New Recruits at Clarke & Son Solicitors

01 September 2010

Basingstoke Law Firm Clarke & Son LLP has recently expanded their Commercial Services Department with the appointment of Solicitor, Amy Muncer. Amy, pictured left, has over three years experience at a Firm in Bournemouth as a Company and Commercial Solicitor.

At Clarke & Son she will be dealing with all aspects of non contentious Company and Commercial law including company formations, business sales and acquisitions, all forms of commercial contracts, shareholder and partnership agreements and terms and conditions of trading.  

After joining Clarke & Son as a trainee Solicitor in 2008, Debbie Bowey, pictured right, qualifies as a Property Lawyer on 1st September 2010.  She is delighted to be taken on by the firm in the Residential Conveyancing Department. Debbie says:

“I am thrilled to be offered a permanent contract at Clarke & Son as it is such a friendly and approachable Firm.  I look forward to continuing my busy workload in Residential Conveyancing.”

Peter Turner, Senior Partner at the firm comments on the new recruits:

“We are delighted at both the appointment of Amy and Debbie and hope this expansion of our Firm will help with our continued success.”

Key Systems Relocates

31 August 2010

Key Systems, fast growing independent IT Supplier is relocating to Woodlands Business Village, Basingstoke.

Key Systems are a leading supplier of IT services to companies in the Hampshire area.  They provide IT support, troubleshooting and recovery, security advice, VOIP, server and windows upgrades plus a specialist bespoke database and software design service.  With the growth of their business they are now relocating.

Allister Chambers, Operations Director at Key Systems said:

Key Systems are also delighted to announce that they have been chosen by Destination Basingstoke to help them upgrade their existing IT infrastructure.

Consultation event shows support for LEP

24 August 2010

A successful consultation event was held on 19 August where approximately 80 businesses and other organisations attended to find out more about the North Hampshire and M3 Corridor Local Enterprise Partnership.

Those attending the event, held at the Barceló Basingstoke Country Hotel, were given the chance to comment on the LEP proposal and ask questions.

The key messages from the event were:

• Both rural and urban businesses must be included in the LEP. 
• There must be flexibility over boundaries and partners, including consideration of the rural areas below north Hampshire.
• Good communications is key, in a business style with clear aims and objectives.
• There should be the involvement of voluntary organisations, social enterprises, and the education sector.
   
  
  

Businesses are now being asked to pledge their support for the LEP bid by logging on to the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council website

www.basingstoke.gov.uk/business/support/lep where you can find the draft proposal, and pledge your support. Comments need to be received by Friday 27 August to be included. Submit your comments by emailing business@basingstoke.gov.uk

Purple flying high with Flight Centre !

20 August 2010

The Purple Agency who employ 40, moved into their Faraday Park offices in October 2009.

The awards, to be held at Lancaster London on 21st October, are the industry benchmark for data driven marketing and recognise the very best examples of data being used to drive marketing success.

“We are proud to have been nominated for this prestigious award” comments Steve Shaw MD of the Purple agency. “The Data Strategy Awards recognise the power and potential of data to drive exceptional results in marketing and this is why Purple puts data at the heart of its integrated agency proposition.”

“Consultant Portfolio, the project nominated for the award, puts key customer data distilled from the Flight Centre “Single Customer View” marketing database, into the hands of the Consultants who know the customers personally and can use it to best effect - true customer centric CRM”.

 “By giving Consultants ownership of their customer communications, it has incentivised them to capture complete and accurate data, and enabled them to develop communication strategies that build on their personal relationships.” comments Brett Warbrick – Flight Centre Commercial Director. “We now only send our customers offers and promotions that we know will be of interest”.

The results speak for themselves. Based on recent campaigns average booking values from customers receiving communications, compared to control groups, are 24% higher and booking rates are 26.8% higher.    

“Purple has helped us develop a data driven CRM model that not only supports our brand ethos, but also improves operational efficiency, and delivers measurable financial benefits.”

