effectiveness” of the company’s board, but added that the majority of the board were continuing to work to strengthen the board through further independent appointments.
ard Chartered, a bank with a strong presence in the region, said the UAE had acted “decisively and pragmatically” in announcing the measures. “Their support for the banking system will underpin consumer and market confidence in the economy,” he said. “We are confident that Dubai and the UAE as whole will work through these issues and continue to prosper as a dynamic and vibrant part of the world.” Dubai World’s investments range from Scotland’s historic Turnberry to Nakheel, the developer behind Dubai’s luxurious Palm man-made islands. Other assets owned by Dubai’s sovereign wealth and investment firms include the QE2 cruise liner, Emirates airline and the Travelodge budget hotel chain.
■ CHECK POINT: A trader follows the latest stock changes at the Dubai financial market in the wake of the city’s huge debt crisis
Page 2 C&C buys UK ciders MAGNERS firm C&C has added Blackthorn, Olde English and Gaymers to its stable of leading drinks brands in a £45m deal. C&C has agreed to buy Somerset-based Gaymer Cider Company, the UK cider business of US premium wine-maker Constellation Brands. The firm said the deal would strengthen its position in the UK, which is the world’s largest cider market by value. Dublin-based C&C, which also makes the Irish cider Bulmers and the Tennent’s beer brand, said Gaymers was the smallest of the firm’s three main cider brands but had the greatest potential for growth. The company is paying for the deal through a new £6m facility arranged with three banks, including Lloyds Banking Group.
Warning over funding gap Bookings still strong THE UK’s biggest water company warned of a potential funding gap as the recession poses “significant challenges” for the business. Thames Water said rising bad debts and the higher cost of financing “will make it more difficult to fund the essential investment in the network that is required”. The company, which supplies water to 8.5m customers across London and the Thames Valley, had planned to invest £5.5bn in the 2010-2015 period – funded by a 17% rise in bills. But regulator Ofwat’s final decision on prices published last week limited the firm to a 3% rise.
Thames Water has two months to decide whether to accept the decision or appeal to the Competition Commission. The spending plans for the next five years include building two tunnels to reduce overflows from London’s sewerage system to cut pollution in the Thames and the River Lee. The company said it met its leakage targets for the third year running despite a severe winter causing a big rise in the number of burst pipes. Thames Water’s pre-tax profits jumped by 15% to £225.5m for the six months to September 30, despite rising bad debts and energy costs .
TRAVEL company Thomas Cook said holidaymakers were determined to take their summer break despite the recession. The firm said bookings for next summer remain on track with “continued strong growth” for hotspots such as Turkey and Egypt as customers shun Eurozone countries due to the weak pound.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £24.86 -0.04 Gannett 594.37 -34.75 Hess Corp £35.18 -0.05 Microsoft 1773.95 -7.32 Motors Liquidation 45.72 Wal-Mart Stores £32.99 -0.32 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE BAE Systems 3281/8 -27/8 Rolls-Royce Gp 4741/2 -17/8 Smiths Grp 954 +11/2 VT Group 539 -10 AIM Brady Plc 691/2 Dawson Intl 13/4 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1063/8 -1/8 BANKS Barclays 2923/8 -51/2 HSBC 707 +3/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 551/8 -31/2 1 Ryl Scotland 33 /8 -11/2 Stan Chart 1484 -36 BEVERAGES Diageo 1025 -5 SABMiller 1770 -12 CHEMICALS Croda 7441/2 -18 +11/2 Delta 1371/2 1 Elementis 98 46 /2 -31/2 Johnsn Mat 1482 -12 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2551/2 -13/4 Costain 261/2 +11/2
Drax Grp 4103/8 -10 Intl Power 2767/8 -27/8 Scottish & Sthrn 1117 -8 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 1685/8 -23/4 Invensys 280 -71/2 Laird 1111/2 -51/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3061/4 -31/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1401/4 -41/4 C&W 1417/8 -11/4 1 Colt Telecom 122 /2 -11/4 KCOM 42 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2751/4 -2 Sainsbury 3217/8 -45/8 Tesco 423 -6 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 8051/2 -4 Cadbury 806 Nth Foods 641/2 -5/8 Tate Lyle 4143/4 -83/4 Unilever 1784 -8 3 Uniq 28 /4 -11/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2545/8 -23/4 National Grid 6601/2 +21/2 3 Pennon Grp 497 /8 -41/8 Severn 1050 +10 United Utils 4763/4 -31/4 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2693/4 -41/4 ICAP 4321/4 -93/4 1
