4front - south cheshire chamber's business magazine (spring 2015 edition)

Spring 2015

S O U T H C H E S H I R E C H A M B E R B U S I N E S S M A G A Z I N E

Businessessupport

Crewe PledgePage 6

SPRING 4Front_Layout 1 13/04/2015 10:04

3FOREWORD

Welcome to our Spring Edition of SouthCheshire Chamber’s 4FRONT magazine for2015.

General election campaigning is nowofficially underway and while the result isvery unclear at this stage, the Chambernetwork is very clear about what itrequires from the next government.

As part of the British Chambers ofCommerce (BCC) Accredited Chambernetwork, through consultation over thelast 12 months we have produced abusiness manifesto called ‘A Business Planfor Britain’ which sets out clearly whatbusinesses require to prosper. During theterm of the next parliament, decisionsmade will determine how our businesseshave the ability to grow and tradedomestically and internationally.

John Longworth, Director General of theBCC outlines the manifesto (Page 7) andthe seven actions that must be at the heartof the plan for the next government. Highon the list of priorities is ‘Developing thetalents of the next generation’, because aswe know, preparing young people for theworld of work and nurturing the businessleaders of the future is essential to the UK’scompetitiveness.

In South Cheshire over the last fewmonths businesses, education and thelocal authorities have been workingtogether to create the ‘Crewe Pledge’whose aim is to provide every youngperson with an opportunity to developemployability skills and personal qualitiesthat will lead to jobs and further education.The launch of the ‘Crewe Pledge’ (Pages 6& 7) took place at South Cheshire Collegerecently and it generated over 130attendees from all sectors for a breakfastevent, showing the commitment to helpyoung people in our area.

Another key priority for businesses aheadof the election is the need to rebuildBritain’s infrastructure, because a world-class economy needs a world class

infrastructure, and businesses needcertainty that crucial improvements areactually delivered. In South Cheshire wehave seen investment in infrastructureincluding the Crewe Green Link road andBasford West Spine road plus theimprovements to Junctions 16 and 17 of theM6. Funding has also been allocated forthe Crewe Green roundabout and thebottleneck that is the Sydney Road bridge.If after the election we can haveconfirmation of the proposed High Speedrail hub, then South Cheshire is well placedto prosper and grow.

Of course there are many other factorsthat influence the growth of an economyincluding business start-up, long-termbusiness investment, driving down costsand taxes and international trade support.The Chamber is involved in all theseactivities and should your business need orrequire support please do not hesitate tocontact the Chamber team.

I hope you enjoy this edition of 4FRONT and I encourage you to submitarticles for future magazines [email protected].

Chief ExecutiveSouth Cheshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry

@SCCCI_CEO

Welcome to the Springedition of 4Front, themagazine for businesses inSouth Cheshire

Chamber Team

Paul ColmanChief Executive

http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/paul-colman/

Jon BarnesChamber Manager

http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/jon-barnes/

Tina HankeyChamber Executive -

Membership Co-ordinatorhttp://www.sccci.co.uk/

portal/tina-hankey/

Nadeem AhmadChamber Executive -Business Community & ICT Development

http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/nadeem-ahmad/

Madeleine AbbeyChamber Executive -PA to Chief Executivehttp://www.sccci.co.uk/

portal/madeleine-abbey/

Anne XiourouppaAccounts

http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/Anne_M_Xiourouppa/

Richard WeildingBusiness Loans Executivehttp://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/richard_weilding/

Paul WilcoxUKTI

http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/paul-wilcox/

The Chamber, or any of its agents/representatives/staff, cannot accept any legal liability for the accuracy of the news items and articlescontained in the magazine, which have been obtained and are reproduced in good faith.

The Chamber also reserves the right to edit articles submitted for publication or exclude them completely.

Clair ViscoBusiness Travel Planning Officer

http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/Clair/

Trevor LangstonChamber Executive -Business & Education

Co-ordinatorhttp://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/trevor-langston/

Claes GulliksenMMU Cheshire Student

www.southcheshirechamber.co.uk

Michael SwalesSpringfield School Student

Dianne ParrishBusiness Connector, Crewe

and South Cheshire (Working incollaboration with South Cheshire

Chamber of Commerce)

Gemma LennonMembership Marketing

Support


4 NEW MEMBERS

Meet our new members . .

Brampton Recruitment LtdBrampton House, 10 Queen Street, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 1EDTelephone: 01782 667 591charlotte@bramptonrecruitment.co.ukwww.bramptonrecruitment.co.ukRecruitment

Tebbitts & CoFirst Floor, Scope House, Weston RdCrewe, Cheshire CW1 6DDTelephone: 01270 211 567Fax: 01477 587 [email protected] www.tebbitts.co.ukSolicitors

Bailey Fine ArtsDagfields Farm, Crewe Road, WalghertonNantwich, Cheshire CW5 7LGTelephone: 01270 842 [email protected] Art Dealers

Britoffice LtdManor Farm, Holmes Chapel Road, SprostonMiddlewich, Cheshire CW4 7LPTelephone: 01606 837 370Fax: 01606 837 [email protected] www.britoffice.co.ukOffice supplies

Cheshire Connectc/o South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, Lyme Building, Westmere Drive, Crewe BusinessPark, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 6ZDTelephone: 01270 504700Mobile: 07946 639 394dianeparrish@cheshireconnect.orgwww.cheshireconnect.orgCharity

Teach Speech21 Tynedale Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 7NYTelephone: 01270 651 [email protected] Speech Support

A J Lovekin Handyman ServicesKenwood, Parkside, Madeley, Crewe, CheshireCW3 9JRMobile: 07449 035 [email protected] Maintenance

Oak Exports LtdTarporley Business Centre, Tarporley, CheshireCW6 9UYTelephone: 01829 733 671Fax: 01829 732 [email protected]

Route2Take LtdOllerbarrow House, 209-211 Ashley Road, Hale,Cheshire WA15 9SQMobile: 07940 772 [email protected]

Aztec AerosolsQuakers Coppice, Crewe Gates, Crewe, CheshireCW1 6FATelephone: 01270 656 [email protected]

Heelheadover Productions LtdHeath Cottage, Wrenbury Heath, Nantwich,Cheshire CW5 8EQMobile: 07525 816 [email protected]

Sugar Cloud Cakes64 Shelburne Drive, Haslington, Crewe, CheshireCW1 5QGTelephone: 01270 252 [email protected] for all occassions

Be You tiful1a The Commons, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 1EGTelephone: 01270 767 [email protected]

Mustard Seed MarketingFrederick House, Princes Court, Beam Heath Way, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6PQTelephone: 01270 623 804Fax: 01270 524 920david@mustardseedmarketing.co.ukwww.mustardseedmarketing.co.ukMarketing

Helen Williams Photography90 Valley Road, Wistaston, Crewe, CheshireCW2 8JYMobile: 07590 679 387enquiries@helenwilliamsphotography.co.ukwww.helenwilliamsphotography.co.ukPhotographic

Cheshire Celebrant6 Chatsworth Close, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 6SWTelephone: 01270 323 717cheshirecelebrant@talktalk.netwww.cheshirecelebrant.org.ukIndependent Celebrant

E G Training & ConsultancyPhillands House, 15 Riverside GroveWistaston, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 8QPTelephone: 01270 567 141paul.holland@eg-training-plus.co.ukwww.eg-training-plus.co.ukTraining & Consultancy

B W Electrical Data Services4 Lochleven Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 6EXMobile: 07793 290 [email protected]

For more information on joining the Chamber contact Tina on 01270 504 700 Ext 16 or email [email protected] you would like a meeting with a member of the Chamber Team, please contact the Chamber on 01270 504700



5NEW MEMBERS


Jo Jo’s Day NurseryTotal Fitness Gym, Macon Way, Crewe, CheshireCW1 6DGTelephone: 01270 314 [email protected] Care

Bifolds Plus9 Welles Street, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 1GTTelephone: 0333 222 [email protected]

The Yew Tree InnLong Lane Spurstow, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 9RDTelephone: 01829 260 [email protected] House & Restaurant

Cambridge Mercantile71 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BSMobile: 07880 491 382Telephone: 02070 234 [email protected] Exchange Consultant

Paul John Howarth - Artist18a Pillory Street, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5BDMobile: 07855 855 [email protected]

My Local Guru Ltd3 Regents Gate, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6TFMobile: 07867 908 [email protected] Software Development

Cooper Poole LtdUnit 4, 269 Newcastle Road, Blakelow, Nantwich,Cheshire CW5 7ETTelephone: 01270 620 020Fax: 01270 314 [email protected] www.cooperpoole.co.ukAir Conditioning

Deposit Sense LtdRadway Green Business Centre, Radway GreenCrewe, Cheshire CW2 5PRTelephone: 01270 886 215paul.alkins@depositsense.co.ukwww.effectivecashmanagement.co.ukFinance & Legal

Fix I.T - Nantwich Ltd16A Pepper Street, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5ABTelephone: 01270 625 [email protected] Hardware Sales

Open DoorHaslington Methodist Church, Bradeley RoadHaslington, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 5PWTelephone: 01270 501 [email protected]

Wilhall Tool & Gauge LtdUnit 2, 269 Newcastle Road, Shavington, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7ETTelephone: 01270 666 088Fax: 01270 666 [email protected]

Bazerbow Limited49 Lochleven Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 6RXTelephone: 01270 650 [email protected]

First Hosted Limited112-114 The Courtyard, Radway Green BusinessCentre, Radway GreenCrewe, Cheshire CW2 5PRTelephone: 01270 446 [email protected]. • www.fhl.co.ukCloud Computing

P Barrett LandscapesCherry Orchard Farm, Poole, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6ALTelephone: 01270 610 [email protected]

Up and Under Foundationc/o Up and Under Group, Coppice House,Quakers Coppice, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 6FATelephone: 01270 589 [email protected] •www.upandunderfoundation.orgCharity

Atherton and Associates Wealth ManagementLtd - Chartered Financial Planners1 Park Road, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7AQTelephone: 01270 624 164Fax: 01270 619 [email protected] •www.athertonandassociates.co.ukFinance & Legal

Love Art Gallery46 Pillory Street, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5BGTelephone: 01270 626 [email protected]

Begbies TraynorThe Old Barn, Caverswall Park, Caverswall Lane,Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST3 6HPTelephone: 01782 394 500Fax: 01782 392 [email protected] Practitioners

Summer Issue due out29th June 2015

Editorial Deadline29th May 2015

Advertisement Deadline5th June 2015

Contact [email protected]

For Advertising Sales and Articlesplease contact Tina Hankey:

South Cheshire ChamberLyme Building, Westmere Drive,

Crewe Business ParkCrewe CW1 6ZD

Tel: 01270 504 700 • Ext 16 Fax: 01270 504 701

Email: [email protected] www.sccci.co.uk/portal/tina-hankey


6 CHAMBER NEWS


More than 150 people from over 60 different organisations havepledged their support to an exciting new initiative promisingCrewe's young people a brighter future.

