February 2007
27/02/2007 - Hopefuls Set to Face Lion's Lair
It is just over a week to go before the 2007 Business Showcase event at Kettering Conference Centre is staged. Organised by Biznet, the networking group of local enterprise agency KBVT, Wednesday March 7 promises much more than an exhibition. Along with seminars by keynote speakers Bob Lane and Steve Pateman, catering students from Tresham Institute and Northampton College will be going head-to-head in a cook-off to see who can preparethe best meal using some of the county's finest ingredients. It will also be the date when one lucky business walks away with £2,000. As part of this showcase event Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL) is sponsoring a Lion's Lair, run on similar lines to the popular TV series Dragon's Den. The panel's chairman, Terry Hughes, has 30 years experience of economic development in the public and private sectors. He said: "The applications cover a divese range of business ideas - everything from yacht hire to Indonesian arts and crafts. The background of the individuals also shows the many different routes that can be used to start up your own business, ranging from recent graduates of the University of Northampton to a former youth worker." The other panel judges are Graham Goss, a senior partner of a chartered accountants in Northampton, and Rob Purdy whao has 25 years experience in advertising and marketing. The exhibition will be opened at 10am by Kettering MP Philip Hollobone. For more details contact KBVT on 01536 513840. The first 100 visitors to register on the website also qualify for a free gift when they attend - see www.northantsbusinessshowcase.co.uk for more details.
20/02/2007 - Guide set to Boost Tourism
A glossy brochure highlighting leisure attractions in Northamptonshire has been produced to boost tourism. The new Explore Northamptonshire visitor guide, which has already been sent to more than 8,000 people, aims to promote heritage sites, relaxing breaks and rural tranquility. Marketing Manager at Explore Northamptonshire, Nicola Gower, said the guide would got to a target audience. She said: "Our prime target is people who are 45 and over because we have a lot of products in the county which appeal to this group. The type of visitors we typically get in Northamptonshire are in thes age group and from the south east, particularly London. Northamptonshire appeals to them because of the historic and heritage sites, such as Althorp House, Rockingham Castle and Sulgrave Manor; as well as the gardens and rural villages. "It is also popular because we are only an hour away from the capital and have great transport links. It's perfect for people who want a short break in the counrty to get away from city life. We have printed 35,000 copies fo the guide so far, which will be sent out to people whi have visited our website and requested information about Northamptonshire." Historic churches, country homes and places to stay are featured in the guide, as well as sporting attractions such as Towcester Racecourse and Silverstone. It has taken more than four months to produce and costs are covered by advertising revenue. Miss Gower said: "We have had positive feedback so far and, hopefully, that will be reflected in the amount of people who choose to visit." To order the guide, visit www.explorenorthamptonshire.co.uk
20/02/2007 - Carlsberg UK Lands Glastonbury Deal
A brewery in Northampton has signed a deal with probably the best music festival in the world to be its exclusive supplier of beer. Carlsberg UK has teamed up with the Glastonbury Festival to become the event's official beer. The four-year deal gives Carlsberg the exclusive supply rights to over 22 bars at the festival, as well as the exclusive rights for promotional activity. Regional sales manager Nigel Bryant, who negotiated the deal, said: "We are extremely proud to be associated with this wonderful and well known festival. Securing the agreement with Michael (Eavis) and Glastonbury cam down to Carlsberg's provne track record in supplying and operating large events. "Having developed a very strong relationship with the festival over a number of years, Glastonbury showed huge confidence in Carlsberg and had no hesitation when it came to making us the principal sponsor and supplier." This year the Glastonbury Festival, which runs from June 22 to 24, has introduced a new ticket process to cut out black market sales. For more information visit www.glastonburyfestival.co.uk. Source: Northampton Chronicle & Echo 21/02/2007
16/02/2007 - New Rural Culture Website Launched
Culture East Midlands, the Regional Cultural Consortium for the East Midlands, is pleased to announce the launch of a new website supporting rural culture in the East Midlands. The website www.ruralculture-em.org is now live to the public. The purpose of the site is to support the work of people developing cultural activity in rural aareas, and showcase projects from across the region. The site will be easy to navigate and provide clear information on training and funding opportunities, news & events and signpost organisations that support cultural activity. Detailed case studies from some successful and pioneering projects across the East Midlands will inform and hopefully inspire more cultural projects in rural areas. Important rural issues such as cultural tourism, farm diversification and market towns will also be featured and researched in order that the website provides a relevant and responsive resource. The site will offer a free email alert service to update subscribers on new opportunities, news, or events and provide training or funding providers the chance (through Culture East Midlands) to reach an audience involved in rural culture. Isolation is a common aspect of rural life and this site aims to overcome some of those communication barriers by providing an apporpriate and accessible service o those working in culture in the rural East Midlands. For more information, please contact either: Francois Matarasso - francoismatarasso@culture-em.org.uk / 07747 025509
