Swindon Local Business Leaders Discuss Transport Priorities

December 9, 2010 in Swindon, Transport with Comments Off

Swindon Local Business Leaders Discuss Transport Priorities

The second meeting of GWE Business West’s Initiative in Swindon regular Transport and Connectivity Committee took place recently.  A number of senior business leaders attended including Halcrow, Alder King, RPS Planning and Transport and DPDS.

Swindon Borough Council’s Director of Planning and Transport, Dave Potter, attended the meeting to continue discussions about the Council’s plans for the future of transport in Swindon and give an update on the Local Transport Plan 3.

One of the key issues to arise during the meeting was the review of local bus provisions.  The Council is trying to affect a modal shift and encourage people to use public transport. However, the businesses noted that that in order for this to be best achieved the bus routes may need to be realigned to service key employee commuter routes.

Business leaders also expressed their support for the Council’s proposals for the adoption of intelligent transport systems to improve the transport flow in the town. 

Frustration was voiced due to the expense of railway tickets from Swindon to London Paddington which operates one of the most expensive routes in Europe. Further to this, disappointment was also raised due to the hold put on the electrification of the mainline route from London.

Ian Larrard, Director of Initiative in Swindon, GWE Business West said: “Businesses in Swindon are keen to express their views to the Council to help assist with the transport requirements of the town.  The Initiative in Swindon will continue to bring business together to discuss the important issues for the local area, and ensure that the business voice is heard.”

Business welcomes growth review but stresses the need to address real barriers to growth

November 30, 2010 in Bristol, Policy & Legislation with Comments Off

The government has published its Growth Review, “The path to strong, sustainable and balanced growth”, a joint Treasury and BIS led process that aims to ensure all Government Departments are doing everything they can to help the country grow and recover from recession. It provides a long term vision to create the right conditions for future economic prosperity.

Phil Smith, Managing Director, GWE Business West, welcomed the Growth Review and applauded the government for its focus on returning the UK economy to balanced and sustainable growth.

“The government is quite rightly focusing on creating the right environment for growth. It is important that they listen to what the business community is saying and focus on removing the real barriers that prevent businesses from thriving – problems accessing finance, burdensome employment regulations, a bureaucratic planning system more focused on control than enabling, and inadequate infrastructure to support growth. These are the things businesses are concerned about and want to see action on. If government puts business firmly at the heart of its growth plans, then we can play our part and help drive the recovery forward. The government must focus on enabling the private sector to make 2011 a year for growth.”

Fredericks Wiltshire first funded case enjoys growth

November 25, 2010 in Case Study, Wiltshire with Comments Off

In May 2010, Peter Fitchett approached Fredericks Wiltshire and applied for a loan to help his business, Absolute Rubbish, take off. This is (1)Frederick Wiltshire’s first funded case in Swindon and much to their delight the business has taken off, with Peter recently having taken on a work placement through a scheme run by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Fredericks Foundation was set up in 2001 and helps disadvantaged people who aspire to become entrepreneurs to start and grow their own businesses. The charity provides a range of business support and microloan funding to those who have difficulties with securing business loans or investment via traditional means.

Fredericks Wiltshire was launched in April 2010 in partnership with (2) GWE Business West and Wiltshire Council, who have both made major investments over three years. It is also supported by Swindon Borough Council.

After leaving school, Peter temporarily worked at a pizza parlour before joining the British Army in 2000. He left the Army in 2003 and held a range of positions including sales manager, ground worker and manager of a gym.

In 2009, following redundancy, Peter was keen to start-up a business as a licensed waste carrier for both commercial and domestic waste. To do this, he attended Business Link workshops and worked with the Princes Trust. Unfortunately they were unable to provide Peter with the money needed to start his business and so Peter turned to Frederick’s Wiltshire.

Nicky Alberry, chairman of GWE Business West, said: “In the current tough economic climate, businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire have enough worries without the stress of being unable to obtain start-up capital to realise their business ideas. The work that Fredericks does is crucial in helping these start-ups.

