pr2go's Stories

Lakes to host challenging sports events in Olympic summer

A programme of new challenging events for trail runners, open water swimmers and intrepid walkers will take place in the Lake District National Park in 2012, to mark a year of British sports.The season starts with the second annual Great Langdale Trail Run which will be held on 16 June in the heart of the Lake District, following the success of last year’s launch event. Organisers Adventure Challenge Solutions (ACS) and Run 3 believe the inaugural event was so popular among trail runners that it has already become a favourite of the running calendar. The trail run incorporates a 10 kilometre, a half marathon and also a walk.Runners and walkers will cover varied trail terrain, keeping people off the main highways to enjoy the exceptional scenery of the famous twin valleys of Great Langdale and Little Langdale. With a fully way-marked route, water stations and experienced marshalls, the Ron Hill Great Langdale Trail Run is suitable for runners of all abilities.Davy Newell, Director of ACS Events commented: “The event quickly established itself as a firm favorite for those who enjoy a run on the wild side and the stunning Great Langdale Valley.”On Saturday 6 June, open water swimmers will celebrate a return to the water at the Spring Dip at Brockhole, where The Lake District Visitor Centre is hosting a fun-packed swimming event. Davy Newell said: “Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or wanting to join in with Olympic fever and try a new sport, the Spring Dip is the perfect event to dust off your wetsuit and jump in.”Sunday 15 July will see the long awaited Salmon Run take its place in the the ACS calendar of events. Exciting new one-mile and two-mile upstream open water swims will challenge the more adventurous open water swimmers. One-mile adventure swimmers will begin at Fell Foot Park, and be ferried across Windermere from Fell Foot to Lakeside, where rubber-clad competitors will jump aboard the Haverthwaite steam train. After taking the Swan Hotel stop, they will leap in the water and battle the current upstream back to Fell Foot.To round off the season, the Petzl NAO Pitch Black Night Run will be launched in the dark of Grizedale Forest on Saturday 27 October. The event has never been attempted before and competitors will wear new head-torches, making the run especially exciting – and visually stunning. More details will be released shortly. For fundraising packs, or entry information please email davy@acs-events.co.uk or phone Davy Newell on 07748 945355 ENDSMedia inquiries: email Davy Newell at davy@acs-events.co.uk or on 07748 945355

Wasdale challenge will be triathletes’ career pinnacle

Wasdale in West Cumbria – already a place of extremes – is set to host the ultimate ‘half ironman’ distance challenge. The area is home to Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, Wastwater, the deepest lake, and St Olaf’s, the smallest church. Now adventure Challenge Solutions (ACS), has announced that the Wasdale Triathlon will take place on 30 September. The 1.2 mile swim in Wast Water, a seriously steep 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run over Scafell Pike is by far the toughest triathlon in the country, according to Davy Newell of ACS, which also organises Tri Windermere.“Only the intrepid need apply. We have dreamed about this event for years, and had to keep it under wraps. It’s taken a long time to get everything absolutely perfect – it’s the perfect storm,” said Davy. “This event really is only for the seriously committed, and the application process will reflect this. Our rescue team will be tighter and sharper than ever, and we expect competitors to be at their absolute peak of fitness and properly trained.” Aspiring competitors will have to complete a qualifying course to prove their fitness for the event proper. Davy added: “People have been asking us what kind of event to compare it to, and the short answer is, there is no comparison. Wasdale is staggeringly beautiful, and you’ll be swimming in incredibly deep water.” “The cycle route will see you achieving things that you never thought possible in Tri, and to run up England’s highest mountain after swimming the deepest lake has got to be a triathlete’s career pinnacle.”Wasdale Triathlon will take place on 30 September and entries open on 1 April.For further details email Davy at davy@acs-events.co.uk or call him on 07748 945355ENDS

Birmingham Firm Committed to Local Charities

2012-02-09 17:00:09

A Charitable Birmingham-based marketing team has recently been donating its time and efforts toward helping the local community.Over Christmas, big-hearted folk at Reflection Marketing lent a helping hand at SPOCC’s (Society for Parents of Children with Cancer) annual gift wrapping fund-raiser ‘It’s a Wrap’.Held in the Pallasades Shopping Centre in Birmingham city centre, the event offered customers the opportunity to have all of their Christmas presents gift-wrapped in return for a donation to the charity.The event helps to provide funds to allow the charity to carry on with its work throughout the year.Reflection also organises an annual event in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.Over the past two years staff have arranged charity balls and invited their friends, family, suppliers and clients to join them in raising funds for the hospital’s heart appeal - which aims to replace its ageing cardiac unit and add a second cardiac theatre.Staff from Reflection are also regular organisers and attendees of Sutton in Partnership – Sutton Coldfield’s monthly networking event. The last event raised £300 for two local Sutton Coldfield Charities: Our Place Community Hub and Sutton Cancer Support. The local support continued when Kings Arms pub in Sutton Coldfield offered its services by providing the venue and food free of charge. The network has been running for over 18 months and Reflection Marketing has supported the organisation by providing food and designing the invitations for a number of meetings.Reflection is also a key sponsor of the Great Midlands Fun Run.The annual event has helped to raise over £1.2 million for charities over the past nine years.Reflection supports the event by providing web design, development and Search Engine Optimisation, all free of charge. And, on top of this, staff will also be joining in with the 8.5 mile run in 2012.Managing Director at Reflection Marketing, Claire Nicholls, said: “I have a strong view on supporting local charities and believe that it is important to give something back to society and the community. As a company I believe it is essential for the whole team to get involved and help in ways that will be most beneficial to those in need.”ENDSFor more information, please contact Claire Nicholls:Tel: 0121 355 3627Email: claire@reflectionmarketing.co.uk

Alan Titchmarsh Award for Milbourne Lodge's Blooming Success

2012-02-14 09:35:01

A Surrey school has come up smelling of roses after winning a major Royal Horticultural Society (RSA) award. Students and staff and Milbourne Lodge School in Esher were delighted when they learned their Centenary Garden project had been awarded the RSA’s top Campaign for School Gardening Benchmark 5 award.The school has also won a special Alan Titchmarsh Award of £250, to be spent on developing the garden furtherBefore making the award the RHS scrutinised evidence from ‘Form 1 and 2’ garden journals, ICT pupil documentation, films, the school’s garden blog and students’ individual artwork.An RHS spokesperson commented: "Many congratulations Milbourne! It's a great achievement. Only 58 schools out of 14,000 have passed the level 5 award. “There was so much thought and hard work shown in the evidence. All pupils should be very proud of themselves. The RHS would like to make a Level 5 presentation at Milbourne Lodge in the near future and present the school with an RHS achievement plaque."The award followed a family gardening day attended by more than 200 pupils, parents and staff members to promote the Centenary Garden. The event, which formed part of the school’s submission to the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, involved building an eco-greenhouse created from 2012 Coca-Cola bottles and also featured digital photography competitions and a gift stall. Commenting on the event, Milbourne Lodge School head teacher Stephen Ilett said: “We are so lucky to have a very talented and creative Art and ICT team who came up with this wonderful idea of building our own eco-friendly greenhouse. It was a wonderful day, which brought the whole school community together. “Not only was it a huge amount of fun for all involved, but it has given the children, and us adults too, the experience of doing something completely different.” Endsfor more information, please contact Amanda at Milbourne Lodge:Tel: 01372 462737Email: Amanda.ilett@milbournelodge.co.uk

Green is the colour for St Valentine’s Day

2012-02-07 10:59:52

An environmental matchmaking agency is urging people to turn away from costly gifts and think green when celebrating St Valentine’s Day.EcoLovers.co.uk, the green dating website, is encouraging its members and other romantic people to consider a more environmentally friendly approach when asking their loved one to be their Valentine.Nick Shread, founder of EcoLovers.co.uk wants people to create their own Valentines cards from recycled materials. For individuals not creatively inclined, he recommends gifts that have been produced locally. “We feel it is important not to lose the message behind Valentine’s Day, to get away from the retail-minded focus of a gesture of love and to remember that the smallest of environmentally friendly gestures can mean the world to a loved one,” said Nick.“You could go to a local florist that stocks flowers grown locally, a wine merchant that stocks locally produced wine, or even fruit wines. Alternatively, a meal at a restaurant that sources all its meat and produce locally would be a good choice.”Nick emphasises that reducing your impact on the environment doesn't mean that St Valentine’s Day needs to be any less of a romantic occasion. “We are wholeheartedly behind the sentiment of Valentine’s Day, spreading the joy of being loved and making the world a more caring place,” said Nick.“With the current focus on green issues, we also know there is even more reason for people to show their love while reducing their impact on the environment. A hand made card from recycled materials would show that you care enough to spend time and effort to show your love.”Nick added: “Remember, if you're not lucky enough to be with your soul mate this Valentine’s Day it's not something to worry about - you just haven't met the right person yet. Here at www.EcoLovers.co.uk, we can help you find an environmentally friendly partner, someone with a love of life and a passion for the environment and the countryside.”

Fat Fighters Tackle Peterborough’s Sewers

A major project to clear badly clogged sewers caused by fat has been completed in Peterborough. The A15, a major through road in the city, was closed from Saturday evening on January 28 until Monday morning of January 30, to allow the Industrial Water Jetting Systems (IWJS) team to clear the city sewer of over 250 tonnes of fat, rags and silt. The cleaning operation for Anglian Water was hazardous, due to the sewer layout and its location under the busy A15. The timing of the operation over a weekend was designed to minimise traffic disruption.One Flexline Combination Unit, two Recyclers, two CCTV surveying vans and one Bobcat Unit were used over the 36-hour period. Experienced IWJS crews worked in shifts around the clock. The work was part of a 12-week programme to clear the sewer system under Lincoln Road, from the city centre up as afar as Mountsteven Avenue. Anglian Water operates a ‘Keep It Clear’ scheme to inform businesses and homeowners about the consequences of putting fat and other unsuitable items down drains and toilets.In Peterborough city centre blockages have fallen by more than 60 per cent since the scheme was introduced, but there are still parts of the underground system badly clogged. “This is where IWJS steps in to return the sewers to prime working condition,” said Ivan Clarke, Depot Manager at IWJS Woolpit in Suffolk.“Detailed advanced planning of the work with Anglian Water worked well to minimise the road closure. We managed to complete the job ahead of target and that is a credit to our staff who worked hard over the weekend.”IWJS group operates three trading companies in the water and drainage services sector, IWJS Limited, DSS Environmental Limited and Aquajet GB Limited.With more than 35 year’s of continuous trading experience, the three companies are trusted contractors to the water utilities, infrastructure groups, industrial companies, commercial concerns and domestic users. The group has over 300 staff and operates from locations across the country on a 24/7 basis. ENDFor media inquiries please contact ….Tel:Email:

Students learn to dress to impress in the workplace

Year 10 students at Long Close School in Slough learned about workplace dress codes during a ‘Skills for Life’ session run by East Berkshire Education Business Partnership (EBeBP).   The session, which was part of the students’ work experience placement programme, raised awareness of the clothing people need to wear in the workplace and how this varies across different industries. The pupils had to complete several learning activities during the morning and gained valuable knowledge about various types of clothing needed for different workplace environments. This included a health and safety talk and a “Dress to Impress” task.   The group was split into three groups and given a job description. The pupils then had to dress a mannequin with suitable clothing for that specific work setting.   Ian Powell, Year 10 form teacher and head of geography said: “The choices made by the pupils were spot on and they even managed to include vital accessories! In addition, the pupils were given a range of workplace scenarios and shown how to resolve problems correctly.”   EBeBP also arranged for the Diversity Action Recruitment Team from the British Army, led by Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar Chauhan MBE, to talk to the pupils and give them insights into career opportunities in the Army.   Ian Powell added: “The pupils left the session feeling prepared for their work experience placement and also with a greater understanding of what to expect in the world of work. All the class are now eager to complete their work experience placements in March. Thanks must go to EBeBP for arranging the Skills for Life session.”  ENDSFor media inquires please contact Deirdre Davies on:Tel: 01753520095Email: info@longcloseschool.co.uk

Sutton Charity Golf Tournament Set to Raise Thousands

2012-01-31 15:03:01

The Rotary Club of Sutton Coldfield is gearing up for its seventh annual golf tournament, which raised almost £5,000 for local charities last year.  The golf competition, which is being held at Moor Hall Golf Club on May 16, is set to raise even more money this year after receiving much interest from the local community.   Cookes Furniture, based in Erdington, has agreed to sponsor the tournament for a second year, to allow all the money raised from the competition to be distributed to local charities. A maximum of 20 teams can participate in the tournament, with all paying £285 to enter. Already the initial 20 teams containing four players in each have been filled. The Rotary Club is now allowing a few more teams to participate in the annual Golf Day after receiving significant interest in the tournament.   David Cox, Director of Cookes Furniture said: “We are delighted to be once again sponsoring this golfing event, and we hope to raise even more money for local charities."   The Rotary Club is planning to draw in extra cash by charging a small entrance fee and hosting a raffle and auction in the evening. The 2011 Golf Day, sponsored by Cookes Furniture, raised a considerable amount of money that was shared amongst local charities, which included Dogs for the Disabled, St Giles Hospice and Sutton Coldfield Cancer Care - with all receiving between £100 and £500.   Fundraising Manager at The Rotary Club Sutton Coldfield, Zoe Martin, said: "Our charity work is so important to the local community.   "From taking children with learning difficulties to Drayton Manor for the day, to hosting a Golf Day; The Rotary Club really puts the effort in to making a difference, and none of this would be possible without the support from local businesses such as Cookes Furniture who have kindly contributed to our Golf Day," added Zoe. ENDS For more information, please contact Lynsey Norton: Tel: 0121 250 5050 Email: lynseyn@cookesfurniture.co.uk

Thousands of Free Computers to Boost Birmingham’s Literacy Rate

The latest phase of a project aimed at boosting computer literacy in one of Birmingham’s most deprived areas has been a resounding success. Some 18 per cent of homes in the area covered by the Aston Pride Project have benefited from digital installations, with 43 per cent of residents likely to be more computer literate. According to project associate Titan Partnership, 2,680 computers have been distributed around Aston, with 831 laptops being given to pupils in the Aston Pride area through the Computers For Pupils initiative. On top of the hardware supplied for Aston’s youth, 337 computers were offered to homes in the area by Lancaster University’s Home Access initiative, with 700 computers previously provided during Phase 2 of the project. In addition to improving computer literacy in the area, all families involved in the broader project have been able to keep their laptops even though it has finished. Dr. Don Passey, a senior research fellow at Lancaster University, believes The Aston Pride ICT Project has been a success.“Across the period of the initiative, school performance improved significantly. The computers in the Home Phase 3 project HAS clearly supported provision and online access for a number of homes that have previously not had access to computer technology,” said Dr. Passey.   “To build on the developments of this project Titan Partnership is piloting the use of hand-held technologies in schools and homes.“As an initiative addressing the digital divide in the Aston Pride area, the ICT project has been achieved successfully. The reach of computers into the community, the increasing uptake of training sessions and the improvements in ICT skills, have all supported the view that this initiative has had a significant impact on the community in a positive way,” he added.Key benefits included being able to keep in contact with family members, job seeking, and online shopping. Some parents reported using internet facilities to access and complete training courses online. ENDSFor more information, please contact Susanna Timney:Tel: 0121 212 4567Email: suzi@titan.org.uk

Welsh Grads Surpass Stats for National Work Experience Success

2012-01-23 15:18:43

Almost two thirds of recent Welsh graduates are securing employment at the company where they have completed work experience placements; according to the ESF funded graduate recruitment scheme GO Wales. The latest figures for GO Wales have surpassed the national statistics, which state that only a third of graduates secure a job after work experience. The report from High Fliers Research, entitled ‘The Graduate Market in 2012,’ also highlights that an average of 50 applicants chase every graduate job available at the UKs top graduate employers. GO Wales are urging Welsh graduates to consider the career opportunities that small businesses in Wales can offer and to make the most of the paid work placements available especially in Mid and North Wales where new placements are advertised each week. Marketing Coordinator for GO Wales, Crystal Evans said: “We’re extremely pleased with our success rate of helping graduates secure employment within the companies where they undertake work experience.”“What we want to do now, is to encourage graduates in other areas of the country to make the most of the vacancies available on their doorsteps, with a real emphasis on the new opportunities coming up in Mid and North Wales” added Crystal.Recent graduate, Liz Prince, undertook her work placement with Snowdonia Tourist Services as a Photographer and Virtual Tour Organiser. Liz was offered a job with the company after completing 10 weeks of paid work experience, via the GO Wales scheme.“When I left university, I thought I’d struggle to find work in North Wales, with London being my only option of employment.”“I was thrilled to find this work placement opportunity that has now led to employment in Snowdonia. It proves that there are jobs out there for graduates and in areas like North Wales where people don’t expect to find them,” added Liz.With the graduate recruitment market becoming more competitive, GO Wales offer university leavers paid work-placements, training courses and a database of job opportunities to make the best start to their careers in Wales. ENDSFor more information, please contact Crystal Evans:Tel: 0845 225 60 50Email: c.b.evans@swansea.ac.ukNotes to editors:GO Wales makes it possible for students and graduates to develop their careers in Wales through quality work experience and training opportunities with businesses. The project contributes significantly to the development of a knowledge economy in Wales; businesses have access to higher level skills and fresh ideas to support growth and development.Managed by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) the project is delivered by University Careers Services in Wales.GO Wales receives funding from the Welsh Government and the European Union Social Fund (ESF).The Graduate Market in 2012 is a study of graduate vacancies and starting salaries at one hundred of the UK’s best-known and most successful employers, conducted by High Fliers Research during December 2011

Big Lottery Fund Backs Campaign to Showcase Youth Talent in Brum

2012-01-24 14:53:13

Digbeth-based community interest company Aspire4u CIC has launched the second phase of a major campaign to showcase talented youth in Birmingham. Project Talent, which has received funding from the Big Lottery Fund, will create a variety of opportunities for musicians, dancers, designers and models through a combination of exciting platforms.The programme kicks off when Aspire4u stages a networking event for aspiring performance artists at the Rainbow in Digbeth on January 26. Panellists include music producer Baby J; Ammo, CEO of Punch Records; Tanya Anderson, CEO of Fierce Productionz dance academy; and Nate Sheridan, of Citizen Enterprises. Project Talent and Aspire4U director, Daniella Genas will also be on the panel, sharing her aspirations for Project Talent. Daniella said: “My vision is to create a portal that nurtures talent in the West Midlands and enables the youth in the region to compete with London-based artists without having to leave their city. With the support of London agencies and local organisations, we will be able to provide countless opportunities in the areas of the arts, media and fashion.” Daniella added: “Youth unemployment is on the rise and Project Talent is about providing practical support for young people who feel hopeless and need direction. “Following the recent riots, it is important to engage with young people and provide them with alternatives to criminality.”The project has also launched its new website, www.projecttalent.co.uk, as an online portal for talented youth in the Midlands to receive exposure. The website enables individuals to create online portfolios incorporating videos, audio and images. It is currently free to register and a valuable resource for young people who cannot afford the production of costly portfolios. Over the next few months, Aspire4u will revamp the site to include new features such as job opportunities and video masterclasses, adding even more benefits to members. Project Talent will also be holding a major showcase on 2 June at Birmingham Town Hall, where they will be searching for the talent of 2012. The event will see a variety of gifted youths compete to win a range of life-changing industry prizes, including an opportunity for aspiring models to walk at London Fashion Week. Participants will also have the chance to attend free workshops and master-classes in a range of disciplines, including vocal coaching, song writing, choreography, video production and more. Auditions for Talent 2012 will take place in March. The final part of Project Talent is the launch of Project Talent TV, an online digital station designed to act as a platform for young people in the Midlands who want to share their talent, be inspired, and find out what’s going on in their community. During the coming months Aspire4u will be populating the station with music videos, interviews, event clips and spotlights on role models and local organisations. Local youth will be responsible for producing the content and will receive expert video production training.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Daniella Genas:Email: dgenas@aspire4u.co.ukTel: 0121 622 3603Notes to Editors:Aspire4u CIC is a cutting edge community interest company dedicated to changing the life chances of young people. We organise a diverse range of exciting, innovative and impactful projects for youths from disadvantaged backgrounds. We provide alternative training and vocational work experience opportunities for youths offering alternative career and life development support.Aspire4u CIC also coordinates a variety of community‐focused events that support & promote local talent in order to create pathways to community cohesion. Daniella Genas is Director of Community Interest Company; Aspire4u CIC. Daniella founded the company in 2007 with the aim of providing high quality events to clients whilst providing life-changing opportunities to young people in Birmingham and beyond. Thus far she has worked with over 500 young people providing work experience, training, volunteering and showcasing opportunities.Daniella is also currently being featured on BBC Radio 4 as part of the 'Women in Business' series on 'Woman Hour'

Hi-fi Retailer Pumps Up The Volume With Strategic Relocation

Hi-fi and home cinema retailer Hifi Gear is relocating its operations from Gloucester to larger premises in Hereford, as part of a broader expansion programme.Hifi Gear is a bricks-and-mortar and online specialist retailer that services discerning music and movie fans. Director Phil Glazzard commented: “Our development strategy involves continually expanding our market share, growing sales and improving profitability and the relocation of our business to larger premises in Hereford by the end of March is a key part of that plan.”Established in 2003, HiFi Gear uses wide-ranging product experience to put together combinations of audio products to suit customers’ needs and budget. The business serves local customers through its retail premises, which enables people to audition equipment in purpose-built demonstration rooms. An extensive stockholding means customers can often buy highly specialised products without the need to place an order. Customer, Fiona Falconer, commented: “I would use this company again and again. From my initial order enquiry they were very helpful and the delivery service was excellent.”Another customer, Darren Field, added: “I ordered a Yamaha YAS 101 sound-bar which was dispatched and delivered in less than 24 hours. Great communication from the seller and I was very impressed with the service and product.”Hifi Gear also serves UK customers further afield via its ecommerce website – www.hifigear.co.uk – which offers free, next day delivery of over 5,000 hi-fi and home cinema products with secure online ordering.ENDSFor further information call Phil Glazzard:Tel: 01452 306412 Email: phil@hifigear.co.uk

Medical Firm Backs CPR Awareness Campaign with Launch of New Lifesaving Technology

2012-01-17 15:24:07

A Sussex-based medical firm is backing hard man Vinnie Jones’ latest lifesaving campaign to raise awareness of the importance of CPR, but thinks the chances of cardiac arrest survival could be dramatically enhanced if rescuers had rapid access to an easy to use piece of medical equipment costing less than a 3DTV. The Defib Centre, who specialise in automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), is hoping to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and is urging people to consider investing in a lifesaving and affordable portable defibrillator.Latest UK estimates suggest that almost 30,000 people’s hearts stop due to cardiac arrest with almost 90% not surviving. The condition affects people of all ages and many times victims have no prior symptoms or history of cardiovascular disease.Robin Shepherd, Director at the Defib Centre said, “Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the world and we as an organisation are committed to educating the masses about its dangers. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a great start but an automated external defibrillator (AED) is often necessary to deliver the all-important shock that can re-boot the heart into normal rhythm again. “If a shock can be delivered within the first five minutes of a heart attack then the chance of survival goes up from around only 5% to over 75%. That’s a lot of lives potentially saved.”The equipment is now accessible to everyone and can mean the difference between life and death. The firm is pressing the government to increase awareness of cardiac arrest especially amongst young people in schools. Many countries do it, from Norway to Austria to most parts of the U.S. In Arizona, where everyone has been taught CPR techniques at school and is a requirement to obtaining a driving license, survival rates for cardiac arrest are 250% higher than those in the UK.The Defib Centre is now urging schools, workplaces, sports and entertainment venues to consider investing in the life saving equipment which can be used with minimal training and do absolutely no harm only good. Their ground-breaking AED, manufactured here in the UK by HeartSine Technologies, not only simply and effectively delivers the essential shock but also instructs users on how to correctly perform CPR by monitoring the depth and speed of compressions giving the user immediate and vital feedback. With over 70% of CPR being historically delivered poorly it offers the lay rescuer the very best chance of saving a life using an AED.For more information on the defibrillators, please contact The Defib Centre on 0800 634 9745 or visit www.thedefibcentre.co.ukENDSFor more information, please contact Robin Shepherd:Tel: 07786 195316Email: robin@thedefibcentre.co.uk

BIG MIDLANDS CHARITY BRA REQUEST WITH WEWANTANYBRA.COM

A Cannock-based car company has teamed up with Breast Cancer Care and Beacon Radio to encourage people to donate unwanted bras with £1 in each cup to support the charity.wewantanycar.com, who are sponsoring the event this year with Beacon and Breast Cancer Care have set up bra banks at local depots so people can drop them off – so long as there is £1 in each cup they will be happy to accept any size or shape bra in any condition.The bra banks are situated in the local wewantwanycar.com depots at Cannock, Dudley, West Bromwich, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Oldbury, Solihull and Birmingham. Local businesses can also get involved by requesting packs to support the charity and to send off their unwanted bras too. So far, over 40 local organisations have requested Workplace packs.Tim Clapham, Operations Director, from wewantanycar.com said ‘We are excited to be a supporter of such a different and innovative fundraising campaign in aid of Breast Cancer Care. “We are hosting bra banks at each of our local depots, details of which can be found on wewantanybra.com. We believe it is important to support local organisations providing such vital support to those affected by breast cancer. “Many of our colleagues have known someone or been affected in some way themselves and this is a great opportunity to give something back to support the community."Local celebrity, Meera Syal is supporting the campaign and said: “I’ve been a keen supporter of Breast Cancer Care ever since my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42. Anyone who’s had cancer in the family knows it’s terrifying. Thankfully Breast Cancer Care are there for people, and their families, every step of the way as they deal with the disease. “Right now in the Black Country and Shropshire, the easiest way to show your support to this amazing charity is to take your unwanted bras with £1 in each cup to a wewantanycar.com depot. Come on ladies, we want any bra!” Sarah Herrett, Area Fundraising Manager from Breast Cancer Care said: “We are thrilled that Beacon and wewantanycar.com are supporting Breast Cancer Care this year with this campaign. “This is something unique and hopefully will capture the imagination of everyone in the Black Country and Shropshire. This is a simple fundraising campaign that even men can get behind by encouraging their wives and girlfriends to have a New Year underwear draw clear out.”wewantanycar.com and Beacon Radio have launched a website: www.wewantanybra.com where you can find out how to get involved, either by organising a collection at work or holding a bra-ty at home. All the drop off locations can be found here and you can request a collection from the Beacon Bra Van to pick up all your bra’s. You can also find out which celebrity you measure up to in the bra stakes and see some photos of celebs in unusual bra’s.ENDFor media enquires please contact Tim Clapham, Managing Director at wewantanycar.com:Tel: 01543 592050 Email: tim.clapham@wewantanycar.comNotes to Editors: Breast Cancer Care is just a phone call or mouse-click away for anyone who is affected by breast cancer. Our free helpline, information-packed website and online forums offer a friendly ear and expert guidance to people dealing with the turmoil of this life-threatening illness. Across the UK we also offer skilled emotional and practical support through a range of confidential, face-to-face services, helping people every step of the way. Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000.Every year 50,000 people across the UK will hear the devastating news that they have breast cancer. Every person affected will have felt frightened, confused and alone at some point. And the sad truth is that far too many have not received the crucial support and information they so desperately need.Wewantanycar.com are an online used car company, based in Cannock, Staffordshire. They have depots all over the UK and Wales offering a drop off and collection service for selling any buying used cars.

South Glamorgan wedding specialists unite to launch ‘Golden Ticket’ competition

A group of nine businesses from across Newport and Cardiff have joined forces to offer one lucky newlywed couple the chance to win back the cost of their wedding.One of 20 couples who tie the knot at the picturesque Miskin Manor in 2012 as part of their new luxury wedding package will be offered the chance to win £10,000 back from their special day.The ‘Golden Ticket’ promotion is being offered by RSVP, a collective of nine wedding specialists based across South Wales. This includes Miskin Manor and a collective of businesses who bring together expertise in events management, interiors, photography and all the essentials that come with planning the perfect day.This exciting initiative is the brainchild of Newport-based photographer Peter Rowlands, who recognised the need for an affordable wedding package with a luxury feel.Peter, who runs P&M Photography, said: “Organising a wedding can be a daunting and time consuming process, so we wanted to put together a beautiful wedding package for couples who don’t have the time to look around for their wedding essentials.”The RSVP businesses came together after spotting a gap in the competitive wedding market for a complete wedding package at an affordable price.Peter added: “The average cost of a wedding package stands at £18,500, which is beyond the budgets of a lot of couples looking to tie the knot, so we’ve come together to offer the perfect wedding package at Miskin Manor for just £10,000.”The first 20 brides and grooms who book the RSVP package to marry at Miskin Manor next year will be invited to attend a special evening in January 2013, where one lucky bride will find a golden ticket in a complimentary gift, and receive the cost of their wedding back*.Those thinking of tying knot at Miskin Manor in 2012 can find out more about the £10,000 dream-wedding package, and meet the companies behind the RSVP initiative, at a special wedding presentation being held at Miskin Manor on January 26th 2012 at 6pm.Visit www.rsvpweddings.net *Terms and conditions apply.ENDSNotes to EditorsRSVP are a group of firms based across South Wales, which include Miskin Manor, P&M Photography, Rolfes the Florist, Perfection Bridal and Menswear, Dyfed Menswear, Wow Events, Parties ToYou, a bridal cake company and DJ Mark Weller.Miskin Manor is a Grade II listed, AA Four Star hotel, set in 22 acres of gardens in the heart of the Welsh countryside.For media enquiries, please contact Peter Rowlands of P&M Photography on 07941 357 822 or email peter.rowlands@pandmphotography.co.uk

Cardiff-based recommendations site helps local businesses reach new customers as it grows in popularity

An innovative recommendations website run by a Cardiff-based entrepreneur has seen a significant growth in popularity over the past few weeks as over 1,000 new companies registered on the site.Trust Mico helps local and national businesses to attract new customers by offering them a range of ways to promote their deals and special offers, as well as getting positive recommendations from consumers who have used and liked their service.The website was launched following extensive research showing that consumers are more likely to act on recommendations from people they know and trust, rather than from anonymous reviewers.The site’s creator, Alex Small, said: “We recognise that some businesses are still feeling the effects of the economic downturn and have to find new ways of promoting their service, so Trust Mico provides a platform to help them reach new customers and stand out from competitors. “When businesses register on the website, they benefit not only from the powerful endorsements from people who’ve recommended them, but also from the opportunities we give them to offer their prospective new customers incentives, deals and special offers.”And unlike Daily Deals sites, Trust Mico’s website is free.Alex explained: “There are similar websites which can have a negative effect on businesses running offers and incentives because they ultimately cost the business money if every user chose to cash in their voucher or offer on the same day.“On Trust Mico, businesses can monitor and adjust a special offer whenever they need to as the deal isn’t processed until the point of sale, giving them complete control over their costs.“Ultimately, our aim is to provide a free alternative for businesses which lets them promote their offers and at the same time gain positive recommendations from trusted sources without the threat of negative repercussions.”To find out more, visit www.trustmico.comENDSNotes to editors:For more information about Trust Mico, or for further quotes, please contact Alex Small on 07411 220337 or email alex@trustmico.com

COMMUNITY-BASED SOLAR POWER SCHEME IS NATIONAL FIRST FOR STRATFORD HOSPITAL

Midlands solar panel expert Eco2Solar has installed a solar power array at Stratford upon Avon Hospital – the first time a community-based renewable energy project has been installed at an NHS site. The innovative scheme has been put together by local energy co-operative Community Energy Warwickshire and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stratford and Warwick Hospitals. Eco2Solar was selected as project installer following a detailed competitive tendering process organised by Community Energy Warwickshire.Over two dozen members of Community Energy Warwickshire joined Eco2Solar Managing Director Paul Hutchens and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Glen Burley just before Christmas to celebrate the installation and discuss future plans. The 10 kilowatt array at Stratford is the first phase of the project, which will also see a further 50 kilowatts of solar power installed at Warwick Hospital early in 2012.Community Energy Warwickshire, which was set up by Warwickshire residents to invest in renewable energy and help local communities save energy, has already raised over £100,000 of its target of £120,000 to fund the installations. The fifty-two Suntech STP190S-24Ad+ panels installed at Stratford are expected to produce over 8,000 kWh a year of renewable energy for the hospital. Paul Hutchens, managing director of Eco2Solar, said: “We were delighted to help Community Energy Warwickshire achieve their target of completing the Stratford installation before the Government’s December 12 deadline for reductions in feed-in tariffs. Eco2Solar deals with a number of community organisations who are working together to ensure renewable energy plays a larger role in their local area. We are also pleased to be able to help South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust realise energy savings at a time when public spending is under pressure.”Keith Sinfield, the Chair of Community Energy Warwickshire, said: “Eco2Solar worked hard and efficiently to help us get the Stratford installation completed on time. We are delighted our innovative partnership with South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust is already generating renewable energy and look forward to working with the Trust on energy saving initiatives.”For more information, visit www.eco2solar.co.uk. More information on Community Energy Warwickshire can be found at www.cew.coop.ENDS (334 words)Pic caption: The team behind Stratford Hospital’s new solar power initiative, from L to R: Paul Hutchens, managing director, Eco2Solar; Barbara Cooper, Chris Begg and Keith Sinfield from Community Energy Warwickshire; Siobhan Hill, energy manager, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust; Glen Burley, chief executive, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.For press enquiries, please contact: Mary Whitehouse, betterpr, tel: 01527 881965, email: mary@betterpr.co.uk Notes to editorsEco2Solar is a family run company based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, which provides professional, cost-effective renewable energy installations that significantly reduce the fuel bills and carbon footprints of businesses, organisations and individuals.Clients include domestic homes, social housing and commercial buildings, and installations cover everything from providing electricity, heating, hot water or heating swimming pools with solar panels. The company can install large scale commercial solar systems on a full design and build basis with in-house design and CAD capability.Eco2Solar has grown rapidly since 2007, expanding to become a significant local employer of over 35 people in a little over 4 years. As passionate solar power enthusiasts, Eco2Solar fully believes in the technology’s financial and environmental benefits. In addition, as an experienced, expert and professionally run family business, it prides itself on excellent customer service.

Canute Medical acquires Lundy Healthcare in strategic deal

Medical logistics business Canute International Medical Services (CIMS) has acquired Lundy Healthcare for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will deliver a number of strategic synergies that will enable the enlarged business to offer class-leading end-to-end services for customers in the medical equipment market. CIMS, a subsidiary of the Canute Group, is a privately owned £80 million turnover business with global experience in a number of key markets. Part of the Canute Group since 2005, CIMS has implemented a successful growth programme during the recession, developing significant experience in the mobile medical logistics market and pre-medical turnkey sector. Commenting on the transaction, Guy Pomroy, Director at Canute, said: “Sadly, Lundy had been placed in administration and this was very much an eleventh hour involvement by Canute. Despite a hectic few days, we are particularly pleased that we have been able to keep the Lundy team together and integrate them into our merged business. Guy Pomroy continued: “The Canute Group is committed to the long term future of the company and making the most of the skills and experience of the new team. We will be looking closely at the business to ensure that it is in good shape and properly structured to meet the demands of the industry. “We can now offer all our customers, including those of Lundy Healthcare, a comprehensive service in pre-medical turnkey and a much wider range of services through CIMS. We are looking forward to developing the company into a truly international medical services provider within the Canute Group,” added Guy Pomroy. Gary Foy, who joined CIMS as Engineering Manager from Lundy, added: “Having been involved in most aspects of medical engineering and white glove specialist handling for 20 years, I believe this merger is the best possible outcome. “This is very much a merger of expertise and skill-sets, with CIMS already established as an industry leader in logistics, and continually building a coveted reputation in the industry. The feeling is very positive, with a renewed sense of stability which can only enhance the teamwork needed to service our clients.”ENDSFor more information, please contact Raj Aujla:Tel: 0121 314 2898Email: raj.aujla@pr2go.com

CRM and the Seven Signs of Life.

2012-01-06 16:57:49

CRM and the Seven Signs of Life: How to breathe life into your Customer Relationship Management strategyWhite coats on, stethoscopes at the ready – Carolyn Bondi, Business Development Director at leading CRM & data agency Blueberry Wave, talks us through the basic biology of CRM campaigns and provides her top tips for boosting your strategy.This year more than ever, sales figures need to be busily multiplying. But if you suspect that your campaigns could be DOA, it’s time to check your CRM strategy for the Seven Signs of Life.If you feel your strategy may be falling short, there are plenty of things you can do to administer first aid. Follow our seven-step guide to putting the life back into your CRM campaign:1. Movement: Is there movement out there? Are you harnessing all your customers and prospect touch points and correctly via the web, email, DM response, in-store, social media, delivery and operations? Think about every touch point as an opportunity. It’s imperative you gather the right information in the right format. Make sure you seek permission from customers to contact them, and get their postal address – it makes all the other jobs possible. Email only or badly permissioned data can render your customers unreachable, unhygienic or prematurely ageing!2. Respiration: Is your database breathing? You can only tell if you have a working Single Customer View. Get your individual customers into one place, have one household address, prioritise the household and align everyone’s recorded sales and interactions with you across all your products, brands and channels.3. Sensitivity: How sensitive are you to your customers and prospects? Do you have a thorough understanding of their needs? If you collected address details it’s now time for some analysis - what do they do (their purchase patterns, buying behavior, channel they use, what they buy) and who are they (lifestyle and demographics)? Build a portrait of your customers that takes everything possible into account, focusing on the areas in your business with the most potential. 4. Growth: Take the time to assess which parts of your strategy to nurture and grow. Put them in the right order, ranking them from best to worst. Build a propensity model on the area of your business that has the biggest potential to grow or requires immediate focus, as you’ll need to be able to target existing customers who have the highest likelihood to re-purchase.5. Reproduction: This is where it gets exciting - a great contact and communications strategy can really help your customer base multiply! Create a bespoke plan that shows you when to talk to them, by what channel, about what and how to position your message or offer to them. This helps your customers feel understood and valued, and ultimately they will buy more. By making your campaign relevant and timely you will increase your likelihood to get a sale. Your plan should give you a basis to springboard into the future with an improved structure and the ability to measure success and report on it.6. Output: Implementing your campaigns effectively is very important. One size doesn’t fit all and in 2012 we shouldn’t be just blasting everyone with the same message - that’s so 2002! You’ll be using all this rich information to create the right messagein either HTML email format or with a DM pack for your customers, as well as prospect campaigns. To save time and cost, you can get clever with one design but split messaging for different customer segments and prospects, as well as people you just won’t mail this time! Remember - quality, not quantity. 7. Nutrition: Now you need to feed this wonderful stuff back into your database. Jargon alert – ‘closing the feedback loop’. So take all the responders, non-responders, opens, clicks, buyers, transactions, order values and abandoned baskets, and make sure you capture it on each customer and prospect record. Only when you truly track and record the outcome can you provide the board with a campaign ROI. Putting the outcomes at an individual level back onto your Single Customer View completes the campaign history and enables the analysis of how it went. It provides you with the measurement tools to either fine-tune your campaign or do it all again (only bigger!) and plan for the next one! But have a cup of tea first…So that’s the basic biology of CRM - there is of course a lot more to it but by just getting these Seven Signs of Life going, you will be in much better shape and will avoid needing a defibrillator on your campaigns!By Carolyn Bondi of Blueberry Wavewww.blueberrywave.comAbout Carolyn BondiCarolyn Bondi has worked in the client services and data industry for over 22 years. Prior to Blueberry Wave she ran her own data consultancy, Peppermint Papers, working with many leading agencies and data organisations as well as direct clients. Working across multiple industry sectors she has also held senior roles at data giant Acxiom/Claritas and run business development for leading below-the-line agency Tullo Marshall Warren. She started her data and sales career at Centaur Publishing. About Blueberry WaveBlueberry Wave are a leading CRM and data agency firm based in Cirencester. For over ten years they have been helping big brands to use data to change the way they engage with their customers. From creating a single customer view to developing agile contact strategiesand deriving actionable insights, Blueberry Wave develop effective solutions for clients across a range of industries.