Data Strategy Award winners will be announced at the awards dinner to be held on 21st October.

The Purple Agency

stoneCIRCLE Refurbishes Luxury Hotel

19 August 2010

The Donnington Valley Hotel in Newbury recently refitted its reception and bar areas using Basingstoke suppliers stoneCIRCLE.

stoneCIRCLE, a stone masonry company based in Basingstoke had already supplied stone products for their sister hotel, the Vineyard at Stockcross, and was naturally front of mind for the stone products required during the Donnington Valley refit.

The company provided Beaumont Beige limestone tiles with a venus finish for the reception area floor and manufactured the bar tops and fireplace in brushed Nero Assoluto granite for the bar area.  The result is a traditional bar with an upmarket feel, about which the Hotels Property Manager, Brian Cameron commented that he was delighted with the quality of product and service offered by stoneCIRCLE.

stoneCIRCLE can be contacted at tel: 01256 850380, email: sales@stone-circle.com, web: www.stone-circle.com.

Free Business Event - Find Out About LEPs - Thursday 19 August

16 August 2010

Local businesses are being encouraged to have their say on a bid to become a North Hampshire and M3 Corridor Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is staging a consultation event on Thursday 19 August from 2 to 4pm at the Barcelo Basingstoke Country Hotel.

The event is aimed at local businesses in this area and will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn more about the LEP and what it means in real terms to local businesses, while also giving them an opportunity to have their say on the proposal for North Hampshire and M3 corridor area.

The event has been organised in response to a proposal by the Government to create LEPs as a possible replacement for regional development agencies, such as the South East England Development Agency.

To demonstrate an interest in becoming an LEP, proposals must be submitted by 6 September and the borough council is keen to speak to as many businesses as possible in preparation for this submission.

Since councillors agreed to take forward an expression of interest for a North Hampshire based LEP on 15 July, many businesses have already come forward to back this approach which has also been supported by Hart District Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses for Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Andrew Finney said: “It is important that local business people have the opportunity to learn more about LEPs and have their say on the proposal for the North Hampshire area. During this event we want to discuss the benefits of actually having an LEP and why it is important for businesses to get involved.”

Cllr Finney added: “The LEP is about trying to make sure we are best placed for the businesses that we have got and to attract inward investment, to ensure that the economy in the area continues to be vibrant and grow.”

People wishing to attend the event are required to book a place by emailing business@basingstoke.gov.uk

During the event attendees will hear from Tim Colman, chairman of the North Hampshire Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and John Copley, chief executive of  FAC – Farnborough Aerospace Consortium.

Those people unable to attend but wishing to pledge their support can fill in a form on the council's website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/business/support/lep

People wishing to discuss the North Hampshire LEP can also contact Business Relationships Manager Natalie Wigman on 01256 845692 or email her on Natalie.wigman@basingstoke.gov.uk

Join Destination Basingstoke's on line poll on the best area for a LEP to cover.

New Lettings at Prisma Park, Wade Road

12 August 2010

A further letting at Prisma Park, Wade Road in Basingstoke brings the total number of office occupiers within the scheme to eight.  Only four fully self-contained buildings now remain available, either for sale or to lease.  Individual floors are also available and offer smaller floor sizes and excellent value.

The latest tenant is OTC Optima Ltd, an established and highly successful project management consultancy. The company have relocated from Chineham into 1,075 sq ft on the first floor of Unit 10 at a rent reflecting £14.00 per sq ft for a 5 year lease, and with a 3 year break option.

Echoing the previous comments of other occupiers on the development, Rob Fern, Director at OTC commented ……”The units at Prisma offer an attractive working environment, and are built to a high standard, a combination which is actually quite difficult to identify in Basingstoke at present, despite the apparent over supply in the office market”.