For over twenty years, we have been supporting businesses in both good and bad economic times and we are thrilled to be making a considerable investment in Fredericks Wiltshire over the next three years. Obtaining start-up capital is very challenging and we are delighted that Absolute Rubbish have succeeded and are having a positive impact on the local area.”

Tim King, Fredericks Foundation, said: “I am delighted that not only is Peter getting busier but that he now has enough work to take on long term unemployed people from the jobcentre to give them 13 weeks work experience. This is a real benefit to the community and exactly what Fredericks are looking to achieve.”

The Business Show Swindon 2011 steams ahead!

November 25, 2010 in Event, Swindon with 1 Comment

The Business Show Swindon 2011

The Business Show Swindon 2011

Delegates attending The Business Show Swindon 2011 at STEAM on 10th February can expect a broad showcase of up to 80 exhibitors from across the region.

The show, sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial, will feature a topical seminar programme, free speed networking sessions and a conference café for networking, refreshment and one to one meetings.

The seminar programme will address current topics, such as marketing for a new age. Sought after speaker, Grant Leboff, will discuss the massive changes that are taking place in a world where the old sales and marketing models are now obsolete, and how businesses with sales and marketing strategies can be successful in this new environment.

There will also be an exclusive Espresso bar for members of the Swindon Initiative and GWE Business West’s LinkedIn business group, which currently attracts over 1550 business people making it the largest LinkedIn business group in the South West. The bar will provide an opportunity for those LinkedIn members to meet face to face and extend online connections offline. Business people across the region can join in business focused discussion and debate at www.gwelinkedin.co.uk

Ian Larrard, Director of the Initiative in Swindon and Wiltshire at GWE Business West said. “There has been a gap without such a show in Swindon for several years. Hopefully moving into a recovery period it is an excellent time for businesses to be marketing and promoting themselves.”

Delegates can also participate in a special Funding for Growth workshop and Q&A session in the afternoon. With businesses finding it increasingly difficult to access funding to grow their business, a group of trusted experts will offer advice and information on the types of funding available. The panel will also advise on the criteria and steps that need to be taken in order to access funding for growth.

Nicky Alberry, Chairman at GWE Business West said “The Business Show Swindon 2011 is a great opportunity for businesses to connect with companies in Swindon and beyond, to network, exchange ideas and make new contacts.”

The Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership (SSEP) Annual Conference will run alongside The Business Show Swindon 2011 in the morning. SSEP will outline their achievements over the last 12 months, together with their vision for the future. Prior to that there will be a Swindon Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

The show, easily accessible from the M4 and Swindon railway station, will run from 9am to 4pm.

To register to attend visit www.businessshowswindon.co.uk

Bristol organisations pledge support for city’s future

November 10, 2010 in Bristol with Comments Off

A pioneering new project to establish a long-term vision for the future development of Bristol has already secured the backing of 20 influential stakeholders.

Known as Bristol 2050, the project is the first of its kind in the UK. It will publish a unique blueprint for the city region’s development over the next 40 years, addressing the most significant issues facing our areas, such as transport, infrastructure, jobs, education and the environment.  This blueprint will be encapsulated in a book published next year, informed by internationally renowned spatial planner David Lock (CBE), with the vision and ambition of GWE Business West’s Executive President, John Savage (CBE) and authored by Andrew and Melanie Kelly.

To secure funding to drive this ambitious scheme, the project team is working with key influencers in the region, with 20 organisations and individuals already confirming their support, including: Arup, Alec Ewans, Beachcroft LLP, Bob Design, Bristol Junior Chamber, Bristol Port, , Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Water Plc, Bristol Zoo, BT, Deloitte, Grayling, JM Bitten, King Sturge, Northern Arc, Redrow Homes South West , Savills, ,University of the West of England (UWE) and Wessex Water.