Birmingham Design Firm Enjoys Continued Growth in Region

2012-01-12 11:08:01

Birmingham-based design agency Twelve20 have recently undergone a period of expansion following several new client wins, proving that the region’s creative industries remain a success story despite difficult trading conditions. As well as launching a range of new products, Twelve20 have supplemented their phase of growth with a move into larger premises in the Jewelery Quarter, Birmingham.Twelve20 have become a leading design consultancy for the education sector, having designed a new magazine format and content-managed website for Religious Education publication RE Today, as well as a subscription facility and search functionality for online users.“The last 12 months have been incredibly busy for us,” explains Darren Langham, co-founder of Twelve20.“We’ve widened our range of products and services, expanded into new offices and successfully added to our client list.“We’re thrilled to be working on some great products and really enjoyed working on the RE Today magazine. We always try to find unique ways to solve design problems and working with educators allows us to challenge old approaches to find fresh solutions.”The firm also designed a CMS website funded by the Religious Education Council and an online CPD resource centre called Christian Education.These new client wins have helped to place Twelve20 firmly on the map as specialists in designing and developing materials, websites and publications for the religious education sector.Lat Blaylock, Editor of RE Today, said: “We’re delighted with the magazine designs and I’ve really enjoyed working with Twelve20 over the past 12 months.“As a busy editor, I’m always looking for creative talent, practical skills and the ability to meet deadlines, and Twelve20 have provided us with an excellent service, both on regular publications to one-off projects.“We’re looking forward to working with them further in 2012.”Visit www.twelve20.co.uk for more information.Ends  For further information please contact Darren Langham or Matthew Tullett on 0121 288 4227 or email us@twelve20.co.uk. 

Hair-Raising Awareness Campaign for Children’s Cancer Charity

2011-12-22 13:17:05

Benchmarx, specialist kitchens and joinery brand has added some funk to December, by using wild and wacky hair designs to raise awareness for the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent.Benchmarx has unleashed the charity’s messy hair campaign, The Big Buzz, to boost donations and awareness of the work carried out by the charity to improve the lives of children and young people with cancer and their families. The Big Buzz campaign asks people to get extra creative with their hairstyles throughout December and encourage sponsorship from friends and family for their funky hairdos.Many children who are diagnosed with cancer undergo treatment that can lead to hair loss and ‘The BIG Buzz’ encourages people across the UK to ‘be a life-shaver’ or take part in other ‘hair-raising fun’, as a visible way to show support and raise as much money as possible.CLIC Sargent’s National Events Manager, Katie Turton said: “Whether you’re going it alone, or taking part with friends, family or colleagues, by simply changing your hair you can help CLIC Sargent change lives for children and young people with cancer.   “Every pound raised for The Big Buzz will help CLIC Sargent be there with the clinical, practical and emotional support that young cancer patients and their families need.”Every day, 10 children and young people in the UK hear the devastating news they have cancer. CLIC Sargent provides clinical, practical and emotional support to help children and their families cope with cancer and get the most out of life.Benchmarx Managing Director, Chris Larkin, said: “We thought that the Make a Buzz campaign was a fun and engaging way of supporting a problem that is a real issue for children receiving treatment. Our staff wanted to get involved and will be raising awareness in December in branches with our customers. We’re looking forward to seeing some of the results.”Whether it’s a shaved head, spikes like Jedward or some festive colour; those wanting to raise money for Clic Sargent can donate in all Benchmarx branches or visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/BenchmarxBigBuzzPhotograph: Darran Neal (Kitchen Designer, Benchmarx Lichfield)ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Rajmeena Aujla at pr2go.Tel: 0844 11 2282Email: raj.aujla@pr2go.comNotes to editors:BenchmarxBenchmarx is a specialist kitchens, joinery, doors and flooring business. Benchmarx key offerings are higher specification kitchens as standard, everything you need available from stock, competitive local pricing, showroom and design service for the fitter's customer, reliable delivery service and top brands to give the best quality. All Benchmarx branches are open early for trade customers and offer exceptional customer service from staff who have years of experience in the trade.For more information, or to find your nearest branch, visit the website www.benchmarxjoinery.co.ukTravis Perkins plcA major PLC, Travis Perkins is a leading company in the builders’ merchant and home improvement markets, and is a main supplier to the building and construction market, one of the largest industries in the UK. Travis Perkins recently acquired the BSS Group, a market leading distributor to specialist trades. The combined Group turns over in excess of £4.2bn, operates through seventeen businesses with more than 1,650 trading branches, employing around 20,000 colleagues.For more information visit the website www.travisperkinsplc.com.

Wedding Show Raises Vital Funds For Local Charity

Brides-to-be can take advantage of a free wedding show at Deer Park Hall in Worcestershire – and help to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice. The show will take place on Sunday 22 January, between 10am and 4pm, when brides can meet wedding event experts, ranging from food to fashion, from across the Worcestershire area. Five caterers will provide delicious tasters and a fashion show of wedding dresses and accessories will feature Worcester model Jamie Roche, who appeared on Katie Price's recent TV show, Signed by Katie. A total of 17 Worcestershire businesses from the wedding events sector will be exhibiting at the show. Entry is free, although guests will be asked to make a donation to the local charity, St Richard’s Hospice. Local hair dressers and make-up artists will do trial make overs, and there will be a display of sumptuous cakes from Made by Marie. The event will also include a performance by popular magician Ben Hanlin, and advice from professional wedding photographer David J Perkins.Caron Steele, owner of Deer Park Hall said: “We've had so much fun organising this event. It's been great speaking to the local businesses who are enthusiastic about the show and are grateful to have the opportunity to put their business on a pedestal.” Caron added: “St Richard’s Hospice cares for patients and families in Worcestershire who are living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Each year the hospice gives free care and support to around 2,200 patients and their families, helping them to achieve the best quality of life possible. We are delighted to be able to offer our support to the local charity and it's great to see the whole community coming together.”ENDS For media inquiries please contact Sam Langston:Tel: 01386 750267Email:office@deerparkhall.com

Police Back Campaign to Help Vulnerable Clubbers in Birmingham

2011-12-21 11:59:19

A nightclub stunt aimed at making girls aware of their vulnerability when drunk and alone in central Birmingham is proving a success.A partnership between West Midlands Police and Moo Moo Youth Marketing, staged the ‘Stay Safe, Stay Together’ events at Vodbull UK's student night at Risa in Broad Street on December 8 and also at Gatecrasher on December 12.Birmingham has more than 200 nightclubs and bars and a large student population. Binge drinking on Broad Street is an issue and girls are becoming the victims of unwanted attention by walking home or getting into unmarked taxis on their own.Managing Director at Moo Moo Youth Marketing, Charlotte Slater, explains how the first element of the campaign started when two actresses pretended to be drunk and seemed to have fun by talking to lots of people and dancing. “Then they pretended to get even more drunk and, through the use of props, looked as if they had vomited down themselves. At this stage they sat in prominent areas of the nightclubs with signs that read ‘Drunk + Alone = Victim’,” added Charlotte Slater.“This focused attention, with young people taking pictures, trying to help or simply trying to work out what it was all about. This gave the opportunity for trained workers to explain the campaign and highlight the need to be around company when drinking.” The second part of the campaign involved giving branded handcuffs with the message ‘Stay Safe, Stay Together’ written on them, to all girls that went into the girls toilets. Peer workers gave out the handcuffs, explaining the importance of staying safe. Some 500 handcuffs were rapidly distributed on each night so that 1,000 girls took home the message. A further 50 questionnaires were completed, with 90 per cent of respondents saying they were less likely to go home on their own since talking to Moo Moo's outreach workers. By conducting the campaign Moo Moo engaged with thousands of young people and will release a viral video on YouTube in January to reach thousands more.One of the actresses, Laura Markham, said: “The experience revealed that the most obviously intoxicated girls are targets for unwanted attention, especially when they're on their own. I felt really vulnerable pretending to be a confused drunk girl.”Charlotte Slater added: “By using these quirky engagement techniques, we educated thousands of people in just a few hours. The response from the party-goers was fantastic and I hope the message of stay safe, stay together is engrained in them now. All people, when they are drunk and alone, become vulnerable to crime so it was a campaign to remind people that they should never be alone and to know their limits when drinking.”ENDSFor more information, please contact Charlotte Slater:Tel: 01212247711Email: charlotte@mmym.co.uk

Eco2solar sees Fourfold Increase in Solar Panel Installations to Beat Tariff Deadline

2011-12-19 11:18:54

West Midlands renewable energy firm Eco2Solar has pulled out all the stops to commission more than 200 domestic solar PV installations qualifying for the 43.3p feed in tariff rate before the deadline announced by the Government in October.The company generally handles around 50 installations per month but in the six weeks between the announcement and the deadline, the number of domestic projects rose to 200.The announcement that the tariff – which is paid to householders for every kWh of electricity they generate from solar panels – was to be more than halved from 43.3p to 21p for installations registered after December 12th prompted a flurry of enquiries and orders at the Kidderminster company, which geared up its operation to install and commission as many as possible during the six-week window before the deadline expired.These, together with the commercial projects completed by Eco2Solar during the period – which included installations for Stratford upon Avon hospital, a new social housing development at Russell’s Hall and the Dudley and Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Birmingham – mean that Eco2Solar was responsible for the installation of over 3,000 solar panels representing 700kW of energy in the six weeks from October 31st. This is the equivalent of over 300 tonnes of CO2 annually – or the equivalent of planting 1,500 trees every year. It is estimated that householders and building owners will earn nearly £200,000 between them in FiT (feed in tariff schemes) every year.The achievement was a complete team effort, said Eco2Solar managing director Paul Hutchens.“Since the fee in tariff scheme was announced, it has been a very busy period for everyone at Eco2Solar and this could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of the entire Eco2Solar team,” he said.“It’s important to realise that whilst the old 43.3p FIT gave customers an excellent return on their investment, Eco2Solar have already put together an offering for the new 21p/kWh FIT rate proposed by the Government in a recent review of solar subsidies. “The new offering will provide an average 10% return on investment for new purchasers, alongside an average 10 year payback period*, making it a fantastic investment opportunity.”For more information, visit www.eco2solar.co.uk ENDS For press enquiries, please contact: Mary Whitehouse, betterpr:Tel: 01527 881965Email: mary@betterpr.co.uk Notes to editors:*Based on a 4kWp, south facing, 30° solar PV installationEco2Solar is a family run company based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, which provides professional, cost-effective renewable energy installations that significantly reduce the fuel bills and carbon footprints of businesses, organisations and individuals.Clients include domestic homes, social housing and commercial buildings, and installations cover everything from providing electricity, heating, hot water or heating swimming pools with solar panels. The company can install large-scale commercial solar systems on a full design and build basis with in-house design and CAD capability.Eco2Solar has grown rapidly since 2007, expanding to become a significant local employer of over 35 people in a little over 4 years. As passionate solar power enthusiasts, Eco2Solar fully believes in the technology’s financial and environmental benefits. In addition, as an experienced, expert and professionally run family business, it prides itself on excellent customer service.

New Marketing Head for Selco

2011-12-20 15:44:21

Selco Builders Warehouse has appointed Helen Cooper to head up its marketing team as part of a strategic growth and customer development programme.Helen joins Selco after almost seven years as Marketing Manager for Travis Perkins, responsible for the Travis Perkins merchant brand, tool and equipment hire and Keyline brands.A Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualified professional, Helen has more than ten years' DIY retail and merchanting experience.In this new role Helen is responsible for leading the customer retention and growth strategy and supporting the continued expansion of the company's network. Based at Selco's head office in Kings Norton, Birmingham, Helen reports directly to Managing Director Chris Cunliffe.Commenting on her appointment, Helen said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing company and I'm looking forward to playing my role in shaping the future of Selco Builders Warehouse. As a vibrant and forward thinking merchant Selco has already experienced rapid growth in recent years and has a solid foundation to continue to build on this". Chris Cunliffe added: "We're extremely pleased to attract talent from a top company like Travis Perkins and we are confident that Helen is the right person to lead the marketing team forward. Having an experienced and capable professional at the head of our marketing team is vital to the continued growth of Selco and will help maintain the growth experienced to date in a very tough market."Before joining Travis Perkins, Helen held positions at Focus DIY as well as working at the British Standards Institution, a timber treatment company, and in local government.ENDSFor more information, please contact Simon Humpage:Tel: 0121 415 7270Email: simon.humpage@selcobw.com

Cardiff Agency Toasts Success After Winning Brewery Contract

2011-12-19 14:44:57

Media agency Zeffa has won a major contract to manage media planning and buying activities for independent Welsh brewer SA Brain & Co Ltd, following a three-way pitch. Owned by the descendants of its 19th Century founders, Brains is one of Wales’ most famous beers and the name can be found above the doors of more than 270 pubs, bars and hotels across Wales and the West of England. Brewed at the Cardiff Brewery, Brains' award-winning beers are also widely available throughout the rest of Britain in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Morrisons supermarkets, as well as featuring as guest ales in pubs all over the UK. Commenting on the contract award, James Robinson, managing director of Cardiff-based zeffa, said: “We are delighted to be working with Brains. It’s a business that is proud of its independence and the way it has evolved over its colourful 127-year history. We’re relishing the opportunity to get stuck in and work alongside Brains to help promote their diverse blend of product offering.”Ian Beattie, Brand Manager at Brains said: “We are looking forward to working with James and his team. During the pitch process they showed a creative approach to media planning and buying that stood them ahead of the other companies.”ENDSFor media inquiries please contact: James RobinsonTel: 02920 440020Email: james@zeffa.co.uk

A Claim to Fame for Top Yorkshire Insurance Broker

2011-12-19 14:34:47

Leeds and Halifax-based Romero Insurance Brokers Limited has won the Independent Regional Insurance Broker of the Year Award 2011 at the Insurance Times Awards, hosted by Vernon Kay. The prestigious industry award was presented to Romero’s Managing Director, Simon Mabb by TV presenter Vernon Kay, who is known for the TV show Family Fortunes and his radio programme on BBC Radio 1.The glitzy award ceremony was held at Battersea Evolution in London, on December 5.Romero’s latest achievement follows four years of awards success. In 2008 the company won the UK Broker Awards Claims Service of the Year, followed in 2009 by Customer Service of Year and in 2010 by the runner-up accolade in the UK Commercial Broker of the Year Awards. Earlier in 2011 Romero won the Broker Claims Customer Care Initiative of Year Award.Eric Galbraith, BIBA (British Insurance of Brokers Association) Chief Executive said: “Romero showed a real commitment to customer and claims service. They really stood out and deserve this year’s award.” Commenting on the latest award, Simon Mabb said: “This is reflected in the awards we have won, and also in the training and development of our staff. Gwyn Evans has vividly illustrated this, aged 25, by making it through to the finals of the Insurance Times Young Broker of the Year 2011. Gwyn is a powerful example of what Romero is aiming to achieve.”Simon Mabb added: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised with this national award. The success of our team is especially fulfilling because it has been achieved during very difficult trading conditions and is due mainly to the exceptionally high level of service given to our customers. “In terms of next year (2012), we are hoping for a big year, with more hard work and some exciting opportunities that will be announced in the New Year.”ENDFor media inquiries contact Ashley Hoggarth:Tel: 01706 833714Email: AshleyHoggarth@ignitionnbs.co.uk

Tri Windermere 2012

2011-12-12 17:35:59

The third annual Tri Windermere date has been announced by organisers, Adventure Challenge Solutions. The event, famous for extremes of weather, 2010’s event making it one of the most challenging undertaken by triathletes that year, and 2011’s event bathing in glorious sunshine, has seen numbers doubling year on year. Event organiser Davy Newell of Adventure Challenge Solutions said:‘This event has become a staple of every competitive triathlete in the UK today, and we’re always thrilled with the feedback from the event, it never fails to get people hyped. ‘ Adventure Challenge Solutions has also announced that 2012 is set to be a record year, and in a difficult climate, has secured investment to assist with the further growth of the company. The team is set to expand at the start of the year, and has been pleased to secure two new event co-ordinators, who start in March 2012. ‘We’re absolutely thrilled at the positivity and feedback that we’ve had from our competitors, which has ultimately resulted in this exciting investment’ said Davy. ‘And clearly, capitalising on the investment that has been secured, means that competitors can continue to expect a second to none race experience’.ENDSFor further details, contact Chloe Booth Tel: 07825 201657 Email: chloe@acs-events.co.ukFor event details www.acs-events.co.uk

Cambridge Firm Employs During Hard Times

2011-12-14 15:21:02

Cambridge-based S-Tech Insurance Services Ltd has demonstrated its commitment to investing in people by launching a strategic recruitment, training and development programme, to help boost local employment.The initiative has seen the appointment of three trainee insurance brokers – Jennifer Clarkson, Michael Spalding and Laurence Poulter – all from the Cambridge area. In addition, Alan Hornby has been recruited as training and development manager, with a wide-ranging remit to design, implement and deliver a full training programme. This will include the three new trainees as well as S-Tech’s entire 60-plus workforce.Alan, who has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance broking profession, will carry out his role three days a week. This will allow him to continue additional training work for organisations including the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and CII Broker Academy.S-Tech’s new initiative is in response to an acknowledged shortage of skilled staff in the insurance broking industry. A recent survey conducted by the CII suggests that the shortage of technically skilled workers in the insurance industry is at its lowest for five years. S-Tech founder and CEO Shaun Walker commented: “We have taken a long term view and recruited three new trainees, all of them university graduates and sixth form college leavers. A structured training and development regime is being put in place in preparation for a future to which S-Tech is looking forward with optimism and confidence.“The recruitment of Alan, Jennifer, Michael and Laurence is a demonstration of our commitment to the future and confirms our belief in people as being the biggest strength of S-Tech,” he continued.New recruit, Jennifer Clarkson, said: “At an early stage in my career, it’s good to know that S-Tech is committed to my future training and development needs and value me as a member of the team.”Another new employee, Laurence Poulter, commented: “Having a structured training and development plan confirms that S-Tech value me as an individual and the contribution I can make to the future of the company.”EndsFor media inquiries please contact Ashley Hoggarth:Tel: 01706 833714Email:AshleyHoggarth@ignitionnbs.co.uk

New vehicle helps drive IWJS’ powerful growth

2011-12-12 13:38:10

Industrial cleaning and waste management business IWJS has taken delivery of a new JHL Flexline 312 vehicle that clears drains, removes sludge and carries out water jetting work.The investment in the state-of-the-art vehicle is part of a dynamic growth strategy that has seen IWJS (Industrial Water Jetting Systems) acquire DSS Environmental and Aquajet GB in recent months.Commenting on the delivery of the new unit, Christopher Stewart, group Managing Director, said: “We see this major investment as the keeping of a promise. We have made commitments to our customers to deliver a high quality and reliable service and this new Flexline unit is part of a package of measures to achieve that.” Based at Woolpit near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, the IWJS Group is a top ten national provider of services to water utilities, construction companies, industry and domestic users. The new Flexline unit is modelled on a Mercedes Benz chassis. The Flexline has a large 125mm diameter suction hose, a 140bar jetting unit with a choice of hoses and a 12m3 capacity tank. This features a moveable internal wall to allow the transportation of clean water, as well as the sludge waste, and all operations are PLC controlled. While Flexlines are already used in IWJS’s 160-strong fleet, several improvements have been made to increase this particular vehicle’s versatility. A bespoke 11,800 psi high pressure jetting unit – five times more powerful than normal – has been specified, capable of concrete cutting and hydro-blasting, in addition to the pumping of waste streams. IWJS staff attended a training session, run by JHL, to familiarise themselves with the operation of the vehicle. High pressure jetting can be a hazardous operation and all operators have to be qualified to use this equipment. IWJS runs its own training school and is a full member of the Water Jetting Association, which ensures best practices are maintained. More information on IWJS capabilities can be found at www.iwjs.co.ukENDSMedia inquiries contact Phil Penman:Tel: 01359 242 606Email: phil.penman@iwjs.co.uk Website: www.iwjs.co.ukNotes to Editor:About IWJS GroupSince 1977 Industrial Water Jetting Systems has been providing services to the industrial cleaning and waste management industry. Substantial and continuous investment in new vehicles, plant and staff has enabled the company to become a leading business in the sector. Services include industrial drain and sewer cleaning, jetting liquid, waste tankering, tunnel and surface cleaning, sewer re-lining, CCTV drain surveys, GPR mapping and location surveys, HADDMS surveys and domestic drain services. IWJS is fully accredited and is a preferred supplier to the water sector. Currently the company operates from depots around the UK and offers a genuine 24/7 service for contract and emergency work.

Curtain Up for Andrew’s New Career – and a Christmas TV Role

2011-12-13 12:27:37

Graduate Andrew Maskall, who was unemployed for 12 months, has landed a job in theatre marketing – and a starring TV role, thanks to the GO Wales Graduate Academy. After a successful work experience placement at Theatr Stiwt in Wrexham, Andrew has been offered a new job as the theatre’s marketing manager – plus an exciting role in an S4C documentary. Commenting on the upturn in his fortunes, Andrew said: “The Graduate Academy has changed my life. I was unemployed for a year before applying and had begun to realise that my CV was too specific to my previous career as a drama teacher. This meant potential employers were not seeing the skills I could offer them. “The Graduate Academy seemed like the best option for me to build on my skills and expand my knowledge to ensure that I’m the best possible candidate for future jobs. I was nervous at first because I graduated in 2004 and am now 29. I wasn’t sure if I was too old for ‘graduate’ schemes like this. However, I got on the course and it was one of the best things that could have happened to me.”As a result of working with the Graduate Academy, Theatr Stiwt has put Andrew on a 10-week GO Wales placement before he starts his new job as full-time marketing manager at Christmas.Theatr Stiwt is also the focus of a fly-on-the-wall documentary called Seren Nadolig Rhos, which is being shown on S4C over Christmas. Andrew, who has a leading role in the show, said: “The camera crews spent a lot of time following me round, which was exciting and horribly frightening and at the same time. People can check out the TV show and see what I get up to here!” Andrew added: “I can’t sing the praises enough of the Graduate Academy highly enough. It absolutely lived up to, and surpassed, my expectations. The support is overwhelming and during the entire experience it really felt like everyone was working towards the common goal of finding good quality employment. “There were no hidden agendas or ulterior motives. Yes, there is a lot of work, but it’s all in context. With the guidance we’ve had, and the work placements we were on, it all helps to increase our employability.”The Graduate Academy is a unique training course aimed at unemployed graduates and those in low skilled jobs in Wales. The first pilot course took place in 2009 and to date nearly 200 graduates have benefited from the course which includes 2 weeks residential training at Trinity Saint David in Lampeter and a four week work experience placement. Gwen Adams, Graduate Academy Coordinator explains; “We’re very proud of the Graduate Academy and of what the graduates who have completed the programme have achieved. Many have secured paid graduate level opportunities following the programme but, perhaps as significant, many have also gained the confidence and greater self-reliance, commercial and self awareness and tenacity that will enable them to take charge of and manage their career and personal development in this tough and ever-changing world”.With five additional courses planned for 2012 unemployed graduates are urged to apply for the next available course via the GO Wales website www.gowales.co.uk/graduateacademy ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Crystal Evans:Tel: 0845 225 60 50Email: C.B.Evans@swansea.ac.uk

Major Charity Event Helps Raise £21,000 for Hospice

2011-12-12 13:57:16

The Wednesbury-based events and audiovisual hire specialist, which provided the stage, sound and lighting for an evening that raised £21,000 for the St Richard’s Hospice, has now helped raise more than £30,000 for charity in the past 2 months. LNP Sound was delighted to offer its services to the Snow Drop Ball, which took place at Worcester Warriors Rugby Club’s Sixways Stadium on Saturday November 19, which was attended by more than 400 people. The organisers only expected to raise between £11,000 to £14,000 on the night and were astonished when the event surpassed their early predictions and went on to generatemore than £21,000 for the cancer hospice in Worcester.On top of the auction and raffle, the Snow Drop Ball featured a range of fundraising activities, including the 11-piece band ‘Jamie Night and the Big Swing,’ and a disco provided by a DJ from Beacon Radio.Paul Spicer, owner of LNP Sound, said he was pleased that St Richard Hospice got in contact with him to help with the charity event.“It gives us a great deal of satisfaction to know that we have helped to raise awareness and much needed donations for the hospice. The organisers were very happy with our contribution to the day,” said Paul. LNP Sound is an audiovisual hire and video production company, as well as an entertainments agency that gets involved in charity events across the UK. It offers services at a charitable rate to enable charities to raise as much money as possible. St Richard’s Hospice cares for patients and families in Worcestershire who are living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Each year the hospice gives free care and support to around 2,200 patients and their families, helping them to achieve the best quality of life possible. Paul Spicer added: “By supplying equipment and supporting the general running of charity events, we help them to run smoothly and ensure everyone is having an enjoyable time, as well as providing a next-to-nothing service to maximise income for the charity.” Over the past couple of months LNP Sound has been involved in charity events all over the Midlands, helping to raise more than £30,000 since November 2011.EndsFor media enquirers please contact Paul Spicer:Tel: 01215561391Email: paulspicer@lnpsound.com

New Pet First Aid Course Saves the Day

2011-12-08 09:37:17

A pioneering course that could save a pets life, is giving owners the knowledge needed to help their four-legged friend in an emergency. The new course has now been expanded to include dog and cat care on a simple to use online video course. The ProTrainings Pet First Aid Course helps people learn the basic skills that could help a cat, dog or other domestic animal in distress.Pet owners can receive the training as an online or classroom-based course by approved instructors. The revolutionary online course is video-based and allows students to learn at their own pace and have access to the site for an eight-month period. It comes with a Pet First Aid student manual and an optional weekly pet first aid refresher video email, reminding them of a different pet skill every week. Students are able to access a magazine-style site that includes interviews on pet related subjects and first aid updates.ProTrainings use video based e-learning to better show all ages the basic care that can be given to pets in an emergency before prompting veterinary care. Pet owners have found it to be a valuable source of life saving information.A classroom course with ProTrainings' approved instructors is also available for people or clubs who want to learn in a more traditional environment. Keith Sleightholm, ProTrainings Director, explained why his company had developed the course: “Many of us have learnt first aid skills to help deal with emergency situations involving people, but how many of us can do the same for our pets? “We have worked with experts to put together some simple training that could reduce a pet’s pain and discomfort when they are unwell or have an accident. It could even help to save their life by keeping them calm and safe before receiving professional care from a vet.”The training focuses largely on dogs, as it is not possible to list every type of animal for every skill. However, the basic care is the same for all animals and trainers summarise the differences during the course segments.The course can be found at www.propetfirstaid.co.uk and further information on 01223 911805. ENDSFor media attention, please contact Keith Sleightholm:Tel: 01223 911805Email: keith@protrainings.euNOTES TO EDITORSProTrainings Europe offer a variety of online, classroom and blended courses including CPR, First Aid and Health and Safety related courses for individuals and businesses. As with human first aid, the ProTrainings Pet First Aid Course only covers the help a pet needs before it receives professional help.Pet first aid is available to all ages as it uses video based training and full social media interaction.ProTrainings offer these courses worldwide

New Pet First Aid Course Saves the Day

2011-12-07 16:59:12

Lord Mayor visits a ‘Jewel in Birmingham’s Crown’

2011-12-07 16:33:43

Lord Mayor of Birmingham – Councillor Anita Ward was welcomed by learners, staff and governors of Queen Alexandra College (QAC) in Harborne as guest of honour at the charity’s annual general meeting. Chair of Governors, Professor John Hilbourne, welcomed the Lord Mayor and a large audience of people to the event, which celebrated another successful year, including an ‘outstanding’ grade from Ofsted for learners’ contribution to the local community.The Lord Mayor, who herself has a strong connection with charitable work, spoke of how the work that QAC does should attract a higher profile as a ‘Jewel in Birmingham’s Crown’. In a tweet, later that day, Councillor Ward described QAC as an inspirational place and expressed her appreciation of a presentation by Daniel, a learner with autism, in which he explained that autism need not be a barrier to a successful life provided that individuals receive the kind of support available at QAC.QAC is an independent specialist day and residential college for people with disabilities. Learners and clients aged 16 plus come from throughout the UK to gain qualifications, learn to live independently and gain skills for employment. College Principal Hugh Williams, reflected upon he successes of QAC’s learners throughout the past year and the continued development of the College which was proud to welcome the City’s leader.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Sarah Adderley:Tel: 0121 4285 041Email: sadderley@qac.ac.uk

South Wales Children's Charity Receives An Early Christmas Parcel

2011-12-13 13:06:18

A health and safety specialist has kitted out a major charity with first-aid essentials to help ensure minor mishaps don’t stop disabled children from enjoying fantastic experiences. RT Training Services in Pontypridd has thrown its support behind the charity Follow Your Dreams by presenting its managers with six firstaid kits.The company, which is based at the Upper Boat Business Centre, provides training in a variety of health and safety related subjects, including first aid.It is also a well-known provider of training to the childcare sector in Wales. Bosses made their move after deciding they wanted to help charitable organisations in their area.Follow Your Dreams works hard to raise awareness about young people with learning disabilities and helps them to realise their full potential.Part of its work includes, making their aspirations and dreams come true, particularly within the fields of the arts, music, drama and sport.RT Training Services Director of Communications, Stuart Thompson said: “The charity undertakes exceptional work to help young people realise their full potential and we are pleased to support this work by providing the first aid kits.“The kits will be carried by the Dream Co-ordinators when they are going to external venues in order to make dreams come true for young people.”Follow Your Dreams Charity Co-ordinator, Mike Williams thanked the training company for all its support. He added that the organisation is always looking for corporate sponsors or businesses which would like to sponsor a dream, as well as fundraisers who are able to organise events, stage raffles or even simply putting out collecting tins.EndsFor further information please contact Stuart Thompson:Tel: 0845 6444 622Email: stuart@rttrainingservices.co.uk

Travel Money Expert Creates New Jobs in Watford

2011-12-13 15:20:07

Christmas has come early to 5 people in Watford who have secured employment at a foreign exchange specialist, with the opening of a new branch.National chain, eurochange, has announced the opening of its latest UK bureau de change, in The Harlequin Centre on December 14, which becomes the sixth store to be opened nationally this year.Managing Director, Giles Custerson, said, “It is great to be creating up to five new jobs for local people in these troubling economic times.”We are delighted to be opening our new eurochange bureau de change in Watford. I am sure that customers will appreciate our great value travel money as well as our other specialist products such as our Original Rate Buyback, Pre-packed Currency and our Quick Transfer International payments product.”This latest store opening comes as a part of eurochange’s drive for consistent and impressive regional growth across the UK.Established for over 35 years, the trusted travel money expert delivers clear pricing, great value, well-trained staff and reliable products to its rapidly growing and valued customer base.As part of its continued expansion, eurochange recently re-launched its website, which now includes an order and collect service, free home delivery, and a ‘Quick Transfer’ overseas payment service. This provides customers with a number of convenient ways of obtaining travel money overseas, as well as simple and affordable international money transfers.Established in 1975, eurochange is FSA registered for its payments business, and sends money through the same banking systems that high street banks use, to ensure money arrives safely and securely.The firm operates from 84 branches in shopping centres, and on high streets across the UK, and processed well in excess of one million customer transactions last year alone.To find out more, visit: www.eurochange.co.ukENDSFor more information, please contact eurochange:Tel: 03332 401687Email: pr@eurochange.co.uk

The Motorhouse in the Driving Seat at National Award Ceremony

2011-12-15 12:08:41

High levels of customer service have lead to the car supermarket, The Motorhouse, winning a prestigious industry award for the third time in four years, at a glitzy ceremony in London. The Motorhouse was crowned the overall winner in the ‘Best Car Supermarket Customer Service’ category, at the 2011 Auto Trader Click Awards, which is drawn from independent research conducted amongst the UK’s motoring consumers and the industry’s leading automotive websites. The Cannock-based company won the same award in 2010 and 2008, with a highly commended accolade in 2009. “We are extremely delighted with our latest award, as this reflects our ongoing commitment to customer service excellence,” commented Steve Campbell, Marketing Manager at The Motorhouse.“We sell hundreds of cars each week and it is crucially important for us to maintain the same high level of service for each and every customer. This latest award highlights our unstinting efforts.” Now in its fourth year, the Auto Trader Click Awards recognise the best in automotive website design and effectiveness. This year’s awards were presented at a glittering event at ‘Altitude 360 Black,’ on the 28th Floor of the iconic Millbank Tower in Central London.“At Auto Trader we’re constantly seeking to understand the developing trends, behaviours, habits and opinions of our online visitors,” said a spokesperson.The Auto Trader Click Awards 2011 returned for their fourth year, to showcase the very best in automotive website design and effectiveness. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Steve Campbell:Tel: 01543 506060Email: marketing@motorhouse2000ltd.co.uk

Top Design Award for Birmingham Pub

2011-12-07 09:39:40

An upmarket design consultancy that specialise in the leisure and hospitality sector has scooped the ‘Best Bar and Restaurant Design’ award, for transforming a Birmingham gastro pub into a booming success, during a period of tough trading.Spencer Swinden Design was awarded the prestigious accolade at the ‘Northern Design Awards’ for its transformation and creativity of The Plough pub in Harborne, which has seen turnover triple since 2008.Representatives from Birmingham-based Spencer Swinden Design attended a glittering ceremony held at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester on November 24, to celebrate the best in Northern architecture, interior design and craftsmanship.The host for the evening’s proceedings was George Clark, one of the UK’s most successful TV property presenters, who’s known for the current series of ‘The Great British Property Scandal’ and channel 4’s ‘Restoration Man.’ More than 150 businesses took part in the awards ceremony and the judges included Sir Terence Conran, Wayne Hemingway, Diarmuid Gavin and Suzanne Imre of Livingetc.The company received a bespoke hand-blown glass award made by Cheshire designer Gemma Truman for scooping the award.Adam Johnson, the tenant at The Plough, believes that the Spencer Swinden team offer a truly dynamic service. “I have continued working with them on The Plough for nearly four years and their creative approach and ideas have been a major contributing factor to the success of our venue. Not only do they design sympathetically for the building and demographic, they have an acute understanding of what is required of the interior, which creates a complete customer experience,” added Adam.Spencer Swinden has been involved with The Plough, in everything from PR and marketing, to the menu design and branding of the venue.Melony Spencer, of Spencer Swinden Design, added: “We are very proud to have won the award of Best Bar and Restaurant Design for The Enterprise Inns pub, The Plough. It is an honour to be recognised by such a distinguished judging panel and we thank them for this fantastic commendation. “We believe firmly in our design ethos and understand that the evolution of a scheme is essential to the success of a venue,” added Melony.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Melony Spencer:Tel: 01215519897Email: mel@spencerswinden.com

mFortune comes up trumps at eGaming awards

2011-12-05 10:55:26

More than 700 online gaming professionals, including many leading operators, attended the seventh annual eGaming Review Operator Awards on Wednesday 30 November 2011 at the HAC in London.Hosted by ITV2’s Celebrity Juice co-host and stand-up comedian Rufus Hound, the awards were a celebration of innovation and professional excellence across the online gaming industry.  Mobile phone casino mFortune was voted winner of the Rising Star 2011 award. Although relatively new to the sector, mFortune impressed the judges by demonstrating promise, innovation and strong revenue growth – qualities that have enabled the business to establish itself as a dominant force in the sector.   James Goode, mFortune marketing manager commented: “Winning the 2011 EGR Rising Star award is a fantastic achievement for mFortune. The award is in recognition of the exponential growth and huge strides achieved in such a short time. We have a clear vision at mFortune of where we want to be. This is just the start.”    James Goode added: “We would also like to congratulate all other award winners on their successes on a well organised and memorable night.” mFortune has built up a strong and unique brand and is the largest mobile phone casino operator in the UK. Its games are available on all mobile phone platforms, including iPad and tablets.   The company builds and design games inhouse that can only be played at mFortune. As the first operator in the world to offer cash play Texas Holdem Poker on all mobile platforms, mFortune is poised for further powerful growth in 2012.EndsFor media enquiries, please contact James Goode:Email: james.goode@mfortune.co.ukTel: 01384 444 570

Campaign for Fair Trade gets Major Boost in Surrey

2011-12-05 11:31:56

Tour operator Kuoni joined forces with the Campaign For Fair Trade in Surrey as part of its campaign to become the first South East county to win Fair Trade status.Kuoni was among a number of businesses taking part in a Fair Trade awareness event at the Christian Centre in Dorking on November 19. It was organised by the Campaign For Fair Trade in Surrey and aimed to give the county’s businesses an opportunity to see the benefits of dealing in a Fair Trade environment.A steady flow of visitors ensured the public learned more about the plight of farmers suffering from unethical exploitation, which dominates large areas around the world. Numerous stallholders sold Fair Trade items and produce, many of which will certainly be personalised stocking fillers this Christmas. Sheila Hill, of the Campaign for Fair Trade in Surrey, said: “Many Surrey towns, schools and churches have already been awarded Fair Trade certification, so it seemed the right time to aim for county status.“It was a splendid event which was well attended throughout the day. What we want to see is more businesses taking responsibility in Surrey by supporting Fair Trade, so those who deserve an honest wage and fair conditions can have it.”Kuoni, which became the UK’s first Fair Trade Tourism South Africa certificated travel operator last month, showcased its Fair Trade tours at the event..Kuoni’s South African Fair Trade Garden Routes take holidaymakers to some of the most breathtaking areas of South Africa. The tour also enables visitors to see Fair Trade winemaking and sustainable farming, as well as a stay in all FTTSA (Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa) hotel and lodges that employs local communities and uses local products. The Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa is a non-profit organisation that supports sustainable tourism development through the award of certificates to companies committed to Fair Trade-endorsed wages, working conditions and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. Jean Russill , a Kuoni employee in Dorking commented: “I was extremely excited about the event because I’ve recently come back from South Africa, where I saw at firsthand the struggles that some of the farmers and communities face.” Jean added: “It was a great day at the Christian Centre and everybody was in high spirits. Fair Trade work hard to improve life for those less fortunate, and it’s great to work for a company that makes tourism more responsible.”ENDSFor more information, please contact Laura McFarlane:Tel: 01306 744665Email: laura.mcfarlane@kuoni.co.uk

Marketing Pro Urges Local Businesses to Boost Online Presence

2011-12-06 10:30:22

A leading local online marketing firm is urging Herefordshire businesses to boost their Google presence, after a survey revealed that less than half are taking advantage of this free service.The recent survey, conducted by Serendipity Online Marketing, of chiropodists in the county showed that only four in ten had claimed and verified their listings on Google Places – a free online directory service, that’s changing the way people look for business.And of these, only one in 10 had added any further detail to their listing.None of the practitioners listed had included reviews, which Serendipity Online Marketing Director Graham Baylis believes is very surprising when you consider how personal this service is.Graham said: “What this shows is that many businesses are not taking full advantage of the possibilities that Google Places offers. After all, people are far more likely to look on the web these days than to pick up a copy of the Yellow Pages or even the local newspaper.“This is the case for other types of business too. Many are simply not taking advantage of this free service. These businesses could steal a march on their competitors by saying more about themselves and by getting their customers to place real and thruthful reports on the service they received. After all, if you were looking for a chiropodist would you not like to know as much as possible about them and the services they provide before you pick up the phone? And if you can read some real reviews about them as well, would that not make all the difference and all the more likely that they would get your business?”Graham also explained a further advantage to Google Listings, being that when potential customers use their mobile phone, Google can tell where they are, meaning that it can provide local information in searches.Therefore, if businesses have claimed and optimised their Google Places account their listing is far more likely to be presented to those potential customers.Graham added: “In the USA Local Search, which is powered by Google Maps amongst others, it’s becoming more and more popular and we can be reasonably certain that this will happen in the UK – the signs are certainly there. So now is the time for all businesses to take advantage of this free marketing channel.ENDSFor media contact Graham Baylis:Tel: 0845 1701800Email: graham@s-o-marketing.co.uk

Green Finger Fun at Milbourne Lodge School

2011-12-01 11:01:01

More than 200 children, parents and staff braved the winter chill in aid of a family gardening day to commemorate the school’s newly created Centenary Garden.The pupils from Milbourne Lodge School in Claygate, arrived with their spades, rakes and Wellington boots to take part in the ‘Get Your Grown-Ups Growing’ event for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Campaign for School Gardening, which took place November 26.The green-fingered children put their creative and constructive skills to good use, by starting their latest project: an eco-greenhouse created from 2012 Coca Cola bottles in commemoration of Milbourne Lodge School’s centenary next year.Throughout the day, the children had the chance to write their thoughts and wishes on individual ‘leaves’ that were placed on a ‘Thought Tree,’ which grew in size as the day progressed without the involvement of a watering can or the sun.Pupils had created their own gifts to sell on their Gift Stall and the ‘Friends of Milbourne Lodge’ provided drinks and snacks throughout the day.Milbourne Lodge Headteacher, Stephen Ilett, said: “We are so lucky to have a very talented and creative Art and ICT department who came up with this wonderful idea of building our own eco-friendly greenhouse. This was a wonderful day, which brought the whole school community together. Not only was it a huge amount of fun for all involved, but it has given the children, and us adults too, the experience of doing something completely different.”Lunch was kindly provided by the local Waitrose store in Esher, which generously supported this event. The lunch rolls were filled with salad leaves grown by the children in the Centenary Garden, and picked freshly that morning.A series of 60-minute digital photography competitions, run by the ICT and Art department, attracted wonderful family submissions. Prizes were sponsored by Garsons of Esher.This day forms part of the Milbourne Lodge School’s submission to the nationwide RHS Campaign for School Gardening, which teaches pupils about plants and gardening. The RHS believes that gardening improves the quality of life and everyone should have access to great garden experiences.Further details of the Garden Day can be found at: http://mlcentenarygardenpolo.blogspot.comENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Amanda Ilett:Tel: 01372 462737 Email: amanda.ilett@milbournelodge.co.uk