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Man Group 3183/8 -61/4 Provident Financial 8851/2 -181/2 Schroders 1149 -25 Schroders NV 9681/2 -81/2 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Avon Rbbr 951/2 +31/2 Cooksn Grp 3861/2 -61/4 3 REXAM 277 /8 -43/4 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 131/2 -1 DSG International 365/8 +1/8 1 Home Retail 294 /4 -41/4 Inchcape 273/4 -13/8 1 Kingfisher 237 /4 -23/4 7 M&S 385 /8 +21/4 Mothercare 6211/2 +31/2 Next 1976 -13 1 WH Smith 509 /2 -16 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 578 -101/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 1231/2 -21/4 Barrat Dev 1181/4 -21/4 5 Persimmon 413 /8 -143/8 Reckitt Benckiser £31 -1/4 Taylor Wimpey 351/2 -13/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 7241/2 -351/2 IMI 4913/4 -51/4 Man Brnze 129 -2 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 200 -63/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1551/8 -41/8
LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3703/8 Lgl & Gen 773/8 Old Mutual 1131/2 Prudential 6251/2 Resolution 841/2 Standard Life 2081/8 MEDIA BSkyB 5291/2 Chrysalis 109 D Mail Tst 4131/4 ITV 52 Johnston Press 231/2 Pearson 829 Reed Elsevier 4545/8 STV Group 601/4 Trinity Mirror 1445/8 Utd Business 4351/2 UTV 1021/4 WPP 568 Yell Group 383/4 MINING Anglo American £26 Antofagasta 9001/2 BHP Billiton 18571/2 Eurasian Natural 8611/2 Res Fresnillo 843 Kazakhmys 1233 Lonmin 1775 Rio Tinto £307/8 VEDANTA £23 RESOURCES Xstrata 1069 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 6351/2 Vodafone Group 1371/8
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Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Instore Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
1081/2 133/4 45/8 971/4 6601/2 636
+5
+21/2 +11
684
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FTSE closed at
5190.6 Down 55.0
Admiral Grp 1061 RSA Insurance Gp 1163/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1103 BP 5745/8 Cairn Energy £303/4 Norsk Hdro 4281/2 Royal Dutch Shell A 18001/2 Royal Dutch Shell B 1737 Total £375/8 Tullow Oil 1234 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Petrofac 973 Wood Group 3073/4
-3 -13/4 -23 -91/4 +3/8 -115/8 -301/2 -32 -5/8 -9 +5 -11/4
Burberry 570 -21/2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £271/8 -1/8 Axis-Shield 403 -71/2 GlaxoSmithK XD 22 Shire 1185 -2 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4453/8 -143/8 DTZ Hldgs 701/4 -23/4 3 Hamrsn 400 /4 -101/2 1 Land Secs 658 /2 -12 SEGRO 3251/2 -117/8 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1425 -15 Dimension Data 74 -11/2 Logica 1173/8 -21/8 Misys 2033/4 -41/2 Sage Group 2131/4 -41/4 SUPPORT SERVICES AMEC 7931/2 +1/2 Bunzl 624 -11/2 Capita 712 -101/2 Davis Service 402 +6 Group De La Rue 952 -91/2 Electrocomp 1651/4 -13/4 Experian 573 -41/2 G4S 244 -1/4 Hays 975/8 -21/8 Homeserve 1560 -49 Menzies J 3301/2 +51/2 Rentokil 1003/4 -11/2 Smiths News 105 -31/2 Wolseley 1160 -31 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 1543/4 -33/8
Spirent Comms 973/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob 1847 Imperial Tobacco 1768 LEISURE & HOTELS Arriva 4581/2 Brit Airways 1951/4 Carnival £203/8 Compass Grp 4303/4 easyJet 367 Enterprise Inns 983/4 FirstGroup 3911/4 Go-Ahead 1215 Greene King 4011/4 Intercontl Htls 8411/2 Ladbrokes 135 Mitchells & Butlers 2521/2 Natl Express 1677/8 PartyGaming 2541/4 Rank Org 763/4 Stagecoach Group 1443/8 TUI Travel 2457/8 Whitbread 1283 INDEX FTSE 100 5190.68 INDEX FTSE 250 8918.44
+21/2 -3 -8 -131/2 +11/2 -25/8 -33/4 -53/8 -81/4 -42 -41/2 +11/2 +4 -1/2 -6 -1/2 -1/2 -35/8 +21/4 -22 -55.05 -113.10
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.71 dollars Bangladesh................. 107.26 taka Brazil.............................. 2.57 reals Canada....................... 1.66 dollars China ........................... 10.09 yuan Czech Republic ...... 26.32 korunas Denmark....................... 7.78 krone Euro............................... 1.05 euro Hong Kong................ 12.16 dollars Hungary................... 267.20 forints India.......................... 67.65 rupees Japan........................... 135.68 yen Mexico ....................... 18.99 pesos New Zealand .............. 2.14 dollars Norway ......................... 8.88 krone Pakistan.................. 129.98 rupees Philippines ................. 66.85 pesos South Africa.................. 11.43 rand South Korea.............. 1675.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 178.83 rupees Sweden....................... 10.94 krona Switzerland.................. 1.58 francs Taiwan ...................... 46.45 dollars Turkey....................... 2.34 new lira USA ............................ 