The owners of Prisma Park, Equity Estates, continue to be advised by Basingstoke agents Baker Davidson Thomas and London Clancy.  Richard Thomas at BDT added …… ”despite the difficult occupier market, we are now in sight of full occupation at Prisma Park, testament to the build quality and the aggressive pricing strategy adopted by our client”.

The latest tenant is OTC Optima Ltd, an established and highly successful project management consultancy. The company have relocated from Chineham into 1,075 sq ft on the first floor of Unit 10 at a rent reflecting £14.00 per sq ft for a 5 year lease, and with a 3 year break option.

Echoing the previous comments of other occupiers on the development, Rob Fern, Director at OTC commented ……”The units at Prisma offer an attractive working environment, and are built to a high standard, a combination which is actually quite difficult to identify in Basingstoke at present, despite the apparent over supply in the office market”.

The owners of Prisma Park, Equity Estates, continue to be advised by Basingstoke agents Baker Davidson Thomas and London Clancy.  Richard Thomas at BDT added …… ”despite the difficult occupier market, we are now in sight of full occupation at Prisma Park, testament to the build quality and the aggressive pricing strategy adopted by our client”.

GTK Appoints new Sales Director

30 July 2010

GTK UK Ltd has appointed Julie Arrowsmith as Sales Director. 

Julie brings over twenty years experience with Abacus Electronics leading teams offering  supply chain solutions to OEM’s and CEM’s throughout UK, Europe and China.

George Homes, Managing Director of GTK said “We are delighted Julie has chosen to join us and strengthen our team with her experience and expertise”

In her new role with GTK, Julie will have responsibility for the Sales & Customer Service functions. Julie added “I am excited to be joining GTK; it’s a professional company offering innovative design solutions for customers. I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of the business”.

Chineham Park Announces Basingstoke Sandwich Competition Winner!

23 July 2010

Chineham Park, Basingstoke’s leading business location, has announced The Blazingsmoke as the winner of its Basingstoke sandwich competition in association with Dayer’s Fine Foods, the park’s onsite restaurant. 

The Blazingsmoke, created by Laura Finney, was the biggest selling sandwich of the competition and its ingredients include smoked ham or smoked bacon with crisp lettuce and a spicy fresh tomato salsa.

Laura Finney, business development assistant for HCR Group the UK’s largest independent relocation company, said:  “I was thrilled to win such a fantastic and unusual competition.  It was great to see businesses give something back to the local community.  My prize was amazing and has caused a great deal of envy at work. “Many of our staff recently volunteered for a tree planting day as part of HCR’s pledge to plant a tree for every corporate relocation undertaken.  Therefore, I have decided to raffle off the prize of one month’s worth of sandwiches to help raise money for our next planting day.  “I hope that Dayer’s and MEPC especially, as a UK Green Building Council member, will be pleased to hear that they have helped us continue to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.”Rupert Batho, managing director for MEPC Chineham Park, said:  “On behalf of Chineham Park, I would like to congratulate Laura on her achievement.  The Blazingsmoke was popular with the judges and it has proven to be Basingstoke’s favourite.” As well as receiving a prestigious silver salver, The Blazingsmoke has a permanent position on the Dayer’s sandwich menu and Laura gets a lunchtime sandwich free for one month. 

New Business Arrives at Marlborough Mews, Chineham

20 July 2010

Stockland have announced the final letting within their Marlborough Mews investment holding in Crockford Lane in Basingstoke.

The estate consists of 5 industrial/warehouse units, ranging from 3,800 sq ft to the largest of 9,875 sq ft, totalling approx 31,500 sq ft.

The tenants comprise Anglian Windows, Walkers Snack Services, Powerteam Electrical, Impact Design and latterly Basingstoke MOT & Servicing Ltd.

Rents range from headline figures of £5.00 per sq ft for the largest unit, up to £7.35 per sq ft.  The development was originally built in the 1970’s.

Stockland’s letting agents were Baker Davidson Thomas and Hollis Hockley.  Richard Thomas at BDT said