Recruitment Genius Wins Most Promising New Business Award

2011-12-01 16:28:38

A pioneering recruitment company has had its hard work and dedication paid off, winning one of the UK’s most prestigious business awards.RecruitmentGenius.com walked away with the British Chambers of Commerce Award for the Most Promising New Business, in a glittering ceremony at the Connaught Rooms in London, last week. The innovative Sevenoaks company took the award, sponsored by BT , after beating off the country’s best businesses with a format which has seen it fill an astonishing 38,000 jobs in its first year.The Kent-based business has chalked-up an amazing success story, after rethinking the recruitment industry model. And it has stunned its competitors with its unique proposition – to fill any job for just £199.The award-winning firm boasts an incredible success rate of 93 per cent, compared to its industry’s average of 12 per cent - and it’s all been done on the back of an initial £10,000 investment.Now RecruitmentGenius.com is setting its sights on becoming a ‘dominant player’ in Australia, America and Northern Ireland.British Chambers of Commerce Director General John Longworth said: “With focus, passion and determination, this business has developed a unique and accessible offering in the marketplace, which has seen it carve a high-profile niche in the industry.“With just a £10,000 initial investment, its growth and success has been phenomenal. With solid plans in place for the future, RecruitmentGenius.com is certainly one to watch.”RecruitmentGenius.com Chief Executive Geoff Newman is over the moon to collect the BCC award.“It’s such a privilege to have been chosen amongst our peers as one of the most promising new businesses in the UK,” said Mr Newman.“This is testament to the hard work of our staff and the trust that several thousands of clients have placed in us over the past year. I’ve never had so much fun helping so many people to gain employment.”“In order to cope with anticipated future demand, we have invested heavily in a robust IT system, which means that clients can now work solely via the website,” added Mr Newman.RecruitmentGenius.com places advertisements on up to 2,000 job boards, with JobCentrePlus and on popular social media sites. It also hand-filters all applications.The Awards took place on November 25th.ENDSFor more information, please contact Geoff Newman:Tel: 07927 464469Email: geoff@recruitmentgenius.com

Big Business – Corporates Meet to Discuss Britain’s Green Future

2011-11-30 16:52:17

We must lead the way to a sustainable future by shrinking our carbon footprint and creating a ripple effect that encourages smaller companies to follow suit.This is the view of specialist environmental insurance broker Tim FitzJohn, following the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Conference on sustainable business, which took place at Savoy Place, London on November 15-16th.As bills rise and green subsidies are cut, politicians are looking for ways to reduce bills - and emissions - at no cost. The government's solution is insulating buildings - saving money and even creating jobs to do the work.The Government’s Green Deal push focuses mainly on private households, however Tim FitzJohn believe large corporate companies should lead the way for a greener business world.Tim FitzJohn, associate director at S-Tech Insurance, commented: “Environmental practitioners have moved from the back room into the board room, and this was reflected in the seniority and experience of the speakers.“Living in the world today means we consume resources and we cannot go back to living a simpler life. The conference focused on how large business can can take on a leadership role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy reduction, product lifecycle evaluation and supply chain management. This then cascades through suppliers to smaller businesses,” added Tim.As the recommended broker for IEMA members, S-Tech provides advice and insurance cover to consultants working in the environmental and low carbon sectors. The conference focused on how environmental professionals can play a vital role in helping business and organisations in meeting the challenges of sustainability and low carbon. Key speakers from major companies and organisations provided insights into how large businesses are driving changes in environmental attitudes and practices. Tim FitzJohn added: “Environmental specialists play a vital role in business today because organisations must comply with a myriad of environmental legislation involving issues such as pollution and contamination, handling hazardous substances, emissions, packaging, waste disposal, water use, and energy efficiency.“It is important for businesses to have an environmental specialist because small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) may not have the expertise in house to help them meet statutory requirements. A specialist consultant will work with business to help it comply and avoid stiff penalties.”ENDSFor media enquiries contact Ignition NBS Ltd. - Ashley Hoggarth:Telephone: 01706 833714Email: ashleyhoggarth@ignitionnbs.co.uk

Birmingham Adds Sole to the X Factor

2011-11-24 17:15:18

A Birmingham-based design company has been approached by X Factor stylists, to design three pairs of exclusive trainers for the all-girl group, Little Mix. Solecreator.com thought its glamorous contribution to the show had ended, after making Little Mix band member Jesy Nelson a pair of funky footwear at the end of last week, which were presented to the trainer-junkie live on TV at the weekend, but the show has come running back for more.The trainers for Jesy were turned around in 24 hours and presented to Jesy live on ITV2’s spin-off show, the Xtra Factor, in front of almost a million viewers. The designed footwear was given to Jesy by chart-topper Olly Murs and TV presenter Caroline Flack.The X Factor producers phoned the design company on Thursday November 24, to request trainers for the rest of the girls.This upbeat news follows the negative press regarding Rihanna’s footwear on Sunday night, where graffiti-style swearwords were printed onto her boots. Rihanna was asked by X Factor producers to tone down her performance during the family show, after a controversial appearance the previous year caused outrage during the programme.“Jesy looked really pleased with her one-off pair of trainers and we were absolutely thrilled to oblige. To find out that all the girls are interested in our footwear is even better!” said Adam Duffy from solecreator.com. This notable request from the X Factor has added to the continuing achievements of solecreator.com, which has enjoyed a number of recent successes. Including the launch of its interactive ‘design-your-own footwear’ site, in collaboration with the likes of Vans, Selfridges, Converse, Motorola, Chevrolet and other famous names. In addition, solecreator.com represents many skilled artists, giving them a shop window for their talents. The company also works with major stars ranging from JLS to Motorhead, offering official merchandise including footwear and iPhone cases. ENDSFor media enquiries, contact Adam Duffy:Tel: 0121 359 0222Email: adam@creativesoles.co.uk

Grange Denture Centre Launches Denture Holidays

2011-11-25 10:32:08

We’ve all heard about the Lakes being the Adventure Capital of the UK, and adventure holidays. However, Cumbria is about to be known for another very special type of holiday – Denture Holidays. Dental entrepreneur Chloe Booth and business partner Matthew Burnell have opened the doors at Grange Denture Centre to local people, but also hope to attract the attention of holiday makers.The duo are already looking after the local resident’s dentures and offer home visits to those who are unable, or find it difficult to leave the house. However, they have had visitors popping in to repair a denture that has broken whilst away from home, and so the idea of the ‘Denture Capital of the UK’ has been born!‘Grange Over Sands is a holiday hot spot for many people, and some even choose to take a coach trip to this beautiful sea-side resort’ said Chloe. ‘We are well connected with some of the hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area, and together will enhance tourism opportunities for local businesses.’‘We believe that if some of Grange’s visitors can use their time not just to enjoy the scenery and shops of Grange, but to look after their mouth at the same time, it would be a very valuable trip indeed.Many denture patients aren’t aware of the options that are open to them these days, and if the pleasant trip and denture re-vamp can be complimentary to one another then it’s time well spent’ said Matthew.Matthew’s expertise in making dentures has already attracted clients from as far away as Spain, and his sights are set globally, hoping that antipodean visitors will take advantage of his proudly Cumbrian service: ‘I’d be absolutely thrilled to see a Cumrian-made denture taking a flight to Oz!’EndsFor more information, please contact contact Chloe Booth:Tel: 07825 201657Email: chloe@adventure-challenge-solutions.co.uk

We Want Any Car’s Drive for Expansion

2011-11-25 10:53:39

Online car buying business We Want Any Car has announced impressive growth this quarter, as it continues its plans to double its 50 offices to 100 by the end of this year. Based in Cannock, the Staffordshire business was established in 2009 and is continuing to exceed expectations by developing a significant presence across England and Wales. Tim Clapham, Operations Director said: “We had 10 offices open in the Midlands region and with the amount of positive recommendations we were achieving, it seemed natural to expand the business further afield. Many customers were travelling more than 80 miles to sell their car and to cope with this demand we have opened new offices throughout the country.”The distinctive fleet of 30 vans can be seen up and down the country, while headcount has increased by more than 100 per cent, from 22 staff in April to 51 employees to date. An ongoing recruitment programme will see this number continue to rise. The expansion of offices and employees means We Want Any Car now provides customer service, home visits and collection facilities, in addition to its online facilities. Tim added: “Our super-efficient service means more and more people are coming through the door. We are growing and developing with the demand for the We Want Any Car experience. People all over England and Wales have demonstrated a clear requirement for our services, and We Want Any Car aims to meet these needs, being a credible alternative to similar services within the market.”The easy-to-use website allows customers to enter their registration number to obtain a free valuation for their car and then select the nearest office for a face-to-face appointment.ENDSFor media enquiries contact Tim Clapman:Tel: 07792419113 E-mail: tim.clapham@wewantanycar.com

Popular Networking Group Celebrates Three Years of Regional Growth

2011-11-30 09:27:09

One of the UK’s most successful networking organisations, Business for Breakfast, is urging local companies to join in their regular networking events, to help generate regional growth. The networking forum has helped SME’s in the area to beat the recession by meeting regularly and getting to ‘Know, Like and Trust’ fellow members in order to refer business leads and to share contacts, which has generated over £15,000 of local business in 5 meetings. Now approaching its third birthday, The group meets at The Crossways Restaurant, Pontypandy every other Tuesday morning from 06.45, where guests and members enjoy a fantastic breakfast before having the opportunity to tell the group about their businesses, listen to Business Spotlights from fellow members and get the chance to give and receive business leads.With maximum capacity on the horizon, our next meeting is Tuesday November 29th and local businesses are invited to contact the Executive team to make sure that their business discipline is available before being invited to attend and to sample the way Business for Breakfast works. Guests are always welcome.It is a well-known fact that a business referral generates 80% more results than a cold call and that approximately 70% of all jobs are found through networking. In today’s economic climate, pooling contacts and business intelligence through business networking has never been so important and is an extremely cost-effective method of marketing. Regional Director Merv Smith says; “Many businesses are looking at cost-saving initiatives and now is the perfect time to evaluate the marketing budget and activities and assess what is working.“Networking is a marketing element which is, and will continue to be, an invaluable way to attract new clients, suppliers and make strategic alliances. By working with other business, it also provides the most cost effective, route to many markets,” added Merv.As well as generating money for local businesses, the networking events have raised £1,400 for Macmillan Cancer Support, and plan to raise money in 2012 for St David’s Foundation Hospice.A £10 cost is required to cover breakfast, refreshments and room hire etc and all guests are asked to bring along their business cards. For further information on the new group or to book your attendance at the next event, please contact Merv Smith on 07960 698417 or email merv@bforb.co.ukENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Merv Smith:Tel: 07960 698417Email: merv@bforb.co.uk

A Welcomed Solution for Struggling Businesses in Oxfordshire

2011-11-25 16:27:52

A nationwide telecommunication company, Pink Connect, is heading to Oxfordshire to help boost the local economy by improving the businesses in the county that are struggling with a lack of sufficient broadband.The government has pledged to improve the broadband speed throughout the UK with £3.86m heading to Oxfordshire, but many firms cannot wait until 2015 before they see an improvement in trade.Pink Connect’s new franchisee, Neil Monk, believes that too many companies are now relying on a weak broadband speed.“Companies in Oxfordshire shouldn’t be losing out on businesses because of a poor internet connection. Although the government is making firm plans to improve broadband across the country, these are difficult times and small businesses do not have the time to wait up to four years to a sufficient internet speed.”Last year, Euro MP for the South-East Region, James Elles, criticised the lack of broadband coverage in Oxfordshire and said the problem was causing severe problems for local businesses.Pink Connect are offering various solutions to businesses in Oxfordshire, including satellite broadband.“The beauty of Pink Connect is the variety of services in which a customer can chose from. We can boost an internet connection by punching lines together, or set up satellite broadband, which is becoming increasingly popular with clients who find themselves in remote locations,” said Neil. Neil has brought over 30 years experience to Oxfordshire after spending most of his life witnessing the ever-changing industry from his office at BT, where he worked as a network planner. The business, based in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, aims to be a market leader in delivering high levels of customer service, and is looking to partner with a further 80 franchisees by the end of 2012. Pink Connect serves over 1,000 SME business customers across the UK with a comprehensive range of business communication products, IT solutions, fixed line, VoIP, data and mobile telecoms services.For further information on Pink Connect, visit: www.pinkconnect.com/oxfordshireENDSFor more information, please contact Neil Monk:Tel: 01865 592222 Email: neil.monk@pinkconnect.com

Birmingham Adds Sole to the X Factor

2011-11-23 11:30:36

Birmingham Adds Sole to the X FactorA Birmingham-based design company has been approached by the X Factor to design a pair of one-off trainers for contestant Jesy, from Little Mix. The funky footwear was presented to trainer-junkie Jesy Nelson live on TV at the weekend, by one of Britain’s top X Factor successes.Online personalised design business, solecreator.com, was approached by the producers of the X Factor to design the unique footwear for a member of one of this year’s biggest acts.The trainers were turned around in 24 hours and presented to Jesy live on ITV2’s spin-off show, the Xtra Factor, in front of almost a million viewers. The designed footwear was given to Jesy by chart-topper Olly Murs and TV presenter Caroline Flack.This upbeat news follows the negative press regarding Rihanna’s footwear on Sunday night, where graffiti-style swearwords were printed onto her boots. Rihanna was asked by X Factor producers to tone down her performance during the family show, after a controversial appearance the previous year caused outrage during the programme.“Jesy looked really pleased with her one off pair and we were absolutely thrilled to oblige,” said Adam Duffy from solecreator.com. This notable request from the X Factor has added to the achievements of solecreator.com, which has enjoyed a number of successes recently, including the launch of its interactive ‘design-your-own footwear’ site, in collaboration with the likes of Vans, Selfridges, Converse, Motorola, Chevrolet and other famous names. Adam Duffy from solecreator.com added: “We are a rapidly growing company expecting to have a fantastic 2012. We offer the perfect gift for the whole family, and the world is your oyster with the range of designs you can go for. You can upload any photo or design with our vast library of cliparts, add your own text, even go Picasso and draw freehand.”In addition, solecreator.com represents many skilled artists, giving them a shop window for their talents. The company also works with major stars ranging from JLS to Motorhead, offering official merchandise including footwear and iPhone cases. ENDSFor media enquiries, contact Adam Duffy:Tel: 0121 359 0222Email: adam@creativesoles.co.ukLittle Mix adds sole to the X FactorA one-off pair of funky trainers, designed for Jesy Nelson from the X Factor’s all-girl group Little Mix, has now hit the market, as the popular all-girl group rocket through into this Saturday’s quarter-final.The trainers were presented to Jesy live on ITV2’s spin-off show, the Xtra Factor, in front of almost a million viewers. The designed footwear, which was given to Jesy by chart-topper Olly Murs and TV presenter Caroline Flack, is now readily available online, after interest in the shoes rocketed after the show.Online personalised design business and footwear distributor, solecreator.com, was approached by the producers of the X Factor to design the unique footwear for a member of one of this year’s biggest acts.This upbeat news follows the negative press regarding Rihanna’s footwear on Sunday night, where graffiti-style swearwords were printed onto her boots. Rihanna was asked by X Factor producers to tone down her performance during the family show, after a controversial appearance the previous year caused outrage during the programme.“Jesy looked really pleased with her one-off pair of trainers and we were absolutely thrilled to oblige to X Factor’s request,” said Adam Duffy from solecreator.com. In addition, solecreator.com represents many skilled artists and work with major stars, ranging from JLS to Motorhead, offering official. ENDSFor media enquiries, contact Adam Duffy:Tel: 0121 359 0222Email: adam@creativesoles.co.uk

Roof Tile Proving the Sky is the Limit

2011-11-22 10:18:59

Buyers from around the world have taken interest in a revolutionary roofing tile – weighing less than 25 per cent of its conventional overlay – which has been developed by a company in the Midlands. The ‘Envirotile’ won the Lord Stafford Award for Environmental Sustainability at a prestigious ceremony held at the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall, on November 17. The recognition comes after Trevor Wakefield, owner of the Green Roof Tile Company, worked alongside the Caparo Innovation Centre at the University of Wolverhampton to test the Envirotile. The tile, made from recycled polymers and weighing just 731g, clips together using a tongue and groove mechanism that allows up to eight tiles to be interlocked.  Trevor Wakefiled, a roofer for over 35 years, was inspired to develop the Envirotile while watching television on a cold, wet and windy day during a holiday in March 2008. “I had my ‘Eureka moment’ after watching an environmental programme on the subject of plastic pollution and contamination of the world’s oceans. The programme highlighted that solutions to this waste problem were desperately needed,” explained Trevor.   “Having been employed as a roofer for all my working life, and having knowledge based on hard experience, I knew there was scope for a product that could act as a vessel for polymer waste streams in the form of a modern roof tile. I also knew there was no effective roof tile product in the UK that was properly designed and made entirely from recycled polymer,” Following exhaustive tests at the Building Research Establishment, Trevor set about designing the Envirotile. The inspectors remarked that the product was the best roof tile system they had ever tested. Trevor added: “Roof slates have been the mainstays of construction for centuries. The Envirotile can not only change this, but also deliver enormous environmental benefits as a result of reduced transport costs and the extensive use of recycled materials in the production process.”Enquiries for the Envirotile have been coming from worldwide locations, including China, the USA, Canada, Panama, and South Africa, as well as a number of roofing projects already completed in the UK.   For further information visit www.greenrooftilecompany.co.ukENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Chris Jenkinson:Tel 01455 556201Email: chris@jenkinsonassoc.co.uk 

Coventry Cathedral Making Creative Plans for Jubilee Celebration

2011-12-15 10:13:43

Coventry Cathedral has started the planning of its 2012 Jubilee celebration, which will see an abundance of exciting events taking place throughout the year, as the city comes together to commemorate the iconic landmark’s 50 year birthday. The Golden Jubilee will bring together the city’s diverse range of individuals to enjoy the broad spectrum of events throughout 2012, as a beacon of cultural and creative excellence for Coventry and the nation. This is part of the Cathedral’s strategy, aimed at engaging people from different age ranges, ethnicities, social groups and geographic areas.The Cathedral’s latest investment goes to the West Midlands-based marketing company, Reflection Marketing, who has won the major contract to create and develop a design for Coventry Cathedral’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. Reflection Marketing beat off competition from six other leading agencies to design, create and print all the marketing materials for the event.Coventry Cathedral’s Project Coordinator, Teresa Peace-Minihan said: "We recently invited a selection of marketing agencies to pitch for the creative design to support our Golden Jubilee Celebration – a landmark occasion for the cathedral. After six strong pitches we selected Reflection Marketing due to their impressive ability to understand our requirements and translate them into creative solutions, which also complement our brand. The agency is extremely proactive with an impressive response rate which makes us very optimistic for what promises to be a fruitful partnership.”Based in Sutton Coldfield, Reflection Marketing is a full service agency that has been providing clients with creative ideas and marketing strategies since the business was formed.Claire Nicholls, Managing Director at Reflection commented: “We worked closely with the client to produce artwork that reflected their brand image and remained stylish and iconic. The team at Reflection are thrilled to by working with Coventry Cathedral on the designs for their Jubilee Celebrations”.ENDSFor enquiries, please contact Claire Nicholls:Tel: 0845 519 2201Email: claire@reflectionmarketing.co.uk

IWJS continues to grow with acquisition of Aquajet (GB) Limited

2011-11-23 09:29:23

IWJS, a leading UK waste management group, has announced the acquisition of Aquajet (GB) Limited.The IWJS group now consists of three specialist waste management companies, Industrial Water Jetting Systems Limited, DSS Environmental Limited and Aquajet (GB) Limited.This places the IWJS Group firmly within the top ten waste management companies in the UK with a combined turnover in excess of £21m and employing over 275 staff.Christopher Stewart, Group Managing Director, sees this latest move as great news for the group and clients alike. “With the acquisition of Aquajet we have strengthened our UK coverage, service capability and personnel. All of our clients will benefit, as our ability to support them is greatly enhanced, by being able to deploy our specialist vehicles and experienced operators more effectively.”Paul Lyon, Managing Director of Aquajet, is equally positive. “Over the last 16 years, Aquajet has successfully built up an enviable reputation in the waste management sector. I look forward to working closely with Christopher, building the business, and I am pleased our expertise will now become available to all IWJS customers.”Aquajet have specialist skills in the survey and remediation of canal and river watercourses, including tidal stretches, and will continue to operate from their two existing depots.Investment continuesIt has been a busy year for IWJS as it was only in August 2011 that DSS Environmental became part of the group. Very quickly the expanded depot structure has improved vehicle and equipment management response times to the groups’ clients. DSS Environmental has added expertise in sewer rehabilitation and GPR location & mapping to complete the package of IWJS services available.To support the two acquisitions the IWJS group has invested a further £4m in vehicles, equipment and staff.New specialist vehicles have been arriving at the depots across the country and immediately scheduled to contracts, including fully equipped CCTV survey vans, JHL Recycling combination units, tankers and sewer rehabilitation equipment.Investment in staff at the groups Bury St. Edmunds headquarters, has strengthened the sales, finance, transport systems and operations teams. Supporting the customer base has been vital to the groups success and will continue to be a priority moving forward.Experience countsA major strength of the group is its agreements with the water utility companies. For 35 years IWJS has been involved in this sector and has close working relationships with six water utility companies.Dedicated systems with each client mean that vehicles and operators can be deployed within minutes to deal with or prevent an emergency.The experienced operators and depot staff have seen most situations in the last 35 years enabling the right decisions and outcome to be achieved no matter the problem presented.There is a lot more to the business besides the utility contractsThe IWJS group works with most of the major infrastructure companies for road, rail and building projects across the UK. The tankering, jetting, CCTV surveys, GPR mapping and sewer rehabilitations services are used by a diverse range of organisations such as local authorities, the Highways Agency, the Environment Agency, inland drainage boards, schools, industrial concerns and domestic clients.Industrial (tank and surface) cleaning and emergency spill response are other sectors that IWJS are actively involved in.IWJS is also known for its road tunnel cleaning business, removing materials from tunnel walls that can be hazardous to road users. Having designed and built bespoke vehicle mounted equipment, IWJS has captured most of the UK market and some European business by offering a safer and quicker option to the road authorities.The IWJS group is fully accredited, approved and insured to work within the utility, construction, road, rail, industrial and domestic sectors and takes the health and safety and environmental aspects of the industry very seriously.The Bury St. Edmunds head office is also the location for the in-house training school for the operators. There are regular authorised training sessions for high pressure jetting and confined space courses, working closely with the Water Jetting Association.Supporting the customerTo support its customer base the IWJS group now has eight operational depots around the country located in seven counties. Each depot has dedicated day and night shift operators and access to hundreds of specialist vehicles and bespoke pieces of equipment.The experienced management teams track every vehicle movement and can respond instantly to a demand whether it is an emergency or planned maintenance situation. This genuine 24/7 service is available 365 days of the year.Be part of the successWith the structure and investment in place the IWJS group has a bright future within the waste management industry.Christopher Stewart is keen to keep the momentum up, “With our excellent position in the sector, this is the springboard for us, to talk to more prospective clients, to win more contracts, and to build upon our success. Key to our future is the quality of the service we provide, the speed in which we deliver it and our ability to look after our customers. ” ENDFor media enquiries, please contact Phil Penman:Tel: 01359242606Email: phil.penman@iwjs.co.uk

Innovative Launch Looks the Business in UK Centre

2011-11-22 14:23:21

A state-of-the-art innovation centre was launched on Friday (November 18), to support the growth of high value businesses in Northamptonshire.Scott Bader Innovation Centre provides offices, laboratories and workshop space for companies working in the chemicals, materials, composites and advanced engineering sectors, along with access to specialist business and technical support. The development of the Innovation Centre was supported by the Fit for Market (FFM) programme, a funding stream that aims to overcome barriers to commercial development in Northamptonshire. The project saw the refurbishment of an existing building at the Scott Bader facility, creating 7,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace and up to 12 small office suites. The FFM Scheme is managed by Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, the counties agency which is responsible for economic development. The scheme is part of the county council’s Prosperity Fund, which helps to drive business growth and job creation. Sajeeda Rose, Director of Economic Development at NEP, commented: “Increasing the availability of quality commercial premises in the county is at the very heart of what the FFM programme aims to do in Northamptonshire. It’s great to see The Innovation Centre up and running. Creating new private sector jobs through innovation, inward investment and business growth is vital to our county’s prosperity.”In operation since 2004, the FFM programme has successfully funded 33 projects, supporting the construction and refurbishment of commercial premises, employment land remediation and other initiatives. The scheme has been instrumental in providing over £16m of public sector support, with the potential to stimulate private sector investment amounting to £117m in the region. Sajeeda added: “The overarching principle of FFM is to stimulate high value jobs growth and address market failure in the commercial land and property market in the county. Projects supported under the programme will focus on increasing the quantity and quality of commercial floor space available in Northamptonshire.”It is envisaged that projects backed by the programme will eventually support the generation of 1,400 additional jobs, the remediation of over 20 hectares of brownfield land, and the creation and refurbishment of more than 30,000 sq m of commercial floorspace. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Bottle PR:Tel: +44 (0)1865 882 988

Help’s at Hand for Wales’ Unemployed Graduates

2011-11-22 15:31:07

A successful graduate employability scheme has sealed an extra three years of much needed funding, after the latest government employment figures revealed that almost 22 per cent of young people across Britain are now out of work. Funded by the Welsh Government and the European Union Social Fund, GO Wales has helped nearly 2,000 graduates and students to secure paid Work Placements with Welsh businesses since the scheme began and 65 percent of participants continue to be employed after the placement has ended. GO Wales offer graduates and students various services to help them make the best start to their career after university. With graduate unemployment at an all-time high, the scheme helps individuals by arranging paid work placements, job opportunities and funding for training in businesses across Wales. Over 1000 businesses across the country have been involved in GO Wales’ Work Placement scheme since 2009.Programme Manager at GO Wales, Jackie Cresswell-Griffith, said, “We are pleased to be able to continue to provide our services to help graduates and businesses get the most out of working together in Wales. Seeing such positive outcomes proves that GO Wales makes a genuine difference to graduates’ employability.”GO Wales, sponsored by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales is delighted to be awarded funding to continue for another three years. “This is a difficult time for graduates starting their careers and also challenging for businesses. GO Wales is here to help; all our services can be accessed via our website and are open to graduates of any age and businesses in any sector in Wales.”GO Wales is delivered by University Careers Services in Wales.For more information, visit: www.gowales.co.ukENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Crystal Evans:Tel: 01792 295006Email: c.b.evans@swansea.ac.uk

‘Tis the Season to be Prepared

2011-11-17 11:14:22

As the country leaves autumn and heads for another harsh British winter, a Cannock-based car broker is warning local motorists of the dangers of being unprepared. The used-car supermarket, Motorhouse, is urging local residents to gear up for the winter, as most drivers fail to prepare with the fundamentals of driving in cold weather, including jump leads, warm clothing and a shovel.According to a recent survey carried out by One Poll, a mere 25% of motorists carry jump leads during snowy weather, and only 33% carry warm clothing in case of breaking down or being caught in long queues. Marketing Manager at The Motorhouse, Steve Campbell, says: “being so close to some of the UK’s busiest motorways, means residents in Cannock need to be extra careful in the winter because of the long commutes and dangerous rural roads.“What we’re advising, is that people carry the essentials when the weather becomes horrendous. Warm clothing, anti-freeze, a shovel and a mobile phone are necessities when driving this time of year. Carrying de-icer and maintaining the tyres, lights and brakes are also very important when driving in icy conditions.“When it comes to driving in the winter, it really can be a life or death situation with the recent winters being exceptionally dangerous,” added Mr Cambell.According to the Department of Transport, 1,850 people died on UK roads during 2010 – a drop from 2,222 in 2009. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Steve Campbell:Tel: 01543 506060Email: marketing@motorhouse2000ltd.co.uk

SURVEY CONFIRMS GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING ENOUGH FOR YOUNG UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE

2011-11-16 12:42:53

A survey by online recruitment experts RecruitmentGenius.com asked 597 UK based respondents whether they felt the coalition government was taking sufficient action to curb unemployment among your people.Overall 58% felt the government was not doing enough, with 25% saying that too much emphasis was being put on helping youth unemployment to the detriment of everyone else and 17% saying the current policies were sufficient.Interestingly 66% of those aged over 55 felt the government needed to do more compared to 59% of those aged 35-54 and just 52% of those aged 18-34.There were also regional variations with 50% of respondents in the South of England saying the government needed to do more to help young unemployed people compared to 64% in the rest of the UK.Geoff Newman, chief executive of RecruitmentGenius.com highlighted the importance of tackling youth unemployment.“Youth unemployment is an urgent task to solve because of the significant social problems it presents for the future. Similar recessions highlighted youngsters who do not enter into employment earn less and are more likely to be unemployed later in life.”These figures were released on the same day that unemployment for 16 to 24-year olds hit a record of 1.02 million.“This is an important political policy” says Geoff Newman. “Whilst those aged under 24 only represent 18% of the population, they total 40% of total unemployment. Whilst we can console ourselves that we don’t have such high youth unemployment as our European neighbours, it is no consolation for those unemployed.”ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Geoff Newman:Tel: 01732 617 460Email: media@recruitmentgenius.com

Domestic Abuse Charity’s New Website is Ready, Willing and ABEL

2011-11-22 09:42:57

A self-build website system, developed by a Birmingham based design team, is helping charities and organisations with limited funds to benefit from a professional Internet presence. Among them is ‘Survivors Of Domestic Abuse’ (SODA), a West Midlands charity, run by Sam Billingham, who uses her own experience to help others in abusive relationships. Local charities like SODA often find it difficult to attract funding, without which they cannot reach a wider audience.Darren Langham and Matthew Tullet, who run project design company Twelve20, are using their website builder to help charities in need of an effective website to spread their message. The system, known as ABEL Website Builder, provides full content management for the user. It is particularly useful for business start-ups and organisations in the voluntary sector, which David Cameron has targeted for growth as part of his Big Society initiative. Shelley Jackson-Woodall, Business Development Manager at promotional merchandise and marketing company Funky Concepts in Stourbridge, is a keen supporter of SODA and decided to help the charity by sponsoring a website. Shelley commented: “After seeing ABEL I was excited by its usability. I immediately began tweeting and recommending it to others. It was an easy decision to suggest that Sam and SODA use it because it’s easy to update, looks fantastic, has great support, and is a cost-effective solution, at less than 20p a day. “Sam came to the office and spent a couple of hours typing up her pages and following the step-by-step guide. By the end of the morning we had a website; you can't get better than that,” she added.Abel system provides full content management for the user and is proving particularly useful for business start-ups and organisations working in the third sector.To find out more about SODA visit: www.survivorsofdomesticabuse.co.ukEndsFor media enquiries, please contact Darren Langham:Tel: 01212884227Email: us@twelve20.co.uk

Christmas Porn Warning for Parents

2011-11-18 11:13:32

Pornography is becoming a serious risk to children’s mental health, say leading experts, with Christmas electronics being purchased without parental control adding to the danger.Millions of parents will go out this Christmas and purchase a gift for their children, totally unaware of what it can be used for, according to Penny Steinhauer, director of internet safety training organisation, Eye PAT. “Many will say ‘my child would never do that’, but unfortunately even children who don’t actively look for pornography, either find it by accident or are shown it by a friend,” said Penny Steinhauer. “It’s not just pornographic sites young people have access to – there are eating disorder sites, suicide sites, terrorist sites, the list goes on, ” she added.Alarming figures suggesting that half of children over nine have seen graphic sex on the Internet, come as no surprise to Penny Steinhauer. She believes parents need to explain to children what is real and what is not, in the same way they would help them understand that a violent, scary or disturbing film is not real. “Viewing these images affects children’s development and brain growth,” she said. “Think about this: London taxi drivers have an enlarged hippocampus – the part of the brain associated with spatial mapping. This enables them to do their job because of what they do all day. Our brains adapt and develop with everything we see or do. What is porn and violence doing to your child’s brain development and behaviours?” Some 99% of parents taught at Eye PAT’s online parenting sessions say they had no idea of what was really available online for anyone to see. Ogmore MP, Huw Irranca-Davies, says: “It was a really informative presentation that truly does highlight the dangers that children can face on these social networking sites. As a parent, I don’t think I’d be on my own in thinking that ‘My child knows what they are doing so I don’t have to worry’. How wrong can we be?”For more information visit: www.eyepat.org ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Penny Steinhauer:Tel: 01446 795055Email: penny@eyepat.orgReference:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1380257/Is-YOUR-child-watching-porn-The-effects-graphic-sex-images-young-minds.html

Red Route Spells Danger

2011-11-30 12:04:15

Proposals for ‘red route’ parking restrictions on a busy West Bromwich road would have ‘a devastating effect on local business and residents,’ warn campaigners.Bethel Convention Centre on Kelvin Way, which attracts 70,000 visitors annually, fears its own operations would be severely hit by the scheme, along with nearby hotels and shops, which could see a drastic drop in business.The convention centre’s management believes local residents will also suffer as people attending the conference centre will park their vehicles on side streets as a result of the proposed red route parking restrictions on Kelvin Way.The council says red routes reduce congestion and improve road safety by removing obstructions such as inconsiderate and illegal parking and loading. Red routes use double and single lines on the road and signs to indicate where and when stopping is prohibited.However, Paul Dryden, Operations Manager at Bethel Convention Centre, says the plans would be terrible for the neighbourhood.“We have been established here for over ten years and service the corporate, community and faith sectors.Bethel Convention Centre's General Manager, Michael Da Costa, added: “I can understand the need for a red route along Kenrick Way, Trinity Way and by the M5 junction, especially on West Bromwich Albion match days, but I sincerely believe there would be even greater disruption if the red route was implemented along Kelvin Way." Over the last five years Bethel Convention Centre has recorded attendances of more than 70,000 people per year at its conference venue. At present the centre only has parking for 350 cars. Extra spaces are available in an adjacent field, but the council, depending on the use of the field, restricts this facility.“In most cases where more than 350 to 400 people attend events, people park their cars on Kelvin Way. Up to 35% of our events are attended by 450 to 2,500 people per day and it is already a challenge to manage the parking for cars and coaches. This is something we have coordinated with the help of local police.“I do not believe due consideration has been given to the fact that Bethel Convention Centre attracts so many visitors from faith organisations, the corporate sector and public sector services – indeed, the NHS Trust is one of our largest and longest serving clients,” added Mr Da Costa. Local streets that could be affected including: Dawes Avenue, Gill Street, Ellison Street, Johnston Street, Bromford Lane, Westbourne Road, Clifford Road, Margaret Street and Bache Street.ENDSFor more information, please contact Fiona Conway:Tel: 0121 553 5566Email: f.conway@bethelconventioncentre.co.uk

’Tis the Season to do Business

2011-11-18 09:21:30

Businesses from across the West Midlands are being invited to attend a festive networking event, free of charge, at Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich on December 13, to help boost trade during the struggling financial period. The event will take place between 12pm and 3pm, where attendees can enjoy a complimentary seasoned turkey bap and mince pie.'Christmas Cards & Business Cards' is an effective way to generate new business contacts and keep in touch with old ones, with a festive twist. Fiona Conway, Marketing Co-ordinator at Bethel Convention Centre, commented: “Our 'Christmas Cards & Business Cards' event is a great fundraising and networking opportunity for local businesses to come and join in the festive fun, while raising money for a good cause.”Bethel Convention Centre is also raising money for St Mary's Hospice, and has launched a poster campaign for people to write a message of encouragement at Christmas on the St Mary’s Hospice and make a donation.Businesses wanting to stand out from the crowd can hire exhibition stalls at a discounted festive rate of £50 each. For more information, visit the Bethel Convention Centre website. To book a free place, or to arrange an exhibition stall, email Fiona at f.conway@bethelconventioncentre.co.ukENDSFor media enquires, please contact Fiona Conway:Tel: 0121 553 5566Email: f.conway@bethelconventioncentre.co.uk

Who You Gonna Call?