1.58 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS DAVID Cooper is passionate about coffee. The managing director of Bradley-based Cooper’s Coffee Ltd has been known to get up and make a brew himself when dining out at a restaurant where the coffee fails to meet the grade – much to the embarrassment of his two teenage sons. “You can have the most amazing meal, but if you finish with a disastrous, horrible-tasting coffee, that’s the taste you walk out with,” he says. “The best coffees in the world are traded on the London market. We have access to coffees from 50-odd countries and a high level of expertise. Caterers have no excuse for serving a poor cup of coffee.” David knows what he’s talking about. David and his wife and co-director Jacqueline Cooper have built up a multi-award winning business selling coffee and coffee-making machinery for Britain’s growing army of coffee drinkers – with a commitment never to compromise on quality. “The ‘coffee culture’ temperature accurate to a to work hard – and I was which started with people 10th of a degree. That means working 80 hours a week like Starbucks in Seattle is every cup of coffee tastes because I was the boss, the about 15 to 20 years old in perfect.” salesman and the delivery the UK,” he says. Food and drink has always man. “But UK consumption is been part of David’s working “But we loved the still 80% instant coffee to life. He was a chef for four challenge of building a 20% roasted. So there’s a years before going to work business.” lot of virgin territory for us for a food and wine supplier David and Jacqueline still to explore. in the mid-1980s. have gone on to create 10 “In other European “They were staggered businesses – including one countries, such as France when I could blind-taste selling imported Dalla Corte and Italy, the coffee culture different coffee blends and espresso machines and has been around for tell them which was which,” another successfully letting centuries. he says. property. “In the 17th century, “But I had been tasting It has also trained 15,000 coffee was given a papal them for years as a chef. people as true coffee blessing – because by Coffee and wine became “baristas” – coffee makers – drinking coffee and staying things I was very good at some of whom went on to awake the priests could pray selling. become national champions. longer. It has become a part “I left that job after two Cooper’s Coffee supplies of the European culture.” years and went to work for a several hundred independent However, coffee culture is coffee machine manufacturer. coffee shops across the firmly established. “Coffee A little while after that I began country from Aberdeen to shops are the new pubs,” to sell coffee as a side Brighton. says David. “There is no business because customers Each of the 2006, 2007 doubt about it. There is a began asking my advice and 2008 winners of the great deal of business done about where to buy coffee. Beve Award for the best in coffee shops as well as “I wrote a recipe for a coffee shop in the UK are socialising.” blend called Cooper’s Cooper’s clients. David set up Cooper’s Special Blend and had it “We train their staff to use Coffee when he was made by a local roastery. In the espresso machines,” working as a “rep” for a the first month 22 customers says David. “Dalla Corte company making coffee bought my coffee. But I got machines are renowned as equipment. the sack from the coffee among the best in the world. When his employers machine company for They are very expensive for found he was selling coffee running this business on the the reason that they closely to its customers on the side, side.” control the parameters of he was promptly sacked. “Jacqueline had been working for Yorkshire Bank, but had been made redundant,” David recalls. “So we started Cooper’s Coffee in the back bedroom of my flat in Leeds. I realised we had a viable business when we were turning over about £250,000 after two years. “We moved to Huddersfield 18 years ago, starting with a unit at the Ray Street Enterprise Centre before moving to Calder Trading Estate, which gave us premises closer to the M62. “The main reason for starting the business was to give ourselves a job. “The first thing that drives ■ CUP WINNER: David Cooper, of Coopers Coffee Ltd, with you out of bed in the one of the company’s state-of-the-art Dalla Corte coffee making morning is fear. If you are machines
profile
David finds the perfect blend Despite the recession, Cooper’s Coffee is on target for 5% growth this year – and David is determined to set his sights on a 25% improvement next year. “Our reputation means that we get asked to tender for some really meaty business,” he says. “That’s despite being 20% more expensive than the market. We have a premium product which comes with a huge amount of added-value. Our customers get menus, branding and design and training for their staff that is available all year round.” With Cooper’s Coffee firmly established, David takes a strategic role, handling marketing and directing the business plan, while Jacqueline’s role covers human resources and training. “We have 17 fantastic
Page 3 David Cooper
people in the business and as a result of her efforts, all staff have three training days a year for self-development,” says David. Away from work, David plays squash for a club at Lockwood while Jacqueline enjoys yoga and pilates. Weekends are spent walking Pippa, their Patterdale Terrier, and following the sporting exploits of sons 16-year-old Louis and Bradley, 13. “We have a house in Spain and try to spend at least six weeks of the year there,” says David. “We also enjoy socialising and try to make one dinner date a week.” The advice to restaurateurs is simple. If the Coopers turn up for dinner, just make sure the coffee’s spot on!
