September 2007
25/09/2007 - Employment Start-up Programme looks for Learners
A self-employment start-up programme delivered by the University of Northampton's Business School starts next week in Northampton and Kettering, helping local budding entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to fruition. The Enterprise & You programme has so far helped over 120 individuals from Northamptonshire and surrounding counties. Under the new Business Link Startup Services for new businesses, the training programme will continue throughout 2007 and in 2008. Szilvia Orritt, Project Manager, Northampton Business School, the University of Northampton, who is running the course, commented: "We have received many overwhelmingly appreciative comments from people who have previously completed the programme. We have worked together with individuals with innovative ideas which were very different, and which will really make a difference to the local community. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals with a business idea to take advantage of this free programme that includes mentoring and networking opportunities to take their proposals forward and to receive a qualification at the end of the programme. The workshops cover key topics including Business Accounting and Marketing so they are extremely valuable for the budding entrepreneur!" 'Enterprise & You' is a seven week long programme, with workshops delivered outside of working hours and weekends. The programme is free to join and is funded by the European Social Fund and the University of Northampton. More information can be found at www.enterpriseandyou.com The current Enterprise & You programme begins week commencing 17 September, with workshops to be held at various locations in Northampton and Kettering. Interested individuals should contact Szilvia Orritt directly for further details by calling 01604 893473 or emailing szilvia.orritt@northampton.ac.uk
24/09/2007 - Historic Factory Transformed in Kettering
People in Kettering will have the chance to lice in once of the town's landmarks now an old textile factory is being converted into modern homes by housing consortium Quantum. Quantum has just started work developing Orient House, on Field Street, in Kettering town centre, into 46 affordable flats. There will be a mix of 12 flats for rent, 24 for shared ownership and ten for outright sale. Quantum is made up of four developing members - East Midlands Housing, LHA-ASRA, Derwent Living and Amber Valley Housing - together with three partner members - Advance Housing Association, Foundation HA and Rockingham Forest HA. The developing partner, East Midlands Housing, is set to complete the work in February 2008 and people will be able to reserve their home soon after that. The project has only been made possible through the support of Kettering Borough Council and the Housing Corporation. Orient House was built between 1913 and 1915 as premises of Kettering Industrial Co-operative Society. It was first used for making clothes and then later, for manufacturing packing materials. However, the building ceased to be used and fell into disrepair. Original details such as the arched ceiling on the upper floow and the placement of the windows will be kept. Jim Patman, development director at East Midlands Housing said: "This building has a history of almost a century and Quantum is pleased to be taking it into its next phase, providing homes for the people of Kettering. In retaining some of the building's original features we hope to keep the link with the past while creating bright, modern homes suitable for 21st century living." The development will feature a selection of one and two bedroom flats for households of one, two, three and four people. Carl Larter, business development director at Derwent Living, said: "The fact people can rent, part buy or buy these homes means there really is something for everyone in this development." LHA-ASRA group regeneration director Robert Nettleton, said: "Quantum is looking forward to the first people moving in, in spring next year." For further details contact April Knapp at East Midlands Housing on 01604 826603.
19/09/2007 - Flagship Unit Officially Open for Business
An award-winning company has moved into state-of-the-art premises in Daventry, hailing the end of a three year project to breathe new life into the former Middlemarch industrial estate. Roofing products specialist Hambleside Danelaw officially opens its flagship manufacturing facility in Long March, off South Way on September 19th. The 50,000sq ft factory was purpose-built at a cost of £2.69m by Daventry District Council and Hallam Contracts. Formerly known as Middlemarch, the industrial site contained around 20 units originally built in the 1960s, but many had become vacant and were no longer fit for today's new breed of commercial and industrial tenants. Hambleside Danelaw employs around 65 people at the new premises, which it has leased from the Council on a 25-year term. There is manufactures roof ventilation products as well as the final assembly stages of insulator rooflights that recently won a Queen's Award for Innovation. The building also reflects the company's strong environmental credentials - they have worked alongside the Council's design team to showcase a number of eco-friendly measures, including their own energy-saving rooflights. Councillor Chris Over, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration at Daventry District Council, said: "This is a building we are justifiably proud of. By regenerating the site and giving Hambleside Danelaw, a very successful company, room to expand, this can only be good news for Daventry, not least, a boost to the economy and future employment prospects." Paula Green, Daventry District Council' Corporate Manager who managed the Long March construction project, added: "It is partivularly fitting that the district council, with Beacon Status for Waste and Recycling, should work so closely with Hambleside Danelaw, who are widely recognised and acclaimed for their environmental credentials. The new premises are an excellent investment for the district council." Chris Avery, Hambleside Danelaw's Managing Director said: "The opening of the Long March facility enables is to accommodate further expansion in the future as well as responding even better to current customer expectations on quality and service which are already high. "I thank Daventry District Council for the excellent assistance which they have given to us in enabling this move. The town has really demonstrated that it wants modern manufacturing flourishing within its boundaries." Daventry MP Tim Boswell will be on hand to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, which will include a champagne reception and tour of the new building. The company has been based in Daventry since 1992, previously occupying a range of separate units on the Royal Oak Industrial Estate.