2011-11-14 15:14:51

A Midlands-based VoIP service provider is urging IT service companies to consider a partnership, and reap the benefits of internet telephony. Sipcentric, based in Birmingham, has already partnered with four local IT firms, which are now offering VoIP to their clients as a service that they can provide. The partnerships have rebranded the VoIP software, to coincide with the other communication services they offer. Managing Director of Sipcentric, Charles Chance, said: “Our mission is to prove that VoIP doesn’t have to be complicated. Our aim is to become the leading internet telecoms operator in the UK and our success will ultimately depend on the success of our partners.“The beauty of it is, our partners don’t need to be extremely clued up on the VoIP systems. We support and service their clients, with our round-the-clock engineers,” added Mr Chance. Keen IT Solutions obtained a key partnership with Sipcentric two months ago. Managing Director of Keen IT Solutions, Phil Keen is thrilled with how the service has worked.“Our business has seen a massive improvement since we’ve formed this partnership with Sipcentric. We don’t have any of the problems we had with our previous supplier and if we have a new feature request, we just call Sipcentric and they implement it within a matter of hours. It’s literally that simple.“By partnering with Sipcentric, we are able to offer our customers a solution that matches their individual requirements - regardless of how often it changes,” said Mr Keen. Keen IT Solutions has full control of its pricing and call tariffs, leaving Sipcentric to deal with technical support and maintenance. For more information, visit: http://www.sipcentric.com/partnerENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Charles Chance:Tel: 0121 285 4400Email: charles.chance@sipcentric.com

Open Day Celebrates Building Confidence

2011-11-16 12:59:43

An open day was hosted by Staffordshire based house builder Cameron Homes, to celebrate the completion and sale of two new £1 million Midlands properties.The day was held at the luxury five-bedroom homes in Barker Road, Sutton Coldfield, on Thursday (November 10) to mark a successful 2011 for the company, who say sales and prices have been well above expectations this year.The homes, called ‘The Tudors’, comprise of two £1 million properties, Seymour House and Aragon Lodge, which both sold before their November completion.Cameron Homes have now laid down ambitious plans for more site development next year, having already acquired 14 new sites since the spring of 2010. They point to several initiatives, which have boosted business during a very challenging time for the property industry.There has been a focus on helping people to sell their own homes through part exchange, and innovations for first time buyers include build up deposit schemes and deposit match, to help them to get onto the property ladder. Going into 2012, Cameron Homes say they are determined to continue building family homes and build on their philosophy to of providing thoughtful designs, with low running costs and a strong support network for the buyer.Ian Burns, Managing Director, believes business is out there, despite the tough economic climate.“2012 will be challenging, but we have a strong belief in our product and have real confidence we can build on this year’s success.”“If you offer value for money, good locations and give customers the help and support they need through the buying process, then business is there,” he said.For more details on ‘The Tudors’ and the latest Cameron developments, visit Cameron Homes’ website: www.cameronhomes.co.uk ENDSFor media enquiries, contact Danielle Wood at Clever Cherry:Tel: 0121 236 1060Email danielle@clevercherry.com

Boost Your Brand with Interactive Product Tagging

2011-11-15 09:52:04

Square-shaped black and white matrix blocks, known as QR codes, have increasingly become commonplace in magazines and on product packaging. The distinctive marks can be read with a smart phone or tablet, and are used by Brands as a way of communicating and strengthening relationships with consumers. BUT, according to ‘disruptive’ technologies specialists, IPI (Europe) Limited, there are many other interactive tools available that could be more effective; many of these being based on printable electronics, coupled with ‘apps’, to trigger the all-important ‘interactive experience’ for consumers.The whole range of rapidly evolving smart and interactive technologies, from watermarking, though Near Field Communication to Augmented Reality, for delivering this experience will be covered at the next Session of IPI’s, long running, ‘Printable Electronics & Interactive Products Programme’ in London next month. This session, which is open to non-members, promises to avoid the “sterile” question and answer format normally associated with business conferences, by encouraging lively debate. It will explore how to ‘Influence Consumers through Interactive Printed Media’ using, not only QR codes, but also electronic and graphic watermarking, RFID (Radio Frequency Identity), NFC (Near Field Communication) and AR (Augmented Reality).David Potter, IPI’s Commercial Director, said, “With contributions from leading technology providers and early adopters, our Programme Sessions are specifically designed to accelerate understanding and reduce the risks in grasping opportunities for evolving technologies.“Even more importantly, the sessions demonstrate real products and components that allow participants to see for themselves what is already possible,” he added.The session will involve participants from all stages of the value chain, from the High Street to materials suppliers. Contributors from across Europe include: 3M spinout Printechnologics, Ydreams, Digital Space, Optricks, Near Field Solutions, and The Product and Image Security Forum.IPI helps companies at the leading edge of technology adoption, by providing a single, independent source of expertise on the 'disruptive' technologies that are enabling the creation of a whole range of new components, products, processes and systems.For those businesses looking to use the latest interactive wizardry to boost their brand, IPI’s next session is the ideal place to start. It takes place at the Institute of Mining, Materials and Metals in Central London, on December 8, from 10:30am to 4:00pm.For more information, visit http://www.ipieurope.com/html/Dec_2011_PEIP_session.htmlENDSFor media enquiries, please contact David Potter:Tel: 0207 096 3944Email: david.potter@ipieurope.com

Going the ‘Greenway’ from Scotland to Austria

2011-11-08 09:21:46

Recent years have seen many questions raised about the global implications of an impending food crisis, with one in seven worldwide currently estimated to be living in food poverty. Furthermore, there are increasing concerns over the quality of fresh produce, with degraded nutrient values and the use of pesticides and growth hormones being identified as the culprits. It is these issues that Greenway Consulting, a not-for-profit community investment organisation in North Ayrshire, aims to address, with its unique and original approach to community food production. With its ‘transition town’ philosophy, Greenway works to promote sustainable food production, by teaching and equipping communities to grow their own food, creating a local economy.In a bid to join forces with similar organisations in Europe, Greenway has now entered into an exciting new partnership with an Austrian organisation, Natur im Garten, to bring Greenway’s teachings to their national education garden, Die Garten Tulln, near Vienna. The two organisations have pooled their collective know-how to establish a School for Soil Regeneration and Community Food Production. Using Greenway’s unique method, Grow Food Nature’s Way (GFNW), the school will train individuals, project leaders, educators and entrepreneurs to grow nutritious, tasty produce. Ronald Gilchrist, Head of Greenway, said, “The Greenway GFNW Method recognises that the world food crisis will best be addressed when food is produced in the community by the community for the community. “Communities can ensure food supply and protect themselves against rising food prices by developing a strong local economy and adopting localised food production,” he added.Although Greenway is based primarily in North Ayrshire, the culture of transition towns and community food gardens promoted by the organisation has spread rapidly throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK. The GFNW method also addresses issues that frequently prevent individuals from attempting to grow their own food, with the main concerns being a lack of time, space and expertise. The Greenway Team have designed their low cost method to resolve these problems, whilst steering clear of plastics, chemicals and harmful additives. Mr Gilchrist explained, “The Greenway Method is ideal, even for folks in the city. You don’t necessarily need to find a green space; a raised bed community garden can be built in the corner of a car park, in a gap site or on derelict industrial land. All spaces can be used, including planters on balconies or even in driveways.”The official Grow Food Nature’s Way handbook explains how to design your garden, maximise soil fertility and grow nutritious vegetables for yourself and your community. The book is available at: http://www.green-way.org.uk/shopENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Ronald Gilchrist:Tel: 01475 568645Email: ronald.gilchrist@green-way.org.uk

Golden Ticket of Thanks to FOPE Retailers

2011-11-07 11:31:59

A top Italian Jeweller has launched an exclusive ‘once in a lifetime competition,’ as a huge thank you to its UK network.FOPE Gioielli has entered all of its UK stockists into a ‘Dream Ticket’ prize event, where one retailer will have the chance to select from 10 fantastic prizes, which include a weekend in Prague for two, an International polo day and an exclusive trip to the FOPE factory, to see how the jewellery is made.The winner of this exquisite competition will be the retailer who sells the most FOPE jewellery from the beginning of November to January 31.Head of Marketing for FOPE UK & Ireland, Keith Dixon, said: “This is the first time a jewellery brand has offered this type of incentive to the jewellery retail network. This is a big thank you from FOPE, and an excellent opportunity to reward staff for their hard work.“We have put together some brilliant prizes for the winner to chose from. Personally, I like the look of the polo event; I’ve always wanted to experience that,” added Keith.Other prizes to choose from include a breathtaking light aircraft flight over London, a whisky weekend at the Glemorangie Distillery in Scotland and a trip for two on the Orient Express.The competition follows another successful year for FOPE, with the release of its twin range of bangles manufactured in the unique non-tarnishing SILVERFOPE, which is available through the FOPE retailer network, covering all major cities and towns in the UK and Ireland.FOPE Gioielli has built an outstanding reputation in the jewellery industry for its unique Italian class and high quality design.ENDSFor more information please contact Keith Dixon:Tel: 07785 774657Email: keith.dixon2@virgin.net

Black Tie Ball Raises £8,000 for Tsunami Victims

2011-11-04 09:11:12

Charitable folk in Cardiff donned their black ties and raised a whopping £8,000 for those affected by the South East Asian Boxing Day Tsunami.The HAT Foundation’s third annual Black Tie Ball took place at the Copthorne Hotel, Cardiff, on Friday 14th October. The night kicked off with a champagne reception, with the bubbly kindly donated by Waitrose, Barry, and music from Cardiff-based harpist, Shelley Fairplay.During an opening speech, Cavan Sullivan, Hat Foundation Founder, explained: “When I first had the idea of building and donating a house after the terrible event of the Tsunami, a customer and close friend said to give it up, as how could housing one family make a difference, when hundreds of thousands had been made homeless? “My answer was simple: it would be hundreds of thousands, minus one,” said Cavan.Guests were then treated to a four-course meal, followed by an evening of entertainment from the Panto Company, with Motown as the theme. Throughout the evening, over 50 gifts, all donated by local businesses and individuals, were given away during raffle draws.Cardiff City footballer Paul Quinn also made an appearance as guest auctioneer, giving away tickets and Cardiff kit, which raised £1,000 in the football auction. A further £1,455 was raised in other auctions, and Barclays Bank matched the first £750 taken in the raffle.The Hat Foundation was established by Cavan and Debra Sullivan, along with their daughter Aimee in 2005, with the help of friends and customers of Cavan’s Barry-based business, Welsh Window Systems.The charity raises money to fund a number of projects in Sri Lanka to help children and families left devastated by the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. The charity’s projects include providing fresh water to homes and helping schools with their building and educational needs.ENDSNotes to Editors:In the five years since its establishment, the HAT Foundation has donated 2500 pairs of shoes, hosted Christmas parties and football events for hundreds of children, constructed four new blocks of toilets, installed water and electricity into schools, supported an orphanage for four years, dug new wells, sponsored 50 children every month, laid 300 metres of water mains and installed water into 63 family homes.For more information, please contact Cavan Sullivan:Tel: 01446 738888Email: cavan@welshwindows.co.uk

Builders’ Merchant Move Makes the Waves in Birmingham

2011-11-15 15:57:22

A builders’ merchant in Birmingham received a visit from local radio station, BRMB’s Tom Ross, who broadcasted live from the site, before officially opening its new premises.The Minworth branch of national chain, Selco Builders’ Warehouse, has now moved to its new premises on the Chester Road, off the Tyburn Island in Erdington.Tom Ross broadcasted live from the site, which is 50% bigger than the previous outlet, on October 17, before officially opening it to the public. Mark Bramwell, General Manager of Selco Tyburn, said that the move to the new premises was great news for customers.“We are always working hard to ensure that the service our customers receive keeps improving, and this massive new branch will mean even greater depth and breadth of stock on our shelves. That means customers know they can get what they need, when they need it,” he said.Customers will now benefit even more from bigger stocks of building materials, which are always on the shelf to take away there and then. There are also hundreds of new products available, as well as a new kitchen and bathroom showroom. Selco Builders’ Warehouse started out in Birmingham as a family run business, and now has 30 branches across the UK.ENDSNotes to Editors: Selco was originally formed as Sewell & Co (Timber) Ltd in 1985. From a small, family owned business in Birmingham, the company has now become a fast growing, competitive and highly respectable trade only builders’ merchants, with branches spanning four regions in England and Wales and plans for further growth. For media enquiries, please contact Simon Humpage:Tel: 0121 415 7270Email: simon.humpage@selcobw.com

EDL fail to derail International Awards

2011-11-03 09:40:51

A rally by the English Defence League failed to deter the celebrities and guests that attended a prestigious black international film festival that took place this weekend at the ICC in Birmingham.The Black International Film Festival’s Music Video & Screen Awards - which celebrates black heritage within the film industry - continued with their event on Saturday, with little interference from the English Defence League (EDL). During the afternoon, the EDL protested in Centenary Square, which led to some celebrities and staff not being able to get into the area. However, with support from the West Midlands Police, event organisers Aspire4U ensured no one involved in the event was badly affected by the protest and people were safely escorted in and out of the ICC building.The event celebrates the contribution of black people to the world of screen, theatre and music. Awards went to a range of talented artists, including Monq Hammon who bagged the Ebony Award for Lifetime achievement, with Best UK film going to Random. This is the second successive year that Birmingham-based, community interest company, Aspire4u has worked on the Black International Film Festival’s Music Video & Screen Awards, which were hosted by Jimmy Akingbola, star of Holby City, and ITV presenter Jacqui Joseph. Event organiser, Daniella Genas said: “Aspire4u had to work extra hard this year to ensure that the event was a success and the feedback has been phenomenal. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Black International Film Festival in the coming years and watching it go from strength to strength.”Guests included EastEnders star Rudolph Walker and Angela Wynter, as well as actors Joseph Millson and Olga Fedori, who star in Holby City.ENDSFor more information, please contact Daniella Genas:Tel: 07985609061Email: dgenas@aspire4u.co.uk

mediaPro Set to Stage some of the World’s Most Influential Figures

2011-10-27 08:45:05

A stellar line-up of some of the world’s most senior marketers, from some of the best known global brands will be sharing some of their secrets on the 1st and 2nd November at mediaPro, London Olympia.The keynote addresses on both days will provide some answers from some of the country’s sharpest brains and most accomplished marketing strategists.There’s a lot of hype regarding Richard Robinson, who heads up the business and retail markets for Google. He will look at how you use market insight analysis and individual preferences to engage, educate, nurture, inform and have a dialogue with your audience. Those who thought the age of print and television was in the past, will need to think again after hearing from Julia Cole, UK&I Marketing Manager for Hewlett-Packard and Tess Alps, the chief executive of ThinkBox, the marketing group for commercial television. Julia Cole will show how with relevancy, insight and customer data print can be an essential part of an integrated marketing mix; and Tess will reveal that instead of fearing the damage the internet might inflict, a company should be using this amazing technology to expand and enhance its services. mediaPro 2011 is expected to draw more than 5000 marketers, their agencies and media professionals. Event Director, Tom Vine said: “mediaPro is the only dedicated exhibition in the UK that interprets how integrated communications and the latest innovations can help marketers communicate and engage with their target audience - whether it is online, offline, mobile, social, publishing or a combination of all of them.” mediaPro is a free to attend exhibition and conference for marketers, brand managers, agencies and the media - with 100 hours of top-level content.To register, please visit: www.mediaproexpo.co.ukENDSPlease contact, mediaPro Head of Marketing, Alexia Maycock:Tel: 07899967231Email: alexia.maycock@closerstillmedia.com

Eco2Solar Powers through Accreditation with ‘Perfect 10’

2011-10-26 14:52:21

Sustainable energy company Eco2Solar has underscored its industry credentials by passing its annual Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS) audit with a ‘perfect 10’. Eco2Solar achieved the accreditation without a single 'non-conformance' mark or negative comment - an extremely rare accomplishment, which demonstrates that the firm is entirely prepared for all aspects of renewable energy installation, with ethical and reliable principles. Paul Hutchens, Managing Director of Eco2Solar said: “The MCS accreditation is the rite of passage for all renewable energy installation companies, as without this our customers would not be eligible for the wide range of government-backed incentives available. “These include the Feed-in-Tariffs for solar photo voltaic (PV) installations and the upcoming Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which comes into effect in October 2012,” he added. MCS is an internationally recognised quality assurance scheme with highly challenging accreditation standards that involve in-depth analysis of the company's code of conduct, customer service and installation services. “We were confident we would pass the assessment but to do so with no issues raised at all is amazing. This is testament to the discipline and hard work of everyone at Eco2Solar, but in particular our office manager Gail Lobb, and technical manager Ben Fox, who have worked really hard to achieve this,” explained Mr Hutchens.“Our latest accreditation means all our customers can rest assured that they are receiving the highest level of service and workmanship, along with access to all the financial incentives currently on offer.” A family run business, Eco2Solar is fully MCS accredited for solar PV, solar thermal, and ground source and air source heat pump installation. The company’s renewable energy systems significantly reduce the fuel bills and carbon footprints of businesses, organisations and individuals.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Francesca Minett:Tel: 01562 745265Email: Francesca@eco2solar.co.uk

Sexual Healing Brings Back that Loving Feeling

2011-11-18 13:20:55

Couples whose relationship is plagued by a joyless sex life may be worsening their situation by failing to address the root causes of the problem and seeking expert help. According to psychotherapy and counselling specialists, Rivers Assist, it is estimated that up to sixty per cent of all couples experience sexual problems at some point during their relationship. However, many remain in denial, believing the situation to be nothing more than a short-lived phase. Others may feel too uncomfortable to even bring the issue up with their partner, never mind a trained professional, in order to uncover and overcome the causes of their sexual problems. Though these problems are far more common than many realise, the average couple can wait up to six years before seeking help, which can certainly exacerbate the problem. “We know that couples find it difficult to talk about such sensitive and confidential subject matter, so it’s vital to allow them to address their problems in an environment they feel safe in. Rivers Assist have found that offering a range of support, not just face-to-face counselling, but also over Skype and online is an effective way of putting clients at ease,” said Patricia Williams, Managing Director of UK-based Rivers Assist. The causes of sexual difficulties can be physical, psychological or a mixture of both. Most sexual problems, however, are not medically based. In such cases, individuals may be pleased to discover that psychological sex therapies can unravel the issues, allowing couples to return to the fulfilling sexual experiences they would like to enjoy together. “Sexual difficulties may begin early in a person's life, or they may develop later. Problems may manifest gradually, or may occur suddenly. In any of these cases, a total or partial inability to participate in one or more stages of the sexual act can occur,” explained Patricia.River Assist’s national network of sexual therapists have identified that the most common problems are founded on stress, performance anxiety, intimacy issues, depression, boredom, poor body image, lack of education or problems in the relationship. Rivers Assist’s network of psychosexual therapists works to discover the sources of problems, gain insight and develop techniques for overcoming sexual difficulties. ENDS For media enquiries, please contact Patricia Williams:Tel: 0789 901 7314Email: pat@riversassist.com

Porn Addicts Let Rivers Assist them out of the Deep ‘Blue’

2011-11-04 11:58:27

Boys will be boys, we might think, when it comes to a sneaking a peek at a few naughty pictures or girlie magazines.However, Rivers Assist, a psychotherapy provider in the Midlands has warned that it’s not always that simple. The rise of the Internet has paved the way for a serious addiction to pornography, which affects both men and women. It may begin with a little curiosity, or by being unwittingly directed to a porn website, but while some can simply dismiss the images, others find themselves on the road to a destructive and uncontrollable addiction. Research organisations estimate that over 28,000 Internet users are viewing pornography every second. What’s more, an estimated one million people in the UK alone have experienced problems in their work or social lives relating to porn addiction, and Rivers Assist has seen strong evidence to support the need for accessible help. Pornography addicts may spend hours, even days, lost in two-dimensional images and experiences, leading to deep feelings of isolation, according to Patricia Williams, Managing Director of Rivers Assist, who said: “We want to let people know that we are here to help them with the management of their addiction.”But feelings of guilt and shame do not only afflict addicts themselves. Partners, family members and friends also find themselves experiencing distress and anxiety surrounding the issue. Patricia added; “Rivers Assist also recognises the need and strives to provide the necessary support and care for loved ones, who may struggle to deal with the revelation.”Research indicates porn addictions affect men and women from all walks of life, faiths, races and ages. There is great difficulty in recognising what is often a very secret shame, and recovery requires knowledgeable and experienced counsellors, so that addicts may express the sensitive and often humiliating aspects of their addiction in a safe environment.Rivers Assist, with its head office in Birmingham, is an established counselling and psychotherapy service The organisation has a network of highly trained counsellors and psychotherapists throughout the UK, and prides itself on offering a unique service that is accessible to all.The firm offers a free confidential assessment with a counselling consultant to any caller who feels that they would benefit from the service, or would like advice on this sensitive issue. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Patricia Williams:Tel: 0789 901 7314Email: pat@riversassist.com

Selco Celebrates New Premises with Big Charity Contribution

2011-11-15 15:57:52

The Swansea branch of a national builders’ merchant have proudly donated £1,000 to the Lord Mayor of Swansea’s chosen charity, in appreciation of the Mayor attending the opening of its new premises.The city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ioan Richard, visited Selco Builders’ Warehouse, to officially open its larger premises in Upper Fforest Way, Llansamlet.Selco presented the Lord Mayor with a cheque for £1,000, which will be going to his chosen charity, the Swansea Hospitals Medical Wards.Selco also donated £1,000 to local radio station, The Wave, which is raising money for its ‘Cash For Kids’ appeal. The Wave was also broadcasting live from the new branch on the morning of the opening, which took place on October 10.Kelvin Coe, Branch Manager, said the store is extremely pleased with the chosen charities, and the success of the open day.Mr Coe added: “I am delighted to be able to open this massive new Selco branch. I know my customers will also be pleased with the developments we have made and we are working hard to keep improving the service they receive. We’re also honoured to be donating money to local charities.”The new branch, which is only a short distance from the old premises, is double the size. Customers will now benefit even more from bigger stocks of building materials, which are always on the shelf to take away there and then. There are also hundreds of new products available, as well as a new kitchen and bathroom showroom.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Simon Humpage:Tel: 0121 415 7270Email: simon.humpage@selcobw.comNotes to Editors: Selco was originally formed as Sewell & Co (Timber) Ltd in 1985. From a small, family owned business in Birmingham, the company has now become a fast growing, competitive and highly respectable trade only builders’ merchants, with branches spanning four regions in England and Wales and plans for further growth.

Escape the Winter – No Passport Required

2011-10-26 08:31:16

A local travel specialist is preparing to excite its customers with a warm evening of glitz and glamour, which promises to transport them to the hottest holiday destinations around. Kuoni in Liverpool has teamed-up with its sister company, Journeys of Distinction, to host a special evening, designed to help people forget about Britain’s plummeting temperatures and darker nights. Champagne will be served to customers on entry and a small cinema-like sitting room will allow customers to preview the glorious destinations on offer, while the cold weather sets in outside the store.Kuoni Store Manager, James Kerr said: “Our store will be transformed into a warm atmosphere to excite our customers about their holiday in the sun next year.”“We have champagne in-store which customers can enjoy, while listening to our advisors talk about their experience in the sunshine,” added James. Great new destinations on offer for 2012, will throw the spotlight on the exciting cultures of Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Tibet and Morocco.Journeys of Distinction has renamed its trips – formerly known as Escorted Tours – to Enlightened Tours, to help people appreciate the true value and impact of such breaks. “An Enlightened Tour is so much more than a simple sightseeing holiday. It takes you on a personal journey – connecting you to countries, customs and cultures, by exploring, explaining and unearthing, in a way that creates a lifelong bond,” explained Mr Kerr.Representatives from Journeys of Distinction will be on hand during the evening to talk to people individually about the firm’s exquisite 2012 tours. ENDSFor more information, please contact Jane Griffiths:Tel:0151 708 0088Email: james.kerr@kuoni.co.ukNotes to editor:Store location: Kuoni Liverpool, Liverpool One, 10 Peters Lane, Liverpool, L1 3DE

Love is in the Air for Single Parents

2011-10-25 10:37:43

An online dating agency is revolutionising the way that single parents enter new relationships, by creating a website which links like-minded parents together.The number of single parent families is on the rise, with EU figures revealing that the UK has the most single parents of all major European countries.It can be easy in these circumstances for single parents to feel ostracised, as working and looking after their children, leaves little time to look for new relationships. However, a specialist online dating agency – SingleParentDatingUK – is helping to buck this trend by bringing people in the same situation together. Nick Shread, the agency’s Managing Director, said: “Our members have made a decision to take their destiny into their own hands and find a partner that can fully appreciate what life is like as a single parent. “We appreciate that juggling a job and family-life can be extremely difficult, but we know from the many comments we receive from our members that they are delighted that they took the positive step of becoming a member of SingleParentDatingUK.com.”In addition to the EU figures, statistics from the UK Office for National Statistics show that British children are three times more likely to live in one-parent households than they were in 1972. The figures also reveal that nearly a quarter of children lived with only one parent last year and nine out of 10 of those households were headed by lone mothers.Nick Shread added, “We have a broad range of ages among our members, from 18 to 60-plus. Our aim, regardless of age, is to help members find partners who know what it's like to have the responsibility of a child – relieving some of the pressure of entering the dating world again.”It's important for single parents to realise that there are opportunities out there for them to meet a partner that understands what they're going through and can empathise with them.EndsFor media enquiries, please contact Nick Shread:Tel: 02081237895Email: nick.shread@shreadsoft.co.uk

Connexica and 848 Team Up to Put CXAIR in the Cloud

2011-10-19 11:08:19

Leading cloud computing vendors, the 848 Group have signed an agreement to integrate Connexica’s Business Intelligence application, CXAIR, into its growing portfolio of cloud solutions.Through the partnership, the 848 Group will provide implementation, support and consultancy for CXAIR within the cloud, alongside their existing communication, collaboration, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions.Commenting on the agreement, Chris Finch, Sales & Marketing Director at Connexica said, "This is a very exciting opportunity, which will really help us start to realise the potential for our technology to be used in a cloud environment. “Technically, we have always been able to deploy in this way, but it is important to work with an organisation such as 848, who already have the experience delivering apps to their customers through a cloud service,” he added.With CXAIR’s search engine approach to data querying, users are able to use simple, natural language queries to interrogate all of the information in their organisation.Rather than scrolling through pages of results, CXAIR provides users with the option of rapidly filtering results, using dropdown lists to drill down into ‘big data,’ narrowing the search from millions of results to the records of interest within a matter of seconds.The genius of CXAIR is that the product requires no technical querying or report writing skills to use, giving businesses the ability to answer data queries rapidly with the minimum amount of fuss, in a completely secure environment."Connexica have done a brilliant job at making Business Intelligence available to the non-technical, and with our ability to leverage the simplicity of cloud technology, Connexica’s CXAIR BI tool is delivered to the user via a simple browser," said Nick Billington, Director of 848 Group.CXAIR is available in the cloud for the 848 Group’s customers from October 2011.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Chris Finch:Tel: 01785 246777Email: chris.finch@connexica.comNotes to Editors:About ConnexicaEstablished in 2006, Connexica provides a fundamentally different approach to information retrieval and management reporting. Their powerful querying and analysis tools offer organisations the ability to index (using a search engine), retrieve and analyse their data at extremely high speeds even on large data volumes, easily and securely from any location. Their vision is to improve access to intelligent information for millions of people. Not just the elite, technical few.About the 848 GroupEstablished in 2009 the 848 group specialise in migrating customers from expensive and inflexible LAN based networks to low cost, high performance IT systems delivered to any Internet connected device with a simple browser.

Blueberry Waves Hello to New Partnership

2011-10-19 10:07:52

The largest British owned cruise company has appointed Blueberry Wave, Cirencester-based CRM & Data Marketing agency, to handle its CRM strategy and communications planning.All Leisure Holidays Group - with brands: Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery, Discover Egypt and Hebridean Island Cruises - has selected Blueberry Wave to develop a single customer view database and control its customer communications.This follows All Leisure’s appointment of CRM & Customer Insight Manager, Andrew Fruer, in 2010. “Our focus is to align our business offering with our customers’ wants and needs,” says Andrew Fruer.“We wanted to bring a partner on board to support us in defining and executing data and market research projects that grow our brands now and would build a platform we could use for many years to come,” added Andrew Fruer.Blueberry Wave demonstrated they could do this with a solid and methodical approach, getting started with some quick wins that wouldn’t get in the way of business as usual. They also showed a clear understanding of the All Leisure Group, the wider market and expressed a creative approach to data.Pamela Bath, co-founder of the Cirencester based agency, says that Blueberry Wave is delighted to be working with the team at All Leisure as their CRM partner. “Each of the four brands is very distinctive, which gives us some exciting work ahead to understand customer interactions and engagement, their propensity to move around the brands and of course how we look to attract new customers to this very specific cruise experience,” says Pamela Bath.For over a decade, Blueberry Wave have been helping big brands use data to change the way they engage with their customers.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Carolyn Bondi.Tel: 01285 648181Email: Carolyn@blueberrywave.com

Kent Firm is a Front Runner for National Awards

2011-10-21 08:30:57

A Sevenoaks recruitment specialist is among an elite group of the UK’s most successful companies competing in the finals of a leading award. Online recruitment business, RecruitmentGenius.com, has already won a regional award for the Most Promising New Business, and now the company is a finalist in its category for the National Chamber Awards, hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce. RecruitmentGenius.com has succeeded due to creative thinking in difficult economic conditions. The company’s groundbreaking initiative was to help fill any recruitment post for a fixed fee of £199. The revolutionary concept took off, with the business placing 38,000 roles in its first year. This approach has also allowed the company to prosper in a sector that has seen rapid decline.The awards scheme was created to celebrate the country’s most successful businesses and Geoff Newman, Chief Executive of RecruitmentGenius.com, commented: "We're incredibly proud to have won through to the finals and this award is a reflection of our team’s hard work and the trust thousands of businesses have given us to find them the best staff. “Kent is a great place to do business and we could not have achieved such results without being part of the local business community," added Mr Newman. Jo James, Chief Executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “Having won Kent’s Most Promising New Business for 2011, I am delighted that RecruitmentGenius.com has gone on to win the regional award - and I wish the company every success for the national finals.”As well as being in the running for the national title in its category, RecruitmentGenius.com has a chance to collect the Award for Outstanding Business Achievement – with a top prize of £25,000. There are nine categories and the national winners will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on November 24.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Geoff Newman:Tel: 07927 464469Email: geoff@recruitmentgenius.com

John Lewis Deal is the Jewel in the Crown

2011-10-31 09:24:03

A glowing jewellery business is to roll out its handcrafted products in John Lewis stores across the UK, and is on the lookout for regional franchisees to manage the expansion. The opportunities follow a strategic partnership between John Lewis and Hitchin-based FingerPrint Jewellery, which launched in the John Lewis branch in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent earlier this year.FingerPrint Jewellery is now aiming to sign-up franchisees in north and central London, Southampton, Liverpool, Bristol, Kingston, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, and Cheadle. The franchisees will be integral in managing the partner relationship and roll out of FingerPrint Jewellery in the remaining John Lewis stores that will be retailing the brand. FingerPrint Jewellery produces high quality, handmade jewellery that is unique to individual customers. The firm’s products include fingerprints, handprints, footprints, doodles and scribbles, which are imprinted in solid silver.“The expansion into John Lewis is hugely important for our business, and really lifts the company above its competitors,” said Ms Lisa Pugh, Creative Director at FingerPrint Jewellery. “Although the business has been highly successful online, having jewellery on permanent display and being able to offer customers the personal service within John Lewis takes us to a completely different level,” she added. FingerPrint Jewellery has been available online since 2006, with customers taking prints at home using a simple impression kit. Customers can now purchase the jewellery at John Lewis, with their child's prints taken in store by a trained FingerPrint designer. “We are looking for people who are interested in running their own business, who are creative and enthusiastic, good communicators and have a hands-on approach to generating sales,” explained Tim Gaywood, Franchise Director.No previous jewellery-making or silversmith experience is necessary to become a FingerPrint designer. Franchisees are fully backed by national advertising and PR, as well as ongoing support with local marketing. They are also automatically assigned any web orders from the main website, where a customer lives in their territory.“Designers will split their time between regular visits to take prints at their local John Lewis store, attending local events, shows and private parties, and handcrafting beautiful jewellery for their customers,” added Mr Gaywood.In return for an initial investment and an ongoing royalty, FingerPrint designers receive full training and support, plus a large exclusive territory.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Tim Gaywood:Tel: 07720 404637Email: tim@fingerprint-jewellery.co.uk

Moo Moo Health Moobile Gets Moving

2011-10-26 07:58:38

Is it a van? Is it a cow? No, it’s the Moomobile, and it’s hitting the streets of Birmingham and the Black Country, to bring mobile healthcare to the area.A transit van with a difference; the Moomobile is painted as a cow on both sides, and even has its rear end decorated to match its namesake, making it easily recognisable as it travels around Birmingham and the Black Country.The quirky initiative is the work of Birmingham-based Moo Moo Youth Marketing (MMYM), as a direct approach to tackling the health inequalities originating from the poor access to health services in some areas of the Midlands. Managing Director, Charlotte Slater said, "The Moo Moo Youth Marketing team is passionate about taking services to the people who need it; to what the government calls the 'hard-to-reach' and marginalised, but we believe in doing it whilst being funky and fun!”Inside, the Moomobile is fully kitted out with a medical consultation area, a kitchen, toilet facilities, and is even heated, to provide a comfortable medical environment for those coming aboard. The Moomobile is crewed by MMYM’s fully trained young Peer Workers, who accompany the driver around the city, with the mission of helping people to give up smoking, and offering under 25’s a Chlamydia test.By creating jobs for young unemployed people in the area, and by bringing health services to areas where they’re needed the most, Moo Moo Youth Marketing will remain one of the UK’s most successful outreach organisations. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Charlotte Slater:Tel: 0121 2247711Email: charlotte@mmym.co.uk

Waffle Your Way to a Dream Holiday

2011-10-13 16:18:33

A luxury travel agent based in London, is celebrating the wonders of Québec, with a day of champagne, prizes and waffles.Travel specialist, Kuoni, is offering Londoners the chance to experience Canadian culture with an abundance of treats and delicacies, with a £250 prize on offer.The city-central branch will have a team of specialists on hand, to offer one-to-one advice on booking a once in a lifetime trip, to one of the world’s most spectacular destinations. With support from the Québec Tourist Board, Kuoni have organised a waffle chef to serve customers a real taste of Canada – not forgetting the maple syrup. The excitement continues, with a £250 Kuoni gift voucher up for grabs to anyone who enters the grand draw. Canadian style goodie bags will also be handed out free, to customers who enter the branch to join in the celebration.“We're all extremely excited about Friday's event,” says Branch Manager, Vara Arnold. “We have staff who have travelled to Quebec, who will be on hand to offer their expertise and experiences. “Whether you're interested in booking a trip to Canada or just looking at next years holiday. Come in for a glass of champagne and a world famous Canadian waffle,” adds Vara Arnold. Customers can celebrate in style, with a glass of champagne in hand, while talking to staff about the offers currently available to Québec. The cultural, Canadian themed event will take place inside the Cheapside branch from 12pm until 3pm, Friday October 14. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Vara Arnold:Tel: 02076004205Email: vara.arnold@kuoni.co.ukNotes to editor: Store Location: Kuoni, Unit D, 107 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DYKuoni was established in 1906 by Alfred Kuoni - a visionary adventurer and explorer of his time who opened some of Europe’s first travel agencies. Today it has branch operations in over 40 countries. For 105 years Kuoni has been creating holidays with a spirit of adventure and has been recognised consistently, winning coveted awards such as The Worlds Leading Tour Operator for 11 years in a row at the World Travel Awards, and Best Large Tour Operator at the 2010 Daily Telegraph Ultratravel 100 Awards. Kuoni has also been voted Britain’s Best Long-haul Tour Operator by travel agents for the past 28 years.

A Call to Arms for Swansea-based School

2011-10-17 08:40:43

Pupils from a school in South Wales, swapped their classroom for a day in military barracks.The year 10 pupils from Swansea-based Ffynone House School, spent the day getting a taste of military life, with the army.The school was joined by other peers from around South Wales, to take part in team building exercises, discussions and problem solving, at the old Templeton Airfield near Narberth. The military day out was organised by Ffynone House School, to educate teens about the opportunities available in pursuing a career in engineering, with a particular emphasis on girls.When pupils arrived at the airfield, they were split into gender groups and mixed with the other participating schools. They then took part in group activities, which included military drills and an assault course. Ffynone House School pupil, Ruby, said: “It was very cold, but we still managed to have fun and it was great to meet new people.”The students fought off the autumnal weather and made the most of the day. Ffynone House School teacher, Steve Hamlyn, said: “The airfield was rather exposed and thus a chill wind brought the temperatures down, but pupils just got on with it and worked well, showing enthusiasm and true Ffynone grit!”Another pupil, Elizabeth, said: “I felt that it has opened my eyes towards studying engineering later on in life.”Since opening in 1973, Ffynone House School has earned a reputation for its academic excellence. The military day took place on October 7.ENDSFor more information, please contact Sarah Turton:Tel: 01792 464 967Email: Sarah.Turton@ffynonehouseschool.co.uk

Selco Builds on Solid Foundations with New Appointments

2011-10-24 14:20:35

A national builders merchant chain has made a number of new appointments to help the company achieve its next phase of growth and expansion.Selco Builders Warehouse has promoted Chris Cunliffe, formerly Operations Director and Chief Operating Officer, to Managing Director. Chris has been with the company for more than 20 years, during which time he has progressed through store management, and has been part of Selco’s Senior Operational management team for nearly 15 years. He has played a key role in the launch and development of 26 new Selco branches across the UK. As Managing Director, Chris will now be responsible for the business’ day-to-day management, trading performance and continual development.Malcolm Aldridge has been appointed as Chairman, after serving as Managing Director for the past 16 years. He will continue to negotiate new site acquisitions, as well as retaining a key interest in Selco’s performance.“The management changes we’ve made are to ensure we have the key people in place for the next phase of the company’s growth,” says Chris Cunliffe. “It is particularly pleasing that we have been able to recruit for these positions from within. All the appointments have been made to colleagues who have contributed hugely to the success of Selco, and have been integral to the growth of the business,” he added.Amongst other appointments, Chris Lyons has been appointed as Branch Operations Director - joining the main Selco Board of Directors, while Brian McConnell has been appointed as Regional Operations Manager for North-West London. Paul Neary will be taking up the post of Regional Operations Manager of North-East London. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Simon Humpage:Tel: 0121 415 7270Email: simon.humpage@selcobw.com

Driving Down the Cost: Fleet Management Company Targets the Chamber

2011-10-26 09:02:57

A thriving East Midlands based fleet management company is offering Chamber members the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of salary sacrifice for cars with a free set up.Fleet Evolution, based in Derby, is offering free implementation of the salary sacrifice scheme for any Midlands Chamber member employing over 100 employees until the end of 2011.This will include policies, systems and processes, all supplied by Fleet Evolution.The salary sacrifice car scheme is one of the hot topics in the benefits space and offers advantages for both employers and employees. Andrew Leech, Managing Director of Fleet Evolution, said: “Many large public and private sector companies have introduced salary sacrifice car schemes with fantastic success for both employer and employee, but such schemes can take time to set up. “By working with local businesses, we can provide a service at virtually no risk to the employer, so all Chamber members can offer this fantastic benefit to their staff,” Added Andrew Leech.Salary sacrifice has been increasingly popular in recent years, offering employees non-cash benefits for a contractual reduction in pay.Employers can save National Insurance by offering it and employees can save tax and National Insurance on new cars by participating in the scheme. Companies have also been using the beneficial scheme to slash CO2 emissions and meet environmental targets.Those companies who take advantage of the salary sacrifice opportunity have seen their emissions drop, which is down to the economical technology behind new cars.However, complicated set up, expensive fees and overuse of jargon, has made this benefit one that companies employing less than 500 employees struggle to implement.ENDSFor media enquiries, contact: Andrew Leech:Tel: 0844 848 3455Email: andrew.leech@fleetevolution.co.uk

Salary Sacrifice Driving Business in the Right Direction

2011-10-13 11:29:47

Forward-thinking companies who have been pushing through the economic downturn, are reaping the benefits of salary sacrifice, according to a fleet management specialist in the Midlands.   Salary sacrifice has been increasingly popular in recent years, offering employees non-cash benefits for a contractual reduction in pay.  Advantages on offer to employees are becoming increasing important, says Managing Director of Fleet Evolution, Andrew Leech.   "Most companies tend to offer pension arrangements, but these are flexible. A salary sacrifice car attracts and commits the best level of candidate for your company.  "Most salary sacrifice car scheme specialists, offer an employer some peace-of-mind by taking control of the maintenance of a vehicle, leaving an employee more focused on the core business, rather than MOTs and services."  Companies have been using the beneficial scheme to slash CO2 emissions and meet environmental targets. Those companies, who take advantage of the salary sacrifice opportunity, have seen their emissions drop, which is down to the economical technology behind new cars.   “On average, we are supplying vehicles that are emitting a third less CO2 than the vehicles which they are replacing. In fact, 87 per cent of the firm’s orders are for vehicles that emit less than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre,”Mr Leech said.  Essentially, the car is treated as a taxable benefit, so the lower its CO2 rating, the greater the saving. The scheme also creates significant savings in corporation tax and National Insurance.  ENDS  For more information contact: Andrew Leech.   Tel: 0844 848 3455   Email: andrew.leech@fleetevolution.co.uk 

Charity Cashes in £500k from Foreign Exchange

2011-10-25 10:19:29

A poverty-tackling charity had cause to celebrate, when a travel money retailer donated £500,000 to its coffers, with plans to contribute a further £50,000 by the end of the year. National bureaux de change chain, eurochange, donated £500,000 from its 2010 profits, to Sustain for Life, the official eurochange charity. The significant donation represents the largest gift to charity the company has ever made.Giles Custerson, Managing Director of eurochange, said: “On behalf of our board, we are delighted to be in a position to make a donation of this scale to help those less fortunate than ourselves to help themselves. “Last year, we did business with over one million customers for the first time, and thanks to those customers, we have been able to give something back to the global community. We see this as an important part of running a credible business,” he added. Sustain for Life improves lives by helping deprived people in developing countries become self-sufficient. It was established as ‘the eurochange charity’ in 2006, through the close links between the company and Sustain for Life’s founder. eurochange is aiming to raise an additional £50,000 for Sustain for Life through the sale of coin purses at its branches, with 100 per cent of the profits going to the charity. As well as purchasing the purses, customers can help by donating spare change and unused foreign coins at eurochange's 84 bureaux de changes across the UK. Jo Kroes Randell, head of development in the UK for Sustain for Life added: "The support we receive from eurochange is vital to enable us to continue the work we do in reducing poverty around the world. It's extremely heartening to see that even during such difficult trading conditions as those currently facing the UK, supporting Sustain for Life is still a high priority in eurochange's portfolio."eurochange, which was established over 35 years ago, supplies holiday money to more than one million customers on UK high streets and in shopping centres. The firm also operates an International Payments department, which recently introduced a Quick Transfer product for individuals wishing to send money abroad.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact eurochange:Tel: 03332 401687Email: pr@eurochange.co.uk

Graduate Advantage Launches Career Enhancing Voluntary Internship Scheme

2011-10-06 16:12:07

Graduate Advantage (GA) is expecting a high demand from both employers and graduates for their new voluntary internship scheme being launched today within the West Midlands.Sourcing fresh and enthusiastic talent for a short term project or role can be both time consuming and frustrating for small businesses. GA is able to give companies more choice by taking the recruitment headache away. Throughout their courses graduates gain a variety of skills and a vast amount of knowledge however, degrees do not always equip them with the essential commercial awareness and practical experience sought by many employers. Voluntary internships and exposure to a professional environment are an essential way of getting graduates work ready, and making them more employable in the future. Two graduates, Priya and Karen were recruited on a voluntary internship at The Vine publication. Both were recent graduates looking to add to their experience after completing degrees in Journalism and Media and Communication studies. The Vine is a free publication aimed at the black and minority ethnic community in the Midlands covering all aspects of life. The magazine aims to inspire, empower and educate by highlighting individuals, businesses, community groups and organisations that have achieved real success. Priya and Karen supported the magazine by creating some editorial design, researching articles as well as representing the magazine at events across the region. They also wrote a number of articles that were published in the magazine, as well as getting to sit-in and interview people like the Olympic athlete, Denise Lewis, and singer/songwriter Beverley Knight. “Both Karen & Priya hit the ground running; both contributing from day one without much guidance as they are able to act on their own initiative and have brought ideas forward that we hadn’t thought of. Their presence allowed us to concentrate on the development of the organisation and it gave them a chance to develop too,” commented Joanne Gayle, Business Development Manager at The Vine.The new voluntary internship service offered by GA complements their paid internship services which have been running for 8 years across the region. Developed out of the successful West Midlands Graduate Internships pilot project (WMGI), this new service has been created from lessons learnt and offers more choice to businesses wishing to take on a graduate. Graduates are able to volunteer on an unpaid basis from 4 to a maximum of 16 weeks. To assist them a fund has been created enabling them to claim travel expenses. Graduate Advantage is funded through the European Regional Development Fund and a mixture of private sector investment and university support. ENDSEditor’s Notes:To find out how to benefit from the service, contact the Graduate Advantage Team on T. 0121 204 4767 or visit www.graduateadvantage.co.uk Graduate Advantage arranges both paid and voluntary internships across the West Midlands. It is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2002 to build and improve links between the business community and the student and graduate population within the region. The scheme is supported by a consortium of universities, led by Aston University. Graduate Advantage has been made up of a number of projects and has delivered in excess of 2000 placements in its last funding round (up to end of March 2011). ERDFThe European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme which runs from 2007 to 2013, is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help regions stimulate their economic development. The West Midlands ERDF Programme has been allocated 400 million euros to invest in projects which will support regional businesses and create jobs.Activities which are supported by ERDF cover specific areas:• Innovation and R&D• Enterprise Development• Sustainable Urban Development• Inter-Regional ActivityThe Programme is managed and delivered in the region by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the Regional Development Agency for the West Midlands. From 1st July 2011 management of the Programme will transfer to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).For more information visit www.advantagewm.co.uk/current-activities/erdf-programme WMGIThe WMGI scheme was launched in July 2009, after research revealed a high demand in 90% of West Midlands businesses for unpaid placements. At the same time, correspondingly strong evidence identified that 75% of graduates were prepared to consider both paid and unpaid work experience.Regional trends noted by Graduate Advantage and Advantage West Midlands regarding the supply and demand for graduate talent, were echoed by the internship pilot. Research showed that 37% of bosses were looking for Marketing, PR and sales skills, whilst 24% were seeking people with IT skills. However, only 6% of graduate applications offered Marketing, PR and Sales skills and just 9% offered IT skills.WMGI focused on getting graduates into small-to-medium sized enterprises taking part deal offered meant that graduates were given work experience, securing up to 30 hours a week for anything from four weeks to six months, whilst in most cases being supported by Job Seekers Allowance71% of the graduate applicants were from West Midlands Universities and 29% were people returning to the region.