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: Managing director Age: 43 Family: Married to co-director Jacqueline. Two sons, Louis and Bradley Holidays: Spain and the Caribbean Car: Audi A5 First job: Pizza chef Best thing about job: Controlling my own destiny and taking responsibility for it Worst thing about job: Dealing with people who don’t care about quality Business tip: Have a plan with firm goals and objectives
Cooper’s Coffee Ltd Work: Coffee and coffee-making equipment Employs: 17 Site: Calder Trading Estate, Bradley Phone: 01484 431450 Email:info@coopers coffee.co.uk
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Funeral service opens in Kirklees ■ DEDICATION: Kirklees Mayor Clr Julie Stewart-Turner (second left) with (from left) Richard Arnold, Sue Saville, Ken Satterley and Janice Hutton
A NEW funeral business has been opened in Kirklees. Gateway Funeral Services, which is run and owned by Shepley woman Janice Hutton and Richard Arnold, of Birkenshaw, has opened a new funeral home at Southfield Terrace, Birkenshaw. A service of dedication was held to mark the opening. The service was attended by Kirklees Mayor Clr Julie Stewart-Turner and two leading figures from the industry – Sue Saville, president of the National Association of Funeral Directors; and Ken Satterley, president of
the British Institute of Funeral Directors. Rev Martin Lowles conducted the service, which was attended by 40 colleagues, family and friends. Janice has been a funeral director in Bradford for the past eight years. She holds the Diploma in Funeral Directing, a licence to practice from The British Institute of Funeral Directors and is an accredited Civil Funeral Celebrant. Richard has worked as a funeral director for the past two years and is very experienced in repatriations from all over the world.
Stores unwrap Christmas ideas MARKETING MATTERS Clare Quartermaine
S the pressure of Christmas A shopping looms over us and the retailers wait with bated breath on
■ SHOES SHINE: Kirsty Vickerman and Vanessa Taylor of Cuckoo Shoes
Mums stepping out for business AN enterprise run by two mums has taken a giant stride. Kirsty Vickerman and Vanessa Taylor, who both live at Netherton, set up in business earlier this year to sell children’s shoes – by visiting schools, play groups and play gyms around the Huddersfield area. Now they have opened their first shop – at Derby Terrace, Marsden – to stock children’s shoes
and boots made by well-known names as well as gifts such as matching raincoats and wellies, pyjamas, babygrows and snowsuits and fleece hoodies. The shop, called Cuckoo Shoes, is also the base for their charity fundraising efforts – helping schools, nurseries, play groups and toddler groups raise cash for toys and equipment.
what is their most important time of the year – what are we and they expecting this December and how are their marketing activities changing? Firstly, I have read recently that many brands and supermarkets are cutting their ranges down drastically – slashing choices and variants. Heinz is cutting back on 20% of its lines and Unilever announced it is axing two-fifths of its huge line of food and cleaning products. Is this a reaction to the back of basics trend spurred on by the recession? This purge may be the result of the economy or a continuation of the consumer trend towards a “less is more” way of shopping. Whatever it is, for many of us, this is a sigh of relief when even choosing a chocolate bar in the local shop can leave us standing in the aisle for half an hour debating the frenzy of chocolate choice before us (or is that just me?) The next interesting development is the concept of the “pop up” shop. I’m not talking about the random Christmas shop that opens every year in town, but the idea that the big name
brands will erect a temporary shop to promote a set of products for a short space of time. This is something that both HMV and Marmite have done in the wake of larger numbers of retail spaces become available. Where letting agents are now more keen to let out their spaces for shorter periods, there are deals to be made. Lastly, it seems the retailers are playing it safe by using the same Christmas ad concepts that they used before – maybe a little rehashed. Nostalgia is always a big theme in the festive season, anyway. We see lovely Victorian street scenes and carol singers in volumes, but now some retailers are even using ads from 20 years ago. Heritage again. “You should buy from us because we’ve been around a long time and we need your business”. Plus, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the M&S girl prancing around in her underwear, would it? Very wholesome.
Clare Quartermaine is founder and managing director of QT Creative
KIRKLEES BUSIN Cooking up more sales HELP is at hand for householders who take pride in their iconic Aga cookers. While the world-famous cast-iron Aga is a much-coveted addition to any kitchen – keeping the cooker gleaming is notoriously hard work. Now White’s Aga Services has launched a cleaning service to complement its well-established servicing and repair operation. The business is headed by couple Dale and Jaime O’Connor, who work from their home address in Southowram. Said Jaime: “We have been running the servicing business for about five years, but more recently customers have been asking if we also carry out Aga cleaning. “We have always said ‘no’ in the past – but now we have decided that it would be silly to turn the work away.” “It is not an easy job,” she said. “Cleaning an Aga properly should take a minimum of three hours. People who have invested in an Aga usually want it to look good, so the response from our customers has been fantastic.” Aga has been at the heart of the kitchen for many years. The first Aga was installed more than 80 years ago – with many passed down from one generation to the next. During 2009, Warwickshire-based Aga Consumer Products, is helping to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the historic foundry in Coalbrookdale – where Agas have always been made – and where Abraham Darby first used coke to smelt iron, enabling cast-iron to be produced. Proud Aga owners include celebrities such as actors Martin Clunes and Susan Hampshire, television presenter Janet Street Porter and chefs Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein and Antony Worrall Thompson.