Crewe Pledge, a scheme forging closer links between young peopleand employers, was officially launched on Friday 27th March at SouthCheshire College.

Several key partners are behind the scheme which will developcloser links between employers and young people.

Trevor Langston, who is leading on the Crewe Pledge, said: "Wehave been overwhelmed with the initial response to Crewe Pledge.Local employers are in a unique position to improve the futureprospects for Crewe's young people and they have shown they areright behind the principle of giving them a chance to show howmuch they have to offer."

The launch invited businesses to sign up to the Pledge which states:"Businesses in Crewe will work together with the aim of providingevery young person living, studying or working in Crewe with theopportunity to develop employability related skills and personalqualities whilst in education and then a choice of a job, training orfurther education opportunity when they leave."

Business representatives took away a copy of their signed pledge.Now copies of the signed pledges will be posted in schools andcolleges showing students companies keen to offer opportunitiessuch as apprenticeships and work placements.

Chamber chief executive Paul Colman said: "Nurturing the businessleaders of tomorrow is essential to the UK's competitiveness.Crewe Pledge can help drive this forward. Locally you just need tolook at the figures to see how important it is to develop a youngand enthusiastic workforce."

"Crewe's growth profile, underpinned by thorough economicanalysis, anticipates by 2030 over 20,000 jobs will be created. In thewider region, with HS2, there could be over 60,000 jobs created.

"Crewe Pledge will help develop a quality 'pipeline' of young peopleentering the jobs market to take on these roles."

Businesses were joined by pupils and staff from Crewe's secondaryschools as well as Reaseheath and South Cheshire Colleges,Manchester Metropolitan University, Total People, South CheshireChamber of Commerce, Cheshire East Council and Crewe TownCouncil. All have worked together as a partnership to get the Pledgeestablished.

Trevor Langston said: "The Pledge encourages businesses toconsider how many under 21 and 25s are on their staff and ask ifthey are taking on and nurturing young people for the benefit ofthe long term interests of their business."

Jamie Stewart, of Bumblebee Digital which handles Crewe Pledgewebsite (www.thecrewepledge.co.uk) and social media, said: "Takingon apprentices has helped my business in many ways. The energyand enthusiasm they bring can help transform any business."

Any business that would like to become involved in CrewePledge is asked to call Trevor Langston at the Chamber on01270 504700 or 07595 496400.

Alternatively email [email protected].

continued . . .

Scheme creates new prospects for Crewe’s young people

A great turn-out for the launch of Crewe Pledge

Richard Jones signing up to Crewe Pledge for Mornflake in Crewe

Students from Crewe secondary schools, colleges and university were represented at the launch event

Pictures: Pure PR


7CHAMBER NEWS


Alpha Omega Securities LtdAssociation of Accounting TechniciansAssurant SolutionsAstrum Design and PrintBarclays Bank PLCBentleyBumblebee Digital LtdBusiness DoctorsCareers AcademyCarrot InsuranceCat Community RadioChanging Education LtdCheshire ConnectCheshire East CouncilCheshire East Virtual SchoolCheshire East Young ServiceThe Co-operative GroupCrewe LyceumCrewe Town CouncilctchealthcareDonna Louise Children’s HospiceDorothy Clive Garden

Expert Logistics Hall Smith Whittingham LLPHibberts LtdHoliday Inn ExpressJames WalkerJohn Heath Insurance BrokersKeltbray AspireKidzKitchenKindertonsKing’s Grove SchoolKPI RecruitingMagenta Moon LLPManchester Metropolitan UniversityMartin and Co.Mid Cheshire Hospital Foundation TrustMornflakeNational Apprenticeship ServiceNational Sales AcademyNavigation Skills.co.ukP.A.4 You LtdPurple Oak Consulting LtdQHotels, Crewe Hall

Reasheath CollegeRed ShiftReturn on Investment LtdRuskin Community High SchoolSafe OpportunitiesSG WorldSir William StanierSouth Cheshire Chamber of Commerceand IndustrySouth Cheshire CollegeSpringfield SchoolStepping StonesSt Thomas MoreSue Roberts - Utility WarehouseSwansway GaragesThe Team Chongi AcademyTotal people LtdUnipart RailVirgin TrainsWulvern HousingYMCA Crewe

A Britain built for growth

Over the next five years, we canbecome a more confident, moreenterprising, more skilled trading nation- or retreat into slow but very realdecline. The decisions taken during theterm of the next Parliament will have aprofound impact on our ability to growbusinesses here at home and tradeacross the world.

For the life of the Parliament andbeyond, we need a Business Plan forBritain – with governments across the UK focusing their attentionon creating the best possible environment for growth, aspirationand enterprise.

A Britain built for growth is a Britain where government decisionsare relentlessly pro-growth; business policies are fit for the longterm; local business communities are empowered; the machineryof national and local government works with and for business; andthose held democratically accountable for outcomes are free toappoint those in charge of delivery.

To achieve growth that delivers prosperity, seven actionsmust be at the heart of any plan for government:• Develop the talents of the next generation - becausepreparing young people for the world of work, investing in the skillsof those already at work, and nurturing the business leaders oftomorrow are essential to the UK’s competitiveness;

• Support long-term business investment - because promotingaccess to finance, and backing investors in dynamic businesses willsupport the rebalancing the UK economy so badly needs and helpdrive up productivity;

• Grow Britain’s global trade potential - because buildinginternational networks, investing in our export skills base and

removing barriers to trade will support UK businesses to take onthe world;

• Place business at the heart of local growth - becauseensuring business growth takes centre stage in local decision-making and procurement will boost the economies of our cities,towns, and counties;

• Rebuild Britain’s business infrastructure - because a world-class economy needs worldclass infrastructure, and businessesneed certainty that crucial improvements are actually delivered;

• Drive down business costs and taxes - because simplifyingthe UK tax system, and reducing the taxes firms pay even beforethey generate a profit, will boost businesses competitiveness,investment and jobs;

• Deliver a new settlement for Britain in Europe - becausemaking the economic opportunities of the European trading blocwork for business, and ensuring clear safeguards for Britain againstunwanted further integration, will be critical for our future success.

The goals of our Business Plan for Britain are shared by companiesin every region and nation of the UK. In some cases, action isrequired from Westminster - in others, solutions will be in thehands of the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, NorthernIreland and local areas in England.

Our Business Plan for Britain is practical, pragmatic and achievable.We call on the next UK government, the devolved administrations,and local authorities – regardless of location or political colour - towork together and with us to make it a reality.

The UK stands at a fork in the road

Signed up to the Crewe Pledge

John Longworth, Director General


MARCHChamber Portal User Workshop26th March Pitman Training CentreFinal Friday27th March at the Aga Shop, Nantwich

APRILWelcome Morning10th April at the ChamberChamber Portal User Workshop23rd April at Pitman Training CentreFinal Friday24th April at Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe

MAYWelcome Morning1st May at the ChamberChamber Portal User Workshop21st May at Pitman Training CentreFinal Friday29th May at Storage Boost, Crewe

JUNEWelcome Morning5th June at the ChamberTexas ScrambleWychwood Park Golf Club (date to be confirmed)Chamber Portal User Workshop18th June at PitmanTraining CentreFinal Friday26th June (venue to be confirmed)

8 CHAMBER NEWS / MEMBERS NEWS


Forthcoming Events

Look out for more Chamber events coming soon!

For more information and event listings or if you wish to promote your own event

visit the Chamber Member Portal:www.sccci.co.uk

Farewell to ClairAs many of you may know, Clair Viscoworked on Crewe’s ‘Smarter Ways to Travel’Local Sustainable Transport Programme asthe Business Travel Planning Officer, workingone day a week from the South CheshireChamber Offices and the other two days inCheshire East’s Transport Service. Clair wassurprised to find that her initial appointmentof seven months turned into almost twoyears – and how that time has flown!

Clair really enjoyed working on thesustainable transport project and in the line of duty, found herselffacing various situations she wasn’t expecting, from posing in frontof a bus, doing a radio interview, creating a media stir with herUFO spotting skills, riding a mega-bike and finally, playing in themud at Queens Park when the recent Cheshire Cat Family cyclerides were blown and washed away, save for four hardy, intrepidlocals who turned up to complete their rides.

Affable and with a great sense of humour, Clair fitted in well withCouncil and Chamber colleagues and has said that everyonemade her feel incredibly welcome from day one. She made manygood contacts and worked tirelessly to involve numerousbusinesses in the project, to improve as many journeys as possible- and through the ‘Smarter Travel Partnership’ and our own newtravel website, both legacies of the programme, will continue hergood work.

Clair has returned to her job at Jacobs in Manchester, but hasadmitted that she’s going to miss working in Crewe. Signing off,she said “I’m sure I’m one of the noisy ones in the office, so enjoythe peace and quiet!”

To Clair, we would like to say a big ‘Thank you’ for all you havedone to raise awareness of the benefits of sustainable travel inCrewe. We’ll really miss you and any time you’d like to call in tocatch up with progress you’ll be most welcome!

Founder of RedShift Radio, Liz Southall, has recently received twocommunity awards.

The first was presented to Liz as one of eight chosen by SusanSellers during her year as the High Sheriff of Cheshire.

Announcing the recipient of the award for “Great and ValuableServices to the Community,” Mrs Sellers said: “Liz is a woman ofboundless energy who four years ago started RedShift Radio. Thisis an online community radio station based in Crewe that not onlypromotes many different voluntary organisations but has manyvolunteers working as presenters. She also provides support forstudents from the Prince’s Trust and has a charity slot on a Fridayafternoon where she promotes local causes.”

The same day as the High Sheriff Award, Liz received a letter fromthe Mayor of Nantwich, Cllr Christine Farrall, to say she had beenselected to receive one of her new Salt of the Earth Awards forher services to the Nantwich community.

Liz received the “Mayor’s Award for Inspiration” at Nantwich CivicHall where the Mayor also praised the new website Liz has set upto help promote the town of Nantwich, called inNantwich.net.