Silverstone Summit to put Businesses in the Driving Seat

2011-10-14 08:25:58

The brightest minds from more than 200 global businesses will unite at The Northamptonshire Business Summit 2011 at Silverstone Wing Conference Centre, on October 19.The Summit begins with a high-level panel debate with leading representatives from the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business and the Bank of England discussing how the UK will harness globalisation to drive economic recovery. This will be followed by workshops combining speakers from large scale corporate businesses as well as SME’s to give the audience a range of perspectives on common business issues. Among the keynote speakers are Isaac Sheps, CEO of Carlsberg UK and Camille Ortega McLean, founder of Pickled Village, the award-winning producer of quirky preserves, dressings and marinades. Together, they will address a workshop entitled ‘The Art of Powerful Branding’.The event is hosted by Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP), Federation of Small Business, British Chambers of Commerce, Institute of Directors, University of Northampton, Business Link and Northamptonshire County Council. Paul Southworth, NEP chairman, commented: “Northamptonshire is home to many businesses that are household names, and has a strong base of small and medium-sized companies across sectors as diverse as performance engineering and clean technologies." “NEP is supporting a number of initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, helping local businesses to sell their way to success in the current challenging economic climate. We are delighted that so many local companies both large and small are attending this summit, to find out more about how they can work with us and benefit from the practical business advice on offer.” NEP works with and supports businesses and business networks as part of an overarching strategy to underpin economic growth in the county. Mr Southworth added: “Business events are a great vehicle to offer support and build networks, and this is increasingly important in the current climate. The seminars address serious issues relevant to business, while offering practical advice such as Alternative Routes to Finance in a Challenging Climate, and the Importance of Innovating in a Changing Market Place.”The day will conclude with a keynote speech from Richard Noble OBE, former world speed record holder and leader of the Thrust SSC and Bloodhound project. Guests will also have the opportunity to take a private tour of Silverstone’s motor racing pit and paddock complex at the end of the day. For more information about Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, and for media and last minute enquiries, please visit www.northamptonshireep.co.uk or telephone 01604 609 393.ENDS

Tamworth Talent Wins Prestigious Music Comp

2011-10-04 13:30:51

A Tamworth resident is celebrating, after becoming the first singer to win at a top, local music competition.Nick Clarke, 36, won the Musician of the Year title at this year’s Solihull Music Festival competition. Organised by the Rotary Club of Solihull, Nick decided to participate as a way of conquering stage fright."I had to do this for my son. I remember overhearing my 9-year-old boy sing with a lovely natural vibrato. I thought, with a talent like that, he could grow up to perform. It then hit me that he may never commit to singing if he develops stage fright like his Dad."Nick performed at the annual music festival in front of 300 spectators and a panel of experts from the music industry. He opened with Josh Groban's ‘Per Te,’ and chose ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables as his second song."I was like a rabbit in headlights. The first song was in Italian and I thought I'd forget the words. I started to shake." Nick continued. "I'm a big fan of Les Miserables and find the musical very emotional. During my performance of Bring Him Home, I looked at my son and started to choke. After the song the judges praised me for my emotion, which they thought I'd acted. The passion was genuine as I fought back the tears throughout the whole performance."Nick was announced the winner after a unanimous decision by the panel. The performance was described by one judge as 'outstanding,' with Nick receiving 91% - a score rarely awarded.“I was told I have an amazing range and a beautiful tone to my voice. I wouldn’t describe the performance as enjoyable – I was too nervous to enjoy it, but it will help with my confidence and enable me to enjoy any future performances a bit more as the nerves dissipate.”“I’ve been asked to perform again by various people and I will sing again, but in my own time. I need to beat this before it beats me. People have been persuading me to go on the X Factor, but I won’t be doing that.”“Being an ex-journalist and the Operations Manager at pr2go, people are surprised when I tell them I’m scared of performing. I definitely don’t lack confidence. Just the thought of standing on the stage makes my nerves jangle.”Nick is now hoping to professionally record a few songs, and will return to next year’s event to perform and present the Helen Willies Trophy to the winner of the 2012 festival. The competition was held at Alderbrook School, Solihull on 17 September 2011.

Extremely Rare Comp for Midlands Musical Youth

2011-10-20 09:45:43

The winner of a once in a lifetime music award will be decided by a public vote, during a prestigious music competition in the Midlands.Music lovers throughout the region are being asked by the City of Birmingham Brass Band, to join them on their search for the next young star in the region.  The X-Factor style competition will see the young hopefuls being judged using an audience vote, after the budding composers hear their own music, performed by the City of Birmingham Brass Band.   The competition was launched in March this year and invited young composers aged 25 and under, to submit an original score, written for a 28 piece brass band.   Each composer who has entered the competition has rehearsed with the City of Birmingham Brass Band and provided tips on how they want their piece to be played.  “For me, the Young Composers Competition organised by the CBBB is a truly amazing opportunity,” says young composer Ed Mylechreest.  “It is such a great gift to have the musical idea you have created, actually played live in front of you – something that can be so hard for new composers to experience.   "This is a new and exciting competition, and one that should not be missed by brass band fans. Personally, I want to say thank you so much for this truly invaluable experience,” adds Ed Mylechreest.   Band Chairman, Liz Monk says, “We’ve been amazed by the excellent standard of the entries that we’ve had – even from composers as young as 11 and 14. We want to encourage young, local talent and help it to grow and develop, and this competition has been a fantastic way to achieve this."  Composers will compete for two £300 prizes, one chosen by the audience and one by the judges. Composers will also receive a live recording of their piece being played.  The competition will be held at the Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College on October 29, with ticket prices starting from £7. Tickets are available online at www.birminghambrass.co.uk or on arrival.  ENDS  For media enquires, please contact Elizabeth Monk.  Tel: 07717 725 471  Email: birminghambrass@yahoo.co.uk

Finance Experts Fuel New Garage Success

2011-10-05 15:03:20

A Redditch-based vehicle servicing and repair specialists are geared-up for a bright future, thanks to the cash injection that supercharged their new business.  Lisa Chance, John Hickley and Simon Jones decided to launch Avancer Transport & Maintenance Ltd, after being made redundant in July 2011.   The 3 had been working for one company with a combined service of over 50 years.   It was at this point that they decided to put their heads together and use their experience, as well as their contacts to form Avancer.  In need of funding, the West Midlands business’ directors decided to talk to Central Finance, which acted swiftly and came up with a great package for the Redditch business.  Central Finance spokesman Steve Harris said: “Lisa approached us about four-to-five weeks before the business was due to open.   “The challenge here was twofold – one, making sure we got the right facilities, and two, making sure they were approved in the timescales we had. To achieve this goal we used a mixture of bank, public sector and private funding.”  Now the Avancer team, which services and repairs all types of vehicles, is on route for further success, and hopefully it will go on to create new jobs.   Lisa Chance, Director of Avancer, said the business has been open for nearly two months and everything is going well.   “We had a really great start in our first month and with the hard work we have all put in, everything is going to plan,” she said.   “We have faced a number of challenges in the short time in which we have been trading, but thanks to all the help and advice from Steve and Central Finance, we opened on time and have managed to maintain the high level of service which our customers are used to.”  The Redditch-based repair specialists are celebrating their new garage, which offers anything from a car service to the full repair of a large commercial vehicle.  Ends  For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bradley.  Telephone: 07711668587  Email: alison@cbdfinance.co.uk   

Pro-clamping lobby will stage parking protest outside Parliament

2011-10-05 15:11:05

Protesters opposing new anti-clamping laws will ‘park illegally’ on St Christopher's Green, outside the Houses of Parliament, on Monday 10 October.The green is owned by the Houses of Parliament, and members of the Parking Enforcement Trade Association (PETA) will park children's ride-on toys to symbolise the parking of vehicles on private land without permission. The demonstration is being staged to protest against the Protection of Freedoms Bill, which was amended earlier this year to outlaw the use of vehicle immobilisation and towing on private land.Trevor Whitehouse, president of PETA and chairman of National Clamps, warns that without the threat of vehicle clamping and towing, car park managers will be left powerless to protect their land from illegal parking.Mr Whitehouse commented: “Despite the popularity of this move with some drivers, not everyone would like to see parking become a free for all - especially tenants. A consultation with landowners, business proprietors and others responsible for managing on-site car parking facilities, has revealed that there is no evidence to support the change in legislation being in the overall public interest.”Mr Whitehouse added: “All the toys that are left behind will be donated to a children's charity, so all in all our protest will be for a good cause. Hopefully others from around London will bring more and more toys as the day progresses. This is our first demonstration and I expect the turn-out to be limited due to short notice, but every raindrop eventuality forms a river.”The green where the protest will take place, is where MPs are filmed and interviewed, and the Parking Enforcement Trade Association plans to arrive in considerable numbers before 6am to attract media attention, including Breakfast TV cameras. ENDFor media enquiries, please contact Beth Vosper:Telephone: 01254 832815Email: beth.vosper@thomascole.net

Solar Specialist Lights the Way in Combined Installations

2011-10-05 13:11:06

A sustainable energy business in the West Midlands is celebrating the installation of one of the first photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems in the UK. The installation, completed by Kidderminster-based Eco2Solar at a detached property in the Cotswolds, utilised 14 ‘Anaf Solar’ panels, which harness advanced technology to combine solar PV and solar thermal energy generation. Eco2Solar Managing Director, Paul Hutchens, commented: “We always strive to be at the forefront of technology and are keen to pioneer new, proven technology.” The panels, which were installed at the rear of the Gloucestershire property, include a 3.22kWp system, which is expected to produce 2,764 kWh of electricity for the household annually, on top of the solar thermal contribution. This will result in an annual tax-free income of £1,196 for the householder, backed by the government’s Feed in Tariff Scheme.Andrew Hanson, project manager for Encraft, which designed the system, commented: “It was an exciting opportunity to get involved with this new technology and Eco2Solar delivered the project in a timely, professional manner. The quality of their work was very high.”The panels outperform existing brands in solar PV efficiency and also provide up to 50 per cent of the household’s hot water requirements, as well as contributing to the heating of a swimming pool at the property. The technology built into these panels means available roof space can be maximised to produce two forms of energy that significantly reduce a property’s energy bills and carbon footprint. For more information about solar PVT, call 01562 745265 or visit: www.eco2solar.co.ukENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Francesca Minett:Tel: 01562 745265Email: Francesca@eco2solar.co.ukNotes to Editors:The customer, who asked not to be named, said: “I was impressed with the professional attitude of the Eco2Solar installation team. They took care not to damage the property in any way and made sure the site was left in a clean state. After the installation was finished, the system controls were explained very clearly and I have been encouraged by the subsequent follow up visit by Paul Hutchens. The PV side is already performing very well and the thermal contribution has increased with the latest adjustments.”

Fleet Company Go the Extra Mile to Cut CO2

2011-10-06 14:43:05

A thriving East Midlands-based fleet management company, is doing its bit for the environment, by helping drivers to select fuel-efficient cars.Fleet Evolution, based in Derby, says drivers are now looking at ways to cut-costs and help the environment by lowering CO2 emissions.In its latest move, Fleet Evolution is displaying the miles per gallon (mpg) of a vehicle, to offer drivers a more fuel-efficient alternative. The company is now introducing such schemes into businesses with as few as 50 and as many as 3,000 employees. Andrew Leech, Managing Director of Fleet Evolution, said there was now greater awareness from companies who want to benefit from a more fuel-efficient vehicle and protect the environment at the same time.He said: “We have responded to customer demand by now including displayed mpg figures, and an expected monthly fuel expense when employees order a salary sacrifice car. “We were already seeing CO2 reductions of a third, when compared to the older vehicles, but customers are now prioritising fuel costs on the same level as the make and model of a car when selecting a new vehicle. This is great news for both employee and employer, as the savings for both are maximised when a more fuel-efficient, lower emitting vehicle is chosen.”Although traditional lease cars are still the core of the business, salary sacrifice has seen tremendous growth and is set to stay for the rest of 2011 and beyond.Note to editor: Fleet Evolution is a fleet management specialist, which both leases vehicles and provides them for salary sacrifice schemes.ENDFor media enquiries please contact Andrew Leech:Telephone: 0844 848 3455Email: andrew.leech@fleetevolution.com

Dental Foundation Gives Brighton Something to Smile About

2011-09-29 11:29:59

It’s easy to take a smile for granted; yet a dentist from Brighton has made it his mission to ensure this simple gesture doesn’t have to cost the earth. When Donald Rodriguez (72) was faced with the prospect of losing his teeth earlier this year, Dr. Bruno Silva of the Brighton Implant Clinic stepped in to perform a vital procedure as an act of charity, through The Smile Foundation. Founded by Dr. Silva, The Smile Foundation provides dental implant treatment to those in urgent need of surgery, but without the means to cover its costs. “Basically I've always wanted to give something back for the support I’ve had in my life. The Smile Foundation is a way for me to use my dental skills to help those less fortunate than myself", said Dr. Silva.In 2006, Mr Rodriguez suffered a severe stroke, causing the paralysis of his left side. His dental health suffered enormously as he lost the ability to brush his teeth, resulting in serious gum disease and infection. For both mental and physical wellbeing, the dental implant procedure was essential to his continued health.Though competitively priced at the Brighton Implant Clinic*, Mr Rodriguez’s means fell short of the £12,500 needed for the procedure. After having lost so much already, he was faced with the real and terrifying prospect of losing his teeth and smile.Dr. Silva saw Donald as an ideal candidate for The Smile Foundation, and so volunteered to remove the infected teeth of the upper and lower jaw, replacing them with new, strong dental implants.“Mr Rodriguez was honestly one of the chattiest people around. He is one of the nicest people I’ve come across, and it was an absolute pleasure to help him out in his hour of need”, he said.The treatment was completed in July this year, just six months after Mr Rodriguez approached the clinic with his problem.Having regained the power to express simple enjoyment and warmth, Mr Rodriguez said; “I thank the Brighton Implant Clinic for their kindness and generosity in giving me my smile back. This has changed my life completely. Words can’t describe how grateful I am."Brighton Implant Clinic specialises in dental implants and other dentistry; including tooth whitening, cosmetic work, crowns, bridges and veneers. EndsFor media enquiries, please contact Emma Dace:Tel: 0844 815 1414Email: emma@brightonimplantclinic.comNotes to Editors:*The group, founded in 2009, offers dental implants at prices that are on average 50 per cent lower than other clinics.

Jewel in Sheffield’s Shopping Crown Reopens

2011-09-28 10:57:13

A prestigious store is set to give away £2,000 of jewellery, when it welcomes back its customers after a grand refurbishment. The grand opening of the newly designed Beaverbrooks in Sheffield’s Meadowhall Shopping Centre, which is now double the size of the original store, runs from Friday 30th September until Sunday 2nd October. During the event, customers will have the chance to win £2,000 of jewellery, and are invited to browse the stunning new ranges, whilst sipping bubbly and nibbling on luxurious hand-made chocolates. Gavin Longridge, Store Manager said, “The whole team is excited about this fantastic development. The new store provides an improved shopping experience for customers, and the opening weekend will create a buzz of excitement. With over half a million pounds invested in the refurbishment, we’re proud that our store will become the jewellery and watch destination of choice in the area.” The fully refurbished store hosts a range of in-store mini-boutiques, with bigger ranges provided for high-end brands such as Breitling, Omega, TAG Heuer, Links of London, and Thomas Sabo. Other glamorous brands available for the store’s customers to browse will include Gucci, Raymond Weil, DKNY, Emporio Armani, D&G, ICE Watch and Trollbeads, amongst others.ENDSFor more information, please contact Jeremy Smith:Tel: 07899 988 263 Email: jeremy.smith@beaverbrooks.co.ukNotes to Editors:• Established in 1919, Beaverbrooks is a high street family-owned jeweller.• Managing Director Mark Adelestone is a third generation direct descendant of the Beaverbrooks founders. • Customers can shop in-store, online, or via the company’s 65 telephone stores nationwide. • Voted one of The Sunday Times’ Best 100 Companies To Work For, and one of the Financial Times’ Best Workplace, Beaverbrooks donates 20% of its post-tax profits to charity.

A Mynt launch for Beyoncé

2011-09-29 09:26:52

The Leicestershire-based retail design agency that teamed up with pop superstar Beyoncé, will be celebrating its success this weekend, with its concessions becoming a permanent fixture in the UK.Mynt Design, who launched the fashion label, House of Deréon, exclusively in Selfridges stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham are ‘ecstatic’ to see their boutique design take a fixed centre stage on the high street.Dedicated designers at Mynt worked tirelessly with House of Deréon representatives in both the UK and New York, to develop a retail concept that stayed true to its US roots and heritage, yet sits perfectly on the UK high street. The House of Deréon brand belongs to the pop princess and her mother, Tina Knowles.Andrew Patterson, Managing Director of Mynt Design, said: “Beyoncé is a fashion icon and I knew we had to really push our creativity, by building concessions that would live up to the hype that would surround the launch. We are now extremely proud to see our work take a permanent position in the chosen Selfridges stores.”The prestigious retail design firm was keen to reflect the quality and tradition of the brand, whilst bringing a modern, contemporary twist to its representation in the UK.The concessions were created to a very high specification to complement and reflect the House of Deréon range, with finishes including black oak flooring, marbled gold laminates and antique brass.A custom-built neon chandelier adds a unique variation on a classic look and the large lamps double up as merchandise rails. The contemporary style is intensified by the large TV screens, which play videos of the latest collection to Beyoncé’s unmistakeable voice.Andrew Patterson said: “We are all delighted with the success of the launch and are looking forward to working with the House of Deréon in the future.”The unique and exclusive brief gave Mynt a real opportunity to demonstrate their ability to rise to the challenge of such a high-profile project.House of Deréon will be permanently available from Monday 3 October 2011 in selected Selfridges stores.ENDFor media enquiries contact Project Manager, Dan Walker:Telephone: 01664 423110Email: dan@mynt.co.uk

Travel Money Expert Opens in Bromley

2011-09-22 14:47:32

A foreign exchange specialist is set to create up to five new jobs, with the opening of its new branch in Bromley.National chain, eurochange, has announced the opening of its latest UK bureau de change, on Bromley’s High Street this Friday (23rd). Established for over 35 years, the trusted travel money expert delivers clear pricing, great value, well-trained staff and reliable products to its rapidly growing and valued customer base. Managing Director, Giles Custerson said, “We are delighted to be opening our latest bureau de change in Bromley and bringing great value travel money to Bromley residents. We are also delighted to create up to five new jobs for local people in these times of uncertainty.”This latest store opening comes as a part of eurochange’s drive for consistent and impressive regional growth across the UK. As part of its continued expansion, eurochange recently re-launched its website, which now includes an order and collect service, free home delivery, and a ‘Quick Transfer’ overseas payment service. This provides customers with a number of convenient ways of obtaining travel money overseas, as well as simple and affordable international money transfers. “We are convinced that customers will value our clear, great value pricing and the other specialist foreign exchange products and services that we provide”, explained Mr Custerson. Established in 1975, eurochange is FSA registered for its payments business, and sends money through the same banking systems that high street banks use, to ensure money arrives safely and securely.The firm operates over 80 kiosks in shopping centres, and on high streets across the UK, and processed well in excess of one million customer transactions last year alone.To find out more, visit: www.eurochange.co.ukENDSFor more information, please contact eurochange:Tel: 03332 401687Email: pr@eurochange.co.ukNotes to Editors:Store address: 157a High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1JD

Remarkable Scheme Signals New Assistance for the Deaf

2011-10-03 08:25:38

A counselling and psychotherapy provider is launching a groundbreaking scheme to help Deaf and hard-of-hearing people access psychiatric counselling through sign language.Rivers Assist, based in Birmingham, has teamed up with the UK's biggest Deaf organisation, Remark! to offer counselling and psychotherapy services to the Deaf community across the country. The move comes in response to a high percentage of Deaf people being admitted into psychiatric care before being able to access softer services like counselling and psychotherapy. Patricia Williams, Managing Director of Rivers Assist, said: “We believe that counselling and psychotherapy services should be accessible to all, and we are committed to working with organisations like Remark! to achieve this.”Launched in advance of Deaf Awareness Week (October 3 to October 7), the specialist service will be available through Rivers Assist's network of counsellors across the UK. All of the counsellors working with Deaf clients will have basic sign language skills, with the majority being fully British Sign Language (BSL) trained. Where this is not possible, interpreters will be made available.The concept for the new service arose when Carloyn Nabarro, the regional co-ordinator for Remark! in Birmingham, met with Patricia Williams, Managing Director of Rivers Assist, to discuss the difficulties the Deaf community faces in accessing the services. The lack of funding for interpreters and low number of counsellors and psychotherapists who are trained in BSL, are just two examples of the many hurdles facing those with hearing impediments, who are in need of counselling.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Patricia Williams:Tel: 0789 901 7314Email: pat@riversassist.comNotes to Editors:Rivers Assist is an established counselling and psychotherapy service, with a network of counsellors and psychotherapists working throughout the UK. Remark! is the UK's largest Deaf-run and Deaf-led company in the UK. It specialises in all aspects of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting and television/video production. Its services continuously aim to support and enhance the lives of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Cookes are dressed for success as they host charity fashion show

2011-09-26 09:47:36

A dazzling fashion show held at a top Birmingham furniture store helped raise money for soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.Cookes Furniture store in Erdington, hosted the evening of glitz & glamour in support of the national charity Help for Heroes. The event was organised by President of the Monrose Appeal, Jane Fraser-Cross, who used local shops and salons to help raise £1000, which was presented to two Coldstream Guards on the night.“It was a splendid evening of fundraising, with style and glamour in abundance and held in such beautiful surroundings. I would really like to say a big thank-you to Cookes Furniture, for helping to make this happen and for all the people who turned up on the night”, said Jane.The fashionable clothing worn on the catwalk was supplied by Birmingham based store Wardrobe, and gents’ clothing shop, Edge. Make-up on the night was handled by Esher-Marie and hair was styled by Trilogy Salon. Over 50 people attended the event and 10 models took to the catwalk in the gorgeous clothing and accessories.Local saxophonist, Mark Holley, provided the entertainment and prizes were up for grabs in the grand raffle.Vanessa Hoe, Marketing Director at Cookes Furniture, added: “It was our pleasure to host this event for such a good cause. Jane is continuing to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity and Cookes Furniture will be more than happy to hold future events in the store.”Cookes Furniture hosted the event on September 7 at its store on Goosemoor Lane, Erdington.

Sponsorship Hits the Back of the Net for Warley Plough

2011-09-26 08:22:00

A West Midlands football team is building on a strong foundation for success, after receiving a major sponsorship boost from a local businessman.Warley Plough FC, which is based at Oldbury College of Sport, has had a fantastic season, having so far won all competitive league games they have participated in since Lee Mortimer, of Staffordshire-based Here2Serve, stepped in.In a gesture of support for his business’ local community, Mr Mortimer decided to help out by injecting a £1,500 cash boost to the football club, which has enabled its delighted manager, Mike Ward to purchase new match and training kits, football nets and other equipment for the team.Speaking on behalf of the club, Mike said: “The sponsorship means everything to us, because without it, there would be no team. You meet managers from other teams at the start of the season and then, come next season, the managers aren’t at the meetings, because the team has folded through lack of sponsorship.“I can’t express how grateful we all are, not only to be sponsored, but to finally have a high profile sponsor with good financial support. The lads are over the moon with all the new kit”, he added.Mike and Lee are firm friends and also have a well-cemented business relationship, with Mike, who is a qualified electrical engineer, frequently stepping in to offer his skills for Here2Serve.Warley Plough FC plays in the Warley and District Sunday League, which is affiliated to the Birmingham FA, and is currently riding high in Division 1. Lee Mortimer, a BSc qualified civil engineer, founded Here2Serve, based in Amington, Tamworth, in 2011, to provide a specialised service to house builders.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Lee Mortimer:Tel: 01827 319979Email: lee@here2serve.co.uk

A Genius Deal for Innovative Recruiter

2011-09-22 08:17:10

A prestigious online recruitment agency is defying the odds through difficult times, with an important acquisition to celebrate.The specialist online recruitment business, RecruitmentGenius.com, has acquired rival firm imarecruit.co.uk, for an undisclosed sum. This is the second deal of its kind in the online recruitment agency sector in as many years, providing further testament to the momentum this sector is gathering. Online recruitment continues to grow as more and more businesses look for cost-effective alternatives to traditional methods of employment. RecruitmentGenius.com Chief Executive, Geoff Newman, said: “We were the first player to really shake up the recruitment industry, but in order to maintain that competitive position, we need to stay focused and continue to gain market share.”Imarecruit.co.uk was previously a national, multi-sector online recruitment agency. RecruitmentGenius.com will be working with imarecruit.co.uk’s existing customer base, and partners, to ensure a smooth transition process. “The acquisition of imarecruit.co.uk enables us to expand our customer base and gain greater economies of scale. This will help us deliver even more cost-effective solutions for our customers,” Geoff Newman said. Existing imarecruit.co.uk clients will benefit from RecruitmentGenius.com’s enhanced service offering, as well as a more favourable cost model. Rather than paying £499 to recruit staff, they will only be charged £199. Since its launch, RecruitmentGenius.com has continued its rapid expansion, experiencing double-digit growth in recent months. Small and large businesses alike have been attracted to the streamlined, more cost-effective service that does not compromise quality or service. To date, this impressive growth has been achieved organically. However, determined to achieve and maintain an even greater market share, RecruitmentGenius.com has set itself some challenging growth targets that will be achieved by the addition of some carefully selected strategic acquisitions.ENDFor media enquiries contact Geoff Newman:Telephone: 07927 464469Email:geoff@recruitmentgenius.com

New Initiative is a Major Boost for County’s Entrepreneurs

2011-09-22 08:06:21

The first meeting of a new support initiative for businesses in Northamptonshire took place yesterday (21st), at Northampton’s Marriott Hotel. Business Angels, a coalition of bankers, lawyers, accountants and other business service providers, met to discuss the direction of the finance programme run by county council-backed venture, Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP). The idea of a Business Angels network is a response to the lack of finance available to start-ups and growing businesses. The initiative aims to boost prosperity in the county, by helping existing businesses to develop, supporting entrepreneurship and start-ups, and creating jobs for local people.Sajeeda Rose, NEP's director of economic development, commented: “The challenges faced by businesses are numerous in today's economic climate. Improving access to finance opportunities is vital for the creation of new businesses in the county. At NEP we are keen to develop initiatives that support those businesses and contribute to the wider prosperity agenda for the county.”NEP board member James Saunders Watson, who is also owner of Rockingham Castle Estate, and head of investment trust marketing at JP Morgan Asset Management, welcomed delegates to the forum.“Access to finance remains a key concern for new and established businesses. At NEP, we are looking at new ways we can help remove some of the barriers to finance and develop new opportunities for investment. One of those options is the stimulation of an Angel Investment network for the county. In the early stages, we are keen to engage with business on its development”, he said.Mr Staveley, of Growth Investment Network East Midlands, presented a discussion on stimulating growth investment through the Angel Investment Network, which was followed by a session on providing support for businesses looking for investment, led by Paul Jenkinson, of Connect Midlands.James Saunders Watson added: “Business Angels is an important element of the Enterprising Northamptonshire strategy. We're launching the Angel Network to support start-ups and develop businesses in the county, offering practical advice to help them become 'investment ready’.”The forum was then opened for discussion, before Connect Midlands held a ‘Right Funds for You’ seminar, in collaboration with NEP, which provided advice for businesses looking for investment. If you run a business in Northamptonshire and would like to find out more about Business Angels, please visit www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Bottle PR:Tel: +44 (0)1865 882 988

Autumn sales explode with a Big Bang

2011-10-05 13:19:59

One of the UK’s leading kitchen and joinery suppliers has launched its biggest ever ‘Big Bang’ promotion across England and Scotland, giving trade customers huge product discounts and weekly offers.Benchmarx Kitchen and Joinery, the specialist kitchen and joinery supplier, is renowned throughout the industry for its wide range of top quality branded products, and its annual ‘Big Bang’ promotion is always eagerly anticipated.Running to the end of October, this year’s promotion offers great deals on kitchens, appliances, doors and flooring, plus exclusive weekly offers for trade customers including a free Indesit dishwasher with every £2,500 spent*, to free 4Trade Trade Wipes when spending £250* or more.Every spending customer will also receive an exclusive Benchmarx scratch card with a chance to win £100 of M&S vouchers. Chris Larkin, managing director, Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery, said: “This year is our biggest ever promotion. We’ve upped the stakes on our kitchen and joinery offers for the trade, with all 76 of our branches giving huge deals. Our kitchens are built to last and the quality is exceptional. We want trade customers to have the confidence to offer a Benchmarx kitchen as first choice for their customers.We place great importance on making sure our customers feel valued and supported with their business, so we’ve made our Big Bang promotion as affordable as possible so that they can get the best return and the happiest customers.”*One free offer per transaction only. All prices exclude VAT. Spend is on kitchens and appliances and excludes delivery charges. See in branch for full details.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Raj Aujla:Tel: 0121 314 2898Email: raj.aujla@pr2go.comNotes to Editors:About Benchmarx:Benchmarx is a leading trade specialist for kitchens, joinery, doors and flooring business. Benchmarx key offerings are higher specification kitchens as standard, everything you need available from stock, competitive local pricing, showroom and design service for the fitter's customer, reliable delivery service and top brands to give the best quality. All Benchmarx branches are open early for trade customers and offer exceptional customer service from staff, who have years of experience in the trade.The ‘Big Bang “free deals” offer runs till Monday 31st October 2011 across all 76 Benchmarx branches. For more information, or to find your nearest branch, visit the website www.benchmarxjoinery.co.uk About Travis Perkins plc:A major PLC, Travis Perkins is a leading company in the builders’ merchant and home improvement markets, and is a main supplier to the building and construction market, one of the largest industries in the UK. The combined Group operates through 16 businesses with more than 1,850 trading outlets, employing around 23,000 colleagues.For more information visit the website www.travisperkinsplc.com.

New Skin Treatment Hits the Spot

2011-09-21 13:28:11

The latest acne treatment to hit the UK has been recognised as the most effective product on the market, showing noticeable results in a matter of days.Perfect Skin Acnigon is a unique and effective acne treatment that kills 99.99 per cent of acne-causing bacteria, without subjecting users to any unpleasant side effects, such as chapping, soreness and dry skin, which are often associated with other treatments. Most acne treatments use harsh toxic chemicals to kill the bacteria, but they can also do serious harm to the users’ skin. Acnigon uses a solution that is non-toxic and harmless to the skin, but begins working within just one hour of application, resulting in a marked improvement in the skin condition within a matter of just two-to-three days. After extensive testing of Acnigon on 30 volunteers over a 72-hour period, Dermatest, a leading independent European dermatological research body, stated that there was no other product on the UK market that can match its effectiveness and attributes. Once applied to the skin, Acnigon remains active for 24-hours and is not removed by rubbing or water, so it only needs to be applied once a day. Acnigon is non-toxic and chemically inert, making the skin feel smoother and softer. Perfect Skin Acnigon is available from selected independent chemists at £6.99 per 100ml bottle, or can be purchased online at: www.acnigon.co.ukENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Richard Lebentz:Tel: 020 8332 9242Email: richard@acnigon.co.uk

Blue Knight for the Blue Light Brigade

2011-09-26 09:15:36

Police officers are always there when they’re needed – and now a new service is on hand, to help them in their own hour of need.Blueknight Learning has launched The Coppers’ Coach, to lend a helping hand to police personnel who have left the force. A growing demand for the service emerged following an increase in retirements and forced redundancies in the police service, due to the tough economic climate.Managing Director, Stephen Collier, a retired officer himself, set up The Coppers Coach with Richard Jenkins, who is also a retired policeman and qualified psychologist, to offer support to former officers re-entering the job market or setting up their own business. The two retired officers realised there was a call for the service following conversations with former colleagues. One police officer, who retired after 30 years in the service, said he was 'disheartened by police forces discarding experience to save money.’ Police personnel had the option to exceed their 30 years service and work until 55. This opportunity has now been scraped. Many of those who retire leave before they reach 50 – well below the traditional retirement age. Stephen Collier, said: “No longer do they have the option of staying on in the force or returning to fulfill a post as police staff. They now have to take their pension and go."The Coppers’ Coach also offers guidance on starting a business and ongoing business mentoring, as well as a CV advisory service, interview techniques and other tips for building a business or securing employment.Mr Jenkins added: “They will receive important and effective support as they seek new employment or set out on their own business ventures. Life does not stop when you leave or retire from police service - we are evidence of that! We look forward to passing on our knowledge and experience to help others find success in the next phase of their working life."One-to-one sessions are available and tailored for the individual’s requirements. For further information, contact steve@copperscoach.co.uk or richard@3nines.co.uk. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Stephen Collier:Tel: 07976395136Email: steve.collier@blueknightlearning.com

Lucky Newlyweds to Scoop £10,000

2011-09-26 11:32:45

‘Double First’ is High-Flying Achievement for Aviation Firm

2011-09-19 10:48:18

A London-based private jet lease and acquisitions specialist is celebrating the completion of its first lease transaction for a Dassault private jet. The two-year lease on the French-built Dassault Falcon 2000EX, is also the first deal AXON Aviation Group has structured for a Chinese client. The prestigious deal, which was closed inside of just four weeks, has resultantly been noted as a two-fold success for the firm. Guy Burden, a partner at AXON Aviation Group said: “The lessor and the lessee were delighted with the speed of this latest transaction. The lessee was particularly pleased to have a suitable aircraft available to use exclusively while he waits for his new aircraft.” The US$25m aircraft can travel up to 3,800 nautical miles at Mach 0.8 and fly shorter trips even faster. It also has a roomier cabin and more efficient fuel burn than other jets in its category, making it a comfortable and economical ride.AXON specialises in the leasing and acquisition of large cabin private jets, working with existing aircraft owners, as well as prospective lessees and buyers, on an exclusively mandated basis. “We have closed six large cabin leases in just eight months on a variety of aircraft, mainly on Bombardier aeroplanes, so we are particularly excited to complete our first lease on a Dassault product. This particular client has already acquired a Bombardier Global 5000 and we are very pleased to have also been able to assist with this interim solution”, added Mr Burden. Founded in 2010, AXON has more than 40 years’ collective experience in business aircraft sales and commercial aircraft leasing. It also has access to private aviation investment funds in excess of US$1bn.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Guy Burden:Tel: 0776 823 1661Email: guy@axonaviation.com

Exhibition for the Blind comes to Manchester

2011-09-16 08:42:31

A leading exhibition for blind and visually impaired people is heading to Manchester for the first time.The Queen Alexandra College (QAC) Sight Village will be making its way to the Renaissance Hotel, on Blackfriars Street, on Tuesday 27th September.QAC organises Sight Village events at venues in England and Scotland to showcase technology, support and services on offer to people who are blind or visually impaired.They are hugely popular events, having been dubbed “the premier exhibitions for blind and partially-sighted people in the UK.”Products from across the world are on display, and the events play host to many thousands of visitors each year, including people that are blind or partially sighted, professionals, business people and family members. Ray Piggott, Director of Business Development at QAC, said: “For people with little or no sight, especially older people, Sight Village road shows introduce a world of possibilities that can improve quality of life through the use of modern technology.”“This is an unmissable event for people who are blind or partially-sighted, for professionals supporting, and advising them, and for all businesses and other organisations wishing to meet the needs of their vision impaired customers. We look forward to welcoming anyone with an interest in visual impairment,” added Ray. The Sight Village road show at Manchester’s Renaissance Hotel will start at 10am and run until 3.30pm. Admission is free.ENDSFor more information, please contact Sarah Adderley. Tel: 01214285041 Email: sadderley@qac.ac.uk

Straight-talking Perks Up Interest In Salary Schemes

2011-09-13 14:19:40

Simple face-to-face communication is the key to getting workers more excited about salary sacrifice schemes and increasing take-up.Derby based salary sacrifice and green car scheme specialist specialist, Fleet Evolution, said removing the “gobbledygook” surrounding what is actually a straightforward way for firms to save money and offer perks to their employees, makes sound sense.Salary sacrifice schemes involve making deductions from employees’ gross earnings, in return for an otherwise expensive purchase, such as a car. Such initiatives have been well publicised, but many people remain confused.On top of this, the misconception that operating such schemes is a complicated affair is putting some firms off taking part in them, but Fleet Evolution’s Managing Director, Andrew Leech, said this doesn’t have to be the case, provided the firm gets the process and its partner right.Fleet Evolution specialises in handling salary sacrifice schemes to provide cars for organisations’ employees. After handling a variety of implementation schemes, its experience shows that good communication has improved the take-up of not just vehicles, but all benefits; by as much as 400 per cent.“Where information is just available online and via a quote screen, the typical take-up rate for cars is around 2.5 per cent to 4 per cent. But where we run employee sessions and make our ‘travel portal’ available with other promotion measures, this figure jumps to a take-up of more than 10 per cent”, explained Mr Leech.Fleet Evolution has found that its UK competitors’ published figures quote a take-up rate of between 2.5 per cent and 5 per cent. The firm has also found that where salary sacrifice schemes are actively promoted, the adoption of other benefits, such as pension contributions and cycle-to-work schemes also grows significantly.“We put this down to group launches demystifying what can be a confusing and jargon-rich principle, which many suppliers portray as simply more complicated than it needs to be,” added Mr Leech.When it comes to cars, deductions towards leasing costs are taken from the employee’s gross salary. The car is treated as a taxable benefit, so the lower its CO2 rating, the greater the saving.The scheme also creates significant savings in corporation tax and national insurance.EndsFor more information, please contact Andrew Leech:Tel: 0844 848 3455Email: andrew.leech@fleetevolution.com