Bristol 2050 is inspired by a similar project undertaken in Chicago in 1909.  The Chicago project played a significant role in shaping one of North America’s most prosperous cities. The Bristol 2050 project is heavily evidence based and has drawn information from relevant other cities and projected trends for the Bristol area.  Working with business leaders, architects, urban designers, town planners and transport experts, the plan will offer a unique and authoritative insight into how we can develop the city region to ensure we provide future generations with the opportunity to succeed.

Some of the ideas raised through this process include:

-           A linear park along the River Avon, including an Avon Barrage

-          The UK’s first ‘City Regional Park’ to bring urban and green spaces closer together

-          A high-speed train between London, Bristol and Cardiff, crossing the estuary

Bristol 2050 is led by The Initiative – a business leadership body responsible for some of the most important regeneration projects in the city region, such as Bristol Harbourside and the creation of Destination Bristol. 

GWE Business West Executive President, John Savage (CBE) said: “Due to the nature of our political system, development and regeneration schemes tend to take a short to medium term view.  However, a long-term strategy is essential if Bristol is to realise its full potential as a leading economic and cultural powerhouse.  I strongly believe that it possesses more of the vital ingredients for a great and ambitious vision than any other in the UK.”

Businesses and other organisations are invited to show their commitment to the economic and social prosperity of Bristol by signing up to become a partner in the Bristol 2050 project at www.bristol2050.co.uk  or call 01275 370 883 for further information.

The project team also want to hear residents’ ideas and thoughts on what Bristol should look like in 2050. Ideas can be submitted on the website and or by joining the debate on Facebook – find us by searching ‘Bristol2050’. We are also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bristol2050


Green Your Business and Save Cash

November 10, 2010 in Business Tips, Environment, Guest Blogger with Comments Off

Guest Blogger: Member, Isabel Duckworth, Monitor My Workspace

Businesses of all sizes must now think about how they can reduce their energy use. As well as doing their bit for the environment, it also means they become more efficient and save money. 

According to the Carbon Trust, office equipment accounts for 15 per cent of UK energy consumption. It’s an alarming figure – but hardly surprising, given that even the smallest office is full of electrical equipment and needs to be lit and heated during colder months.

More and more businesses are trying to find ways to cut their energy usage and reduce their carbon footprint. Many bigger companies are guided by the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), which requires them to cut their carbon dioxide emissions.

Many smaller businesses want to do their bit, so how can firms set move closer to becoming carbon neutral? 

Everybody knows that they should switch off their monitors and lights and only print when necessary, but what else can you do?

Energy monitoring systems measure how much energy you are using, how much it costs and the amount of carbon that is being released by equipment. You can then identify which pieces are wasting energy or perhaps are just not very efficient. It is what you do with the collected data that will ultimately lead to energy savings. Some equipment can be accessed remotely and even programmed to come on and off at certain times, thereby ensuring the water and heating for instance is only on when you need it or that computers aren’t left on standby overnight.

Everyday acts such as driving, flying and using equipment consumes much energy and produces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. You can compensate for unavoidable emissions by paying someone to make an equivalent greenhouse gas saving. This is known as ‘carbon offsetting’.

After calculating your emissions you can buy the equivalent amount in ‘credits’ from emission reduction projects. Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects such as wind farms, hydroelectric dams or solar energy can be good projects to support. They can have immediate benefits to the environment as well as making renewable energy more affordable and reducing future greenhouse gas emissions to make up for our daily travel and electricity use.

When purchasing offsets, look out for international standards (VCS, VER+, Gold Standard, CDM CER) to ensure that they receive recognised and reputable credits. CERs are verified by the UN and meet the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. To help guide you on the quality of offsetting schemes, the government is developing a code of best practice for companies that sell offsets.

You may also look at becoming ISO 14001 compliant. The standard promotes the decrease in resource wastage and aims to reduce pollution. It can be a lengthy and expensive process, but your clients may look favorably on it. 