Anyone who can offer time or sponsorship to any futureevents including The Nantwich Food & Drink Festival,Nantwich Show, The Weaver Wander or Battle ofNantwich is asked to email [email protected]

Double Award forCommunity Radio Founder

Liz Southall with High Sheriff Susan Sellers and Mayor of Nantwich, Cllr Christine Farrall


9PORTAL NEWS / CHAMBER NEWS


BCC Annual Conference:‘We need a business plan for Britain’

South Cheshire Chamber of Commercerepresentatives joined Chambers fromacross the country at the BCC annualconference.

Speakers and panelists focused onaddressing four business-critical themes -developing the talents of the nextgeneration, growing UK exports, devolutionto all regions of the UK and Britain’sposition in the world, at the BritishChamber of Commerce’s AnnualConference in March at the QEIIConference Centre in Westminster.

The conference, brought together morethan 800 business people from a range ofindustries, and from across the UK.

Speakers included Senior Cabinet Ministersand opposition spokespeople includingPrime Minister David Cameron, DeputyPrime Minister Nick Clegg and Ed Balls, theShadow Chancellor of the Exchequer andChuka Umunna, the Shadow Secretary ofState for Business, Innovation and Skills.

BCC Director General John Longworth setout the leading business group’s GeneralElection manifesto — entitled A BusinessPlan for Britain — and has called on allaspirants to political power to embrace apro-enterprise, pro-growth agenda in orderto generate wealth and prosperity for theUnited Kingdom. John Longworth said:

“I want to begin today with something of astrong dose of reality. The United Kingdomis a small country in a dangerous,competitive and uncertain world. The 64million people who live on these islands areless than 1% of the world’s population. Werepresent just 3% of global GDP. We wereonce, but are no longer, the world’s leadingpolitical and commercial power.

“Yet - in an increasingly specialised world –our size and these changed circumstancesare not a problem. Indeed, they are anopportunity. Britain is a niche player in a

global market of constant change. Fleet offoot, flexible,and open. Britain is a greatplace to do business in the world of the21st century.

“That is why the British Chambers ofCommerce have set out a “Business Planfor Britain”. Practical, real-world ideas, thatwill help boost business as our countrynavigates through a world full of turbulence,both economic and political. Chamberbusinesses know what it takes, and the sortof environment we need, in order to deliverthat essential, great, long-term, sustainablegrowth. So, to those who scoff at thepossibility of Britain meeting theChancellor’s aim – or the ambitions set outin our own British Chambers Manifesto – Isay this:

“Think not that it is an impossible challenge.Instead, think about what we need to do tomake it a reality – understanding thefundamentals, embracing uncertainty andtaking risks, like businesses do day in andday out”.

To find out more about the BCCConference and speeches deliveredvisit www.bccconference.co.uk

John Longworth, Director General


10 CHAMBER NEWS


Switch and save says Council Leader

Residents in Cheshire East can now switch to a new supplier, apartnership between the Council and OVO Energy.

Customers will get:

• Potential average savings ofup to £200-£250 a year (See note 1);

• Ability to fix contracts for 12 months;

• No exit fees;

• 3 per cent interest rewardpaid on all credit balances,up to £1,000 (See note 2);

• Award-winning customerservice.

Mr Jones said: “I was the first to sign up when we officially launchedFairerpower at Westfields, Sandbach, on Monday, March 16.Television cameras and radio reporters were there to capture ahistoric moment.

“By setting up Fairerpower, Cheshire East becomes the first localauthority to supply energy direct to the public since gas andelectricity were nationalised in 1948. We are not making any moneyout of Fairerpower, in fact we’re investing in it. That’s because I wantto eliminate fuel poverty in Cheshire East and Fairerpower will helpto do this.

“Our offer will be available to all sections of the community and cansave most people a lot of money. Never again will people in

Cheshire East have to choose between eating or heating during thewinter and Fairerpower’s offer is so good, it may soon be availableto people living outside the borough.”

He was particularly pleased to get the backing of Chancellor of theExchequer and Tatton MP George Osborne, who said: “I welcomethe partnership between Cheshire East Council and OVO. Morechoice for local people means competitive prices. I would stronglyencourage my constituents to see how much they can save byswitching their energy supplier.”

Customers who pay by monthly direct debit can now switch to theFairerpower service. Pay-as-you-go customers will be able to signup shortly and an offer for businesses is due to launch in thesummer.

OVO is the first ever energy supplier to be given Which?Recommended Provider status and the company also came top in10 out of 12 categories in the uSwitch Energy Awards 2014, includingSupplier of the Year.

To find out how much you can save and how to switch,please go to: www.fairerpower.co.uk

Michael Jones (right) and CraigMorley, managing director of

OVO Communities, at the launch of Fairerpower

Cheshire East Council leader Michael Jones presents Fairerpower - a great value new energy servicelaunched by the local authority

Notes[1] Fairerpower’s 12-month fixed tariff for a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, medium user (3200 kWhselec. and 13500 kWhs gas) paying monthly in advance by direct debit and without online discount.Comparisons made against British Gas’ “(Standard) Variable” tariff for a non-economy- 7, dual fuelmedium user (as above) paying by monthly direct debit and without online discount. Cheaper tariffsmay be available. 44% of customers in the Fairerpower region are with British Gas (QuarterlyDomestic Energy Customer Numbers September 2014, Department of Energy and Climate Change)and between 50%-90% of customers with the Big Six (including British Gas) are on standard variabletariffs. Incl VAT. Actual savings may vary according to your current supplier and tariff, Fairerpower tariffoptions, consumption and location. You will have 14 days to cancel your contract.

[2] Calculated at 3%/year, paid monthly based on number of days in credit and the amount left inyour account after you’ve paid your bill. Interest is capped at 12 times the amount of the currentdirect debit amount and is available to customers paying by advance direct debit. Terms apply.


12 CHAMBER NEWS


Need a loan? The Chamber can help . . .

The sacking of Jeremy Clarkson hasperhaps shown that no one is immunefrom sanctions for unacceptable behaviour.Such a decision will undoubtedly be apainful one for the BBC as they make itclear that they are prepared to jeopardiseone of their most lucrative franchises.

The case throws up interesting questionsabout how much anyone in business shouldtake, from not only staff, but customers, inour commercial world before beingcompelled to take action.

In over 40 years of visiting companypremises, I have yet to come across a boxing ring in the middle ofthe canteen where staff differences can be sorted out, or even apillory for holding ‘Worst Employee of the Week’ at the mercy ofemployers and staff, with a surfeit of rotten fruit and veg.

The whole Clarkson episode seems to hinge on a request for lunchfrom a work colleague, which unless this involved any element ofcannibalism, would appear to have escalated quitedisproportionately to where we are now.

I suppose this now means that the innocent question from a workcolleague – ‘I’m off into town for some lunch – does anyone wantanything?’ – is now potentially the most explosive statement duringthe working day.

Perhaps we need to keep things in perspective and not necessarilyget out to IKEA for a flat pack boxing ring or pillory just yet(Doubtless the pillory would come with a guarantee based upon1000 hours of testing – mind boggling!).

The moral here is mutual respect - not only where staff isconcerned, but also customers. We may all aspire to drive likeClarkson, but there will be very few who seek to be like him. Goodstaff and customer relationships remain key features for businesssuccess.

The Chamber Loan Fund continues to support companies seekingto enhance their customers’ experience and staff development, sothat our businesses continue on a harmonious pathway to greatersuccess.

I now take a Tesco trolley with me as I pop out for some lunch, soobliging I am to take orders from my colleagues at the Chamber.My Skoda and I are at one with other drivers on the roads of Creweand Nantwich with a cheery wave as you cut me up and I countseveral Argentinians amongst my closest friends.

Feel free to contact me at the Chamber. I will be the guy in thewhite suit and helmet, recently unemployed but glad to be back,and in keeping with the image I have developed in my previousemployment, ready to burn Skoda rubber to meet up with you.

For more information on Chamber loans contact Richard Weilding on 01270 504700 or email [email protected]

You can read more from Richard on the Chamber Portal where he blogsregularly - http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/richard_weilding/blog

Business Loans ExecutiveRichard Weilding

Football club scores as function venueNantwich Town Football Club has upgradedkitchen facilities as part of its continuedinvestment in the Weaver Stadium.

The project has brought the kitchenfacilities up to the standard of its impressivefunction suite which is becoming anincreasingly popular venue in Nantwich.

The previous kitchen facilities severelylimited the range of functions that the clubcould accommodate and the club directorsrecognised this was restricting the level ofevents that could be catered for within thefunction suite.

With the help of a loan from SouthCheshire Chamber of Commerce LoanFund, the club has extensively refurbishedthe kitchen and upgraded the cooking andpreparation facilities within this area. TonyDavison, Club Director, said: “Thisinvestment will enable us to increase ourcapability in providing a full range of cateringsupport to our function suite. This will allowthe club to hold more events in what is afirst class venue. We feel that we now havea venue that will match any other in thearea for accommodating events such as

Sportsman’s Dinners, Corporate Events,Family Celebrations and indeed anythingthat requires a meeting place.

“Our location with significant car parkinghas always been an advantage for us andthis investment will help the club move our

activities in this field to another level. “A keyelement in all this is the additional incomethat such an investment will enable us tobring to the Football Club which does needto have diverse options in generating fundsover and above match day receipts.

“All funds are reinvested into the footballside of the club both at Community andLeague level.”

The club has been based at the WeaverStadium, off Waterlode, since its move fromJackson Avenue in 2006. Richard Weildingof the Chamber Loan Fund said: “We weredelighted to support Nantwich Town in thisventure. The Business Plan provided by theBoard made complete sense in enhancingtheir income streams and optimising thereturns from the facilities available at TheWeaver Stadium.”

Anyone looking for a venue shouldcontact Michelle Gradon at the club on01270 621771

To speak to Richard Weilding aboutthe Chamber Loan scheme call 01270504700

Tony Davison, Nantwich Football Club Director, with Richard Weilding, Chamber

Business Loans Executive

Bat out of Hell or B Road out of Nantwich


13CHAMBER NEWS


A Dane in Crewe

Claes Gulliksen, from Denmark, is workingwith the Chamber as an intern on a placement in association with MMUCheshire. He has been sharing hisexperience of working with the Chamberand living in Crewe in a series of blogs.

Here he looks at Twinning and the role itplays in the modern business world.

During my internship at The South CheshireChamber of Commerce I have beenworking with something I have heard of andactually been a part of at home in Denmark.The work I have done is trying to connectthe South Cheshire Chamber of Commercewith Chambers in the Twinning Towns toCrewe and Nantwich.