Breakaway at Bredon Hill Bikeaway

2011-10-03 08:17:27

For those who’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to dust off the bike helmet and pump up their tyres, here it is; the Bredon Hill Bikeaway is back. Not only will cyclists have the pleasure of participating in a countryside ride through the beautiful autumnal landscape of Worcestershire, they’ll also be raising money for the ever-deserving Pershore division of St John Ambulance. The charity fundraiser, which takes place on October 23, will be opened by Henry Sandon, from BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, and has something for everybody, with four routes on offer. The Beginners’ Route is a leisurely 5.5 mile ride, the Lounge Lizards’ Route is an easygoing 9 miles, the Family Fun Route sees 16 miles of enjoyable cycling, while the Adventurers’ Route provides an enticing 47 miles of outstanding views of Bredon Hill and the surrounding villages. The Bikeaway has proven to be hugely enjoyable and successful ever since its inception five years ago. As one of their major annual fundraising events, St John Ambulance hopes to trump last year’s impressive take of over £1500. The Bikeaway commences on the 1400-acre country estate, Deer Park Hall, a superb location with exceptional views across the Malverns. Refreshments are provided en-route, and support vehicles will be on hand should they be needed. Lucky cyclists will then meander through the gorgeous open countryside of the Wychavon district, on one of the four Bikeaway routes. St John Ambulance is a truly exceptional organisation, maintained by duty fees and fundraising alone. Even more extraordinary is that all members are volunteers, sacrificing their own time to save the lives of others. The money raised by the Bikeaway goes towards first aid materials and the provision of training programmes. Caron Steele, Co-Director of Deer Park Hall says, “These remarkable people deserve our support, so let’s get families and friends together to demonstrate our gratitude for their efforts by completing one of the Bikeaway routes and raising money.”Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for children. Family tickets are available for £15 (2 adults, 2 children). Once registered, all riders are provided with a sponsor form, giving friends and family a chance to contribute to the charity fundraiser. Application forms are available by contacting Wychavon District Council, on 01386 565373.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Samantha Fisher:Tel: 01386 750267Email: office@deerparkhall.co.uk

Shoppers Invited to Put their Feet Up

2011-09-14 10:13:30

A Manchester department store has teamed up with Kuoni travel, to gallantly safeguard customers from the dangers of shopping fatigue. Each weekend during the month of September, weary shoppers will find a casual, lounge-like Kuoni boutique within the Harvey Nichols store in Manchester. Situated on the first floor of Harvey Nichols, the Kuoni boutique offers a relaxed space to take a break from the hectic high street. Iain Mackenzie, General Manager of Harvey Nichols Manchester says, “The Kuoni area looks fantastic and they have done a marvellous job with the in-store boutique. We know our customers will be delighted with the opportunity to put their feet up and pore over Kuoni’s idyllic holiday destinations.” Being one of the world’s leading travel companies, Kuoni Travel is the first port of call as summer escapes us and we begin to yearn for warmer climes. Store Manager, Victoria Fenton says, “Shoppers can take a few minutes to unwind, browse through our spectacular 2012 brochures, and pick out their next pair of Jimmy Choos at the same time.” Visit the Kuoni Boutique in Harvey Nichols at 21 New Cathedral Street in Manchester, 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, throughout September. ENDSFor more information, please contact Victoria Fenton:Tel: 0161 817 6550Email: victoria.fenton@kuoni.co.uk

New Appointments Help Quadruple Growth at Solar Firm

2011-09-19 08:06:48

A sustainable energy business in the Midlands has announced a range of new appointments as part of its wide-ranging growth and development strategy. Eco2Solar, based in Kidderminster, announced the appointment of its new Operations Manager Jean Woodruff, who has 20 years’ experience in the discipline. Jean’s remit is to raise performance at the business, which has quadrupled its revenue and workforce over the last 12 months. Commenting on her appointment, Jean said: "I am very excited to join a dynamic, hard-working group of people who are growing the business rapidly and developing positively in the solar energy industry."Jean has already made significant improvements to the efficiency of the business, which currently employs 27 people and expects to recruit three more staff by the end of the year.Paul Hutchens, Eco2Solar Managing Director, said: “I am delighted to have Jean on the team. She brings a wealth of deep industry knowledge of the operations and logistics sectors, which will provide us with a powerful springboard to deliver more and more installation projects, along with even greater customer satisfaction.”In addition to Jean’s appointment, Eco2Solar has spent three months building an impressive sales team to help develop the business. The enlarged team includes six on-site surveyors, two who manage the commercial aspects of the business, and four dealing with Eco2Solar’s rapidly growing domestic customer base. “The new sales team has been integral in helping to expand the business. These changes will help Eco2Solar to maximise our capability to achieve our goal of being the leading solar company in the Midlands”, added Paul Hutchens. The new team also includes three sales support coordinators, who handle enquires and advise potential customers on the company’s range of sustainable energy solutions, as well as booking surveys.For details about the Eco2Solar brand and its services please contact 01562 745265 or visit www.eco2solar.co.ukENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Francesca Minett:Tel: 01562 745265Email: Francesca@eco2solar.co.uk

Cracking Up for Comedy’s Cocoa

2011-09-14 14:46:33

A remarkable US comedy talent is set to take Birmingham by storm, after a hugely successful stint on Simon Cowell’s America’s Got Talent. In her second UK appearance, Cocoa Brown is headlining stand-up comedy show, Real Deal Comedy Jam, at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre next month, to mark the launch of Black History Month. Piers Morgan described Cocoa Brown’s uninterrupted stand-up artistry as ‘Hilariously funny’, while Sharon Osbourne called her, 'A comedy machinegun'. Though this is Cocoa’s second tour with urban stand-up comedy show, Real Deal Comedy Jam, this month sees her Birmingham debut. Miss Brown has expressed her great excitement at being part of the launch of Black History Month and can't wait to have the people of Birmingham howling with laughter.Her outstanding contribution during previous Real Deal Comedy Jam performances resulted in standing ovations and garnered Cocoa the ‘Comedian of the Tour’ accolade.Nathan Wilkins, co-Director of RDCJ, said: “Laugh until your guts ache while Cocoa Brown raises the roof, alongside UK comedians Jamie Howard, Marlon Davis, B-Moni and show host, Kat B at the Real Deal Comedy Jam!”An exclusive after-show party will be held at the Woohoo Bar in Oceana, which will be hosted by the legendary Rampage from BBC Radio 1xtra. Also spinning the decks will be DJ's 3Style, Mr Len, Supreme and Gman.The Real Deal Comedy Jam comes to the Alexandra Theatre on Saturday 1st October.Visit www.rdcj.net to book, or find out more.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Nathan Wilkins:Tel: 07980795976Email: nathan.wilkins@rdcj.netNotes to Editors:Ticket prices range from: £10 to £21Booking line: 0844 871 3011Booking link: http://www.alexandratheatre.org.uk/whatson.asp?VenueID=87&_date=2011-10-1

Talented Youngsters Given Stage to Shine

2011-09-08 11:14:50

Young people from Birmingham are gearing up for the grand finale of the Midland’s biggest talent show, which comes to the city this month.MTV’s funny man, Kat, will host the Talent 2011 final at the New Bingley Hall in Hockley on 30th September. Around 30 young hopefuls will compete for the winning title in categories including dance, singing, fashion design, rap and modelling.Months of preparation, master classes and workshops will culminate in a dazzling showdown in front of some of the UK’s fashion, music and dance industries’ most prominent experts. The show, which runs from 6pm until 10.30pm, is expecting to pull in an audience of around 2,000.Hopefuls have been competing in heats held at the Midlands Arts Centre in Cannon Hill Park earlier this year.Prizes for the finalists include an internship with Fashion Mogul Zandra Rhodes, studio time at Birmingham’s Ace Dance, a feature in Flavour magazine, a performance at the Clothes Show Live, production of a promo video, a free three-track demo by Evolution Studios and much more. Aspire 4 U, a Community Interest Company, runs the show annually as part of its acclaimed National Lottery funded project ‘Talent’.Judges on the night will include 1 Xtra founder Ray Paul, Justice Williams MBE and choreographer to the stars, Del Mak, who has worked alongside Beyonce and La Roux.Aspire 4 U Director and Founder, Daniella Genas, said: “The showcase is a platform for finalists to present their hard work and efforts to the public, who help us decide who has the ‘Talent’ to compete in the UK showbiz scene.”“Disadvantaged youths need opportunity, and as a Community Interest Company, we place disengaged youth at the heart of our agenda,” added Daniella. Now in its sixth year, the Talent project has received three years of development funding from the National Lottery and continues to work with young people across the Midlands.Ifzaal Hussain, who is competing in the dance category of Talent 2011, said: “I am glad to be given the chance to perform at such an amazing venue. I am training really hard for the final and hope to win the competition: second place is not an option. “I hope to gain recognition and some professional work from this project, and also to get my name out there as an up and coming dance artist. I love working with Aspires’ Talent team and feel blessed to be among them,” added Ifzaal.The Talent project aims to raise young peoples’ aspirations by offering them professional training, a free online portfolio and the opportunity to showcase their talents in public. It is hoped this will lead to increased employability and industry knowledge.ENDSFor more information, please contact Daniella Genas. Tel: 0121 622 3603 Email: dgenas@aspire4u Alternatively, you can email Diana at Playwright Media: diana@playwrightmedia.co.uk

Marxist Theory Boosts Capitalist Practice

2011-09-07 09:34:27

Business owners can learn how to improve their bottom line by attending a workshop in Lancaster, delivered by an unorthodox but brilliant entrepreneur.Simon Biltcliffe, who took Webmart from a £10,000 start-up in 1996 to a £35m world leader in print management, will present the session entitled ‘Marxism + Capitalism = Success’, at Lancaster’s Storey Creative Industries Centre on September 14.During the talk, which is part of a series of business master classes run by Lancaster-based Showing Off Academy, Simon will reveal the methods behind his ambitious plans to build further on Webmart’s success, by growing turnover to £100m, without employing extra staff. Joanne Allday, the event organiser and Director of Showing Off Academy explained: “Simon has shaped Webmart around his personal ethos that Marxism and capitalism together are unbeatable. His company’s success is shared both by employees and by the less fortunate, through a charitable trust.”After investing heavily in people development and training, Simon also realised that harnessing the power of technology would be key to his company’s success, freeing staff for more important added-value activities.“The Master class offers a unique and thought-provoking insight into running a successful business. Simon is an absolutely fantastic speaker and I urge business owners and entrepreneurs not to miss out on such a rare opportunity to listen to his ideas”, added Joanne.Tickets are available at £25 for Showing Off Academy members and £35 for non-members. To book a place, or for further information, visit http://sep2011masterclass.eventbrite.comENDSNotes to EditorsShowing Off Academy is a private business school, which runs a 12-month business builder programme for companies looking to expand and grow. The course is delivered by business owners and offers a practical alternative to an MBA for business owners wanting personal development that directly impacts the bottom line.

Events Company Launches New Online Presence

2011-09-29 08:23:17

A Preston-based event and conference management firm is celebrating the launch of its “future-proofed” online presence, as it gets set for continued growth.Events Northern Ltd commissioned Chorley-based Thomas Cole Internet Solutions to develop a new “cutting edge” website, with functionality built in to enable it to grow and be developed as the business continually moves forward.Having worked with Events Northern previously, Thomas Cole already had a good relationship with the company, and after showing they could develop a custom-built site to fit the needs of the events company, the deal was sealed.Becki Cross, Managing Director for Events Northern, was delighted with the end result, which she claims has surpassed all expectations. She also found the development process extremely smooth, explaining: “We had very specific ideas about how we wanted the website to look and what we needed it to do, including incorporating online bookings for forthcoming public events and integrating social media including Twitter, Facebook and the Company blog. Thomas Cole were absolutely fantastic throughout. Nothing was too much trouble.” “Questions that I asked were answered quickly and the team were proactive in suggesting ideas that might work for us. I was impressed that they had really thought through how the website would work for us now and could develop in the future”, she added.Events Northern provides event solutions and registration management services from conception through to implementation. Since setting up in 2004, Events Northern has arranged numerous conferences, ranging from focus groups for 10 people, through to conferences for over 1,200 people. The firm has also organised outdoor public music concerts and sporting events for up to 6,000 visitors, gala dinners and awards, road shows, exhibitions and golf tournaments.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Beth Vosper:Tel: 08000 85 25 84Email: beth.vosper@thomascole.net

All The World’s A Stage with New Lighting Software

2011-09-07 14:43:09

In today’s hi-tech age, people expect the best from their entertainment; and with high definition TV and digital music recording, standards in the entertainment industry are increasingly high.Now, new computer software will make it easy for musicians, festivals and theatre productions to raise their game. Trace Lighting is set to unveil its new lighting control software system, LimeLIGHT Verse, at the prestigious Plasa11 trade show at Earl’s Court in London next week.LimeLIGHT Verse will give any artist, event or production an easy-to-control, professional and impressive lighting set-up. Whether used for a live concert, music festival or a theatrical or corporate event, this new software will enhance the experience.Director of Trace Lighting, Chris Morris, says: “We hope that the LimeLIGHT Verse will enable a broader range of customers to access the software. The feedback from existing users is that the program is quick, easy to use and very powerful. “The launch of the Verse means that even productions with very tight budgets can try the software”, he added. Simplicity is the key to LimeLIGHT Verse. In the past, one of the problems of a conventional computer lighting set-up has been the frustrating limitations of using a mouse or keyboard to control it.Now, Trace Lighting has made it easier to control the computer software by using physical faders, rather than a mouse or keyboard, meaning that multiple faders can now be controlled via the computer.Also, where the midi fader panels are motorised, it will move the faders on the controller to match the level in the software, which is a major improvement on some traditional desks.The software also comes with various modes of operation to make it suitable for any occasion. ‘Busking mode’ is ideal for the individual artist, or live music events, whereas ‘Theatrical Mode’ gives more scope for complex productions.The new LimeLIGHT Verse set-up will be demonstrated at the country’s biggest trade show at Earls Court next week. To find out more about the event, visit www.plasashow.com.ENDSFor more information, contact Chris Morris:Tel: 07867 981509Email: chris@tracelighting.comNotes to Editors:About Trace Lighting:Founded in 2007, Trace Lighting Ltd, based in Spinney Close, Northfield, Birmingham, started out by developing a software based lighting controller LimeLIGHT. The company was started up by two entrepreneurial lighting technicians who believed that lighting controllers could and should be made easier to use and more powerful than what was currently on the market. Trace Lighting has a vision of a range of hardware lighting desks based on their powerful LimeLIGHT DMX software.

Pamper Yourself to Raise Cash for Children

2011-09-06 11:09:50

Local residents are invited to relax and unwind at a special evening of pampering, helping to raise money for a worthy cause.The event, being held at the Spine and Wellness Centre, inside Active4Less Fitness Club on North Road in Stevenage, takes place next Thursday (15th), and is the perfect way to soften the blow of heading back to work after the summer holidays. All funds raised are to go to Lister Hospital Childrens' Ward, which is raising money to complete redevelopment works. The event’s organisers are hoping that this month’s event will top the whopping £500 raised during its previous evening of pampering, held during February this year. Dr. Nabeel Alsaadi, Practice Director at The Spine and Wellness Centre, said: “We are delighted to offer our support to such a wonderful cause and we hope lots of local residents will join us at the event.“At the Spine and Wellness Centre, we work with individuals who are suffering with severe chronic pain or from multiple types of injuries, and hence our close working links with the hospital”, he added.For a small donation, visitors to the event are invited to take part in a number of relaxing health and beauty activities, including spinal checks, stress tests, relaxing holistic massages, facials, reflexology, Reiki and more.There will also be special handmade jewellery on sale, a prize raffle, fine dining foods and refreshments available to all guests to raise additional funding throughout the evening.Anyone wishing to attend the event, which runs from 7:30pm to 9pm on Thursday 15th September, should call 01438 355 522 or email: info@spineandwellness.co.uk. ENDSFor more information, please contact Nabeel Alsaadi:Tel: 01438 355 522Email: info@spineandwellness.co.ukNotes to Editors:Venue Address:Spine & Wellness Centre(Located inside Active4Less Fitness Club)North Road,Stevenage,HertfordshireSG14BBhttp://www.spineandwellness.co.uk/Dr. Nabeel Alsaadi of the Spine and Wellness Centre will also be participating in the Mind Body & Soul Fair, which takes place at Plinston Hall in Letchworth this weekend (10th – 11th), during which he will be giving a health talk entitled "Optimal Health through Spinal Wellness", and providing free spinal checks, massages and health advice.

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-09-07 13:30:54

Residents in Birmingham will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Colmore Row, in Birmingham will re-open its doors on Thursday (8th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide National Lottery, PayPoint and E Top-up facilities, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Colmore Row, in Birmingham means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 21 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2BH.Store telephone number: 0121 233 3827Opening hours: 6am – 8am Monday to Friday, 6am – 6pm Saturday, 7am – 5pm SundayFor more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-09-07 13:31:21

Residents in Wallsend will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, in Coastway Shopping Centre, will re-open its doors on Thursday (8th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade from 6am till 11pm seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide a Post Office, National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store in Coastway Shopping Centre in Wallsend means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, Unit 3, Coastway Shopping Centre, Battle Hill Drive, Wallsend, NE28 9EN.Store telephone number: 0191 262 8797For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

REVOLUTIONARY TREATMENT COULD MEAN END FOR VARICOSE VEIN SURGERY

2011-11-07 11:50:44

A revolutionary new treatment for varicose veins is proving a successful alternative to surgery.The VNUS ClosureFast catheter is a minimally invasive alternative treatment, which doctors claim, results in less pain and bruising than traditional vein stripping surgery.Using the Closure system, doctors close the diseased veins by inserting the closure catheter into a vein and heating the vein wall using temperature-controlled RF energy. As it is catheter-based, it results in little to no scarring.Heating the vein wall causes collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. After the vein is sealed shut, blood then naturally reroutes to healthy veins.Dr Thomas Proebstle, a dermatologist and expert in venous diseases, said: “Beauty treatments and aesthetic surgery is on the increase all over the world. Quite often, this is associated with risky procedures, some pain and lengthy courses of wound healing.“With this new, less-invasive approach, the procedure is much more gentle and smoother. The risks are much lower and the pain is kept to a low level, plus it can be administered under local anesthetic.”Dr Proebstle, who is Professor for Dermatology at University of Pecs in Hungary, added: “Obviously this type of treatment does not need to be performed in a theatre or hospital, which improves its cost-effectiveness. It can easily be performed in an outpatient setting with the right medical facilities.”The results of a recently published three-year-study carried out at eight european centres, which involved 225 outpatients, showed a huge success rate for the treatment. The study showed that between 12 and 24 months after the treatment, 96.4 per cent of patients reported they had no pain. After 24 months, that number had increased to more than 99 per cent.This bodes well for the future of vascular surgery. VNUS Closure was showcased at the NHS Expo in March as a technology that will contribute to the NHS's plan to boost productivity and efficiency by saving £1 billion.EndsFor more information, please contact Elodie Morran. Tel: 02071933755 Email: elodie@absorbing.com

New VNUS Closure technology takes bane and pain out of vein removal

2011-10-10 10:19:07

A new treatment for removing varicose veins means minimal discomfort and reduced recovery time, saving patients a lot of angst and the NHS a lot of money. Varicose veins manifest when venous reflux causes blood in the superficial veins to pool and swell, creating an unsightly protrusion in the legs. Aching and itching is a possible side-effect, but in the absence of discomfort those wishing to have them removed may think twice when they learn what it involves. Until now, that is. The conventional technique involves a vascular surgeon tying off the vein to prevent blood flowing and then threading it out via the greater saphenous vein through an incision just below the knee. This is called 'stripping'. The procedure requires the patient to undergo general anaesthesia in an operating theatre, with 36% of patients needing an overnight stay in hospital. In addition, healthy branch veins, which are connected to the greater saphenous vein, are often broken as the swollen vein is removed from the thigh, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. This is the main cause of post-operative soreness and bruising, which many patients experience. It can take up to four weeks before the patient can return to normal activities. What an pain!VNUS Closure, however, is minimally invasive and carried out under local anaesthetic. The Closure procedure will enable patients to return to normal activities within a day.It works by inserting a fine catheter into the affected refluxing vein. The catheter is connected to a VNUS RFG Plus generator, which releases radio frequency energy into the vessel in 7cm segments to a precisely controlled temperature, causing the vein to shrink and close. As it closes, blood is diverted to a healthy vein, and as the vein is shut down, there is no need for the closed vein to be surgically removed. Over time, the treated vein is absorbed by the body and in 6-12 months is virtually invisible on ultrasound. The statistics speak for themselves: a five-year study in the Journal of Vascular Surgery found vein-stripping 71% effective in eliminating venous reflux, whereas VNUS Closure has a 94.7% elimination rate at the one-year mark. This bodes well for the future of vascular surgery. VNUS Closure was showcased at the NHS Expo in March as a technology that will contribute to the NHS's plan to boost productivity and efficiency by saving £1 billion. ENDSFor more information, please contact Elodie Morran. Tel: 02071933755 Email: elodie@absorbing.com

Fleet Company on Charity Drive

2011-09-06 09:51:24

A fleet management company is offering coffee, bacon butties and cost-saving advice, all in the name of a good cause.Fleet Evolution will be opening up their Lichfield office to prospective and existing customers later this month, in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.The event is part of MacMillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraising event, MacMillan’s Coffee Mornings. Established in 1990, the event gets people across the UK to hold coffee mornings, where donations are made to MacMillan. Last year, 43,000 people signed up to hold coffee mornings, raising over £8 million.Fleet Evolution will be providing refreshments to local businesses on Friday 30th September, starting at 7.30am, at the company’s Lichfield base, on Eastern Avenue.Complimentary bacon butties and refreshments will be on offer for visitors until 2pm, and for every visitor that attends, Fleet Evolution will make a donation to MacMillan.In addition, the fleet management specialist will be giving people the opportunity to see some of the newest, most fuel-efficient fleet cars and vans, and an informal discussion on new initiatives to reduce cost, improve safety and introduce cars as a salary sacrifice benefit.Every visitor will also receive a copy of ‘Managing Your Company Cars’, by Colin Tourick.Andrew Leech, Managing Director at Fleet Evolution, said: “We are really pleased to be hosting this event and helping to raise money for such a worthy cause.“As well as raising much-needed funds at our coffee morning, we can also showcase our newest range of fuel-efficient fleet cars and vans and hopefully show visitors the benefits of these to their business. We hope to help MacMillan beat last year’s fantastic total raised,” added Andrew.To book your place at the event, please email marketing@fleetevolution.com.ENDSFor more information, please contact Andrew Leech. Tel: 0844 848 3455 Email: andrew.leech@fleetevolution.com

Cracking Up for Comedy’s Cocoa

2011-09-14 14:47:11

A remarkable US comedy talent is set to take Nottingham by storm, after a hugely successful stint on Simon Cowell’s America’s Got Talent. In her second UK appearance, Cocoa Brown is headlining stand-up comedy show, Real Deal Comedy Jam, at Jongleurs Comedy Club later this month, as part of the third annual Nottingham Comedy Festival. Piers Morgan described Cocoa Brown’s uninterrupted stand-up artistry as ‘Hilariously funny’, while Sharon Osbourne called her, 'A human machinegun'. Though this is Cocoa’s second tour with urban stand-up comedy show, Real Deal Comedy Jam, this month sees her Nottingham debut. Miss Brown has expressed her great excitement at being part of the Nottingham Comedy Festival and can't wait to have the people of Nottingham howling with laughter.Her outstanding contribution during previous Real Deal Comedy Jam performances resulted in standing ovations and garnered Cocoa the ‘Comedian of the Tour’ accolade.Nathan Wilkins, co-Director of RDCJ, said: “Laugh until your guts ache while Cocoa Brown raises the roof, alongside UK comedians Jamie Howard, Marlson Davis, B-Moni and show host, Kat B at the Real Deal Comedy Jam!”The Real Deal Comedy Jam comes to Jongleurs Comedy Club on Thursday 29th September.Visit www.rdcj.net to book, or find out more.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Nathan Wilkins:Tel: 07980795976Email: nathan.wilkins@rdcj.netNotes to Editors:Ticket prices:£15 (£12.50 for students). Booking line: 0844 870 0000

A-grade success at Cranbrook School

2011-09-02 12:01:29

Pupils and teachers at Cranbrook School are celebrating after another round of excellent GCSE results.This year, 88 per cent of GCSE pupils at the grammar school, in Ilford, achieved five or more A*- C grades, while 83 per cent attained five or more A*- C grades, including the all-important subjects of Maths and English. Cranbrook high achievers included Alex Ravinranath, who came away with four A*s and four A grades, Daniaal Khan achieved four A*s and three As, and Owen Todd achieved three A*s and five As. All three achieved 10 GCSE passes over-all.Owen, who has high of hopes to becoming a forensic scientist, said: “My 12 years at Cranbrook have seen many changes, but the teachers' pride in their work and their efforts to help us achieve the highest grades, has remained constant. My experiences will stand me in good stead in my new school.” Cranbrook has gained a reputation for helping its pupils get the best possible results. The school puts its success down to small class sizes, a strong work ethic, good resources and high expectations of the pupils.Headteacher, Ivan Mulinder, said: “Cranbrook is a school renowned for its focus on teaching and learning and traditional values. Yet again we have achieved excellent results in all key stages. We’ve seen particularly strong performances in maths, science and modern languages with these subjects achieving over 50 per cent A*- A grades.” This years results are an improvement on last year, where 83% of students achieved 5 or above A*- C grades.ENDSFor more information, please contact Adrian Selfe. Tel: 0208 554 1757 Email: adrian.selfe@CranbrookCollege.org.uk

IWJS Completes DSS Environmental Acquisition

2011-09-06 13:22:34

Industrial Water Jetting Systems Group Ltd (IWJS) has added DSS Environmental to their existing portfolio.The acquisition of West Midlands-based DSS Environmental has greatly enhanced IWJS’s existing strong position in the industrial cleaning and waste management industry. This move will see increased numbers of depots and services. DSS Environmental brings specialist knowledge in drain lining to IWJS, alongside its own jetting and tankering services.Christopher Stewart, IWJS Group Managing Director, is excited about the future opportunities, and feels this acquisition confirms the intent of the IWJS Group to grow its UK business:"Alongside the acquisition of DSS Environmental, IWJS has been investing heavily in equipment, vehicles and staff. This is a phased investment programme to keep the IWJS Group at the forefront of the latest technology available, while maintaining its key position as one of the leading businesses within the industrial cleaning and waste management industry.”The senior management team have continued to invest heavily by adding more specialist equipment to the fleet, enabling the expanding customer base to be looked after in the expected professional and efficient manner. A £4m investment programme, in addition to the acquisition, has already resulted in the delivery of two JHL Flexline vehicles, with further specialist vehicles scheduled for delivery throughout the rest of 2011. The IWJS group now has 7 locations across the UK, including sites in Brighton, Lincoln and the company’s headquarters in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. IWJS leads the sector in the use of high pressure water jetting for cleaning tunnels, drains, sewers, interceptors, tanks, pumping stations, sewage treatment tanks, canals and waterways. The Group currently holds 5 utility contracts offering unrivalled levels of service and flexibility. An important sector benefiting from this investment programme has been the CCTV businesses. IWJS has keenly developed and deployed the latest technology and this is a rapidly growing part of the group. IWJS has captured the majority of the UK’s tunnel cleaning business by developing and operating bespoke vehicle-mounted tunnel cleaning machines. ENDS For more information, please contact Phil Penman. Tel: 01359242606 Email: marketing@iwjs.co.uk

Free Workshop is Food and Drink to Regional Businesses

2011-09-02 11:38:59

Growing businesses in the food and drink sector are being given the chance to benefit from a free workshop programme, organised by Lancaster University Management School and Reaseheath College. The two institutions have combined their expertise to deliver the two-day event for small and medium sized food and drink manufacturers.Businesses can gain valuable insights into scaling up production and business planning by attending the lively, interactive programme. The workshop will involve participants reviewing their long-term strategy and marketing plan, in addition to discussing operational capability and legislative issues affecting the food and drink industry. Day One will include sessions on ‘Business Planning for Food and Drink’ and ‘Supplying Products for Retailers’, while Day Two will focus on ‘Scaling up Food and Drink Production’ and ‘Developing your Marketing Plan’.Guest speakers Joe Hall, Managing Director of Halls Food Group, and Gillian Hall, owner of Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, will talk about their own experience of scaling up and growing their businesses.The workshop programme is part of Lancaster University Management School’s £3.8 million Innovation for Growth project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).Around 300 firms could benefit from the free support, which aims to boost management and innovation to develop better products and processes to underpin growth. The project will give local businesses the opportunity to utilise the university’s world-class research in entrepreneurship. Management school students and academics will also be available, along with access to online resources. Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, Cheshire, is a champion in dairy technology. The college has a new £7.2 million Food and Drink Centre of Excellence with additional facilities to support bakery and butchery. This new development was part-funded by the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and supported by the food and drink manufacturing industry. By offering a combination of state-of-the-art technology and the expertise of commercial food specialists, Reaseheath supports SME businesses in new product and process development work and also assists in other key areas such as scaling up, shelf life testing, food packaging and labelling. Helen Fogg, Project Manager at Lancaster University Management School, said: “This two day - fully funded - workshop programme is a great opportunity for food and drink SMEs to scale up not only their production, but also their business to stimulate growth.”“It is also a great opportunity to tap into the resources of Lancaster University Management School and of Reaseheath College, which combines the expertise and competence of commercial food specialists, scientists and technicians,” added Helen.For further information visit: www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/ifg, or call 01524 510 769.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Judith Friesl. Tel: 01524510716 Email: j.friesl@lancaster.ac.uk

Exotic Bedouin Dance Showcasing in London

2011-09-12 08:38:10

The Arabian Dance Theatre in Highgate, London, is launching an inspirational new show in October 2011.Under the Sun is a modern take on the historic art of Bedouin storytelling. The show tells a story within a story, imaginatively demonstrated through an emotional journey of dance. Under the Sun explores the conflict between traditional and contemporary culture in modern Egypt. The show presents a synergy of Arabic roots and folk movement with contemporary dance, while combining Bedouin, Arabic Folk, Oriental and Modern Arabic dance, all in a single production. The story is told through the eyes of a Bedouin girl, Aisha, who discovers her talent to dance. Aisha was brought up in the Sinai desert, living life under the sun with her Bedouin tribe, when one day, her simple and peaceful life is suddenly turned upside down by a vivid dream. This dream challenges her traditional values and gives her the desire to head for the big city - Cairo. Tara Oakley, the shows producer, travelled to South Sinai in Egypt to study the life and culture of the Bedouins. Tara spent every day with local families; learning their traditional form of dance in depth, attending weddings and meeting a medicine man and tribal leaders.In South Sinai, Tara found her inspiration; discovering how life was changing for the younger Bedouins and how modern day life brought many contradictions for their culture. Under the Sun is inspired by an 18-year-old Bedouin girl that Tara lived with. “Every day she was determined to be her own person by challenging people’s opinions and judgments to follow her dreams. This is still a difficult achievement for many female Bedouins,” said Tara Lee Oakley, the shows producer. “She is proud to be Bedouin, but constantly made challenges to her culture; wanting to study, work, learn English and meet foreigners, wear trousers and marry a man she loved. She is a strong and truly inspirational woman,” added Tara.Under the Sun is guaranteed to be Arabian Dance Theatre’s most exciting show yet. The performance takes place at Jacksons Lane Arts Centre, Highgate, London, on October 14th & 15th.For tickets call the box office on 020 8341 4421, or visit www.jacksonlane.org.uk. ENDSFor further information, please contact Tara Oakley. Tel: 0798 444 8488 Email: info@arabiandancetheatre.comAbout Arabian Dance Theatre:The Arabian Dance Theatre was formed in 2008, by Tara Oakley and Shafer Ibrahim. Sharing their love of Arabic Art, the duo decided they wanted to form a dance company that would bring Arabic dance and music into the forefront.Arabian Dance Theatre is working hard to preserve and represent traditional and modern Arabic dance forms. Their main goal is to produce shows, which create positive awareness of Arabic art, culture and society. All of the theatre’s shows have sold out and they regularly complete national tours.Arabian Dance Theatre is an example of how hard work and determination can make art flourish even in hard economic times. Arabian Dance Theatre have received no funding or financial backing but have been gaining recognition and popularity as the leading Arabic Arts dance company in Europe, over the last four years.

One Stop for Convenience in Oldbury

2011-08-31 08:10:28

Shopping got a little more convenient for local residents, with the opening of a new store on Thursday 25th August, which created ten new jobs.The new One Stop store, on Stanley Road, just off the A456 Hagley Road West, opened its doors with the promise of being ‘the best for customers in the neighbourhood’.The new One Stop store is open seven days a week from 6am till 11pm. Facilities include a free-to-use cash machine, E Top-Up, National Lottery and PayPoint, making it a complete ‘one stop solution’ for local residents.Anthony Jackman, Store Manager, said:“We’re delighted to have opened the store. Our long opening hours, coupled with fantastic daily offers will ensure we have something for everyone.“The One Stop chain offers great value and great customer service, and I am confident my team and I will be able to bring this and more to local people”, he added.The One Stop store chain has an enviable retail record and operates stores across England and Wales – many of which serve the needs of small urban communities. The chain employs more than 7000 people across its operations.ENDSFor more information, please contact Anthony Jackman:Tel: 0121 439 4384Web: www.onestop.co.ukNotes to Editors:Address: One Stop Store, 2 Stanley Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 0EHTelephone: 0121 439 4384

Businesses Urged to Switch to VoIP After BT Price Hike

2011-09-05 14:19:41

Following BT’s significant rise in phone call charges, a telecommunications expert says this move will accentuate the major cost benefits and operational advantages of businesses switching to VoIP systems. From 3rd December, BT customer will see a five per cent rise in call charges, meaning UK landline calls will go up from 7.6 pence a minute to 7.95 pence a minute. According to Alan Thorpe-Downey, Managing Director of Storm - The Internet Phone Company, in sharp contrast, VoIP call rates start from just one penny per minute to local and national numbers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ultra-low cost of VoIP systems delivers further financial advantages, as there is no need for expensive BT line rental.“With BT’s latest price hike, there’s never been a better time for businesses to switch to VoIP systems. Our call rates start at 1 penny a minute, and there’s no need to pay line rental. Instead you pay just £5 per month per user, which also includes 100 free minutes each month,” said Alan.“What’s more, the operational benefits of VoIP systems are considerable,” added Alan.Traditional phone lines mean you can only make or receive one call per line. With VoIP systems, you can have up to 26 simultaneous calls using one high-speed broadband line, and eight simultaneous calls per standard line. This also means you do not have to wait for a line to become free to make outgoing calls, and you can answer more inbound calls.Call distribution and call forwarding are other valuable feature of VoIP. They enable inbound calls to be routed to either a single or multiple locations, or an alternative mobile or landline.Also, calls between extensions means all internal calls on your switchboards are free, whether you are calling a mobile extension, home worker or an additional site.“VoIP also scores heavily over traditional phone lines in that there are no maintenance costs, while self-installation is free and simple, and if you move premises there are no high costs involved because you can simply take your phones with you,” said Alan.In addition to these traditional VoIP features Storm also offers additional benefits, including call queuing, auto attendant, call recording and disaster recovery.For more information on VoIP systems for your business, call Storm - The Internet Phone Company on 0844 441 4444, or visit: www.stormtele.comENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Ruth Salvati. Tel: 0844 441 4444 Email: ruth@storm-support.net

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-30 09:29:17

Residents in Boston will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on West Street in Boston, will re-open its doors on Thursday (1st), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade from 5am till 10pm seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on West Street in Boston means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 59-61 West Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 8QN.Store telephone number: 01205 362430.For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Stores – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-30 09:08:57

Residents in Solihull, Shirley and Wythall will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of three local convenience stores, following a change in their ownership.The One Stop stores, previously run by Mills Group, on Prospect Lane, in Solihull, Cranmore Boulevard, in Shirley and Drakes Cross Parade, in Wythall, will re-open their doors on Thursday (1st), following extensive refurbishments.The stores will open seven days a week, with the branches in Solihull and Wythall trading from 6am till 11pm, whilst the store in Shirley will operate earlier hours, from 5:30am till 10:30pm. The stores will offer a great range of products, from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, all three stores will also provide a Post Office, National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making them a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills stores in Solihull, Shirley and Wythall means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the stores’ staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop stores.”EndsNotes to editors:Store addresses: Solihull: One Stop Store, 121-123 Prospect Lane, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 1HT.Store telephone number: 0121 733 3126Shirley: One Stop Store, 274 Cranmore Boulevard, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4PX.Store telephone number: 0121 744 5470Wythall: One Stop Store, 1A Drakes Cross Parade, Wythall, Birmingham, B47 5HD.Store telephone number: 01564 824402.For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

EMS Offer Help To Those Affected By Council Cuts

2011-08-31 10:46:58

A local company are offering a helping hand to vulnerable people, following Hertfordshire County Council’s decision to cut all funding for stair and vertical lift maintenance.EMS Stairlifts, Hertfordshire's largest specialist stairlift and disabled lift company, has offered to maintain stairlifts and vertical lifts for all residents affected by the County Council’s decision to cut their maintenance service.Last month, Hertfordshire County Council informed all the 1100 people affected that they would no longer be able to fund the cost of their lift maintenance, a service it had provided for more than 20 years.These cuts are part of Hertfordshire County Council’s efforts to save a reported £150m over four years.EMS Stairlifts, who have been the council’s primary contractor since 1991, have decided to continue providing the same premium service to Hertfordshire users of starlifts and vertical lifts, at specially discounted rates. Mick Armstrong, EMS Operations Director, says, "In the current financial climate, it is understandable that these services would come under scrutiny. At EMS, we are very comfortable in the knowledge that the agreement we are offering as a direct replacement represents tremendous value for money, offering complete peace of mind."Once purchased, the new service care agreement will kick in seamlessly after the next, and final, council funded service agreement has expired.Although the withdrawal of funding for disabled lift maintenance is undoubtedly a blow to some of the most vulnerable people in Hertfordshire, it’s worth noting that many counties have never offered this service. Also, the council have made it clear that they will investigate all claims of hardship.ENDSFor further information, please contact Mick Armstrong at EMS Lifts. Tel: 01462 499 700 E-mail: mick@emslifts.co.ukNotes to editors:All residents affected have been given a contact number to call if necessary. In cases where hardship is established, any maintenance work necessary will be funded by local social services teams.EMS stairlifts are at the forefront of offering innovative services for stairlift and vertical lift equipment users and potential users. In 2009, they opened an extensive Product Display Centre in Baldock, Hertfordshire. The Centre showcases more than a dozen full size working examples of stairlifts and through floor lifts; a facility which remains unique in the UK. In addition to enabling potential customers the opportunity to "try before they buy", the Centre also enables occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals to hone their skills and knowledge in relation to disabled lifting equipment.