Eleventh win for Yorkshire YORKSHIRE Bank has been named best regional mortgage lender by Your Mortgage magazine – for the eleventh time. And the Bradford-based bank was joined as winners this year by sister organisation Clydesdale Bank and parent company National Australia Group. The group was presented with the publishers special award, created to mark the 20th year of the Your Mortgage Awards, which recognised National Australia Group’s “consistency, commitment and excellence” in the mortgage market for the past 20 years. Clydesdale Bank was named best mortgage lender in Scotland for the sixth year running at the awards ceremony in London.
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Back ‘home’ for bank’s birthday
BANK manager Andrew Bray has more reason than most to celebrate as his branch marks 30 years in Huddersfield. As a clerk, he was one of the staff when Williams and Glynns opened its doors at Market Place in November, 1979. Thirty years later, he has returned to manage the branch – now Royal Bank of Scotland – in the same Victorian listed building. Andrew and his colleagues marked the 30th anniversary of the branch by inviting customers to share in a celebration cake. They also displayed old photographs and a cutting from the Examiner recording the opening of the branch. Andrew recalls: “Williams and Glynns had been looking for premises in Huddersfield since about 1975 and secured this site in January, 1979, when Barclays moved from here to Ramsden Street. “The manager at the time was Martin Ellis and his deputy was Jim Beesley. “In September, 1985, the branch became Royal Bank of Scotland. “But interestingly, the building originally opened in 1864 as a bank – the West Riding Union Banking Company. “The building is still serving its original purpose.” Andrew joined Williams and Glynns at the age of 16 after leaving Almondbury Secondary School and began his banking career in Halifax in 1977 before being posted to the new Market Place branch. Later, he worked for the bank at branches in Halifax, Bradford, and Harrogate before returning as branch manager in Huddersfield last July.
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■ BANK BALANCE: Andrew Bray (front) manager of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Huddersfield, celebrates with colleagues (from left) Nasra Riaz, Mary Byrne, Chris Sykes, Michelle Christopher, Martin Shaw, Tracey Butterworth and Marie Nutall
“We have sent a gift to the first customer who walked through the doors when we opened in 1979,” said Andrew. “A lot of customers have been with the bank 25 or 30 years and the fact they are still banking with us is testament to the commitment of the bank staff. “It is nice to be back. I enjoy working here
with a great team who get on well with the customers.” The branch employs about 20 staff and provides services including business banking, private banking and healthcare for clients such as doctors and dentists as well as retail banking.
Seminar putting focus on finance FINANCIAL planning specialists in Huddersfield are staging an investment seminar to help business people with their money matters – and raise charity cash. Paul Dickinson and Christopher Brown, who head Brantwood Financial Planning, have organised the seminar to take place at 5pm next Tuesday at the Galpharm Stadium.
About 50 professionals are expected to attend the event, which will include an address by Justin Urquhart-Stewart, of London-based 7IM Investment Management. Mr Dickinson said the two-hour event would include a raffle to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. One of the firm’s clients has two young children who both suffer from the condi-
tion. Paul Dickinson and Mr Brown have more than 50 years experience in financial planning. Their business, based at Market Street, was formerly Martin Smith & Co before rebranding as Brantwood Financial Planning following Mr Smith’s retirement in October last year.
Charity is the Christmas winner FOOTBALLERS from Huddersfield Town joined representatives of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to hold a fundraising Christmas shopping fair. The event was held at the Heritage Coffee Mill and Bistro in Lindley to raise cash for the club’s Keep It Up campaign. The aim is to raise funds for football club’s youth academy and the countywide charity – with 50p from
every £1 raised going towards each worthwhile cause. To date, more than £74,000 has been raised for the campaign since the start of the current Football League season. The festive fair featured a large selection of stalls selling items ranging from jewellery, handbags and beauty products to children’s toys and chocolates. Hot food and drink was available to shoppers and Santa made an
appearance in his grotto. First team players Gary Roberts and Lee Peltier joined Cammie Batten, of Huddersfield Town; Katie Gration, of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance; Mandy Barwick, of Heritage; and Town mascot Terry the Terrier. The next Keep It Up event on Monday, December 14, is a Christmas celebration at Wakefield Cathedral featuring a choir service and readings from Town players.