Alternatively, look at BS8555, which has been designed specifically with SMEs in mind. It breaks down the process of gaining ISO 14001 into six clear steps. It provides an SME with a phased approach to implementing an environmental management system and gives them better control over the process. BS8555 details six clear phases and provides an organisation with clear milestones by which they can demonstrate their achievements to their customers both internally and externally.

Top tips

  • Monitor your electricity use. Configure energy-saving monitors using time switches. Choose energy-efficient equipment.
  • Encourage your staff to walk, cycle, car-share or use public transport. 
  • Switch off lights in empty rooms and corridors. This can save up to 15% on your energy bill.
  • Recycle – paper, cardboard, tins, plastic and glass. It will help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfills.
  • Fit energy saving light bulbs and clean them yearly.
  • Set your workplace thermostat at 19 degrees C – costs rise by 8% for every 1 degrees C increase. 
  • Turn down/off heating during holidays and weekends and don’t heat unused space.
  • Install a water softener. Most of the UK suffers from hard water, causing pipes, heating elements and appliance to become clogged with limescale and use much more energy than they should.
  • Use an energy-saving kettle and only boil the amount of water you need each time.
  • Fit water saving device in your cistern to save when flushing, this can save you three litres per flush.

www.monitormyworkspace.com

Business leaders meet MPs to voice concerns

November 8, 2010 in Local Enterprise Partnership, Policy & Legislation, Transport with 1 Comment

Businesses from across Bristol and the West of England met with their local MPs on Friday 5th November. At a meeting organised by GWE Business West, Dr Liam Fox, Charlotte Leslie and Steve Williams met with over 20 local business leaders to discuss a range of issues and identify areas for future collaboration.

All three MPs emphasised the government’s priority to reduce the deficit and grow the private sector whilst shrinking the public sector. They made clear that this meant new investment would be limited and there would be ever increasing pressure on public resources. The message was very clear – there is no spare money in government and therefore the business community shouldn’t rely on the public sector to help them create growth.

One of the themes for discussion was the often heard complaint that Bristol punches well below its weight – something raised by the MPs and businesses alike. Tessa Coombes, Director of Policy & Strategy, GWE Business West said: “The crucial factor here is what we can do about it, with suggestions focusing on the need for a clear long term vision for the future that ignores political timescales and really delivers on housing and jobs growth whilst also protecting all the things we like about our region.” Some suggestions for immediate actions were as follows: 

  • Need for an Integrated Transport Authority for the West of England – bringing the 4 local authorities together with the power and responsibility to really deliver on the raft of new transport measures needed
  • An elected mayor for the Greater Bristol area – with new responsibilities that go beyond the council boundaries and deliver real leadership for the city region
  • The importance of the new Local Enterprise Partnership and its role in taking forward the growth agenda – local authorities need to cede some power to enable this to work

The planning system also came in for some serious criticism with many of the businesses present identifying the system as a major barrier to growth. There was concern about the abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategy and what this would mean for strategic planning. The big question was around how we deliver the new housing needed to satisfy existing and future needs when there is no strategic plan to address this issue – we need a planning system that supports economic growth rather than one that relies on regulatory burdens.

Other issues discussed included the following:

  • A plea from business to reduce regulation/barriers to growth, to enable them to get on with creating jobs and growth
  • Importance of the creative industries sector and its potential role in economic recovery
  • Localisation of business rates – seen as essential to create the right environment for economic growth
  • Use of local authority and RDA assets – an unexploited resource
  • Defence procurement – opportunities for SW businesses, Green Paper due out in December, need for comment from SMEs

James Durie, Director of the Initiative, GWE Business West said: “One clear and positive message that came through was a real willingness to work together to make things happen and to deliver on the private sector jobs growth needed in our area. GWE Business West is well placed to act as a broker in bringing together MPs and the private sector to identify barriers and solutions.”