What is Twinning?

Twinning is not something new, since it hasexisted for Centuries, but after the twoWorld Wars, and especially World War IIthe number of towns that twin with eachother has grown. This has been done in aneffort to heal Europe of its scars after theWars, and to inspire the people toovercome cultural barriers, acceptance,

tolerance and language. Twinning townssign an agreement with each other aboutthe area they are twinning with and mostTwinning towns have some resemblance.For example Crewe and Nantwich istwinned with the following three towns:Bischofsheim (Germany), Macon (France)and Dzierżoniów (Poland).

What is the Resemblance of theTwinning Towns?

The Twinning towns to Crewe andNantwich resemble each other in the factthat two of them are railway towns, just likeCrewe, and central hubs on a railwaysystem in their respected countries. All ofthe towns have schools and colleges inthem, the same as Crewe and Nantwich.

My experience with Twinning

I first became aware of Twinning some 16years ago at home in Denmark, here I wasinvited, together with my Brother to join aTwinning experience visiting KarupsTwinning town Kalosca in Hungary. Wetravelled with a school class from the townto Kalosca, where each child had a pen-palin the school we were visiting and eachDanish student had to live together at thepen-pals home while the Danish teachershad to live together with the Hungarianteachers at their home. This was a very niceexperience for both the children and theteachers and all had learned some languageskills because the only shared languagebetween Hungary and Denmark is English,and perhaps a little bit of German. We arein the year 2015 and for the last 2 months Ihave communicated with people in theTwinning towns to Crewe and Nantwichand it looks like we are finally makingheadway in our effort to make contact withthe Chambers of Commerce in theTwinning Towns.

Who are the Twinning towns?

Macon

Is the oldest of the Twinning Towns toCrewe and Nantwich and is a railway hub inFrance. Macon is serviced by TGV (very fasttrain 187 miles pr. hour) and normal trains.The Chamber has got good contact to theCCI SAÔNE-ET -LOIRE where we speak toLaurent Manson.

Bischofsheim

Is the second oldest of the Twinning Townsto Crewe and Nantwich and is a railway hubin Germany. Bischofsheim is serviced bytrains and is close to the bigger Germantowns of Mains, Frankfurt and Darmstadt.IHK Darmstadt is the Chamber for the townand we have a good contact there inChristina Dempfle.

DzierżoniówIs the newest of the Twinning Towns toCrewe and Nantwich and is located inPoland in lower Silesia. Dzierżoniów is nota railway town but shares a twinning townwith Crewe and Nantwich. Here we arebeginning to make progress but are yet toget a contact.

Why Twinning?

Twinning is still very popular, and we live ina time where education and business areglobal. By having a twinning town in aforeign town you have a gateway for yourbusinesses and education to go abroad andreach new markets and gain new skills totrade on the global market. In view of that,the South Cheshire Chamber is trying toorganise a Twinning event with the help ofthe Chairman of CANTA, Clive Mosby, to getCompanies and Chambers of Commercefrom our Twinning Towns to a conferencebased on the following three top peaks:Business expo, networking and socialengagement in the form of lunches and agolf tournament. I hope many businessesfrom Crewe and Nantwich will participatein the event this summer and that it will bea success to be hosted next year in one ofour three Twinning Towns.

Finally I invite you to follow what is going onin the blog “a Dane in Crewe” on the SouthCheshire Chamber website. The hope is tomake a site on the website which will houseall the information the Chamber hasgathered about Twinning and the TwinningTowns, so I hope to see your comments.


14 NETWORKING


Being a member of the South Cheshire Chamber offers a great dealof opportunity to network and make new business contacts.

Final Friday events are a chance to gather at different locations – justrecently venues have included Nantwich Museum, the CheshireCheese pub at Shavington and Nantwich Aga shop.

There have been social evenings at local theatres. Members visitedthe Lyceum Theatre to see Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat and Reckless Sleepers presented Negative Space at theAxis Arts Centre at the Manchester Metropolitan University CheshireCampus in Crewe.

Meanwhile Welcome Mornings, greeting new and existing members,continue to attract large gatherings at the Chamber offices.

Spring and summer months offer more opportunity to network at avariety of venues including the Manchester Metropolitan Universityand Storage Boost.

Call the Chamber on 01270 504700 or visit the website formore details www.sccci.co.uk

A busy season of networking

Photographs show Madeleine Abbey and Nadeem Ahmad of theSouth Cheshire Chamber with Nantwich Museum manager Kate

Dobson and Final Friday networking at the town attraction

Nantwich Museum

Members enjoyed Final Friday networking at the Cheshire Cheese pub in Shavington where Madeleine Abbey

is seen with pub manager Michael Carnell

Cheshire Cheese Pub

Welcome Mornings are a great opportunity to learn more about the Chamber and make new business contacts

Welcome Mornings

Nantwich Aga shop was the latest venue for Final Friday networking

Nantwich AGA Shop

Theatre evenings have become a popular date on the Chamber events calendar

Cloverleaf Images took the photos at both the Cheshire Cheese pub and the Nantwich Museum

Lyceum Theatre and Axis Arts Centre


15CHAMBER NEWS


CREWE LIFESTYLE CENTRE

As part of the construction timetable, aceremonial ‘topping out’ ceremony washeld last month. The new Lifestyle Centreis due to be open and operational by Spring2016. Relocation of services to the LifestyleCentre will release other sites fordevelopment across the town including butnot limited to Crewe Library and Flag LaneSwimming Baths.

This £15m facility will increase footfall at alltimes of the day in the town centre and willbe a landmark building which will providetwo swimming pools, a gym, multi-purposeexhibition hall and suites and a new libraryand adult and family day care provision.

BUSINESS GROWTH

Over recent months we’ve seen the growthof many local businesses – including Bentley,Expert Logistics and OSL Rail. There’s astrong pipeline of new investment andexpansion enquiries that we hope come tofruition.

Cheshire East has announced their intentionto sell part of the Redsands site to HPLPrototypes which is intended as a newR&D base. The deal is subject to planningbut, if approved, it will create 70 new jobs.

Engineering company Mahle are alsoopening an office base at Crewe BusinessPark, relocating from Stoke.

Assurant Solutions – significant number ofnew jobs at their current HQ in Crewe – upto 25% increase in headcount

Wrights’ new bakery facility is now open atWeston Road. This £6m investmentproduces 144 individual products andemploys 80 staff.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Development is well advanced atDunwoody Way which will include a newfamily restaurant/pub, and at Grand Junctiontwo new restaurants will be opening shortly.There is also a local developer investing inspeculative new industrial units onUniversity Way.

ENERGY

Having undertaken initial analysis of thegeothermal opportunities in Crewe,supported by funding from the Departmentfor Energy & Climate Change, a further £56khas just been awarded to the council tosupport linked plans to establish a districtheating network in Crewe town centre.This reflects the opportunity that urban

areas like Crewe have to enable homes andbusinesses to be connected to a singlesource of heating, thereby achieve efficiencysavings and cost reductions.

Following the council’s promotion of theunique geothermal opportunities beneathCrewe, financial investors and companies inthe utility market have expressed an interestin the plans for geothermal at LeightonWest in Crewe, which has been identifiedas an ideal site for drilling down 4.5 km tobring hot water to the surface.

Cheshire East is the first local authority since1948 to become an energy supplier, througha partnership with Ovo Energy, which aimsto offer substantial savings against thenational average tariff rates charged by theBig Six suppliers.

The new provider, Fairerpower, willpotentially benefit all Cheshire East’sbusinesses and residents. The council iskeen to hear from local businesses whowould be interested in becomingFairerpower’s first commercial customers.

www.allchangeforcrewe.co.uk

All change for Crewe as projects make their mark

Basford West Spine Road

Crewe Green Link Road

M6 J16 and A500 WideningM6 J17

Crewe Green roundabout

Sydney Road bridge

Expected to be open by August this year.

Road open to traffic – Autumn 2015

The railway bridge over the Crewe-Stokeline is expected to be installed over theEaster break.

Completed by Summer 2015. (HighwaysAgency)

Works due to complete by June 2015

Projected date 2017

Projected date 2017

Provide link from Nantwich Road/GrestyRoad to A500Opens up Basford West site for 370houses and ancillary development. Alsooutline planning application submitted for1m sq ft industrial/distribution spacePart-funded through CEC bid for DfTPinchpoint funding (£2.7m) and Goodman(site owners)

Create a link between Weston Road andthe A500. It will reduce congestion andaccidents and open up Basford Eastemployment site and enable commercialdevelopment of housing.

Highways Agency work on revised junctionarrangements (c £7m) and widened A500on M6 approach (c. £3m).

Pinch-Point Scheme Increased JunctionCapacity. Includes a roundabout at Southexit/North entry and traffic light controls atNorth exit/South entry

LEP Local growth funding allocated

LEP Local growth funding allocated

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE

Here we present an update on the schemes reshaping South Cheshire aspart of a major strategy to boost wellbeing and support economic growth


Here's to 2015 . . . A continued year of growth!South Cheshire, Staffordshire and North Wales’ leadingrecruitment agency KPI Recruiting has now expanded itsrecruitment services to the North Cheshire region. This,following a request from a major client expressing theirdesire to use the specialist recruitment services of KPIRecruiting across it’s group.

The new office in Central Warrington is part of an ambitiousexpansion plan which will now see KPI Recruiting offer it’sfull portfolio of recruitment services across the whole ofthe North West, Staffordshire and North Wales. 2015 isdeemed to be a very exciting and ambitious year for KPI astheir tenacious expansion plans continue, with furtherbranches opening throughout the year.

KPI has long been established as the leading recruitmentbusiness in the Cheshire, Staffordshire and North Walesregions for the recruitment of temporary and permanentpersonnel in the Industrial, Commercial, Driving andTechnical sectors. It has provided excellent and reliablerecruitment services for over 100,000 people since itopened its doors in 2008.

The new office complete with KPI Recruiting’s revolutionarycandidate ‘training and induction’ centre will create an initial5 new internal jobs with further experienced recruitmentprofessionals strengthening the team and apprenticepositions giving opportunities for young education leaversto begin their careers.

“It’s a great achievement to be expanding once again insuch a short period of time. We have a great internal teamwho have shown tremendous commitment and passion

that has seen us have huge growth with an enviablereputation. Our team share the vision and the passion ofits directors and it is also their belief that our clients receivean unparalleled level of service and that service must be ascost effective as possible within the recruitment agencymarketplace.” said KPI Director Ryan Jardine . He went onto say “I would like to thank our existing customers whocontinue to give us repeat business that has given us stabilityand put us in the fortunate position to have ambitiousexpansion plans.”