Healthy result for Interactive Solutions A HUDDERSFIELD company has helped one its clients scoop a major training award. Interactive Solutions, based at the Media Centre, Northumberland Street, was instrumental in client St George’s, University of London, gaining an award for its e-learning package, A Taste of Medicine, at the E-Learning Age Awards in London. The training package began as a CD-ROM, but has now been redeveloped for use on the web. New content has also been developed to create a range of products to help students get the most from work experience; prepare for medical interviews and introduce them to teaching and learning techniques in higher education. Judges commented that the site “provides transparent and appropriate information, advice and guidance, in a format that is appealing and accessible to its target audience”. Interactive Solutions has been working with St George’s for more than six years to develop e-learning content in support of its Widening Participation programme. The programme is aimed at 13 and 14-year-olds and seeks to dispel misconceptions about requirements for entry into the healthcare professions and raise awareness of the scope and scale of career opportunities. “It’s fantastic that the site has been given the recognition it deserves,” said Kenton Lewis, head of Widening Participation and student recruitment at St George’s. “Lots of work has gone into it – both from St George’s and Interactive Solutions – and our success is testament to the quality of relationship we have with the design team.” A Taste of Medicine is free to access and can be found at www.tasteofmedicine.com Interactive Solutions is an e-learning and web development agency with clients including several UK universities, education authorities, career services and regional development agencies.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Ideas welcome for ‘grand plan’
BUSINESS bosses have been urged to help formulate a “grand plan” for the development of Huddersfield town centre. Members of the Commercial Property Forum hosted by town centre law firm Baxter Caulfield were given an outline of the consultation process now under way by Kirklees Council on the developments needed to make Huddersfield an attractive place to work, live and visit. Planning officer Hamish Gledhill gave a presentation to property professionals meeting at Baxter Caulfield’s Station Street offices – and stressed: “We want to flag up the issues of concern to people and organisations in Huddersfield and hear their views and ideas.” He said: “Over the next 15 years, there will be a lot of change in Huddersfield. This is the major town in Kirklees and we expect the town to grow.” A document drawn up by the council puts forward its vision for the town for the next 20 years. It suggests how different parts
■ ISSUES: Peter Butler (left) and Mark Hanson raised concerns about potential barriers to developing Huddersfield town centre as a great place to work, live and visit
of the town might be developed based on their existing characteristics – such as the retailing heart of the town centre, the area around the university, the transport hub around the bus and railway stations and the civic area comprising the town hall and council buildings. It looks at development opportunities in areas for retailing, offices, housing and leisure as well as ways to overcome the barrier created by the ring road between the town centre and areas such as
the technical college site, Highfields, Springwood, Folly Hall and the Galpharm Stadium complex. The consultation process asks for views on key issues such as how to improve Huddersfield’s retail offering, whether or not more needs to be done to promote an “evening economy”, what kind of office accommodation is needed and whether rules about some listed buildings should be relaxed. Mark Hanson, of Hanson Chartered Surveyors, said action
was needed to reduce the impact of the ring road, which was acting as a collar on town centre. He said the problem of rates levied on empty properties was also holding back development of all kinds while lack of town centre parking was also an issue. Peter Butler, of Bramleys said developing suitable office space was difficult because so many town centre buildings were listed – even though some properties did not merit such protection.. And Richard Gillatt, head of property at Baxter Caulfield, said Kirklees Council had to adopt a flexible policy to find a solution to the problem of long-empty buildings. Mr Gledhill said the council would use views amassed during the consultation period to formulate a range of options for Huddersfield’s future before asking people to comment again in late 2010 on a grand plan which could be agreed and sent to the Government for final approval.
Strategy for expansion A COMPANY operating business centres is seeking new sites in the region. Prospect Business Centres, which has three centres in Leeds and York, has embarked on a multi-million pound drive to open a further six across the north-east and Midlands. The firm, which is owned by the Monument Investments group of property companies, said it was responding to increased market demand for high specification, flexible work space. The firm plans to secure leases or to acquire at least two more Yorkshire centres in 2010. Warren Hill, managing director and sole shareholder of Monument, said: “Our original venture, Prospect House in Leeds, was first established in 1980 and set the benchmark for flexible working environments in the city.
Unit 2 Riverside Court, Colne Road, Lockwood £7,250 P/A • • • • • •
Modern Single Storey Industrial Unit 89.96m2 (968ft2) Popular industrial location Outskirts of town centre Max. eaves 5.5m Rateable value £5,300
For further information please contact Jonathan Wilson
e: commercial@bramleys1.co.uk t: 01484 530361
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Top prizes for agency STAFF at estate agency Your Move are celebrating after winning four awards. The agency landed three gold awards and one silver award in the national Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2009 – the greatest number achieved by a large UK agent. Your Move won three golds as best UK large estate agency, best large UK lettings agency and for having the best technology and website. Silver was for best financial services. Simon Bentley, valuation director for Your Move in Huddersfield and Halifax, said: “This is fantastic news for Your Move and our customers. “The awards have been designed to celebrate and endorse best practise and high standards in the industry and we are delighted that our efforts in ensuring we provide the best service and products possible has been recognised in this way. “The judges said that our entry into the best large estate agency category was exceptional and ensured Your Move stood out as a top agent. We were also acknowledged for our ‘ truly impressive’ lettings service. “The technology we employ and our website – www.your-move.co.uk – were also described as worthy gold award winners. Our financial services win confirmed Your Move’s ongoing focus and success in this area.” The awards were presented to David Newnes, Your Move’s managing director, at a special awards ceremony in London in front of hundreds of property professionals and experts from across the UK.