07/09/2007 - Shaping the Future of West Northamptonshire
A plan that will shape West Northamptonshire over the next twenty years is about to be formulated and public views are vital to getting it right. A Joint Planning Unit has been created, combining resources from Daventry, South Northamptonshire, and Northampton councils. The team, called the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit, is asking for views on the future development of the three authority areas. A 'Core Strategy Issues and Options Discussion Paper' has already been published on behalf of the three councils. Key questions include how to provide 62,125 houses together with jobs, community facilities such as schools and open space, and the transport infrastructure needed over the next 20 years across West Northamptonshire. Public opinion is an important part of the process. A series of exhibitions will be held around West Northamptonshire to gather views (please download our list of exhibition dates). Responses must be submitted by 31 October 2007. The amount of growth has already been decided at a regional level in the MIlton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Regional Strategy. The Joint Core Strategy that will be created as a result of this process will focus development within the existing urban areas. However, the scale of the growth means that some greenfield land will need to be allocated for development. This will be principally around Northampton but also at Daventry, Towcester and possibly Brackley. Councillor Sandra Barnes, Leader of South Northamptonshire Council chairs the Joint Steering Group. Speaking on behalf of the Councils she said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the people of West Northamptonshire. We are asking them to get involved in shaping its future and telling us what their views are." For further information please contact: Ivan Moss, JPU Manager on 01604 838412 imoss@northampton.gov.uk
05/09/2007 - Work Starts on Environmental Improvements in Raunds
East Northamptonshire Council has announced the commencement of a major environmental enhancement programme in Raunds town centre. The start of the project marks the end of the planning and development work by the Council, and residents should now begin to see real improvements to their town. The Council has engaged North Northants Development Company (NNDC), the Urban Regeneration Company driving the growth and revivial of communities across the whole of North Northamptonshire, to manage the project, and the two organisations will be working closely together over the coming months. The £0.75m Raunds Town Centre Environmental Improvement Scheme, which has been funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), East Northamptonshire Council, Raunds Town Council and the Welland Sub-Regional Strategic Partnership (funded by the East Midlands Development Agency). The work beginning today will involve: Enhancing the street lighting and providing architectural lighting to animate public spaces; Providing new toilet and bus facilities; Delivering improved pedestrian access and facilities to The Square and Brook Street, the town centre's main commercial thoroughfare; Introducing traffic calming features to reduce the speeds and dominance of road vehicles throughout the town centre; Improving and extending existing car parking provision and installing new CCTV cameras; Landscaping and tree planting in the Square. David Oliver, Chief Executive of East Northamptonshire Council, says: "East Northamptonshire Council has been developing this project over the past three years and committed a considerable sum to get it off the ground. We are really pleased to have reached the point now where we can hand over the management of the scheme to NNDC and we look forward to seeing a quality scheme that will greatly improve Raunds Town Centre." Bob Lane, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company, said: "The changes made possible by this scheme will significantly improve the economic viability of Raunds town centre and make it a far more accessible, safe and attractive hub for community life. As project managers, NNDC will endeavour to keep disruption to minimum whilst this essential work is carried out." Councillor Michelle Goring, Raunds Town Mayor, adds: "We are delighted to have received this money and I hope people will be pleased with the end result. I feel this is another important benchmark in our exciting venture towards making Raunds a busy, thriving community which people are happy and proud to be part of. The project has not been an easy one to deliver and I would like to thank all those who have been involved in their hard work and efforts." For further information on this release please contact: Janet Walls, Communications Manager at East Northamptonshire Council
Tel: 01832 742169 Email: jwalls@east-northamptonshire.gov.uk. Robert Pine / Sarah Webster ING MEDIA for NNDC Tel: 020 7247 8334 Email: robert@ing-media.com
05/09/2007 - Business Conference gives it some Stig