Rebecca Lee - rebeccalee@culture-em.org.uk / 0115 988 8449. Culture in Rural Development Programme, Culture East Midlands, EMDA
12/02/2007 - Millions Invested into Northamptonshire
More than £151 million has been pledged by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) to deliver economic improvements in local areas over the next three years. Emda has now approved the Sub Regional Investment Plan (SRIP) for Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited - the Sub-regional Strategic Partnership (SSP) for the county - which will receive over a £17.5m share of the over £151 million. Working at the heart of the community, SSPs encourage sustainable sub-regional economic growth and are a vital link between emda and local communities. The SSPs are local partnerships which include emda, private and voluntary sector, and statutory bodies. They receive most of their runding from emda, to provide vital resources for projects in the East Midland's seven sub-regions to drive forward economic development at a local level. They also lever in additional funding from a range of other sources. During the past year Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited has delivered real benefits in the region. Some of the key successes since 2004 include: Created and safeguarded more than 510 jobs; An additional 139 businesses created; An additional 1,660 people supported with the skills development. Bryan Jackson, emda's chairman, said: "We are delighted to demonstrate our continuing commitment to Sub-regional Strategic Partnerships by approving this funding for the next three years. SSPs will play a vital role in achieving our vision to becoming a flourishing region by 2020, as they are in a strong position to take practical steps to ensure we create vibrant economies at the very heart of our communities." Paul Southworth, Chairman at NEL said: "We are delighted that emda has shown its faith in the SSP network by approving our Sub Regional Invesment Plan. We look forward to working with emda and other local and regional partners to develop and implement projects that make a substantial difference to the economy of Northamptonshire and the region." Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited was originally known as the Northamptonshire Partnership and was established by emda to deliver economic development across Northamptonshire. In 2006 it became Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (NEL) which brought together 'one voice' for economic development, inward investment, destination management and tourism. It brings together Explore Northamptonshire, Invest Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire Observatory, and the County Council's Economic Development Unit. NEL aims to engage with its local partners and emda to secure progress on implementing those strands of the RES that have a particular relevance to the needs of the Northamptonshire economy. Visit www.letyourselfgrow.com for more information.
12/02/2007 - Waste Management Sector Vote Gives Margaret a Boost
Margaret Bates, manager of The University of Northampton's SITA Centre - the world leading force in wastes management education and research - has been listed at number 48 in Resource magazine's annual 'Hot-100' of the most aspiring 'agents of change'. Each year Resource magazine, an environmentally-targeted publication read by over 10,000 local authority officers, policy makers, waste management consultants and recycling managers across the UK, offers its readers the chance to vote for the leading 100 figures working in the sustainable waste arena. This is the second year running that Margaret has featured in the list - in 2006 she was at number 73 - and she is singled out this year by being the only representative of a University to make the top 100. The University of Northampton is widely recognised as the leading centre of excellence for wastes management studies in the UK. As well as the SITA Centre, which features the prestigious Wastes Management Library - the largest educational rsource facility of its kind in Europe - the University also provides higher education courses in wastes management at a number of levels. Commenting on her latest positioning in the Hot 100 list, Margaret said: "It's fantastic to receive a vote of recognition like this from colleagues and peers across the wastes management sector, and it's also a great reward for the University of Northampton's increasing role in this important field of study. The UK's annual wastes output amounts to over 430 million tonnes of solid waste and as businesses become more aware of their role and responsibilities in respect of wastes management, we are here to advise on and support their requirements. Our educational programmes are second to none and it is our graduates who will be setting the standards of tomorrow in this vital subject."