The new geographical presence of the Warrington officewill open up new catchment areas for KPI Recruiting toattract more skilled and experienced job seekers as well asthe ability to provide reliable, reactive and accuraterecruitment services to businesses in the North Cheshire,South Manchester and Merseyside regions.

Pictured below, Business Development Manager Steve O'Neill proudly opens thedoor of KPI Recruiting's new office in Warrington.

We would love to welcome the opportunity to work with new clients throughout 2015 and if youalso believe that you will be increasing your headcount then now is the perfect time to discuss

your recruitment strategy.

If you are looking to recruit Industrial, drivers orcommercial staff please give us a call to discussyour requirements with a sector specialist on

01270 589943

16 ADVERTORIAL



17CHAMBER NEWS

Chambers Join Together for International Trade

Are you receiving the Chamber e-newsletters?

Sent fortnightly on successive weeks:News & Blogs

Latest News, Blogs, Offers, Polls etc.

Events & TrainingForthcoming Events and Training Courses, including ongoing

clinics, workshops, drop-in sessions, consultations etc.

Mailing list of over 1300 email addresses

Subscribe online at www.sccci.co.uk

For more details contact Nadeem AhmadEmail: [email protected]: 01270 504700 (ext.19)

Promote your BusinessChamber Members - reach out to new customers and buildyour brand through regular promotion in the e-newsletters

News, Blogs, Events, Training, Advertising, Sponsorship


The South Cheshire Chamber of Commerceand West Cheshire & North Wales Chamberof Commerce, in partnership with UK Trade& Investment and with the support of NorthWest Chambers, gave local businesses afantastic opportunity to learn more aboutexporting to the dynamic markets of SouthEast Asia.

The event ‘Doing Business in South East Asia’was held at Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel& Spa on Friday 6th March 2015. Split intotwo halves, the morning featured Market &Export support presentations by OverseasBritish Chamber representatives fromThailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia andVietnam and a case study by Delamere Dairy.

Jon Barnes of South Cheshire Chamber andDebbie Hancox of West Cheshire & NorthWales Chamber gave a brief presentation on

how the Chambers of Commerce can helpbusinesses export, while Stacey Byrne ofNorth West Chambers spoke about theOverseas Business Network Initiative (OBNI).

Rounding off the packed morning sessionwas Kevin Finucane of UK Trade &Investment, detailing the advice and support

available for businesses looking to tradeinternationally.

The afternoon consisted of a series of 1-1meetings, giving the assembled delegates thechance to meet with the variousrepresentatives and presenters for extra helpand advice.

Jon Barnes said: “This was a very popularevent and we received great feedback fromeveryone who attended. These events arean excellent opportunity to meet withrepresentatives from different countries andfind out the best ways to market”.

For further information pleasecontact Jon Barnes on 01270 504 700ext 21 or email –[email protected]

Ms Nguyen Thi My Chi & Ms Luong Buu Hoang ofBritish Business Group Vietnam

School offers top class support

Springfield School in Crewe is inviting South Cheshire businessesto offer work placements to its enthusiastic young people. Theyoungsters, aged 14-19, have a wide range of capabilities which helpto enrich the workplace and add value.

Currently they are gaining experience in a wide range of sectorsfrom food and retail to logistics, offices, care homes and nurseries.Staff at the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce welcomeMichael on work placement one day week when he provides great support in transferring data, understanding currency and data cleansing.

Helen Pullan, from Safe Opportunities Ltd who co-ordinates theplacements, said: “Springfield School has a strong employabilityculture from the headteacher through the school to the youngestchild. Each member of staff wholeheartedly encouragesparticipation in employability programmes across many of theschool activities. For example, the team ensures every pupil on awork placement leaves the school gates with their correct workuniform on and understands exactly what is expected of themwhilst on their placement.”

Michael, 17, has also undertaken placements at Lakeside Bowling,the Co-op and South Cheshire College. He’s loving his work at the Chamber where he has also been involved in WelcomeMornings greeting members old and new to our offices on CreweBusiness Park.

Helen added: “The benefits of the programme as described by thestudents are being able to communicate with a wider range ofadults, understanding that you need to work independently, not toalways be told what to do next, feeling less anxious about new

situations and feeling confident about the way people interactoutside of a school environment. At Safe Opportunities the hardwork is rewarded each week when a student achieves a new targetand when we see one hold their head up proudly and say ‘Iachieved this, I am part of this workplace.’ Our students have greatpotential and are ready and willing to join workforces acrossCheshire.”

Safe Opportunities works with a cluster of schools within Cheshire.

For more information [email protected] or call 07415 245537


18 MEMBERS NEWS


Staff at Crewe-based Wulvern gave a warm welcome to a student from Petty Pool College as he commenced a workplacement with the affordable homesprovider.

As part of the college’s MeaningfulOpportunities Realistic Employment (MORE)project, 21 year old Tom Garner has joinedWulvern’s Estates teams to gain valuablework experience in readiness for when heleaves the college in July.

Tom will be helping a team of caretakers outand about in our neighbourhoodsthroughout Crewe and Nantwich.

Linda Walker, MORE Project Managerexplains: “The MORE project is a governmentbacked initiative aiming to help young peoplewith a learning difficulty into sustainableemployment. The experience the students

gain from placements goes a long way in supporting their wellbeing anddevelopment.”

Wulvern’s Estates Team Leader, Tom Rowlandadded: “We are delighted to have Tom withus and hope that the work experience hegains from being with Wulvern will help himon his journey to employment andindependence.”

To learn more about Wulvern visitwww.wulvern.org.uk

Wulvern welcomes student

Crewe-based Crystal Legal Services was amajor supporter of Red Nose Day 2015 inMarch when 60 members of staffvolunteered to receive donation calls.

Employees at the claims company raisedover £1,900 internally through fundraisingactivities such as fancy dress, bake sales, tuckshops, sponsored head shaving, leg waxing,an in-house bike ride, raffles, challenges,games and so much more.

Red Nose Day comes along every two yearsand combines two very British things - havinga laugh and helping others. Thanks to thegenerosity of the great British public, Comic

Relief raised over £1 billion which has gonetowards changing the lives of people in theUK and across Africa.

This is the third year in a row that the CrystalLegal employees, who are usually busy

helping people reclaim mis-sold PPI andPackaged Bank Accounts, swapped focus tohelp Comic Relief receive donations andvolunteered until midnight to answer thepublic’s donation calls.

Managing director, Tony Shields said, “Thegenerosity of the British public is amazing andthe team at CLS are all pleased and proud tohave helped make a difference to ComicRelief 2015. This is becoming a long-standingtradition of our business and we lookforward to getting involved again in 2017.”

For more information on the companyvisit www.crystallegal.com

Company answers national charity call


19MEMBERS NEWS

Company offers life-saving skillsA firm of health specialists has become an accredited provider offirst aid training to the corporate sector.

South Cheshire-based ctchealthcare is now working with localcompanies to ensure they have peace of mind when it comes toan emergency situation in the workplace.

First Aid training sessions foremployees are carried out at itsCombined Therapy Centres inCrewe and Nantwich.

The courses, accredited byindustry watchdogs Qualsafe,combine theoretical knowledgeand practical sessions that aredesigned to develop ability andpractical confidence.

They cover everything fromfainting, asthma and allergicreaction to resuscitation (CPR),head injury and stroke.

The company, founded by former Manchester United and ChelseaFootball Club physiotherapist Rick Carter, also welcomes privateindividuals and volunteers looking to equip themselves with first aidskills.

He said: “For years we have provided first aid at pitch-side, with ourspecialists ready to step in when a footballer or rugby player isinjured.

“That can be anything from a twisted ankle or fractured limb to even

a heart attack or broken neck.

“What happens in those vital seconds is critical to the patient’schances of a full recovery.

“We believe every company should have at least one member ofstaff who has a basic grasp of first aid. Training them to react tosomeone who is choking, bleeding or concussed can make all thedifference to a life or death situation.”

Helping him to deliver first aid training is sports therapist LisaMcKenna who often has to come to the rescue of players at Creweand Nantwich Rugby Club.

She said: “You don’t need to be on the rugby field to be exposedto injury. The workplace and home are a minefield so we arepleased to see members of the public joining our first aid trainingcourses also.”

ctchealthcare, founded 20 years ago, is a leading provider ofsickness absence management, injury prevention and health andwellbeing programmes.

It works with businesses such as Bentley, Air Products and Dunelmas well as local authorities such as Cheshire East Council andStaffordshire County Council.

A range of physiotherapy, acupuncture and complementary servicesare also provided to individuals attending its clinics which includebases on Crewe Business Park and Beam Heath Way in Nantwich.

For more information on services to companies andindividuals clients call 01270 361363

Lisa McKenna demonstrating firstaid skills at ctchealthcare in Crewe



NFU President Meurig Raymond has paidtribute to Reaseheath College for itsoutstanding commitment to the advancementof the farming and food industry.

Commenting during a visit to the Nantwich-based college, Meurig said that he wasimpressed by Reaseheath’s strategy, particularlyits investment into its new £7.5 million Centre

for Food Futures and the Environment and itsplans for a £7 million Agri Technology Centre.

The NFU President also said he was delightedthat Defra recognised the national role thecollege plays through it being named as oneof 11 Food Enterprise Zones in the country.

Meurig emphasised: “The food and agriculturalindustry has a £100 billion annual turnover andis the largest manufacturing sector in the UKwith over six million employees, all of whomare dependent upon farmers as the primaryproducers. Reaseheath College plays anationally significant role through itscommitment to support this extremelyimportant industry.

“It is of critical importance that the nextgeneration of farmers are equipped with thescientific and technical knowledge which willallow them to compete on a global scale. Bythe end of this year there will be 9.6 billionmouths to feed in the world. Those enteringthe farming and food industry now will play akey role in helping to solve this challenge.”

Reaseheath Principal Meredydd David said:“The NFU plays a hugely important part ininfluencing government strategy and its role iseven more critical now with the currentchallenges facing the dairy industry. Fortunately,the food and farming industry can gain greatconfidence from Meurig’s great leadership andwe were delighted that he found the time toaddress our local partners.”

Meurig Raymond was at Reaseheath College asguest speaker at the inaugural meeting of theCheshire branch of the Institute of AgriculturalManagement.

His talk on the developing role of theprofessional farm manager in the changing faceof British agriculture attracted over 90 farmers,managers and students from throughout thecounty.