The University of Northampton will host a special business support conference on Wednesday September 19th at the Saints Rugby Club entitled 'Empowerment Through Enterprise.' The event will also feature guest speaker Perry McCarthy, the original 'Stig' from Top Gear. The conference is designed to showcase partnerships from across the UK that have managed EQUAL programmes over the last three years. EQUAL is a European Social Fund Community Initiative which helps support projects that test and promote new means of combating discrimination and inequalities in the labour market. Successes and best practice from the programme will be highlighted through a series of workshops and seminars on the day, along with an exhibition of companies run by beneficiaries. Business Development Officer at the University of Northampton, Steven Harmer, explains: "This conference is aimed at private sector business support and service providers such as accountants, solicitors, banks, advertising agencies and insurers. "It's a chance for companeis to find out if their products meet the requirements of start ups across the country, and an opportunity to discover how they can adapt and evolve their offering in a way that will lead to a sustainable competitive advantage. The day will also provide vital information for public sector stakeholders, with an opportunity to find out how the EQUAL programme has contributed to the local economy and how they can support further growth within the start-up sector." Registration/tickets are free and interested parties should visit www.northampton.ac.uk/enterpriseclub to register online or call Sharon Oakley on 01604 892626. Alternatively, please download the leaflet and registration forms: Conference Leaflet / Registration Form
03/09/2007 - Groundbreaking Ceremony
On Thursday 23rd August 2007, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held at Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines in Northamptonshire. The ceremony was to celebrate the start of a two year building project, building an extension to the world-class Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre for the design and manufacture of Formula 1 racing engines. Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines have been based in Brixworth, Northants, for a number of years. In April 2007 the first phase of the new Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre was opened by HRH The Duke of York, and work on the next phase is expected to be finished in 2009. PHOTO: Mercedes-Benz HPE staff at the Groundbreaking Ceremony. Front row l-r: Peter Kubiena, Ola Kaellenius, Cllr Chris Millar and Reiner Ehmann. For all press enquiries please contact: Jennifer Sheehan - Communications Officer
Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines
Morgan Drive
Brixworth
Northamptonshire
NN6 9GZ
Direct Tel: 01604 799655
Email: publicity@mercedes-benz-hpe.com
03/09/2007 - Werma Signals Inward Investment Success for County
German-owned Werma Signaltechnik, a leading company in the development of optical and audible signalling devices for the Electronics and Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) industries, recently announced that they have chosen Kettering as the location for their first UK sales, service and distribution centre. The company took the decision to set up in Northamptonshire after receiving support from Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (Invest Northamptonshire) and the East Midlands Development Agency (emda). As well as liaising on Werma's behalf with key intermediaries (eg solicitors and property agents), emda & NEL's inward investment teams provided information on local recruitment agencies, German investors operating in the region, possible sites or offices and local flight information. As a result, the firm - which produces products such as signal towers, beacons and buzzers, horns and sirens to protect and warn people - has created four new jobs and hopes to recruit further staff as expansion plans progress. Simon Adams, Manager of the Werma subsidiary based at Kettering's Telford Way Industrial Estate, said: "The East Midlands is, for us, the ideal location to provide an even greater service to our customers. Our new facility will enable us to supply the UK market with roadside electronic devices by reacting quickly and efficiently to demand and providing a complete technical service from an experienced team." He added: "We're greatful for the help we received from emda and NEL in deciding to set up in Kettering. I would recommend their professional support and advice to any other company that is thinking of settig up in the region." Inward Investment plays a vital part in bringing high-quality, well-paid and interesting jobs to the region. Attracting technology-driven companies like Werma to invest in the East Midlands is essential in stimulating the local economy. Nicola Kidd, emda's Head of International Investment, commented: "It's great news that Werma has chosen Kettering and I wish the company every success as they expand their UK business base. Northamptonshire and the wider East Midlands have a great deal to offer potential investors, with world-class companies and strong research and innovation capabilities. We are committed to building on this international reputation, and see inward investment as key to securing economic prosperity and creating a flourishing region." James Cushing, Business Infrastructure Manager at NEL, added: "Werma's investment in Northamptonshire is further evidence of the county's strength as a premier business location with an unrivaled growth agenda. We look forward to continuing to work with the company in the future." Further inforamtion on Werma can be found on www.werma.com