Conference call at t’mill
■ AT YOUR CONVENIENCE: The Premier Express store at Paddock, Huddersfield, which is up for sale with Christie + Co with a £155,000 price tag
‘Corner shop’ up for sale A CONVENIENCE store in Huddersfield is on the market. The Leeds Office of business agent Christie + Co, has been instructed to sell the Premier Express Supermarket at Church Street, Paddock. The premises are offered for sale leasehold at an asking price of £155,000 plus stock at valuation. The current rent is £11,500 a year. Nick Nunn, who is handling the sale at
Christie + Co, said: “Our client has run shops for many years and is now looking to sell due to a family bereavement. “The shop was refurbished in 2004 under the Premier banner and has been well maintained since then. “The store offers an experienced retailer the potential to increase the turnover by introducing newspapers and magazines and extending the opening hours. “This is a fantastic opportunity.”
A TRAINING company has unveiled its new conference centre at an award-winning development in Huddersfield. ESTL celebrated its move to the grade II listed Folly Hall Mills by inviting businesses from Kirklees, Calderdale and Leeds to visit its flagship Waterfront Conference Centre. The conference centre was officially opened by Craig Dickinson of global bank HSBC, who announced that the bank had already booked a training day at the centre. He said: “This is such an impressive building with amazing facilities and a tremendous history. “It is totally unique and I am delighted to open a centre which is sure to become an important feature of the Kirklees business and social community in the months and years to come.” The conference centre offers seven modern and well-equipped conference suites and meeting rooms in the newly-refurbished historic mill overlooking the River Colne. Organisations including Kirklees Council, Business Link Yorkshire, West Yorkshire Police and the NHS have already used the Waterfront Conference. Developers, tenants and backers of Folly Hall Mills were all recognised for their efforts when the scheme scooped the Regeneration Award in last month’s Examiner Business Awards.
Industrial Brighouse Trade Park, Armytage Rd I E 7,349 – 16,815 sq ft High quality trade warehouse/warehouse units less than ½ mile from Junction 25 with M62 adjacent Plumb Centre and Powersaver.
Barncliffe Business Park, Near Bank, Shelley 700 – 15,000 sq ft
Predominantly single storey industrial/storage units along with office accommodation available on part recently refurbished multi-occupational complex.
Colne Road, Huddersfield 90m2 (970 sq ft) Modern trade warehouse/starter unit on outer ring road adjacent Just Tyres and Plumb Centre just off Chapel Hill
TO LET will split
Unit 19 Queens Mill Industrial Estate, Queens Mill Road, Lockwood
465m2 (5,000 sq ft)
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Modern industrial/warehouse unit with offices & on site parking. LAST REMAINING UNIT
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Brockholes Business Park, New Mill Road, Brockholes
Preliminary Announcement
985 – 2,400 sq ft Modern starter workshop/warehouse units on popular estate in Holme Valley TO LET
Office/Commercial 291 Wakefield Road(A642) Lepton Office suites 322 & 405 sq ft and retail space 836 sq ft Highly prominent commercial building with rear parking suitable for a variety of uses(stp)
Whitby Court, Abbey Road North, Shepley 102 m2 (1,099 sq ft ) High quality ground floor office suite in popular office complex with good on site parking
Alec Michael
TO LET inclusive rents
lease terms and rents available upon application from the joint agents
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HANSON CHARTERED SURVEYORS
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5,000 – 40,000 sq ft Affordable industrial/storage units now immediately available on very flexible terms. Rent from only £2.25 per sq ft
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Duncan Butler, Roy Redihough & Lauren Slack
Bedfords Transport
NATIONWIDE carrier Bedfords Transport, has strengthened its team by recruiting three new employees to key positions. The Birstall-based company has appointed Duncan Butler (left) and Roy Redihough as business development managers while Lauren Slack joins as PA to the directors and to help co-ordinate the firm’s new sales force, Roy and Duncan, who both have backgrounds in transport and warehousing, will mainly focus on helping the company diversify and make inroads into new markets. Managing director Steff Pfadenhauer said: “These are tough times for our industry. “However, our financial strength and recent new business successes mean we are in the fortunate position of being able to employ specific expertise which will help us to move into new markets and provide the necessary support to do so.”
Movers and shakers
Taking care of the team’s kit
A COMPANY running care homes for the elderly is sponsoring a girls’ football team. Ashbourne Senior Living is sponsoring Lepton Highlanders Girls FC. Team captain Rachel Lockwood (second right) was joined by some of the players and team manager Clive Walsh on a visit to one of Ashbourne’s homes, Alwoodleigh at Edgerton to meet deputy manager Charity Mwamba (right) and residents. Clive said: “The people at
Alwoodleigh have been very kind and the girls are delighted with their new kit.” Charity added: “It’s lovely for the residents to see the youngsters in their new kit.” Ashbourne Senior Living – part of Southern Cross Healthcare Group – has more than 70 private care homes throughout t h e c o u n t r y, i n c l u d i n g Alwoodleigh, Astley Grange at Fartown, Abbey Place at Shepley and Botham Hall at Milnsbridge.