For more information on the college call01270 625131

20 PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PA

NFU President Meurig Raymond is joined byReaseheath agriculture students Rich Bailey, RossTowers, Ellie Gassor, James Davies, Sarah Howie,

Philip Lawton and James Goodwin

REASEHEATHNFU President pays tribute to Reaseheath’scommitment to farming

SOUTH CHESHIRE COLLEGECollege lands Investors in People gold award

South Cheshire College has good reason tocelebrate after scooping its highest everInvestors in People (IIP) standard.

The Crewe college has landed theprestigious Gold award which is three levelshigher than the previous grading awardedto the College in 2011.

During a rigorous three day assessment, 40staff from all areas of the organisation wereconsulted on their views of the college.

Staff were also asked about trainingprogrammes which the college delivers tohelp them with their ContinuousProfessional Development (CPD).

Common themes which were identified

throughout the process included theenthusiasm, dedication and passion ofcolleagues.

Only 7% of Investors in People accreditedcompanies in the UK reach the Goldstandard and the college now joins an eliteband of organisations which are held up asshining examples.

College Principal Jasbir Dhesi said: “Ourpeople are one of the key strengths and thisaward is testament to their enthusiasm, hardwork and dedication.”


Students think about the next step at careers fairStudents who are hoping to progress touniversity or secure employment aftercollege were able to find out more at anannual Careers and Higher Education Fair.

Top UK universities were on hand to offeradvice to students who are thinking ofuniversity as their next step, while leadingemployers including Q Hotels, Aldi, BentleyMotors and the Royal Air Force alsoattended.

South Cheshire College had a strongpresence at the event to deliver informationabout its own Higher Education courses andapprenticeship programmes.

Many Russell Group universities were inattendance at the event including Liverpool,Leeds and Birmingham along with morelocal universities such as Keele, Staffordshireand Manchester Metropolitan.

Crewe Mayor Pam Minshull and Steve Davis,Crewe Alexandra Football Club manager,officially opened the fair to hundreds ofstudents.

For more information about HEcourses and apprenticeships at SouthCheshire College call 01270 654654 orvisit www.scc.ac.uk

Crewe Mayor Pam Minshull with StaffordshireUniversity Outreach Officer Ashley Cotton and students Emma Atkins, 16, far left, and

Natasha Roberts


21S PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS

BENTLEY

His Royal Highness The Duke of York visited Bentley's headquarters inCrewe to meet apprentices and find out more about Bentley'sinnovative approach to training young people and continuouslyimproving the skills of colleagues throughout their careers at Bentley.

HRH, who as Patron of the Baker Dearing Trust is a strong supporterof University Technical Colleges, also heard how Bentley is working withpartners in the South Cheshire area to open Crewe Engineering &Design UTC in September 2016.

Bentley’s new manufacturing apprenticeship is based on the proven dualeducation model and includes competence profiles and dedicatedplacements with expert Master Trainers within chosen professionalareas such as Bentley specialisms in wood, leather and mechatronics.Bentley also announced that its latest apprentice intake, to start inSeptember this year, is its biggest in 25 years, with 63 positions.

The Duke met both apprentices and colleagues working on some ofthe brand new and bespoke training islands in wood, leather and engineproduction.

Combining theory and practical learning will also be the focus forlearners at Crewe Engineering & Design UTC which will help ensure asteady pipeline of young people needed to sustain the unique skills andquality levels required to sustain Bentley’s growth plans.

Speaking about the visit, Wolfgang Dürheimer Bentley Chairman andCEO, said: “To deliver on our exceptionally high standards requires ahighly skilled and motivated workforce. We therefore invest in theirtraining throughout their careers at Bentley.

“Everyone at the Crewe factory feels honoured and highly appreciativeof the visit of His Royal Highness. We were delighted to demonstratefirst-hand the skill our engineers, craftspeople and trainees here inCrewe possess as we prepare for the launch of the first SUV in theluxury sector, the Bentley Bentayga.”

Bentley has also recentlyannounced its expansionplans in Crewe with a new£40million R&D centre and300 new roles beingcreated in engineering,manufacturing, quality, salesand marketing and projectmanagement. This is part ofa wider £840 millioninvestment plan by Bentleyover three years to 2016.

For more information visit www.bentleycareers.com

Royal visitors meets Bentley trainees andmaster trainers

South Cheshire housing associationWulvern welcomes Lisa Connor who hastaken up post as Growth Manager.

With over 20 years’ experience in housingand development, Lisa has worked forsome of the top registered social landlordsin the North West, most recently GreatPlaces Housing Group where she was

Development Manager. Lisa bringsconsiderable experience to her new rolewith a wealth of knowledge of planninglegislation, building regulations andprocurement.

Wulvern is a lead investment partner withthe Homes and Communities Agency and isdelivering the second largest affordablehomes programme in the North Westhaving secured just under £15 million grantfunding which will see the Crewe-basedhousing association deliver over 1,000affordable homes by March 2018 acrossCheshire. Lisa will manage thisdevelopment programme to ensureprojects are delivered on time and onbudget.

Lisa said: “It’s a very exciting time to joinWulvern. I’m looking forward to managingthe development programme to deliver

high quality new properties for communitiesacross Cheshire.”

Executive Director (Growth & Enterprise)Kevin Williams said: “I am delighted towelcome Lisa to Wulvern. This is anincredibly exciting time for Wulvern as weembark upon our biggest ever developmentprogramme providing much neededaffordable homes across Cheshire. Lisabrings with her a wealth of experiencewhich will be a real asset to Wulvern as wedeliver our vision of providing brilliant socialhousing.”

For more information on Wulvernvisit www.wulvern.org.uk

WULVERNWulvern appoints Growth Manager


See page 33

Bentley named top employer


22

Mornflake has netted a new record as the oldest sponsor of CreweAlexandra Football Club.

The firm has signed up for an 11th season as top sponsor of the sidebased nearby its mill and headquarters on Gresty Road.

Club secretary Alison Bowler paid tribute to the company saying:“Mornflake’s shirt sponsorship is now the longest in club history andwe can’t be more grateful for the firm’s continued support.

“Throughout our highs and lows we have always been able to rely

on Mornflake. It is a great ambassador for the area, flying the flaghigh for Crewe as it exports products to countries across the world.Fans know it as a top local employer and great friend to the clubwhile players wear the company logo on their shirts with pride.”

A new-style shirt, bearing the Mornflake logo, is currently beingdesigned and will be unveiled at pre-season friendlies in July.

Marketing spokesman Richard Jones said: “We have hundreds ofemployees who are massive fans of Crewe Alexandra and showtheir support at matches home and away.

“Like Mornflake, the club is part of Crewe’s heritage and we are allright behind the team as they fight to stay in League One.

“No matter what the result, local people can be proud of a greatside on their doorstep.”

Alex manager Steve Davisjoined Mornflake staff forbreakfast to celebrate theshirt sponsorship. Heenjoyed gluten freeporridge in the kitchenwhere new products aredeveloped.

For more informationon products visitwww.mornflake.com

MORNFLAKEMornflake sets new record as club sponsors

SG WORLD

The importance of Health and Safety is enshrined in the Health andSafety at Work Act introduced in 1974 and it’s given Great Britainone of the best health and safety records in the world. In principal,protecting the health of the workforce is beyond dispute but weknow that when times are tough management will be looking for arobust business case to justify any spend.

In the experience of SG World, it’s not very often that the Salesteam come up against a Health and Safety manager who simply isn’tinterested in our range of products. The more usual scenario is thatthe spend needs to be justified internally against a lot of competingdemands on the company budget.

We all know that accidents cost business through lost productivityor increased insurance claims. It’s very useful to attribute some real

figures to the risk of an accident happening to put the investmentin safety into context. HSE undertook some detailed research thatfound for every £1 of direct costs you can associate with an accidentthere are between £8 and £36 of indirect costs.

Let’s take the example of a firm that has identified an unsatisfactorytrend of forklift truck accidents which could be prevented with apre-inspection routine. Typically an annual supply of SG World’sforklift truck pre-inspection system costs £298.

The hourly salary of a FLT operator is about £9.50 and a firm couldreasonably expect to lose 10 days p.a on preventable accidents andadditional downtime avoided by a regular pre-inspection routine,this is your direct cost. Multiply that figure by anything between 8and 36 (20 is probably best as it is more or less the mid-point) totake into account of the hidden costs associated with the accidentsand we’re looking at over £15K. Suddenly the initial outlay on a pre-inspection system doesn’t seem as expensive and this is if weconfine ourselves to purely financial losses – you can’t begin toquantify the personal cost of a serious accident.

“We appreciate when budgets are tight it’s tempting to not invest inprecautionary health and safety measures so it’s important toappreciate the bigger picture.” said Dan Lister, SG World BusinessDevelopment Manager. “Attributing some basic cost estimates tothe accidents you can prevent can help both SG World and the H&Sprofessional reach the same outcome. In this sense we are bothvery much on the same side.”

For more information visit www.sgworld.com

Making the case for Health and Safety

PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PA


Abigail Saunders of Mornflake serves up a gluten-free porridge breakfast toCrewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis and players Matt Tootle and Lauri Dalla

Valle in the firm’s development kitchen


23

The MMU and Virgin Trains partnership programme RedTrack hasbeaten more than 200 other entrants to receive the ApprenticeshipDevelopment Scheme award at the 2015 UK Rail Industry Awards.

The judging panel, made up of experts from across the rail industry,was impressed with how Virgin Trains and MMU are developingapprentices through the RedTrack programme.

The scheme currently supports 10 young people who work full-timefor Virgin Trains whilst completing a BA (Hons) in BusinessManagement and part of an industry recognised certificate from theInstitution of Railway Operators (IRO) during a three-year fixed-termcontract.

RedTrack is the only undergraduate scheme in the rail industry.

Trevor Brown, Project Lead for MMU, said: "The UK Rail IndustryAward had over 200 applications to this category, and we are thrilledto have won the award, it really is quite an achievement. The projectis only in its second year and to have recognition of its relevance tothe rail industry is a testament to the hard work of the MMU/Virgindevelopment team, our Business and Management academics hereat the Cheshire campus and our students, ‘the RedTrack Crew’.”

Amanda Hines, Head of People Management for Virgin Trains, said:“The programme highlights Virgin Trains' commitment to growingtalent through investment in young people, who are presented witha range of opportunities and experiences in a business environmentwhilst being supported through their degree studies.

“Our people are so important to us and the RedTrack programmehas allowed us to develop some new, really talented, members ofthe Virgin Trains team. We are really proud of all of them and ofwinning this highly respected award which we feel reflects ourcommitment to the programme and our people.”