07/02/2007 - Grade 'A' Office Space for Wellingborough Town Centre
Ciel Properties in a joint venture with Invest Northamptonshire and The Royal Bank of Scotland has brought on stream 22,933 sq ft (2,131 sq m) of grade 'A' office space in Wellingborough with the completion of a £3 million refurbishment of 12 Sheep Street. The six storey landmark building - constructed in the 1980's - has been subjected to a comprehensive programme of works to the exterior and interior to provide high quality, energy efficient, and air conditioned office accommodation - almost equal to a new build scheme - as part of the Fit for Market initiative. Officially opened in January by Wellingborough's Member of Parliament Peter Bone, the virtually new building has already received praise from the town's business community and members and officers of the Borough Council. Speaking at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new 12 Sheep Street, Peter Bone MP said "The confidence and investment shown by Ciel Properties adds to the momentum of change that Wellingborough is already beginning to experience. The vision of the developers in transforming a tired and outdated building into a shining example of modern business space could form the catalyst for similar upgrading schemes in the town." Marketing of the offices to let will now begin in earnest with local commercial property agents Underwoods together with national agents CBRE targeting the private and public sectors to secure an occupier. Commenting on strong interest already received, Chris Billson of Underwoods Wellingborough office said: "The standard of fit out and specification is a big plus in the marketing process. Those features plus the benefit of 60 allocated car parking spaces and extensive overflow parking in an adjacent public car park is very unusual for a town centre office scheme like this." Underwoods and CBRE acting for Ciel Properties are quoting rentals from £12.50 psf. For more information, please contact Steve Jones, Ciel Properties - 0121 200 2666; Chris Billson, Underwoods - 01923 231 070.
01/02/2007 - £20m Investment for College
A multi-million pound expansion at Tresham Institute is expected to see a huge rise in the number of students applying for courses. The college, which teaches more than 2,200 full-time and 14,000 part-time students in the county, has revealed it will open its new £20.5 million building at Windmill Avenue in Kettering in April. Tresham has also unveiled plans for a new state-of-the-art campus in Corby and has future plans for another new campus in Wellingborough by 2012. Senior Tresham staff are expecting their new facilities to contribute to a 20 per cent increase in people applying for courses over the next five years. The new Windmill Avenue campus will include a performing arts centre, a new sports hall and a striking glass atrium. Principal Sian MacDonald said: "It will be the best educational building in Northamptonshire." It will be followed by plans for the redevelopment of campuses at Corby and Wellingborough, with more vocational courses to get people into skilled jobs such as construction and engineering. Corby MP Phil Hope, who is also the Government Skills Minister, said: "Tresham has a creucial role to play in improving the skills of young people and adults in the work-place. Tresham is helping to achieve the social regeneration we need to match the physical regeneration of the area." Pamela Hutchinson, headteacher at Corby Community College, said: "Schools are encouraged to find the best courses and qualifications for youngsters between 14 and 19, whether that be in school, college or with work-based providers. The new campus will be great for Corby's young people." Tresham is holding open days for prospective students at the Corby campus on Tuesday, February 6th; in Wellingborough on Wednesday, February 7th; and at Windmill Avenue, Kettering, on Thursday February 8th.