Avon calling...for builder Carl!
Marcus Falconer
Welcome to Yorkshire TOURISM agency Welcome to Yorkshire has appointed Marcus Falconer to lead its marketing team. Mr Falconer (pictured) joins Welcome to Yorkshire as marketing director from UK high ropes adventure company Go Ape. As head of marketing, he played a key role in developing the Go Ape brand and marketing it during the last four years. Previously he worked in various media and advertising agency roles, including Swedish brand communications agency Lowe Brindfors and Ware Anthony Rust in Cambridge. Mr Falconer’s appointment follows Welcome to Yorkshire’s recent marketing success, including winning TravelMole’s best tourist board website for www.yorkshire.com and the International Business Forum’s award for Innovation in Marketing.
John Dobson
DMB Group John Dobson has joined direct marketing company DMB Group as a non-executive director. Mr Dobson is one of the founders of marketing intelligence specialist EuroDirect and helped that Bradford-based firm achieve a Queen’s Award for innnovation in 2002. DMB Group, based in Leeds, is a leading direct marketing firm and works for clients including B&Q, Meadowhall, McDonald’s and Kingfisher. Mr Dobson has been involved in launching several successful companies since 1983 starting with BDMS in 1983. He then went on to help set up database marketing specialist EuroDirect, which was subsequently acquired by Skipton Building Society in 1998.
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■ BITING BACK: Carl Butterworth, of Love2build.co.uk has solved the pesky problem of midges when he’s working outdoors by taking his wife’s advice BUILDING contractor Carl Butterworth has finally managed to put away his most valued piece of equipment after this year’s long spell of mild weather. Carl, who is a master craftsman drystone waller and his company Love2Build.co.uk, undertake a lot of landscaping work and can often be found in remote areas of the countryside around Huddersfield. “We have been blighted this year with midges due to the mild weather,” he says. “Being outdoors most of the time, we often get the odd midge bite. But this year has been exceptionally bad – so much that I had to get in touch with my feminine side! “It isn’t often you hear of a bloke taking advice from his mother-in-law and wife. However, I was left with no alternative after trying almost every repellent on the market over the years.” But midge bites are now a thing of the past, he says. And Carl’s secret weapon? Women’s beauty product Avon's Skin So Soft is his favoured repellent of choice. “It brought on fits of laughter amongst my staff and customers when I proposed spraying them all with women’s product – so much so that one of my wallers refused and ended up with the nickname of Mr Blobby, after being bitten so many
times on one particular project. “We had the last laugh though because from that day on they have never bothered us again, and he was covered in red blotches all over.” Says Carl: “My mother-in-law and wife have been using the product for years when we go on foreign holidays to fend off mosquito bites. My wife Sharron suffers from allergic reactions to mosquito bites, so she has used Skin So soft for a number of years. “I don't know how it works, all I know is it does.” By chance, Carl’s sister-in-law is an Avon representative – so he has now requested a fresh supply at Christmas ready for spring next year. “I seem to have struck gold for Avon,” adds Carl. “I also mentioned it to a friend of mine who happens to be an ex-Huddersfield Giants player who was going camping this year. He was looking forward to the break, but wasn’t looking forward to the midges that came with it. So I promptly disappeared into my van and came back with a bottle of spray. He used it – as did his friends – and he has also placed an order. He is considerably larger than me, so I will remain tight-lipped about his identity, though!”
Farm work for councillor COUNCIL chiefs spent time down on the farm – to discuss business issues. Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan (right) and chief executive Rob Vincent were given a tour of Longley Farm at Holmfirth by managing partner Jimmy Dickinson to hear first hand about some of the issues facing the company – which is famed for its yoghurts and cream – and how the council could help. Said Mr Dickinson: “We were happy to show them around the dairy and discussed how the services provided by the council are viewed by the firm. “Under the current council management, there have been clear improvements in the way the council relates to its customers and in its desire to satisfy their needs.” Clr Khan said: “For me, this was a learning visit – to have a look at a successful local firm, employing local people and generating wealth for the area. “I am always willing to listen to how the council can constantly improve its relationships with businesses, whether there is more we can do or whether there are things which we should stop doing.”
Alarm call A COMPANY providing security systems is giving householders a crime-fighitng boost. Predator Security Systems, based at Linthwaite, is offering a free burglar alarm service to help cash-strapped householders. Spokesman Karl Deitch said: “Most people are finding things tough and their security could be at risk if their system is not working properly.” Throughout December, Predator is providing the service for people whose systems are more than three years old. The offer applies to the first 100 domestic households in the Huddersfield area. Said Karl: “We are doing this to put something back into the local community and help get local households secure.”