For more information on MMU courses call 0161 247 2000

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITYRedTrack programme wins topindustry award

S PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS PATRONS


MMU Business Management lecturer Joy Grant, MMU Project Lead TrevorBrown, Trish Sangster and Tony Collins, both from Virgin Trains

John Heath (UK) Limited is Registered in England and Wales as a Private Limited Company, company no. 07636523‘John Heath Insurance Brokers’ and ‘Coverdrone’ are trading names of John Heath (UK) Limited


24 MEMBERS NEWS


Temples hit the right note with music-lovers by handing out Eastereggs during the Nantwich Jazz and Blues Festival.

The family firm, which celebrates its 12th anniversary this month, isa long-standing supporter of the music extravaganza which drewmassive crowds to Nantwich over the weekend.

It took a branded vehicle onto the town square from where visitorswere invited to enter a ‘Guess the Number of Balloons in the Car’contest offering Crewe Hall spa passes as prizes.

There were crème eggs for children and special discounts forlandlords and tenants.

Rachael Watson, office manager at the firm’s Crewe office, said:“Temples has enjoyed great success over the years and likes to giveback to the community that has supported us.

“The Jazz Festival is one way we do this. It does a fabulous job atpromoting Nantwich and we support its magazine every year.

“This year we decided to take things a step further by offering somegreat deals to landlords and tenants which were launched duringthe festival weekend.”

Temples has scooped many awards over the years including theESTAS gold for top National Small Lettings firm, presented byLocation, Location, Location star Phil Spencer.

Rachael added: “Spring is traditionally a very busy time whenproperties start changing hands so we are delighted to offer adviceto anyone entering the Buy to Let market or looking to maximisean existing portfolio of rental properties.

“We pride ourselves on looking after tenants too, finding them thebest properties for their price bracket.”

Until June, landlords are offered a month’s free management andtenants can receive £50 off application fees or six months freeinsurance.

For more information on Temples and offers visitwww.templeslettings.co.uk

Firm in harmony over Jazz festival

Temples marketing assistant Nikki Webb, property manager Hannah Speed and Crewe office manager Rachael Watson set up for their spring promotion

on Nantwich town square


25MEMBERS NEWS


Two brothers from Cheshire have joinedtogether to open up their own furnitureretail business in Crewe.

New Chamber members Joe and AndrewLeech have excelled targets in their first sixmonths of trading at Furniture Brothers andput their impressive results down to theirhard work and passion in what they do.

With over 10 years combined experience in

the furniture retail and manufacturingindustry, the local lads believe they havewhat it takes to drive the company forwardto new heights in 2015.

Joe said: “The aim is to stand out from thecrowd offering our customers somethingdifferent from our competition. We are ableto go that extra mile to provide anexceptional service and believe the key torepeat custom is to provide the best aftersales service possible.”

The brothers have spent a few years in theSouth but returned to their roots to achievea long-held ambition to run their ownbusiness.

They have made it their priority to use alarge number of British manufacturers tohelp reduce one of the number one pet

hates in retail, delayed delivery dates.

He added: “We found out in the early stagesthat we were receiving a lot of enquiriesfrom people who were interested in whatwe had to offer but were unable to get tous which is why we introduced a serviceproviding in-home advice and guidance andmeasuring up which we find is reallybeneficial to a lot of our customers.

“The plan for us as a company is to growthroughout Cheshire in the coming years.We also hope that we can reach out to localbusinesses in the area and work togetherwith them on our contract ranges offurniture for hotels, residential homes andnew development projects.”

For more information call FurnitureBrothers on 01270 314331

Boys are back in town

Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity is delightedto have reached the £250,000 mark for anadditional MRI Scanner at Leighton Hospital.

The Charity started 2015 off with a bang withthe help of the local community hosting and

taking part in a range of events including aBoot Camp, Pub Quiz, Nightingale Choir, theGreat Manchester Run and LondonMarathon.

Successfully funding £1m for the additionalMRI scanner will provide a number ofbenefits to patients, staff and the Trust. Thenew scanner could help Leighton save morelives than ever as well as improving thepatient experience.

Laura Riddle, Charity Manager comments:‘It’s fantastic to see the local communitybehind the MRI Scanner Appeal and I’d liketo thank Chamber members for theirsupport and taking part in the ‘Send Us YourElfie’ campaign at Christmas. We definitelywouldn't have reached the £250,000 markwithout the local community’s continuoussupport so far. We still have quite a way to

go before the £1m MRI Scanner Appealtarget is achieved.”

Edward Timpson, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Children and Families,and MP for Crewe and Nantwich, is alsobehind the MRI Scanner Appeal, and will betaking to the streets of London to competein the London Marathon.

With the current MRI scanner working tofull capacity between 8am to 8pm, sevendays a week and with around 30 patients aday being scanned, the decision was takento procure and install an additional MRIscanner in order to address the shortfall incapacity.

To find out more about the eventscoming up visit www.mchchrity.org.uk

Mid Cheshire Hospitals charity thanks Chamber members

The Manchester MetropolitanUniversity has awarded former ProVice Chancellor of MMU anHonorary Fellowship in recognitionof “his outstanding contribution tothe development and evolution” ofthe University in Cheshire.

The Fellowship represents thegratitude of staff and students forhis commitment to the University.Dennis received the award at a galagraduation ceremony held at theBridgewater Hall in Manchester

Dennis is of course well known tochamber members and is apassionate advocate of our regionand of the business community.

A former Dean of the MMU Business School in Manchester beforetaking over in Cheshire in 2001, he has been instrumental in

countless partnership initiatives and was a principal player in theaward of the University Technical College (UTC) to Crewe.

At MMU Cheshire Dennis transformed the University to becommunity facing and delivered £75m of investment at the Crewecampus to build world class facilities. MMU has prospered tobecome one of the UKs largest and most popular universities withrecognised excellence in Research and Teaching.

Now Chairman of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, he iscontributing to the significant transformation of our hospitals atLeighton, Victoria at Northwich and Elmhurst at Winsford.

Mid Cheshire was officially rated as ‘good’ by the Care QualityCommission, placing it in the top 10% of acute trusts inspected inthe country.

Meanwhile Leighton Hospital has been announced as the UK’s‘Maternity Service of the Year’ by the Royal College of Midwives.

With over £30m of investment at the hospital in the last three yearsthe impact on outstanding patient care looks very positive.

University honour for Dennis Dunn

Honoured - Dennis Dunn

Radiographers with a patient on the existing MRIscanner at Leighton Hospital

Joe and Andrew Leech outside Furniture Brothers


26 MEMBERS NEWS


Builder Jim Hadfield is celebrating 25 yearsin an industry that has dubbed him ‘thedream maker’ in recognition of the ultracreative approach that enables him toachieve the challenges that clients set forhim.

Jim, Managing Director of A J FieldDevelopments, will be marking theprofessional milestone by popping a

celebratory bottle of bubbles with colleaguesand family at his Woore HQ, before gettingback to the projects that clients bring to himfrom far and wide.

“I’ve enjoyed an interesting career but I won’tbe spending too much time celebrating asclient projects come first and we are blessedwith a range of work that is keeping usgainfully occupied, said Jim whose creationshave included an ‘upside down house’, a‘Footballer’s Wife’ style project and therestoration of a grand and historic building.

“The upside-down house was a projectwhere the client wanted the bedroomsdownstairs and an open plan living areaabove to maximise the stunning views , whilethe stylish Cheshire project was therestoration of a listed property with aswimming pool, cinema, playroom and go-kart track.”

Other notable building projects include anew prison at Fazakerley, a press hall for theStoke Sentinal newspaper, a multi-storeyInland Revenue HQ and the creation of anew shopping complex above a live retailcentre.

Raised in Church Minshull Jim achieved anHND in Building Studies at Sir John MooresUniversity in Liverpool before studying for adegree in Construction Management at theUniversity of the West of England in Bristol.

He added: “Running your own businessbrings with it significant responsibilities butalso enables you to experience thesatisfaction of working on a project thenseeing your building every time you drive by,leaving you proud that you and your teambuilt it.”

For further information visitwww.ajfield.co.uk

Builder Jim celebrates anniversary milestone

Free boat trips and water-based activities forthe disabled and mobility impaired arecoming to Cheshire.

The Overwater Wheelyboat Project hasbeen formed to purchase a specially builtboat with wheelchair, walking frame andwalking stick access for people of all ages toenjoy the scenery, wildlife watching and evento fish from!

Rodney Cottrell, organiser of the project,said “There’s over 16,000 registeredwheelchair users in the area and theWheelyboat will provide an enriching life-experience to many people who wouldn’totherwise have access to the canals.”

Due to launch in May, the OverwaterWheelyboat will be based at the award-winning Overwater Marina in Audlem -recently awarded 2015 THYA Marina of theYear. The marina has hosted a similar charityboat service, the Audlem Lass, for the lastfour years and this has proved a greatsuccess providing a weekend taxi servicefrom the marina into the picturesque canalside village of Audlem for the cost of adonation to the RNLI.

The MK III Wheelyboat is a specially designed5.3m aluminium boat with drop-down bowdoor for roll-on, roll–off boarding anddisembarking. With its level open deck, itprovides complete wheelchair accessthroughout enabling groups and families toenjoy trips together in safety and comfort.

It is hoped the new Wheelyboat will be justas great a success as the Audlem Lass andwill open up the canal to many more peoplewho would not previously have been able toaccess the waterways.

For more information please see ourwebsitewww.overwaterwheelyboat.co.uk

Project takes the plunge

Banks Sheridan has taken on three newmembers of staff.

“In celebration of the fact Banks Sheridan isgrowing, both in terms of the number ofclients we act for and the services we offer,we have employed three new professionalstaff members to join our team, said director,Stuart Banks.

“It is really exciting to have Sian Knight as ournew Outsourced Services Leader, CharlesBracegirdle joining us in the role of TraineeAccountant and Bradley Evans as an AccountsApprentice. All three individuals are highlyprofessional and have a great deal to offerour clients.

“It is also great that we have been able to fillall the positions with talented individuals wholive nearby, which will help in our continuedsupport of the local community.”

The new recruits joined the firm in its officeon Crewe Business Park to assist in theprovision of accounting and tax services forboth companies and individuals. Sian Knightbrings more than 12 years of financialexperience to her role as OutsourcedServices Leader at Banks Sheridan where shewill supervise payroll services for clients.