New business launched to help companies sell themselves

2011-09-12 09:40:14

Companies hoping to make an impact on potential clients and attract business, will be encouraged by the launch of a Cardiff-based promotional consultancy.Branded Promotional Products Ltd, which started trading last week (August 22), is the venture of John Wray, an expert in this area of marketing, following his 28 years involvement in the promotions industry. John also sat on the board for 'PROMOTA'- the promotional merchandise trade association, and is the only professional in UK with the Certified Advertising Specialist (C.A.S) qualification.The company, which has a very strong online presence, was established to help businesses make money with promotional products that can drive profits, by projecting their business, service or product, to their target audience in the best and most cost-effective manner.Branded Promotional Products’ material sourcing service covers everything from corporate umbrellas to cheetah shaped pens, and from printed teapots to uniform accessories.John believes it is crucial for businesses to consider a variety of promotional material, given the variety of client profiles:“It is difficult to buy one product that suits all tastes and with a variety of promotional products, companies have a way of connecting with different clients.”Also, with managers facing ever-increasing threats to their profit margin, it can be all too easy to cut the marketing budget.But the value of promotional products, and what they offer to a business, is crucial to long-term success.“Promotional products should not be seen as ‘giveaways’, as they are effective subliminal marketing tools. As such, promotional materials are an excellent alternative to more expensive advertising. What's more, promotional products used selectively can increase the effectiveness of the more traditional methods of marketing,” said Mr Wray.As the economy heads away from the recession, it is even more important that companies consider their marketing options and spend their budgets wisely.ENDSFor more information, please contact John Wray. Tel: 02920465353 Email: john.wray@promotional-product.co.uk

Windermere Wild Swim

2011-08-30 10:15:26

The very first Windermere Wild Swim is set to attract hundreds of visitors to a Lakeland beauty spot.Wild swimming is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, with its economic appeal, and ability to capture the imagination of even the most committed of gym-bunnies.Windermere Wild Swim has a particular attraction to newcomers to the sport, due to the organisation of the event, with reassuring aspects such as canoe safety, speedboat safety and exemplary and bespoke onsite first-aiders. However, sign-ons have seen a broad spectrum of ability and there are even entries from previous team GB and elite athletes, such is the appeal of Windermere.Brockhole, the Lake District Visitors Centre was chosen as the venue for the event by organisers of Windermere Wild Swim for its accessibility, parking, facilities and of course the Lakeland scenery.Chloe Booth of Adventure Challenge Solutions said: “Brockhole is a not-for-profit attraction run by the Lake District National Park Authority, and we’re very keen to use venues such as this for our events – particularly as this year is the 60th anniversary of the Lake District National Park. Almost all of our team live and work within the park, and we’re therefore very keen to support the local economy and responsible tourism.”Windermere Wild Swim is working in partnership with the Nurture Lakeland project, ‘Love your Lakes’ – aimed at improving water quality in Windermere by helping small businesses, residents and visitors to take small steps to keep Windermere clean. The Love your Lakes team will be onsite at Brockhole on the day with hints and tips about what can be done to improve swimming conditions in the lake for years to come. Windermere Wild Swim takes place on 3rd September 2011 at Brockhole, The Lake District Visitors Centre. For more information, email chloe@acs-events.co.uk or call 07825 201657 or go to www.acs-events.co.uk and click on ‘events’ then Windermere Wild Swim.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Chloe Booth:Tel: 015395 34095Email: chloe@adventure-challenge-solutions.co.uk

Green Energy is Just What the Doctor Ordered

2011-09-05 14:01:15

A sustainable energy specialist in the Midlands has won a £180,000 contract; to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roofs of two local hospitals. Kidderminster-based Eco2Solar has been appointed to install the low carbon energy systems at Stratford-Upon-Avon and Warwick hospitals, by recently formed energy co-operative, Community Energy Warwickshire. The scheme, organised by people living in Warwickshire, with a passion for green energy, has been described by Energy Minister, Greg Barker, as: “Exactly the kind of project, delivered through exactly the kind of partnership, that we need to see more of.” The contract will see 20 kilowatts of solar power being installed at Stratford Hospital, and 50 kilowatts at Warwick Hospital. Community Energy Warwickshire plans to start work with a small-scale pilot installation at Warwick Hospital in September, with the remaining solar panels to be installed by the end of March 2012. Keith Sinfield, chair of Community Energy Warwickshire, said: “We are delighted to be working with Eco2Solar on this project. Following a detailed review of the proposals put forward by firms invited to tender, we concluded that Eco2Solar offered the right balance of cost-effectiveness and appropriate experience for this innovative scheme.”Eco2Solar’s Chief Executive, Paul Hutchens, added: “This is a high profile and prestigious project, and we’re honoured to have been selected. Even more importantly, this is an opportunity to work with the members of Community Energy Warwickshire, a group of people who want to make a difference in their area, by helping local people reduce their use of energy and save money at the same time.”When planning permission has been granted, Community Energy Warwickshire proposes to launch an offer of community shares, inviting local residents to become members of the co-operative, to raise funds for the scheme next month. Information about the installation scheme and Community Energy Warwickshire’s share offer can be obtained by phoning 01789 290736 or e-mailing info@cew.coop.ENDSNotes to Editors:For further details about the Eco2Solar brand and its services, please contact 01562 745265 or visit www.eco2solar.co.uk.

GOLFING MIRRORS PROVE A SMASH HIT

2011-08-30 11:37:32

It’s one thing that unites golfing amateurs and pros alike - they all have to get their swing right before they can hope to take anything from the sport.Now, help is at hand, with a new product that makes it easier for golfing enthusiasts to improve their game. A new set of portable golf training mirrors is helping to change the lives of thousands of players, by giving them a swing to be proud of as they tackle the 18 holes.The product was launched to much praise by Wolverhampton-based, Mirrors For Training, at The Golf Show in 2010.Since then, the firm has sold thousands of portable mirrors across the UK and Europe.Ryan Fenwick, a PGA Professional, and a coach for Sussex County and at England Regional level, says, “My mirror has helped my coaching become more versatile. I can use the mirror in the studio, or outside on the grass driving range. I would recommend the product to any PGA Coaching Professional.”The premise is simple; the key to the mirror’s effectiveness is their versatility. The training mirrors can be used indoors, as well as on the driving range, and it’s this flexibility that allows golfers to monitor all positions their swing. This real-time visual feedback is the perfect teaching aid, and allows a golfer of any ability to develop the feel for that elusive "perfect" swing. The mirrors give the golfer the power to learn, practice and improve, in order to develop a consistent repetitive hit.ENDSFor more information, please contact Andrea Miles. Tel: 01902 791207Email: info@mirrorsfortraining.co.ukNotes to editors: Wolverhampton-based Mirrors for Training is the UK's leading supplier and installer of dance studio mirrors. The firm has also supplied all the major equestrian colleges throughout the UK, and has provided arena mirrors to thousands of professional event and dressage riders. The training mirrors have also proven to be a hit with with schools and sports colleges as well as at hospitals and physiotherapy centres, where hundreds of patients have benefited from their use.

LOCAL FIRM SIGNS AND SEALS BUSINESS ACQUISITION

2011-08-25 14:36:58

A Midlands-based direct marketing company is celebrating substantial business growth, following the successful completion of a merger.Send Marketing Solutions, based in Aldridge, has used its continuing success to integrate Derbyshire-based direct mail firm, Seal & Send, which will now move to Send’s headquarters.The move will initially create four new jobs for the region, but this could potentially lead to a further ten jobs being created over the next 12 months.The acquisition comes after a sustained period of success for Send, which has an impressive client list, including Halfords Autocentres, Fujifilm and Sytner BMW.Guy Chatburn, Send Managing Director, is delighted that the deal has been completed and believes it will see the company go from strength to strength.“Seal & Send’s levels of service and quality are very well respected by their clients, and we aim to build on that by offering them our additional expertise in areas such as, digital colour print, consumer profiling, data analysis and customer insight,” said Guy.“The move brings us opportunities with a range of great new companies. Our aim is to demonstrate our array of solutions, so that we can retain and expand our business arrangements,” Guy added.The expansion will see Send create the new role of Commercial Director, which will be filled by Seal & Send’s Peter Robinson.“I was delighted when the opportunity arose to join forces with Send - a like-minded mailing operation with a similar reputation for high quality service. This development brings the facilities and benefits of a larger operation for all of our customers, whilst still mainlining the same levels of personal, one-to-one contact,” said Peter.“Teaming up with Send has given us more capacity in all areas of the business, and I believe that the move will enable the company to go from strength to strength in the future,” Peter added.The company now expects to attract over 200 new clients in the forthcoming year, through its ‘Send4Less’ mailing service, which offers a complete mailing package from just 30p - 6 pence less than the price of a stamp.ENDSFor more information, please contact Guy Chatburn at Send Marketing Solutions.Tel: 01922 458 763Email: guy@sendmarketing.co.ukNotes to editors:Send Marketing Solutions, part of the WAA Group, offers both transactional and marketing mailing print fulfilment services - posting around four million items a year, as well as providing managed CRM database services and undertaking complex data analysis and customer profiling.

£10k Fundraiser Marks New MS Unit

2011-09-02 14:07:15

A support centre for people suffering with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and ME has celebrated the opening of its new facilities, and £10,000 in new funding from a charity raffle. Lord Wade of Chorlton officially opened the new Tim Cotton Suite, at the MS Support Centre in Saltney, earlier this month. More than 100 VIPs attended the opening, along with Stephen Moseley, MP for Chester. During his opening speech Lord Wade congratulated the MS Support Centre on being a “centre of excellence,” and wished it “many years of continued success.” Mr. Stephen Moseley MP added he would "continue to support the sterling work that the MS Support Centre does for the local community.” The extension has been named in honour of Tim Cotton, a member of MS Support Centre staff, who passed away after a sudden and short illness in June this year. The MS Support Centre provides help and advice for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and ME in Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral. It provides practical support, therapies and helpful strategies that enable members to manage their symptoms in a positive way. The former Lord Mayor of Chester, Neil Ritchie, also drew a fundraising raffle, in which the two main winners were Sue Rothwell and Jane Drelincourt. Each of the winners took away a large flat-screen television, kindly donated by CurrysPC World. Mrs Drelincourt was ecstatic, and said that she only bought the winning £2 ticket the night before, as she took pity on the drenched raffle ticket seller. Jane Johnston-Cree, Centre Manager and Senior Physio, said: “The MS Support Centre would like to thank Humphreys of Chester, CurrysPC World and i7 Technologies Ltd, for their generosity in providing the prizes and of course all the residents of Chester, North Wales and the Wirral who bought the tickets for their support in raising the cash.” In total, the MS Support Centre’s Next Step Campaign raffle raised £10,000, and the money will be used to provide more services, and to support more people with neurological conditions. If you know of anyone with a neurological condition, or would like further information, visit www.mssupport.co.uk or call the MS Support Centre on 01244 678619. ENDS For media enquiries, please contact Beth Vosper: Tel: 08000 85 25 84 Email: beth.vosper@thomascole.net

Brand Face Lift is Just What the Doctor Ordered

2011-09-12 10:50:56

A clinical commissioning group in the Midlands has undergone a slick rebrand, to become more user-friendly for patients and practitioners alike.The Redditch & Bromsgrove Consortium has rebranded to the Redditch & Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group (RBCCG), under a Government-led initiative. Cheltenham-based Octopi Design was commissioned to conduct the branding work, developing both a new corporate identity for the group, and constructing a new, accessible website for RBCCG (www.rbccg.org.uk ). The site has two key areas, providing an information portal for the general public, and an area where GPs and Group members can share information. RBCCG Practice Manager Lead, Linda Pratt, who was delighted with the end result, said: “We have received only positive feedback about the website and it is proving invaluable in sharing information with all parties concerned”. RBCCG comprises of 23 GP practices across the districts of Redditch and Bromsgrove, which have a combined patient list of around 171,000 people. It aims to achieve improvements in people’s health and wellbeing, by making collective commissioning decisions on the development, procurement and review of health services. Octopi Director, Dave Boon, said: “Working on exciting projects, such as RBCCG, is of utmost importance to us, and we thrive on partnering with our clients in order to develop and get the best from their brands. “Being asked to design everything from the logo right through to the website meant we were able to ensure the brand identity was introduced seamlessly throughout the project.” he added.Octopi is becoming something of an expert in developing projects for clinical commissioning groups, also working with the Intelligent Commissioning Federation, a group set up by GPs based in the Ladywood, Aston and part of Sparkbrook areas of Birmingham. ENDSFor more information, please contact Dave Boon:Tel: 0124 265 0043Email: daveboon@octopidesign.comNotes to Editors:Clinical Commissioning Groups are made up of groups of doctors and surgeries in the UK, which have joined together in their individual regions to provide better services for local residents and get them involved in the decision-making process. They also aim to fill the void left by the closure of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) under the coalition government.

Youth Scheme is a Moo-Mentous Success

2011-08-25 08:42:05

A Birmingham-based company is celebrating, following the success of a pilot scheme designed to equip young people with skills for the workplace and boost their employability.Moo Moo Youth Marketing (MMYM), based on Fazeley Street, Birmingham, offered seven 16-19 year olds the opportunity to take part in a two-week, paid programme during August.The initiative, dubbed ‘Rep Your Gen’, provides a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for the teens, as the participants are involved in creating marketing campaigns and initiatives for their peers. This inaugural group comes from diverse backgrounds; NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) are represented, as are college students, as well as those defined as at-risk groups.So far, these lucky young people have created campaigns to raise awareness of condom usage, and to tackle extremism.The recent project saw the group talk to close on 100 people about the feelings and current practices surrounding safe sex and condom usage. Using the information and resources gathered, the participants created a youth-led, educational marketing campaign surrounding safe sex issues. Other valuable experiences include brainstorming and strategy sessions surrounding such issues as counter-terrorism and the dangers of extremism.Louella, one 17 year-old participant, says, “It’s really exciting to be a part of something, to create awareness for youths, and gain an understanding of a marketing workplace.” ‘Rep Your Gen’ creates peer-led resources, which allows private and public sector organisations the ability to connect their brand, message and social issues with teens and young adults through social and youth marketing.Perhaps one of the most crucial outcomes for the teens is the opportunity to join MMYM’s company steering group, to work as a MMYM Peer Worker and, as the company plans to soon launch the programme on a national level, to have first dibs on jobs within MMYM’s future ‘Rep your Gen’ programmes. In a time when UK youth are struggling against social pressures and bad press in the wake of this summer’s riots, MMYM intends to demonstrate the willingness, capacity for learning and industrious nature of many of the country’s young people. “Young people have such a bad reputation at the moment. Moo Moo Youth Marketing are passionate about giving them a chance to prove people wrong,” said Charlotte Slater, MMYM Managing Director.Following the success of this pilot in Birmingham, there are plans for ‘Rep Your Gen’ to launch nationally later in the year.To find out more about the 'Rep Your Gen' pilot in Birmingham, visit: www.repyourgen.wordpress.comENDS For more information, please contact Charlotte Slater:Tel: 0121 2247711Email: charlotte@mmym.co.uk

VOLUNTEER POLICE OFFICERS PRAISED FOLLOWING RIOTS

2011-08-23 09:43:41

Special police constables from West Midlands Police have been praised for their dedication during the unprecedented violence that swept through the region on August 8 and 9. Police forces were stretched during the public disorder, and volunteer police officers in the West Midlands worked around the clock to help restore peace. One such special constable is Lizzie Bishop, 26, a full-time personal travel expert at Kuoni Travel, Solihull. During the riots, Lizzie worked 20 hours, helping to support the regular officers who were all working 12-hour shifts. In that time, she helped to deal with flare-ups of violence outside Birmingham city centre, involving outbreaks of large groups causing disturbances across Birmingham South; Northfield, Selly Oak, and Edgbaston. Special constables are usually expected to carry out 16 hours a month, but Lizzie undertook 20 hours of service in just a matter of days, on top of her normal 40-hour week at Kuoni. A special constable has all the powers of a regular officer, but is entirely voluntary, and they give their time to help police serve the public. “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. It was scary, but also very sad to see,” said Lizzie. “It was especially sad for me to see the shops that had been smashed up, as I work in retail myself and could imagine how the owners and staff of those businesses would be feeling,” added Lizzie. She described Kuoni as being “very supportive” of her job with the police, and said she was able to leave work early on a day that she was called in to support the regular force. Mary Janiec, Store Manager of Kuoni Travel Solihull, was full of praise for Lizzie’s contribution: “I can’t speak highly enough about the remarkable job Lizzie carried out. To give her time freely to support our police force and community is a quite remarkable gesture. We are all incredibly proud of her!” Lizzie began her special constable training in March, and only completed it in July. She said she felt the job was highly rewarding, commenting: “I get to interact with different local communities and to meet people from different cultures. “It also keeps me in touch with all the local businesses, and it’s great to interact with different people in the area. I understand the challenges they face and that helps me in my work too,” she added. For now, it is back to normal in Birmingham, but Lizzie, and other special constables like her, continue to provide vital support to our police forces.ENDS For more information, please contact Lizzie Bishop: Tel: 07738 871 368 Email: lizzie.bishop@kuoni.co.uk

VNUS Closure Procedure to save NHS 'millions'

2011-08-24 08:09:54

As the NHS faces budget restrictions, a non-surgical treatment for varicose veins (http://www.vnus.co.uk) has the potential to save the NHS millions of pounds.Government ministers have promised that frontline services will be protected from cuts, but the NHS Confederation believes that this is unlikely to be achieved given the scale of the savings needed.It estimates that the health service will have to make savings of £20bn over the next four years, as demand for healthcare continues to grow but increases in funding come to an end.It is estimated that the VNUS Closure Procedure could potentially save the NHS £17 million, while helping 7,000 patients avoid further treatment due to failed alternative methods.“This procedure has enabled many NHS Trusts throughout the country to take a very common operation out of the operating theatre and into treatment rooms, helping to free-up theatres for other cases,” said, Michael Branagan-Harris, Group Manager for NHS Medical Device Market Access For Innovative Medical Devices.The VNUS Closure Procedure involves a hospital stay of just a couple of hours, treatment under local, rather than general anaesthetic, and a much faster recovery time. Most patients undergoing a VNUS procedure walk out of the treatment room unaided and are usually able to return home and resume work within a day, with little or no pain.  For the NHS, the procedure is also much less resource-intensive than surgery. Conventional varicose vein stripping is a common operation, taking-up a great deal of operating theatre time. For same costs, a further 25,000 patients could be treated earlier and avoid pain, or discomfort.As the VNUS Closure procedure can be carried-out in a treatment room, it has the potential to free-up theatre-time, enabling the NHS to treat other serious conditions more quickly and so reduce waiting-times.  ENDSFor more information, please contact Elodie Morran. Tel: 02071933755Email: elodie@absorbing.com

Convenience Store Opens in Rhiwbina

2011-08-30 08:24:58

Shopping got a little more convenient for local residents, with the opening of a new store last Thursday (18th), which created six new jobs for the area.The new One Stop store, on Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, opened its doors with the promise of being ‘the best for customers in the neighbourhood’.The store, which trades from 6am till 11pm seven days a week, offers a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store also provides PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Gemma Overton, Store Manager said:“We’re delighted to have opened the store. Our long opening hours, coupled with fantastic daily offers will ensure we have something for everyone.”“The One Stop chain offers great value and great customer service and I am confident my team and I will be able to bring that and more to local people”, she added.The One Stop store chain has an enviable retail record and operates stores across England and Wales – many of which serve the needs of small urban communities. The chain employs more than 7000 people across its operations.EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 100-102 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF14 1TX.For more information, please contact Gemma Overton:Tel: 07739 288 170Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-23 09:17:06

Residents in Retford will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Spa Lane, will re-open its doors on Thursday (25th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide a Post Office, National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Spa Lane, in Retford, means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 10 Spa Lane, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 6EA.Opening hours:Monday to Saturday: 6am to 10pm.Sunday: 7am to 10pm.Store telephone number: 01777 702103.For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-23 09:17:34

Residents in Gainsborough will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on High Street, Kirton in Lindsey, will re-open its doors on Thursday (25th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade from 6am till 10pm seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on High Street in Kirton in Lindsey means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 9 High Street, Kirton in Lindsey, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 4LZ.Store telephone number: 01652 648253.For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-23 09:17:59

Residents in Prudhoe will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Front Street, will re-open its doors on Thursday (25th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide National Lottery, PayPoint and E Top-up facilities, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Front Street in Prudhoe means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 9 Front Street, Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 5HJ.Opening Hours:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday: 6am to 6pm.Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 6am to 7:30pm.Store telephone number: 01661 832228For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-23 09:19:10

Residents in Richmond will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Market Place, will re-open its doors on Thursday (25th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade from 5am till 9pm seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide National Lottery, PayPoint and E Top-up facilities, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Market Place in Richmond means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 17 Market Place, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4PX.Store telephone number: 01748 822286For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

Inspirational Carly Leads the Way

2011-09-06 08:38:45

An inspirational young entrepreneur from London has joined the ranks of John F Kennedy and Elvis Presley, to be named as one of only a handful of outstanding youngsters from around the globe.Carly Ward (21), from Hemel Hempstead, spends her time motivating young people to start their own businesses, but has now been shortlisted in the top 30 of the 160 nominees originally put forward for this year’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) Award.The award, run by Junior Chamber International (JCI), aims to recognise young people who have excelled in their chosen fields to create positive change, inspiring the next generation to be better leaders.Young men and women can be nominated in one of ten categories in the TOYP Awards. Up to ten honourees will be selected by an international panel of distinguished judges, regardless of the category they were entered for. Carly, who has already been recognised with an Inspirational Women in Business Award, has a 12-step programme for success and runs the YES Network, which is delivered online and in classrooms. She also won the Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur of the Year Special Achievement Award, in 2010.She said: “I feel very honoured to be recognised for the hard work and effort that has gone in to starting the Young Entrepreneur Society.“It’s my passion to help other young people succeed, believe and achieve, and I really hope I make it to the final ten, as it will give me a bigger platform to really be able to scale up the work we are doing and extend it to more young people, creating more entrepreneurs”, she added.Carly’s success follows numerous appearances at high profile events, and she is even working with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, advising on activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week.A spokesman for JCI UK commented: “Her willingness to adapt to new opportunities has seen her business flourish and increase the number of people that have been, and will be touched by her inspirational goal to change lives. We believe that what Carly has achieved in three years, many people would not achieve in a lifetime.”JCI has honoured over 200 individuals from 47 nations since 1983, including well-known personalities such as John F. Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, Elvis Presley, Jackie Chan and Wayne Gretzky.ENDSFor more information, please contact Solveig Malvik:Tel: 07776 062933Email: solveig.malvik@gmail.com

JCI and Emerald Frog Leap Ahead Together

2011-09-06 08:39:15

A marketing agency and a networking organisation in Cambridge are coming on leaps and bounds, after forming a mutually beneficial partnership.Emerald Frog, founded in May 2010 by business partners Jo Evans and Cheriee Chater, joined Junior Chamber International (JCI) Cambridge last summer. As part of the organisation’s committee, the pair immediately volunteered their expertise to work on a marketing drive, promoting the benefits that membership of JCI Cambridge brings to businesses across the region. The JCI Cambridge community has more than doubled as a direct result of Jo and Cheriee’s efforts, currently totalling 45 members. In recognition of this achievement, the Emerald Frog team won the prestigious JCI national award, for Best PR and Marketing in 2010. “Emerald Frog Marketing has been an invaluable partner of JCI Cambridge over the last 18 months. They have been instrumental in raising our profile locally; the rapid growth of our Chamber is evidence of this. Thanks to Jo and Cheriee for all their hard work!” said Jen Little, JCI Cambridge President.Jo and Cheriee’s hard work has also paid dividends for Emerald Frog, which has won six new key clients and raised its own web traffic by 15 per cent, as a direct result of its work with the chamber. Emerald Frog has also gained a range of marketing opportunities, which have resulted in Jo and Cheriee being shortlisted for the ‘Women in Business’ and ‘Best New Business of the Year’ categories, in the East Cambridgeshire Business Awards 2011. “New customers often tell us that they’ve heard of our involvement with JCI Cambridge. As a new business, it helps us publicly demonstrate the results we can achieve. We’ve also learnt a lot through the business events that JCI Cambridge runs, and gained recognition within the wider business community”, said Jo Evans, Emerald Frog’s Marketing Consultant. JCI Cambridge is a regional branch of Junior Chamber International, a global network for young people, which provides networking, social and training opportunities for young professionals.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Solveig Malvik:Tel: 07776 062933Email: solveig.malvik@gmail.com

Birmingham Diner Devours Restaurants 72oz Steak Challenge

2011-09-06 08:19:06

A Birmingham diner with a hunger for a challenge polished off a local restaurants whopping 72oz steak in record time.The challenge, at the Branded Bull Steak House on Birmingham’s Broad Street, is to eat the enormous 72oz steak and sides in less than one hour.Local resident, Graham Parkinson, took the bull by the horns and decided to take up the challenge.Graham smashed the previous record, which was held by Ms Djgail Watkis, who finished her meal in 60 minutes during the restaurants Independence Day celebrations on 4th July.Graham almost halved this time, by clearing his plate in just 35 minutes when he took on the challenge on 10th August.It took him just 20 minutes to see off the steak and a further 15 to finish the sides. Not finished yet, Graham even went on to have a dessert!For his efforts, Graham’s meal, worth £72, was completely free of charge, and he was also awarded a certificate and a £72 Branded Bull voucher towards a future meal.The plucky diner now holds the lead in the Branded Bull Ultimate Challenge.“I was very impressed. The steak was massive, but cooked perfectly, which is hard for a steak of this size. I enjoyed the sides too, the garlic bread and the prawns particularly.“I’m sure I will have another, perhaps to celebrate American Independence Day or New Year. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and the staff are all very friendly. It really made the whole experience worth coming back for again and again,” Graham added. ENDSFor more information, please contact Mina Marashinia. Tel: 07795024031 Email: golkar@me.com

One Stop for Convenience in Clacton on Sea

2011-08-23 10:35:10

Residents in Clacton on Sea are celebrating the re-opening of a local convenience store. The new One Stop store, previously a Nisa, on St. John’s Road, opened its doors last Thursday (11th), with the promise of being ‘the best for customers in the neighbourhood’. The change in ownership has also been welcome news for store’s 13 members of staff, who have all kept their jobs.The new One Stop store is open seven days a week from 6am till 11pm. Facilities include a free-to-use cash machine, E Top-Up, National Lottery and PayPoint, making it a complete ‘one stop solution’ for local residents.Lee Ballinger, Store Manager said:“We’re delighted to have opened the store. Our long opening hours, coupled with fantastic daily offers will ensure we have something for everyone.“The One Stop chain offers great value and great customer service and I am confident my team and I will be able to bring these and more to local people”, he added.A celebratory launch took place on Saturday 13th August, when Lee Ballinger presented a donation of £200 to Jenny Miller and Jay Parrish of local care services charity, Sue Ryder. Nicholi the Clown was also on hand to entertain customers and staff with balloon modelling, juggling and pocket magic.The One Stop store chain has an enviable retail record and operates stores across England and Wales – many of which serve the needs of small urban communities. The chain employs more than 7000 people across its operations.EndsNotes to Editors:Photo: (left to right) - Tony Fox - Bake & Bite, Jenny Miller - Sue Ryder, Jay Parrish - Sue Ryder, Lee Ballinger - Store Manager and Nicholi the clown.Store address: One Stop Store, 354 St. John's Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex CO16 8DS.Store telephone number: 01255 688797For more information, please contact Lee Ballinger:Tel: 01255 688797Web: www.onestop.co.uk

Marie Swims Away from Stress and Back to Health

2011-08-18 11:10:29

When a Durham mum dived into Loch Ness to swim a mile for charity, it would have seemed a generous, and out of the ordinary fundraiser. However, for 43-year-old Marie Lovell, the swim was all the more extraordinary, because just months before, the feat would have been near impossible.A year ago, Marie suffered from debilitating lower back pain, believed to be due to a ‘massive prolapsed disc’ in her spine. Her pain was so severe that it had to be managed with a cocktail of drugs, including morphine and valium. Marie’s condition left her unable to stand up straight, unable to drive, and she even needed help to get dressed and washed.After months of conventional medical treatment and traditional physiotherapy, Marie felt nothing was working and went to see pioneering Physiotherapist Georgie Oldfield, at the Pain Relief Centre in Yorkshire.Georgie, the leading authority on stress illness in the UK, quickly realised that Marie's problems were more deep-seated than a slipped disk and diagnosed the cause as stress illness. Georgie explains: “Often, chronic pain is actually triggered by stress, yet this is usually not recognised. Unless the true cause is recognised, pain can become persistent and severe. Once stress illness is recognised, however, because it is reversible, a full recovery is possible.” Within a few weeks of undertaking the SIRPA (Stress Illness Recovery Practitioners Association) Recovery Programme, Marie was pain free and soon after was back to her usual activities; acting in an amateur theatre company and cycling with her family. The transformation spurred Marie to complete the half mile-long Great North swim in May, to raise funds for mental health charity MIND, along with her 12-year old son, Tristan. On August 13 she also then undertook a mile long swim in Loch Ness, having raised a total of £350 for MIND.Asked what spurred her to take to the water Marie simply said: “Because I can. A few months earlier, I believed I would never be able to do anything more active than shuffle through a car park to sit down and have a coffee because there seemed to be no end to my pain. “The fact that I am now pain free and able to swim and cycle again made me want to prove I could do it and also make a difference. I mean to carry on”, she added. This year, patients from as far afield as South Africa, Dubai and Hong Kong have visited Georgie’s clinic, as she works to raise the profile of this pioneering and life changing work. For more information telephone Georgie Oldfield on 01484 452500 or go to www.sirpauk.com.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Georgie Oldfield:Tel: 01484 452500Email: georgie@sirpauk.com

Jive’s Still Alive at the Showgirl Academy

2011-08-17 09:06:02

Calling all jitterbugs! A one-of-a-kind dance school in Bristol has announced the launch of its latest fresh and unique class, the Solo Jive.Dance enthusiasts in the South West have been given an opportunity to return to the swinging 1940’s jazz era, without the worry of finding a dance partner, on the Showgirl Academy’s latest dance class. Claire Phipps, Artistic Director of the Academy, explains her inspiration for this latest offering, “I created the course after noticing lots of women were interested in learning jive, but were put off either because they didn’t have a partner to go with, or because they felt awkward about dancing with a stranger.”Neither a partner, nor previous dance experience is required for an uproarious good time. Students learn the fast-paced flicks, kicks and twists of bona-fide jive dance, recently brought back into the spotlight on Strictly Come Dancing. The Showgirl Academy has a strong focus on vintage styles that cannot be found at other dance studios. Consequently, the Academy’s Solo Jive course is the only one of its kind offered in the South West region.The Charleston, Can-Can, Burlesque, Fan Dancing and even 60’s Go-Go are but a few of The Showgirl Academy’s courses offered to women of all shapes and sizes (over the age of 18), for fun and fitness. Students can also participate in cabaret-style shows, to experience that singular thrill of being on the stage. Exercise, new mates and riotous dancing are a combination that promises a rise in physical wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence. Ms Phipps calls the Solo Jive Dance Course, “Upbeat, fun and a really good all-over body workout!” Classes are held at Wilder Street Studios, 27-29 Wilder St, Bristol, BS2 8QA. For booking information please go to www.theshowgirlacademy.co.uk/classes/ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Claire Phipps:Tel: 0117 923 2358Email: info@theshowgirlacademy.co.uk

Breakfast Down Under After Decade of Growth

2011-08-23 07:50:17

A leading UK networking group is celebrating its tenth anniversary, by unveiling ambitious plans to expand globally. Business for Breakfast (BforB), headquartered in Salford, Greater Manchester, has already expanded into the Czech Republic, and is now targeting Australia. BforB is a UK networking group franchise, which has generated impressive growth since it was established in 2001, by Mel and John Fisher. Mr Fisher said: “Our journey over the last 10 years has been an experience that we at BforB have enjoyed immensely. We have successfully expanded during a time of recession and can only put the credit down to teamwork and a strong belief in the system.”The latest expansion plans were instigated earlier this year, when one of John and Mel’s long-term business contacts, David Sandelands, decided to emigrate to Brisbane with his family. When David mentioned his plans to Mel and John, they identified an opportunity for David to take the BforB business model to Australia. As a result, BforB have now set up a company in Australia in partnership with David, backed by the government’s Passport to Export programme, which helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop export markets. David will head operations in Brisbane, with the aim of rolling out the BforB franchising concept ‘Down Under’. Commenting on BforB’s global growth strategy, Mrs Fisher said: “Using the BforB franchise system and business referral system, we believe that David will create the perfect profile in Australia. “The business people, professionals, and senior executives we are privileged to work with have all, in one way or another, contributed and supported us, helping to make BforB what it is today”, she added.Following Australia, BforB plans to establish bases in Slovakia and Poland by the end of the year.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Mel Fisher:Tel: 0845 6884445Email: mel@bforb.co.uk

Ardencote Unveils Picture Perfect Wedding Venue

2011-08-17 09:06:53

A Warwickshire hotel is aiming to offer the most romantic outdoor wedding venue in the region, when it unveils a new pavilion, designed with marriage in mind.For those dreaming of a picturesque outdoor ceremony, Ardencote Manor Hotel's new pavilion offers a stunning setting. With a backdrop of 83 acres of landscaped grounds and a private lake, Ardencote's managers believe their new pavilion will create an extra special atmosphere for couples on their big day.Based in Claverdon, the hotel's idyllic setting and banqueting rooms have made it a favourite for couples who want to ensure a day to remember.The pavilion has a Civil Ceremony Licence to host anywhere from 8 to 150 guests, and is available for couples planning a wedding before 31st October 2011, or between 1st April and 31st October in the years to come.The hotel is set to host a Wedding Open Day, with free entry and refreshments for guests, on Sunday 16th October 2011, between noon and 3pm. During the event, Ardencote’s staff will be on hand to showcase the new pavilion and offer information about weddings at the venue.Ardencote Manor Hotel, Country Club and Spa is situated in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside. Close to the historic towns of Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon, the venue is easily accessible by the M40 and M42 motorways, and by the air and rail links of Birmingham International.For more information on the open day, or weddings at Ardencote Manor Hotel, contact Dawn Sale on 01926 843111 or email weddings@ardencote.com.ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact Katy MacVarish:Tel: 01926 844313Email: KatyMacVarish@ardencote.com

One Stop Convenience Stores – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-15 09:26:05

Residents in Monmouth and Caldicot will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of two local convenience stores, following a change in ownership.The One Stop stores, previously run by Mills Group, on Monnow Street, in Monmouth and Newport Road, in Caldicot, will re-open their doors next Thursday (18th), following extensive refurbishments.The stores will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.The store in Monmouth is open from 5:30am till 10pm, whilst the store in Caldicot is open later, from 6am till 10pm; both stores are open seven days a week.For added convenience, both stores will also provide National Lottery, PayPoint and E Top-up facilities, whilst the store in Monmouth additionally houses a free-to-use cash machine and a Post Office, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills stores in Monmouth and Caldicot means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 27 Monnow Street, Monmouth, Gwent, NP25 3EF.Store telephone number: 01600 716555Store address: One Stop Store, 26 Newport Road, Caldicot, Gwent, NP26 4BQ.Store telephone number: 01291 420503.For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-15 09:26:36

Residents in Balsall Common will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Station Road, in Balsall Common, will re-open its doors next Thursday (18th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store, which will trade from 6am till 11pm seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also provide a Post Office, National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Station Road, in Balsall Common, means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 184 Station Road, Balsall Common, Coventry, West Midlands, CV7 7FD.Store telephone number: 01676 532127.For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Stores – Opening Soon Near You!

2011-08-15 09:27:17

Residents in Wallsend and Cullercoats will soon be able to benefit from the re-opening of two local convenience stores, following a change in ownership.The One Stop stores, previously run by Mills Group, on Coast Road, in Wallsend and St. Georges Road, in Cullercoats, will re-open their doors next Thursday (18th), following extensive refurbishments.The stores, which will trade from 6am till 11pm seven days a week, will offer a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, both stores will also provide National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, whilst the store in Wallsend will also house a Post Office, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills stores in Wallsend and Cullercoats means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 7-8 Coast Road, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear, NE28 9HPStore telephone number: 0191 2624193Store address: One Stop Store, 3 St. Georges Road, Cullercoats, Tyne & Wear, NE30 3JXStore telephone number: 0191 2523752For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

New Crusher Backing Undermines Quarrying Costs

2011-08-11 13:59:40

Two Midlands-based companies have launched a polyurethane crusher backing compound, which will deliver significant cost savings to the quarrying and mining industries worldwide. The product is used as a shock-absorbing compound for cone crushing machines, used extensively in quarrying and mining operations. Developed by Tamworth-based Crushers-UK, and Central Tapes and Adhesives (CTA), from Sutton Coldfield, the non-flammable product offers many advantages, including reduced health & safety issues and lower transport costs, compared to epoxy-based products. The launch follows extensive testing over the last two years in laboratories as well as on site, and both Crushers-UK and CTA are excited about the prospects. “This polyurethane formulation is similar to existing products in the market place. However, our product requires no preheating in cold conditions and is easily mixable. Additionally, it offers good compressive and flexural strength, with minimal shrinkage,” explained Mark Plimmer, Managing Director of CTA.“Low viscosity means it is easy to mix and pour, ensures visual confirmation of the mixed product and free flow into the smallest cavities and contours of manganese steel”, he added.The packaging format will be familiar to service engineers. They come in 10-kilo kits, comprising part A in a lever latch metal pail, and part B in a plastic poly bottle. The crusher backing is available ex-stock, with a minimum order quantity of five kits per order. Also on offer are 250 ml tins of release agent. “The crusher backing protects against impact and shock vibrations, and extends the life of machinery and equipment, as well as boosting productivity. It is easily applied by personnel operating machinery, with minimal training and offers maximum savings on labour,” continued Mr Plimmer. “This venture into a specialist market is very exciting for CTA and complements our comprehensive range of high performance adhesive products”, he added. Other CTA products used on Crushers-UK machines include Anaerobic Thread lockers and the Bolt Lock range. Greg Shipley, Design Director at Crushers-UK, commented: “The crusher backing has been specifically manufactured for the quarrying, demolition and recycling industries. It will offer substantial cost reductions and will be a valuable new product within the Crushers-UK range.”For more information on the Crusher Backing Compound, or any of the Crushers-UK products, visit www.crushers-uk.com.ENDSFor more information, please contact Greg Shipley:Tel: 01455 565656Email: greg@crushers-uk.com.