Business backing for Growth White Paper

October 28, 2010 in Economy, Local Enterprise Partnership, Policy & Legislation with Comments Off

The Local Growth White Paper published today sets out the government’s vision for economic growth. It confirms the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies and replaces them with Local Enterprise Partnerships; it sets out some fundamental changes to the planning system and tells us how business support will be delivered in the future.

Phil Smith, Managing Director, GWE Business West said: “We welcome the emphasis of the White Paper on private sector growth and removing the barriers to growth currently experienced by businesses when seeking to expand and develop. We are excited by the prospect of these new “growth hubs”, something we at GWE Business West are particularly well placed to coordinate and deliver with our extensive experience of delivering business support and as the local Chambers of Commerce representing and working with thousands of businesses across our area.”

The White Paper announced the first phase of LEPs to be approved, with the West of England identified as one of those areas given permission to formally set up an LEP, bringing business leaders and local councils together to focus on removing the barriers to private sector growth across the city region.

Tessa Coombes, Director of Policy & Strategy, GWE Business West said: “A great deal of hope is being attached to the formation of these LEPs but little or no funding will be available from central government to set them up. If we are serious about economic and private sector jobs growth then these new public/private partnerships have a massive agenda to address in challenging times. Chambers of Commerce are in an excellent position to support the LEPs ability to deliver and to bring the business voice to the table.”

“Our concern as a business community has always been to ensure that these LEPs have real vision and ambition. They need the powers and responsibilities to deliver that vision, the resources to implement and the commitment from all partners around the table to work together to make the vision a reality. The White Paper provides some reassurances on this; the rest is up to us locally.”

Read the full GWE Business West briefing document here

Business disappointment at Bristol losing out on transport funding

October 27, 2010 in Bristol, Transport with Comments Off

Businesses in Bristol have constantly lobbied for better transport and supported the local councils in their bids to government for funding. In announcements made yesterday it seems that once again transport schemes in the Bristol city region have lost out to other areas. The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads bus rapid transit scheme (the first of its kind in the city) has been put back to bid stage, as have schemes in Weston-super-Mare and Bath, all of which have been lobbied for and supported by the local business community.

These transport schemes now face an uncertain future, bidding once again against other schemes from across the country for a smaller funding pot. Other bids previously submitted have also suffered and been put back for further assessment before they can even compete for those funds - the South Bristol Link (something that has been in council plans for decades) and the North Fringe to Hengrove bus rapid transit scheme.

Tessa Coombes, Director of Policy & Strategy, GWE Business West said ‘Businesses in and around Bristol will be extremely disappointed and angry about the lack of investment in transport in our area. We have suffered from underfunding for many years and are living with the consequences of that every day, with severe congestion, high car use and ownership, and an out of date public transport system.’

‘We desperately need improvements to our transport infrastructure now, to help support the economy and encourage private sector jobs growth. Without that investment the economy of our city region will suffer and find it harder to compete with other areas. We need to work together with the local authorities to see how we can ensure these schemes happen.’

Business votes for an Elected Mayor for Bristol

October 26, 2010 in Bristol with Comments Off

Businesses across the Bristol city region have long argued the need for strong leadership to compete with other big cities across the country.

GWE Business West [1] sent out a poll to question businesses across the city asking them which option they would prefer – a leader and cabinet or an elected mayor and cabinet.  This is the same question currently being consulted on by the City Council [2].

Nearly 200 businesses replied to the GWE Business West poll, with an overwhelming majority (86%) voting in favour of an elected mayor for Bristol.

Tessa Coombes, Director of Policy & Strategy, GWE Business West said: “Businesses in Bristol are sending a clear message to council leaders – we want an elected Mayor. We believe this would give Bristol the leadership it needs to stand strong in these difficult economic times, to be innovative and ambitious about future plans and to enable us to compete better on an international stage. We will be writing to the Leaders of all the political parties in Bristol City Council, asking them to take notice of the business voice and consider carefully the decision they take on this matter.”

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