Independent app developer beats big players to launch of mobile publishing platform

2011-08-12 10:34:41

A London-based start-up has beaten the likes of Adobe, and other large companies, to the launch of a tailor-made business mobile publishing platform. ForeMinds UK has developed a two-side groundbreaking publishing platform, dubbed BSmart and SmartApps, which will dramatically cut the time and cost of building and maintaining mobile Apps.Now, the London-based company are inviting content producers, such as media, advertising, marketing and PR agencies, to engage with their new publishing platform. ForeMinds’ platform enables businesses to publish and manage content to smart-phones and tablets natively, without the need of in-house technical teams, infrastructure, or specially designed content production.  It's an example of how cloud-based applications are becoming more and more relevant for small and large business operations, and emphasises the shift from highly complex, technical builds, to agnostic platform technologies that can be user-operated, without intensive training, while the end-product remains bespoke.  "That is the beauty of BSmart and its SmartApps - we are doing for business, much more that what Adobe did for publishers of magazines and newspapers. We’ve removed the complexity of content publishing. Our solution make this process simple and efficient, and businesses can concentrate on what they do best.” said Haroldo Bottosso, ForeMinds Managing Director. “ForeMinds has a collection intellectual resources, libraries, systems and processes, and a state-of-the-art cloud infrastructure to serve content, while maintaining mobile applications across the most modern platforms,” added Haroldo. ForeMinds is also engaging partnerships around the world, as they look to target media content producers, PR and advertising agencies, who require a tool to publish cross-platform content in-house on behalf of their clients.For companies that already publish printed catalogues or brochures, using BSmart promises to be easier than sending the original file to a printing company. The final product is a multi-platform App where users can search for products and information, promotions, coupons, share it with friends, get directions to branches and even purchase items directly. "Our detailed analytics module allows clients to identify user preferences, including spotting sale "momentum" and other very specific data. Users can be engaged in many ways, including free SMS style messages, delivered straight to the user devices, which alone can cut operation costs dramatically," explained Haroldo.ForeMinds is piloting their solution with selected companies, with the first few Apps already live on the App stores. ENDSFor more information, please contact Harold Bottosso. Tel: 020 3286 3259 Email: info@foreminds.com

Homeowners Fight Market Slump with Room in the Garden

2011-08-30 08:06:24

The housing market slump means homeowners must think of new ways of adding value to their properties, and many are now trying to make the most of the space they’ve got. Latest government statistics, released in July, show that UK house prices fell by 1.6 per cent over the 12-month period to May 2011, and by 0.5 per cent in that month alone.The figures also revealed that average prices dropped during the year in England (-1.3 per cent) and also decreased in Wales (-6.1 per cent), Scotland (-2.5 per cent) and Northern Ireland (-13.2 per cent). As a result, homeowners are now turning to a new business, which was founded to help solve the problem. “This crash in house prices has made it harder for people to move home. As a result, one trend increasingly being seen is the idea of a ‘detached extension’, or an extra room built in the garden, as the way to create extra space and value to the property,” said Nigel Smith, owner of Solihull-based, My Room in the Garden. The company, founded in June, designs and builds detached garden studios and rooms that can often be built without the need for planning permission.“In as little as a week, an eco-friendly room can be built, fully plastered, decorated, lit and floored, ready to be used. This is because these buildings are constructed using pre-prepared sections of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), a common technique used in the USA, and something that is spreading across the UK,” explained Nigel. “The structure is permanent, robust and highly insulated, which makes it cheap to run. The cost of a garden room varies with the size of the construction, but prices start from £10,000, and these structures can add significant value to your property,” added Nigel.The company uses environmentally friendly SIPs that can be configured to function in many different ways, making for an adaptable design process. What’s more, SIPs allow for much better insulated space – meaning the garden rooms are much cooler than conservatories in the summer, and a lot warmer in the winter.The garden rooms use foundations that comprise of concrete pads and wooden ring beams, and are built to last for many decades. These foundations use 95% less concrete than slab foundations – so are eco-friendly, but still provide a sturdy basis for your garden room. Unlike conservatories or extensions, garden rooms don’t require planning permission or an application for specific building regulations – as long as they are no taller than 2.5 metres, and are at least 2 metres from your land boundary, and they don’t contain a WC, or are used as a bedroom. Nigel is offering a week’s free holiday accommodation, subject to terms and conditions, in the Costa del Sol, Spain, with every new order placed by the end of October.ENDSFor more information, please contact Nigel Smith. Tel: 07803501253 Email: nigelsmith28@virginmedia.com

Prime Builds on Solid Foundations

2011-09-02 08:30:36

A construction management firm is celebrating a highly successful first year of trading, with a full, professional rebranding, and newly launched online presence.Prime Ltd, which specialises in commissioning management, consultation and validation services for the construction industry, boasts more than 120 years of experience between the five key members of its board. Concerned that the original branding did not adequately portray the professionalism and experience of Prime Ltd, the directors wanted something more modern and professional, to project the right image for the company.The new website and branding offers a clearer picture of the successful firm, which has earned an impressive reputation for making sure its clients get the very best advice, ultimately helping them to get jobs completed on time and on budget.Matt Ward, Managing Director of Prime, and also vice chairman of the Commissioning Specialists Association (C.S.A), said: “As an established group of engineers and managers, we have overseen the successful delivery of some of the world's most prestigious and iconic construction projects. “Prime are able to offer a range of services, each of which can be tailored to suit the requirements of the client, in terms of skill sets or deliverables”, he added.Amongst Mr Ward’s key achievements in driving the business forward has been the development of a system that enables the firm to compile a list of activities into a scheduling & monitoring system for its clients, which keeps construction projects on time and on budget. The innovative system highlights any elements of the build that may be running behind programme and the dependency effect on further activities, ultimately saving time and money caused by delays. It has helped Prime to develop a reputation for being a company that is trusted to deliver. A client of Prime, Mike Malina, Chair of Summitskills East of England Implementation Group, said: "Matt is an excellent all round commissioning practitioner. He was ahead of his time in recognising the fundamental links between commissioning and energy."To find out more about Prime Ltd, visit the new site at: www.primeltd.co.uk ENDS For more information, please contact Carol Barber:Tel: 01727 898 191Email: carol@tygamarketing.com

Foreign Exchange is Right on the Money

2011-08-18 11:38:18

A foreign exchange specialist is set to create up to five new jobs, with the opening of its new branch in Peterborough, next Thursday. National chain, eurochange, has announced the opening of its 83rd UK branch, in Queensgate Shopping Centre’s Central Mall, on 25th August. Established for over 35 years, the trusted travel money expert delivers fair prices, well-trained staff and reliable products to its valued customers. Managing Director, Giles Custerson said, “We are delighted to be opening our latest store in Peterborough, and to create some retail jobs for local people in this time of uncertainty.”This latest move comes as a part of eurochange’s drive for consistent and impressive regional growth across the UK. “We identified Peterborough as a key town for us, and a perfect next step for our growing branch network”, explained Mr Custerson. As part of its continued expansion, eurochange recently re-launched its website, which now includes an order and collect service, free home delivery, and a ‘Quick Transfer’ overseas payment service. This provides customers with a number of convenient ways of obtaining travel money overseas, as well as simple and affordable international money transfers. Established in 1975, eurochange is FSA registered for its payments business, and sends money through the same banking systems that high street banks use, to ensure money arrives safely and securely.The firm operates over 80 kiosks in shopping centres, and on high streets across the UK, and processed well in excess of one million customer transactions last year alone.To find out more, visit: www.eurochange.co.ukENDSFor more information, please contact eurochange:Tel: 03332 401687Email: pr@eurochange.co.uk

Foreign Exchange is Right on the Money

2011-08-15 11:02:26

A foreign exchange specialist is set to make getting hold of great value travel money easier for residents of Blackpool, with the long-anticipated relocation of one of its local branches. National chain, eurochange, has announced the opening of its branch, in Blackpool’s Houndshill Shopping Centre, near the main Victoria Street entrance, on 22nd August. Having been established in its Birley Street branch for over a decade, eurochange has developed a reputation locally, for great value, on-demand travel money. In addition to being the only travel money retailer within the Houndshill Shopping Centre, the new branch of eurochange will create two new jobs for the town.Managing Director, Giles Custerson said, “The public of Blackpool have supported our Birley Street store extremely well over the past decade, and we are delighted to provide them with an alternative location to buy great value travel money and to expand our offering in the town.”As part of its continued expansion, eurochange recently re-launched its website, which now includes an order and collect service, free home delivery, and a ‘Quick Transfer’ overseas payment service. This provides customers with a number of convenient ways of obtaining travel money overseas, as well as simple and affordable international money transfers. Established in 1975, eurochange is FSA (Financial Services Authority) registered for its payments business, and sends money through the same banking systems that high street banks use, to ensure money arrives safely and securely.The firm operates over 80 kiosks in shopping centres and on high streets across the UK, and processed well in excess of one million customer transactions last year alone.To find out more, visit: www.eurochange.co.ukENDSFor more information, please contact eurochange:Tel: 03332 401687Email: pr@eurochange.co.uk

eurochange Expansion is Right on the Money

2011-08-09 15:18:56

A foreign exchange expert is bucking the economic downturn, by expanding and moving to new premises, in Banbury town centre.After six years operating from its current kiosk, next to the Tourist Information Centre in Castle Quay, eurochange is relocating within the shopping centre, to the larger, former Castle Flowers unit, this Friday (12th).The expansion has also created one new full-time job at the branch, which now employs two full-time and one part-time member of staff.Giles Custerson, Managing Director of eurochange, said: “We are delighted to have had the support of the Banbury public over the past six years, and are looking to providing an even better service going forward.“This move provides more space for our staff and customers, and will make the experience of buying travel money from eurochange an even better one.”As part of its continued expansion, eurochange recently re-launched its website, which now includes an order and collect service, free home delivery, and a ‘Quick Transfer’ overseas payment service. This provides customers with a number of convenient ways of obtaining travel money overseas, as well as simple and affordable international money transfers. Established in 1975, eurochange is FSA (Financial Services Authority) registered for its payments business, and sends money through the same banking systems that high street banks use, to ensure money arrives safely and securely.The firm operates over 80 branches in shopping centres, and on high streets across the UK, and processed well in excess of one million customer transactions last year alone.To find out more, visit: www.eurochange.co.ukENDSFor more information, please contact eurochange:Tel: 03332 401687Email: pr@eurochange.co.uk

Ring O’ Bell for Chester’s pub success

2011-10-04 08:22:53

Chester’s flagship pub is proving that appearance is everything, after seeing profits soar to record highs, since it’s refurbishment during the economic downturn.The Ring O’ Bells, which was looking a bit gloomy and run down, has been given a magnificent makeover, after owners Trust Inns and Modern British Taverns, commissioned Birmingham-based Spencer Swinden Design, to carry out the refurbishment. The popular pub has gone on to scoop the prestigious award of Chester Pub Of The Year, after teaming up with the top interior designers, who gave the watering hole a fantastic makeover.The Ring O' Bells, situated in Chester’s ‘best kept village,’ Christleton, recently scooped the prestigious award in the ‘Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Awards 2011.’Since the makeover, customer turnover has increased and profits have soared, resulting in the pub winning the fantastic local award.Spencer Swinden Design has redesigned both the interior and exterior of the pub. This has focused on enhancing the existing period details, whilst introducing a contrasting vibrant colour palette.The exterior of the pub has been turned into a multi-purpose garden space suitable for use as an alfresco dining terrace and a decked sun trap. There is a family lawn with picnic tables and a children’s play area.Melony Spencer, Director for Spencer Swinden Design said: “We have created a welcoming atmosphere which appeals to locals as well as families and passing motorists. We are proud to play our part in helping the Ring O' Bells win the desirable award.”Ian Wade, spokesman for The Ring O’ Bells, added: “Spencer Swinden Design have a unique understanding of our business and the local competition, and they’ve positioned and tailored the interior design scheme to maximise our success.”The Restaurant Association of Chester and Cheshire, described the food served at the Ring O’ Bells as good quality, honest pub food.ENDFor media enquiries, please contact: Martin Swinden:Telephone: 01215519897Email: martin@spencerswinden.com

Eco-friendly new garden rooms company successfully completes its first project

2011-08-15 10:16:39

A former Birmingham University engineering researcher, who recently launched an eco-friendly construction business, is celebrating the completion of his first project.Nigel Smith set up Solihull-based, My Room in the Garden, in June, and has just successfully finished his first project for local businessman, Martin Smith.Martin was suffering from a severe space shortage in his bungalow and decided to utilise the extra space in his back garden. The project took a week to install, after the engineering process had been completed off site. Martin was delighted with the work:“Space in my bungalow was very limited and the expense of extending was prohibitive, so having a garden room built was a far more cost-effective proposition. It didn't need planning permission and proved to be a very efficient way to build,” said Martin. “I just left everything to the boys at My Room in the Garden, and hey presto, there was my new office - I'm delighted with the results," added Martin.Nigel decided to set up the business because of his interest in utilising eco-friendly structural insulation panelling.The company, based in Millcote Road, Solihull, designs and builds high-quality garden rooms, with an emphasis on eco-friendly buildings that fit perfectly into their surroundings. The company use eco-friendly, Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), which can be configured to function in many different ways. This allows an adaptable, bespoke design process. The garden rooms use foundations that comprise of concrete pads and ring beams made of wood. These foundations use 95% less concrete than slab foundations, and so are eco-friendly, but still provide a sturdy basis for the garden rooms.The SIPs used, allow for a much better insulated space – meaning the garden rooms are much cooler than conservatories in the summer and a lot warmer in the winter. Also, unlike conservatories or extensions, these garden rooms don’t usually require planning permission, or an application for specific building regulations.The price of a garden room varies with the size of the construction, but prices start from £10,000, and the structures are sure to add significant value to a property.Nigel will be showcasing his company in Sutton Coldfield Mall, from September 5, until September 11.This will give potential customers a chance to see a cross-section of the garden room, and ask any questions about the construction. Nigel is also offering a fantastic week’s free holiday accommodation in Spain’s Costa del Sol with every order placed by the end of October. ENDSFor more information, please contact Nigel Smith. Tel: 07803501253 Email: nigelsmith28@virginmedia.comNotes to editors:SIPs are used worldwide in a range of weather conditions for housebuilding and have proved to be very versatile, a relatively easy building system and very long-lasting. The experimental Sip’s buildings built in the 1930’s in the USA are still going strong today.

Easy Travel Cash Just a Click Away

2011-08-15 11:53:38

Arranging your travel money has become even less stressful and more convenient than ever, thanks to an innovative foreign exchange expert.eurochange, which has the largest independent network of bureaux de change in the UK, has made ordering travel money even easier than ever, with the launch of its upgraded website.With over 80 branches, conveniently located in shopping centres and on the high street around the country, the company has now re-launched its website, to include a home delivery service and a pre-order and collect service.As well as allowing travellers and holidaymakers to order cash at great rates, the website also allows them to set up a free rate monitoring service, enabling people to keep an eye on exchange rates for free, via SMS or email.Giles Custerson, eurochange Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to update our services to bring real value to customers that cannot reach one of our stores. It’s also now easier for existing customers to pre-order currency from the comfort of home or work and be able to monitor exchange rates, so they can pick the best time to buy their travel money.”On top of these service upgrades, eurochange has also introduced a quick transfer of overseas payments system, to make it cheap and easy for consumers to send money to overseas bank accounts and avoid the high charges that their own banks often apply.Established in 1975, eurochange is FSA registered for its payments business, and sends money through the same banking systems that high street banks use, to ensure money arrives safely and securely. The firm processed well in excess of one million customer transactions last year alone.To find out more, visit: www.eurochange.co.ukENDSFor more information, please contact eurochange:Tel: 03332 401687Email: pr@eurochange.co.uk

Fun Day Keeps Lifeboats Afloat

2011-08-10 09:31:30

A charity day to help keep the local Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) afloat has raised £20,000.The Fun Day, held at Mudeford Quay, Dorset, on Sunday 24th July, was attended by 15,000 people.The day provided something for everyone, with activities including a raft race, lifeboat and helicopter display, a duck race, kayaking, funfair, auctions, raffle, stalls, sideshows and live music.Local company, Cookes Furniture, sponsored the Fun Day, and provided a BBQ for the visitors.It costs £60,000 a year to keep the Mudeford Lifeboat Station afloat, yet the station receives no funding, and therefore relies heavily upon volunteers and fundraising in the local community.Cookes Marketing Director, Vanessa Hoe, said: “It is our pleasure to sponsor this event as it is for such a worthwhile cause.”Operating from a new boathouse on the picturesque Mudeford Quay, the RNLI carries out a variety of rescues, and it has received four awards for gallantry.More than 4,800 lifeboat crew and members around the UK and Republic of Ireland drop everything when their pagers go off, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.ENDSFor more information, please contact Lynsey Norton. Tel: 0121 2505050 Email: lynseyn@cookesfurniture.co.ukNotes to editors:Cookes Furniture is an established family company, which was founded1946. Cookes is recognised as one of the largest independent furniture retailers in the UK.

One Stop Convenience Store – Now Open – on Your Doorstep!

2011-08-08 09:21:15

Residents in Cramlington are now able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Northumbrian Road, in Cramlington, opens its doors on Thursday (11th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store trades from 6am till 11pm seven days a week, and offers a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store also provides National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Northumbrian Road, in Cramlington means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, Unit 3, Brockwell Centre, Northumbrian Road, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 1XZ Store telephone number: 01670 712613For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Now Open – on Your Doorstep!

2011-08-08 09:21:39

Residents in Solihull and Marston Green are now able to benefit from the re-opening of two local convenience stores, following a change in ownership.Two One Stop stores, previously run by Mills Group, on Warwick Road, in Solihull and Station Road, in Marston Green, open their doors this Thursday (11th), following extensive refurbishments. The store in Marston Green trades from 6am till 8pm, whilst the Solihull branch is open from 6am till 11pm, seven days a week. Both stores offer a great range of products, from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the stores also provide National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, whilst the Solihull branch additionally houses a Post Office, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills stores in Solihull and Marston Green means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the stores, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the stores’ staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop stores.”EndsNotes to editors:Store addresses: One Stop Store, 3 Station Road, Marston Green, Birmingham, B37 7ABTel: 0121 7792506One Stop Store, 349 Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 1BQTel: 0121 7063861For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop Convenience Store – Now Open – on Your Doorstep!

2011-08-08 09:22:07

Residents in South Shields are now able to benefit from the re-opening of two local convenience stores, following a change in ownership.Two One Stop stores, previously run by Mills Group, on Whiteleas Way and Stanhope Road, in South Shields, open their doors this Thursday (11th), following extensive refurbishments. Both stores trade from 6am till 11pm seven days a week, and offer a great range of products, from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the stores also provide National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, whilst the store on Whiteleas Way additionally houses a Post Office, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills stores in South Shields means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the stores, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the stores’ staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop stores.”EndsNotes to editors:Store addresses: One Stop Store, 188 Whiteleas Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8HFTel: 0191 5362841One Stop Store, 50-52 Stanhope Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 4BTTel: 0191 4554073For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

Pinocchio Leaps Back into Life

2011-08-05 16:21:17

A popular Italian restaurant in Birmingham City Centre reopens on Monday (8th), after a full refurbishment.Pinocchio, based in Chad Square, in Harbourne, was forced to close in June, after a road accident outside resulted in a car crashing into the restaurant’s front, although thankfully, no one was injured. Pinocchio was one of the first Italian restaurants to open in Birmingham, and has enjoyed 45 years of serving traditional Italian cuisine in the West Midlands. Alessio and Giuseppe Citro, the current owners, took over from the restaurant’s founder, Mr Novelli, when he retired two years ago. Eagerly anticipating its reopening on Monday, the restaurant’s owners are confident that their appetite for serving up delicious food and spectacular service remain unchanged.“We’re delighted to welcome back diners to Pinocchio’s after 45 years of serving traditional Italian cooking to Birmingham,” says the restaurant co-owner and chef, Alessio Citro. “We hope our regular customers will be delighted to find that nothing has changed. We’ve kept our popular menu the same, and have refurbished the restaurant exactly as they will have remembered it”, added Giuseppe Citro, co-owner and waiter.The restaurant will reopen at 7:30pm on Monday 8th August, with a grand opening party.Bookings can be made by calling Pinocchio on: 0121 454 8672ENDSNotes to Editors:Restaurant Address: Pinocchio, 8 Chad Square, Birmingham, B15 3TQFor more information, please contact Alessio Citro:Tel: 0121 454 8672Mob: 0755 7415 100Email: pinocchioitalianrestaurant2009@hotmail.co.uk

Community Fundraisers Go for Green

2011-08-05 12:43:12

After a year of tireless efforts, residents and trustees are continuing to work for a greener future in Areley Kings. In the 14 weeks since its installation, the impressive new solar energy system on the roof of the Areley Kings Village Hall, has produced 1613kwhs of energy, significantly minimising the building’s carbon footprint, and drastically reducing its energy bills.The dedicated Friends of Areley Kings Village Hall have worked tirelessly to pull off a string of successful fundraising events, to cover the £15,000 initial outlay to fund the installation, and they have no intention of stopping any time soon. A stunning £6500 has so far been raised, through numerous coffee mornings and ballroom dances, amongst other events. A Grand Raffle Prize Draw was the most recent fundraiser, where 25 prizes were up for grabs, totalling an estimated value of £1000.The top prize of £200 was contributed by Eco2Solar, which completed the installation of Areley King’s solar energy system. Ryan Mee, Sales Director at Eco2Solar, along with the Deputy Major of Stourport, Gary Talbot, presented the grand prize to the raffle’s lucky winner, Sarah Bean at the hall last month. “Eco2Solar were delighted to donate the top prize in the draw to display our continued support and commitment to this local project”, said Mr Mee.Local groups such as The Women’s Institute, the ‘Wives’ and the Brownies, have also been vital in hosting events and generating contributions for the fund. In addition, Areley Kings Village Hall has welcomed donations from the ‘Pantomime Group’ and the ‘Choral Group’. “We were staggered by the funds raised by the generosity of the Friends of Areley Kings. This clearly demonstrates the results that can be generated by a community who have a goal to achieve”, added Mr Mee.Eco2Solar are a Midlands-based company, providing cost-effective solar solutions to organisations and individuals. ENDSNotes to Editors:About Eco2Solar-Eco2Solar is one of the UK’s leading suppliers and installers or solar energy systems. Its advanced technology solar energy systems are reducing the carbon footprint of homes, offices, hospitals, universities, leisure centres, swimming pools, schools and businesses across the UK.-Eco2Solar is fully accredited for the government Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) meaning that its systems are eligible for grants and the new Feed in Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive. -Eco2Solar is fast approaching its 300th domestic installation and has provided systems to care homes and sheltered accommodation, which would amount to approximately 300 more individual properties.-Eco2Solar installs right across the UK, with systems in East Sussex, South Wales, the North East and right up to Dundee.-Eco2Solar is one of the only companies in the UK that can offer a service to all sectors for the three main renewable energy solutions – solar PV, solar thermal and heat pumps.For more information, please contact Helen Newman:Tel: 01562 745265Email: helen@eco2solar.co.uk

Charity Boxing Event Is A Knock-Out

2011-08-11 14:22:56

Most armchair sports fans would love to change places with their heroes. The exception, though, must be in boxing! Not many sofa-bound sports fans would fancy putting their neck on the line by getting into the ring.Despite that, White Collar Boxing is a growing version of the sport, where people with no previous boxing experience train to fight at special events.One such charity event, in Swansea, last month raised nearly £2,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Support.James Mackechnie, of Swansea-based 24sports.tv, wanted to raise awareness and funds for the cancer charity, following the loss of his friend, Daniel Andrews, to skin cancer earlier in the year.The White Collar Boxing night at the Swansea nightclub, promoted by Funky Pump Fitness, was the perfect event. James – who adopted the boxing nickname ‘The Kettle’ - put in the ‘hard hours’, by training and sparring almost every day for 12 weeks.James also changed his diet, to make sure he was in tip-top shape, and the best fighting-fit condition. James was greatly helped by sponsors from 24sports.tv, which operates a free online information service and provides a wide range of advice, support and general nutrition information.Having never been in a ring, or boxed before, it was an incredible achievement for James to top the bill and fight infront of more than 1500 people.Jonathan Gibbs, from 24sports.tv, said: "James’ efforts in the ring were something for everyone to be proud of, as was his dedication in his training and nutritional preparation.” “All of this was in aid of a very worthy cause, Marie Curie Cancer Support, a charity obviously very close to James’ heart. Raising nearly £2000 is a remarkable achievement –James is a true winner," added Jonathan. With money still rolling in, James and his sponsors, 24sports.tv, have exceeded their expectations and look forward to collecting the last donations for the cause.ENDS For more information, please contact Jonathan Gibbs. Tel: 0790690299 Email: j.gibbs@arribasystems.co.uk

Defib Centre Keeps Hearts Pumping

2011-08-04 10:38:59

Heart-stopping statistics show that 120,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest in the UK every year. The Defib Centre is putting heart and soul into reducing this staggering statistic, by raising awareness of the problem, and supplying a solution. As the main UK distributor of HeartSine Technologies’ innovative Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), the Defib Centre enables anyone and everyone to be a lifesaver.Compact and easy to operate, portable AEDs bring affordable cutting-edge technology out of the hospital and into the home, workplace, sports arena and the school; all the places where rapid response to sudden cardiac arrest can mean the difference between life and death. The Defib Centre is also the only UK business to offer low-cost online training in AED use and CPR to support its defibrillators.The intelligent technology in the latest model enables bystanders with no formal training to effectively use an AED. The recently launched Samaritan PAD 500P features a unique CPR advisor, which differentiates HeartSine and positions it as the market leader in defibrillator technology.This achievement has been recognised when HeartSine was recently shortlisted for the esteemed Orange Innovation Award, in the 10th annual National Business Awards, an accolade that champions pioneers in innovative products. “This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our commitment to developing new technology, which ultimately saves lives,” said Uel McChesney, CEO of HeartSine Technologies.“HeartSine is an impressive example of a company achieving innovation by working closely with universities to solve difficult yet vitally important problems,” commented Sherry Coutu, who sat on the shortlisting panel.HeartSine Technologies will present before an independent, expert panel in October, before the winners are announced at an awards ceremony in November.To find out more about the range of HeartSine’s portable AEDs available from The Defib Centre, visit: http://www.thedefibcentre.co.uk/index.htmENDSFor more information, please contact Robin Shepherd:Tel: 07786 195316Email: Robin@thedefibcentre.co.uk

End of the Line for Nuisance Callers

2011-08-08 09:06:29

Business owners working from home have been given a new weapon to put a stop to invasive and distressing nuisance calls.Entrepreneurs Sunny Rai and Kam Thind, recently unveiled Number Cloak, a free service, which provides a secondary, temporary phone number that diverts to the business owner’s real phone, but keeps their real number hidden. Once the business relationship has been established, the business owner may then choose to safely give out their real number.The aim of the initiative was to help small business owners and entrepreneurs that work from home, who are concerned about handing out their personal telephone number to potential clients before a business relationship has been established.Graham Rogers, who works from home, said: “As a new business, I was looking for a number that did not show my location and made me look more professional, but I was on a very tight budget. I really recommend businesses on a tight budget to use Number Cloak.”Handing out a personal number can open the door to abuse from nuisance callers, who are not actually interested in the business’ products or services, whilst home telephone numbers can provide fraudsters with enough information to find out addresses and other details.Further problems arise where phone numbers are sold to telemarketing and cold-calling companies, resulting in unwanted calls that, as well as being a nuisance to the business owner, also exposes their family to these calls in their home environment.If unwanted calls become a cause for concern, the temporary number can be disconnected via the Number Cloak website, and a new number allocated within seconds, putting an end to the problem. “Our aim is for Number Cloak to be a commonly owned and used asset in everyday life, when the situation is appropriate. We envision that one day, everybody will have a permanent or ever-changing secondary number in his or her phone book, saved as Number Cloak”, explains Mr Rai. Users need only provide an email address and their real mobile or landline number, to enable their new, secondary number to be diverted. There is no billing or charge for receiving calls to a Number Cloak; the service is funded entirely by callers, who are charged 50p per minute from a BT landline, whilst other networks vary.To find out more, or to set up a Number Cloak, visit: www.numbercloak.comENDSFor more information, please contact Sunny Rai:Tel: 0844 492 5625Email: info@numbercloak.com

New Gym Opens Thanks to Funding Boost

2011-08-04 10:25:33

Fitness fanatics in Chelmsley Wood can now build up a sweat in a brand new state-of-the-art gym.Former Thai Kickboxing Champion, Kirkwood Walker, has opened FW Fitness, utilising a package of government-backed, private funding.The gym offers a new, affordable way for local people to work out, take classes and improve their health in high-quality surroundings. Kirkwood called upon business finance experts, Central Business Development Ltd, to put together a package of Lloyds TSB Bank Finance, using the Government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee, asset finance and funding through ART – a Birmingham and Solihull Community Lending Initiative.Alison Bradley, from Central Business Development Ltd, said: “We raise finance for a vast range and type of business. Small to medium enterprises now need the assistance of funding experts to raise the finance that their business needs.” “One finance product may not always be the answer, and we utilise a vast range of alternative funders to complete a package. By packaging finance, we can achieve the correct level of funding, and we believe that this mix of finance, including government-backed funding, is the way forward for FW Fitness,” added Alison.The health and fitness club houses brand new state-of-the-art equipment, and offers a full timetable of exercise classes, including Zumba.Kirkwood Walker, Owner of FW Fitness, said: “Many people feel that gym membership costs have risen rapidly over the last few years, and are unaffordable. Keeping FW Fitness membership fees low and giving customers lots of different options allows members to workout around their lifestyle, and not worry about the cost.”“We have a brand new light and airy facility here, with excellent parking, which makes it comfortable and convenient for our members,” added Kirkwood.FW Fitness opened for business on August 1, with 800 pre-registered members, with fees starting from £14.99 per month. The venture has also created ten new jobs in the area.ENDSFor more information, please contact Alison Bradley. Tel: 0845 519 7845 Email: Alisonb@cbdfinance.co.uk

One Stop for Convenience in Pudsey

2011-08-03 11:58:32

Shopping got a little more convenient for local residents, with the opening of a new store last Thursday (July 28).The new One Stop store, on Lowtown, in Pudsey, opened its doors with the promise of being ‘the best for customers in the neighbourhood’.The local economy has also received a welcome boost, after bosses hired three new employees to serve the store’s customers.The One Stop store, which will trade from 6am till 11pm, seven days a week, will offer a great range of products, from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers will also be able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store will also offer National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-Up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Rafaqat Mehmood, Store Manager said:“We’re delighted to have opened the store. Our long opening hours, coupled with fantastic daily offers will ensure we have something for everyone.”“The One Stop chain offers great value and great customer service and I am confident my team and I will be able to bring that and more to local people”, he added.The One Stop store chain has an enviable retail record and operates stores across England and Wales – many of which serve the needs of small urban communities. The chain employs more than 7000 people across its operations.EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 29-33 Lowtown, Pudsey, Leeds LS28 7BQStore telephone number: 0113 255 0903For more information, please contact Rafaqat Mehmood:Tel: 0113 255 0903Web: www.onestop.co.uk

Charity Drive Helps Wishes Come True

2011-08-12 10:03:46

The Motorhouse, the UK’s leading used car supermarket, is proud to announce a new charity partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK.The Motorhouse, based on the A5, in Cannock, Staffordshire, are putting their support behind the Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK for the next 12 months. Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. Since the charity was established in the UK in 1986, it has granted over 6,800 wishes. This year they are celebrating 25 years of granting wishes.Steve Campbell, Marketing Manager at The Motorhouse says, “Although The Motorhouse have supported local charities throughout our 25 year history, the amazing efforts of Make-A-Wish have encouraged us to make a commitment to them for the forthcoming year. We hope to ensure that young people fighting life-threatening illnesses continue to have their wishes fulfilled.”With over 20,000 children in the UK living with life-threatening conditions, their work is never-ending. The charity receives no government funding or lottery grants, so it relies on the generous donations.To celebrate this partnership, The Motorhouse are holding an awareness weekend for Make-A-Wish over the August bank holiday weekend (27th – 29th August from 9am - 6pm).Visitors to The Motorhouse over the bank holiday will be able to find out more about the fantastic work of the Make-A-Wish, and make donations should they wish to.ENDSFor further information, please contact Steve Campbell. Tel: 01543 506 060, or E-mail: marketing@motorhouse2000ltd.co.ukPhotograph (left to right): Motorhouse Sales Executives, Lee Fellows, Peter Sankey and Peter Patterson, with Make-A-Wish volunteer, Angela Weston.

One Stop convenience store – now open – on your doorstep!

2011-08-02 13:23:20

Residents in Chester-le-Street are now able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Durham Road, in Birtley, opened its doors this Thursday (4th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store trades from 6am till 10pm seven days a week, and offers a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store also provides a Post Office, National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Durham Road, in Birtley, means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, Winston House, Durham Road, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 1HT.Store telephone number: 0191 4111202For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop convenience store – now open – on your doorstep!

2011-08-02 13:24:26

Residents in Fenham are now able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Two Ball Lonnen, in Fenham, opened its doors this Thursday (4th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store trades from 6am till 11pm seven days a week, and offers a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store also provides a Post Office, National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Two Ball Lonnen, in Fenham, means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 217 Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE4 9RX.Store telephone number: 0191 2743663For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop convenience store – now open – on your doorstep!

2011-08-02 13:25:09

Residents in Horncastle are now able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, in the Bullring, in Horncastle, opened its doors this Thursday (4th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store trades from 5am till 10pm seven days a week, and offers a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store also provides National Lottery, PayPoint and E Top-up facilities, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store in the Bullring, in Horncastle, means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 19 The Bullring, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HU.Store telephone number: 01507 522307.For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

One Stop convenience store – now open – on your doorstep!

2011-08-02 13:23:54

Residents in Boston are now able to benefit from the re-opening of a local convenience store, following a change in ownership.The One Stop store, previously run by Mills Group, on Wide Bargate, in Boston, opened its doors this Thursday (4th), following an extensive refurbishment.The store trades from 5am till 10pm seven days a week, and offers a great range of products from Grocery and Chilled Foods to Household, Health and Beauty and Baby. Customers are also able to benefit from fantastic offers every day.For added convenience, the store also provides National Lottery, PayPoint, E Top-up facilities and a free-to-use cash machine, making it a complete ‘one stop’ solution for local residents.Tony Reed, CEO of One Stop, said: “This is exciting news for One Stop. Acquiring the Mills store on Wide Bargate, in Boston means we can introduce One Stop’s quality, range and value to the local community.”"We’ve made a significant investment in refurbishing the store, creating a better shopping experience. I'm also happy to confirm that we have been able to bring down prices and delighted to be able to welcome our customers to come in and look around."“The change in ownership is also great news for the store’s staff, as all of the original Mills team have been able to continue in their positions in the new One Stop store.”EndsNotes to editors:Store address: One Stop Store, 44-46 Wide Bargate, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6RYStore telephone number: 01205 366597For more information, please contact James Wiggam, Press Office:Tel: 01992 644645Web: www.onestop.co.uk

Local School Supports Blind Event for 10th Year Running

2011-08-04 10:06:29

A Birmingham school has celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing guides at an international event for blind and visually impaired people.Pupils from Lordswood Girls School, in Harborne, volunteered to act as ‘sighted guides’ at the Queen Alexandra College (QAC) Sight Village Exhibition, which took place last month at the New Bingley Hall.Volunteers are needed on site to assist any visually impaired or blind people to navigate their way around the event and advise them as to the services and equipment on show. Lordswood Girls School has provided girls (and a few boys, from its mixed sixth form) to assist as ‘sighted guides’ for the Birmingham exhibition for the past 10 years, with 47 volunteers taking part this year.The Exhibition Organiser, Karen Easthope, said: “We are extremely grateful to Lordswood Girls School for providing volunteers year after year. We receive many positive comments and compliments about the sighted guides from both visitors and exhibitors. The work that they do is invaluable and contributes to the success of the show.”Lordswoods Girls School Achievement Co-ordinator, Ruth Bird, added: “Our sixth formers always come back from the event full of the experience and humbled by how well people with visual disabilities cope with everyday life.”This was the 18th year of Sight Village, and the exhibition played host to over 1700 people over three days.QAC’s Sight Village Exhibitions are held at various locations throughout the UK, and are some of Europe’s leading events showcasing technology and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.Exhibitors and visitors come from around the world to take part and network with each other. The Birmingham exhibition is the flagship show, with others held in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester.The next Sight Village will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Manchester, on 27th September.For more information, please visit www.qac.ac.uk/sightvillage/index.html.ENDSFor more information, please contact Sarah Adderley. Tel: 01214285041 Email: sadderley@qac.ac.ukNotes to editors:Queen Alexandra College Students’ fees are charged to the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA), the Residential Training Unit of the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus to cover tuition, accommodation and support costs at QAC.These fees, however, do not cover major capital projects or much needed items of equipment and resources. We rely on the generosity of friends and supporters to help provide such resources and make things happen.

ALLIANCE IS DRIVING TRANSPORT INDUSTRY TO SUCCESS

2011-08-08 12:47:05

TWO experienced transport industry specialists have pooled their expertise to offer improved training solutions. South Wales-based ADG Transport Consultancy Ltd and DMTS, which provide training for managers, administrators and drivers working in the sector across the UK, have formed a strategic alliance. Bosses at both companies – which will also continue to operate independently – say the move will benefit them, their customers, and the industry as a whole. The firms are, conveniently, based within ten miles of each other in the county borough of Caerphilly.ADG, which started life in 1979, offers training for drivers and transport managers, and also consultancy services, including the processing of grant and rebate schemes for registered bus drivers.DMTS, formerly known as TMS Greenwood, has specialised in tachograph training and analysis for six years. The business was rebranded DMTS in 2009, and has since concentrated on transport training. It offers similar courses to ADG – but from a freight, rather than a passenger transport, perspective.Under the new alliance, the companies will be delivering training for; Freight and Passenger Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC-JAUPT Approved), the Certificate of Professional Competence for Managers, and the new Certificate in Transport Management (CTM) for Passenger/Freight and National/International Transport Managers.ADG Operational Director, Adrian Gettins, and DMTS Director Anthony Cribb, have known each other for 10 years. Along with ADG Business Development Director, Laurence Vaughan, and DMTS Operations and Training Manager, Andrew Green, they are members of the Institute of Transport Administration. “Customers will benefit from the shared knowledge developed over the years by both companies. The training will vary, depending upon the qualification and the needs of the individual client,” said ADG’s, Mr Gettins. “Courses might include group sessions or one-to-one training, at our sites or acustomer’s location; lecture-based teaching, informal workshops or mentoring. We can provide paper-based, electronic and hands-on options,” added Mr Gettins.Mr Cribb, of DMTS, said; “The alliance aims to play a key role in helping to ensure a more legal safe, economic and environmentally-sound transport industry for the future.”“Between us, we can assist road transport operators to become more efficient in their business processes,” added Mr Cribb.As part of this new exciting alliance, DMTS and ADG will share DMTS’ state-of-the-art training centre, in Blackwood, and ADG’s graphic design and printing facilities, industry contacts, promotional activities and information libraries.ENDSFor more information, please contact Laurence Vaughan. Tel: 01633 441 491 Email: LaurenceV@adgtransport.co.uk

Local Pub Aims to Break its Run of Bad Luck

2011-08-01 17:16:57

After a traumatic year, a Wallasey-based pub is celebrating getting its owners, and its beer festival up, and running again.The Magazine, on Magazine Brow, had a horrendous run of bad luck in 2010, with a devastating fire, a flood, and licensee Linda Baxendell being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Linda says her misfortune began when one of the model witches displayed inside the pub was stolen last year. “The pub has long been known for the curse of its witches that hang from the ceiling. It is said that if you touch one of the witches, bad luck rears its ugly head,” Linda explains. On April 16th 2010, one of the witches was stolen, and just two days later, an electrical fire broke out, due to a power surge.Linda’s husband, Les, received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation, and The Magazine was badly damaged and in need of refurbishment. The couple were forced to live in a caravan for nine weeks, while £100,000 worth of restoration work was carried out. Nevertheless, on their return to the pub, Linda and Les’ nightmare continued, as torrential rain flooded the pub – running the newly laid carpet.Thinking their luck couldn’t possibly get any worse, the curse of the witches struck again; two months later Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. “It’s been a long, difficult year for both of us, especially being in and out of hospital for chemo and radiotherapy – annus horribilis springs to mind!” said Linda. As a result of all this adversity, The Magazine’s annual Beer festival had to be cancelled in 2010.But, the pair are now celebrating Linda’s 60th birthday, by reinstating their annual beer festival. “Sadly, we didn’t hold our beer festival last year, because of all the bad luck we went through, but we’re hoping everyone will come and join in our celebrations this year!” added Linda.It’s the third time the beer festival has come to The Magazine. It will feature 12 cask ales, four cask ciders and lagers from all over the world. There are also a few odd flavours in there too, for more adventurous drinkers – namely Top Banana and Double Espresso.The beer festival will run from Thursday 18th to Monday 22nd August.ENDSFor more information, please contact Linda Baxendell. Tel: 0151 6303169 Email: lindya@tiscali.co.uk

Third Generation Family-Run Cleaning Firm Celebrate 28th Birthday

2011-07-28 16:21:07

A family run Black Country cleaning business of three generations is celebrating its 28th anniversary today (28th July).Founded in 1983, Lawrence Cleaning Ltd started off with just six employees. Now, the company employs 90 staff , who are deployed across the West Midlands to carry out cleaning contracts.The company, which was based in Wolverhampton for 27 years, has recently moved to new offices in Sedgley.Winnie Lawrence, founder of Lawrence Cleaning Ltd, started out as a cleaner at 14, and purchased the company when her boss died. Now, aged 73, Winnie still works for the company as a Contracts Manager. “We are a traditional family-run business of three generations, with a modern outlook. The business has grown considerably since it was first set up by Winnie 28 years ago. I believe the key to our success is that we offer a high quality of service. We have retained some of our clients for over 26 years,” said Debra Lawrence, company Director.Doing the majority of the work herself, Winnie recruited around six staff at first, mainly working for banks and accountants. Through referrals, Winnie started to grow the business and recruit new staff. She still looks after the company’s longest serving clients of 26 years, chartered accountants, Muras Baker Jones.Two other clients, RN Williams Solicitors and Distrupol, have been using the services of Winnie and her team for the last 17 and 19 years respectively.Winnie’s son, Paul, bought the business 12 years ago, and is now Managing Director. His wife Debra is also Director, and their son, Alex, has just joined the company, making three generations of family tradition.“Business is serious, but we have also had some fun and a few mishaps along the way. Over the years, we have had cleaners locked in cupboards and buildings, and one was even mistaken for a member of the Royal Family when she turned up at a building we were cleaning,“ said DebraNew branding and a soon to be unveiled, brand new website, is set to take the company forward into its third decade in business, and the Lawrence family hope to continue to enjoy the same level of success for another 28 years and beyond. ENDSFor more information, please contact Debra Lawrence. Tel: 01902663727 Email: sales@lawrencecleaning.co.uk

Web Dating Spawns Online Sperm Bank

2011-09-05 11:35:36

The London Sperm Bank is to launch an online database of donors, in an effort to modernise and encourage easy use of their facilities.The website is to function much in the same way as an online dating site, with listings of donors’ physical, emotional and intellectual attributes.In a shift intended to normalise the undertaking, the website allows single women, same sex and childless couples to select the father of their child with ease and convenience.“Women can search our donors online from home and make their choices,” says Dr Kamal Ahuja of the London Sperm Bank.Around 100-150 sperm donors from different races, cultures and religions are to be included in the catalogue, with informal descriptions of hair and eye colour, occupation and hobbies. The individual listings are also to include staff assessments of donors’ personalities.The London Sperm Bank was founded with the noble intention of addressing an acute sperm donation shortage in the UK. The London Sperm Bank incorporates ‘The Dr. Louis Hughes Sperm Bank’ and ‘The London Women’s Clinic Donor Bank’, to form the UK’s largest provider of donor sperm.Once seen as a somewhat unsavoury practice, the online project aims to show donors to be rounded, real people, with compassionate and humanitarian objectives. The website gives a previously unseen level of detail, including written statements from men, in which they explain why they are donating sperm.This bolsters the image of sperm banks, and the practice has seen positive changes in how it is perceived. Six years ago saw a change in law, allowing children of anonymous donor parents to trace their biological fathers from the age of 18. Consequently, sperm donation has a more sympathetic, human face.The website is to launch online at www.londonspermbank.com on 17 September. For more information, visit the organisation’s website, or find the London Sperm Bank at 113-115 Harley Street, London, W1G 6A.ENDSFor more information, please contact Gareth Morgan:Tel: 029 2076 6467Email: info@libertymarketing.co.uk