Recent Durham University graduate CharlesBracegirdle joins as a Trainee Accountant. Aswell as helping with company audits,accounts preparation for small businessesand personal tax services, he will study forthe Chartered Accountant qualification.

At 19, Bradley Evans is the youngest of thetrio to join the accountancy firm in theposition of Accounts Apprentice.

For more on services visit www.banks-sheridan.co.uk

Numbers swell at accountancy firm


A new support group for patients with lungcancer has been established by MidCheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustand Macmillan Cancer Support.

The group, named ‘Catch Your Breath’ byits members, is thought to be the first suchgroup in the area and is available for all lungcancer patients to attend as well as their

family, friends and carers. Taking place onthe fourth Wednesday of each month atthe easily-accessible Crewe Fire Station,the free sessions will commence at 1.30pmand last for approximately two hours.

The first part of each session will feature aguest speaker, such as a Physiotherapist orDietitian, followed by the opportunity for

attendees to discuss their experienceswith each other. A healthcare professionalwill also be present at each meeting tooffer advice and support where necessary.

For further information contact SueStubbs or Lynn Thomas, MacmillanLung Cancer Nurse Specialists basedat Leighton Hospital, on 01270 612598

Specialists offer new support

27MEMBERS NEWS


Best Western Plus Manor House Hotel inAlsager celebrated the visitor attractions ofCheshire during English Tourism Week.

Throughout the week everyone checkinginto the hotel was handed a Favourite DaysOut in Cheshire guide and by the end of theweek 300 guides were given out. The hopeis that mid-week corporate guests willdecide to return to Cheshire on a leisurebreak with their families. Also that localpeople will stay in Cheshire for theirweekend breaks and days out.

The Cheshire East hotel is also promotinglocal attractions including Little Moreton Hall,Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Tatton Park,Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker and localtowns including Nantwich.

Sales manager Steve Alty said: “During theweek our guests are staying here onbusiness. They come from across the UK andoverseas and we hope the guide will inspirethem to return to Cheshire as tourists. ”

English Tourism Week raises the profile of

England’s visitor experiences and touristattractions.

The privately-owned 57-bedroom hotel wasHighly Commended in the large hotelcategory at the Marketing Cheshire tourismawards.

Visit www.manorhousealsager.co.uk tolearn more about what BEST WESTERNPLUS Manor House Hotel has to offer.

Hotel works to promote Cheshire tourism hotspots

Mums-to-be have access to the bestmaternity care in the country, following theLeighton Hospital-based service being

named as “Midwifery Service of the Year.”

The Unit, managed by Mid CheshireHospitals NHS Foundation Trust wasnamed as the country’s best by the RoyalCollege of Midwives as part of their 2015Annual Midwifery Awards recognisingexcellence and innovation.

Hospital boss Tracy Bullock said: “Despitebeing one of the smallest units in theNorth West, our maternity service hasimproved significantly over the past few

years and this award puts us firmly upthere amongst the best services in thecountry.”

The recently refurbished Maternity Unit atLeighton Hospital provides care for allwomen, from low-risk births in thepurpose-built Maternity-Led Unit, whichoffers birthing pools, ambient moodlighting, ensuite facilities and privatecourtyards, through to those who mayrequire more attention in the traditionalLabour Ward.

Call the award-winning midwife!

Gareth Williams, a director of ConstructionLinx, a construction and propertymaintenance company in Crewe, iscurrently undergoing a gruelling trainingprogramme in readiness for running theLondon Marathon in aid of the charityCLIMB (Children Living with InheritedMetabolic diseases).

Gareth, who has never run the LondonMarathon before, is hoping to raise £1,500for the charity which is close to his heart as

Gareth’s own son, Harry, suffers fromHirschsprung disease, a serious conditionthat affects the gastro-intestinal tract.

Harry is now four years old and doing well,although he still visits Alder Hey Children’sHospital in Liverpool for check-ups. It waswhile staying at Ronald McDonald house, acharity-funded unit at the hospital, providingaccommodation to families with childrenundergoing treatment that Gareth saw howvaluable these support organisations likeCLIMB are for families.

With the encouragement of his workcolleagues at Construction Linx, he decidedone way he could help was by running theLondon Marathon on April 26 and donatingthe proceeds of his efforts to CLIMB.

Gareth said: “When Harry was born, heunderwent open heart surgery at Alder Hey.

We stayed at the Ronald McDonaldaccommodation there and experiencedfirst-hand just how important thesecharitable organisations are when it comesto providing support to the families of sickchildren. All the staff at Construction Linxencouraged me to run the LondonMarathon for CLIMB. It’s good to know wecan do something to help, even if it’s just bydonating a few pounds.”

He has already raised several hundredpounds, but he is hoping to raise £1,500 intotal.

To support him visitwww.justgiving.com/Gareth-Williams68 or call Gareth Williams atConstruction Linx on 01270 848700

Crewe construction director in the running forcharity boost


28 MEMBERS NEWS


Quiz returns to support hospices A firm of insolvency specialists is planning toraise a bumper sum for charity with aBritish-themed Quiz.

Barringtons Corporate Recovery (BCR) willwelcome teams of general knowledge buffsto Residence in Nantwich on April 29 for anight of brain-teasing fun, good food andnetworking.

The quiz, held on or around St. George’sDay each year, has become a popular night on the social calendar for localprofessionals.

Last year saw more than 40 bankers,accountants and solicitors from firms acrossSouth Cheshire test their knowledge allthings British including questions on history,sport, current affairs and music.

A total of £1000 was raised and splitbetween St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice and the Douglas Macmillan Hospice at

Trentham. Proceeds will go to the hospicesagain this year.

BCR managing director Phil Wood, quizmaster for the night, said: “The idea is toraise cash as much as we can for theseincredible local hospices while marking StGeorge’s Day in a memorable way.

“Patron Saints days are always a big occasionin Wales, Scotland and Ireland but Georgeis often overlooked or ignored so I amdelighted this annual event is at leastchanging things locally.”

BCR, which specialises in helping businessesin financial difficulty or facing insolvency, hasoffices in Nantwich, Newcastle, Newportand Market Drayton. It will provide a trophyand cover all the costs of the evening.

To book visit www.bcr-insolvency.co.uk

Barringtons Corporate Recovery Ltd managingdirector Phil Wood with Ben Rafferty of Residence

in Nantwich

The Up and Under Foundation is planning another cycling marathon to raisemoney for disadvantaged children.

Cyclists are being invited to saddle up for the Foundation Rides 2015 starting atQuakers Coppice in Crewe at 10.30am on June 21.

A spokesman said: “Do you want to get fit? Do you want to help localdisadvantaged youngsters? Yes! Then put June 21 in your diary, get your bike outand join us, in Crewe, at the Foundation Rides 2015.

“With four rides to choose from, there really is something for everyone,100miles over the Horseshoe Pass (Tough Stuff) or as a team of mates discovering20km of local lanes with time for a pub stop (Foundation Rides CorporateChallenge). All we ask is that you raise some sponsorship for the Up and UnderFoundation and have fun!”

The aim is to raise a big sum to give less well-off youngsters the chance to enjoychallenge and adventure.

To prepare for the day, join riders who go out regularly on a Thursday eveningfrom the company’s offices, Easter onwards. They leave 5.30pm for 1-3 hoursdepending on available daylight.

For further details visit www.foundationrides.co.uk

Get on your bike to help children

Company reaches £100million milestoneNantwich-based independent financial adviser,Applewood Independent, is celebrating after itsassets under advice topped £100million.

The growing firm specialises in investments andtax strategies for people across Staffordshire andCheshire. Breaking the £100m barrier representsa 10% growth for Applewood over the past 12months and more than a tenfold increase in thecompany’s value in seven years.

David Pritchard, managing director of ApplewoodIndependent, said: “Surpassing £100m of assetsunder advice is a real marker of success in thefinancial advice sector. I put our success down toour personal approach with clients, who are made

to feel part of our family business, and thededication and hard work of our team.

“As well as managing investments, we also addvalue by advising on tax strategies and cashplanning for those coming up to or in retirement.Clients in our average risk portfolios have seenreturns of 9% net of charges over the past 12 months.”

For more information visitwww.applewoodindependent.co.uk

David Pritchard, managing director,Applewood Independent


29BUSINESS NEWS


Crewe Clean Team and Storage Boostcombined forces to undertake a ‘100 MetreTrash Dash for Cash’ to support Red NoseDay.

The aim was to clear up the service roadnear the building site for the new lifestylecentre in Crewe which is 100 metres longand to raise money at the same time.

Storage Boost’s Operations Director KatieVost said: ‘We were really happy to take part,not only helping to raise funds for people inneed but also to help our local community.”

Storage Boost is a family-run storage facilitywhich offers secure units for bothcommercial and domestic usage.

Contact Storage Boost on 01270 250000.

Crewe Clean Team and Storage Boost dash for cash

What’s a new piece of business worth to you? • Want more sales?Can you afford to miss your client’s calls and web enquiries? • Want happy clients?

How can you stop losing valuable work to your competitors? • Want to beat the competition?

Welcome to PA4You - Winners SCCCI Best Small Business Award 2014 South Cheshire’s Secret Sales & Support Service

• Crewe based sales & call support• Bespoke call handling & email response• Packages starting from under £2 per day• Covering your own office hours or up to 24/7• Award winning, hassle free, real business support• • Personalised scripts for each individual clients business• Managing diary bookings, order lines, CRM data entry• Preferred Supplier Status with hundreds of SME businesses• Service quality assurance levels amongst the highest in our industry• Saving you operational disruption, valuable time and extra staff bills• Acknowledged in excellence for turning our clients missed calls

into new business• Exclusive National Supplier status with the prestigious British

Franchising Association

To book your 2 weeks free trial call us now on01270 219500 or 0333 800 3690 • www.pa4you.co.uk

Crewe-based accountancy firm AlextraAccountants have introduced Cloud-basedaccountancy software Xero.

Many businesses are moving to the Cloud -where you can store all your data, files andeven your software allowing you to access itall from any computer or device, anywhere,at any time.

Director Matthew Price (pictured) said:

“Xero, cloud based accounting software,embraces the power of the internet so youcan access your financial data when it suitsyou. It has all the day-to-day bookkeepingfunctions you need to run and manage yourbusiness, together with all the functionalityyou would expect in a modern accountingsystem, including daily automated bankfeeds, invoicing, debtors, creditors, VAT,expense claims, fixed assets and is set up formulti-currency.

“The Cloud is still relatively new, but has beenquickly adopted by a number of companiesin order to streamline their operations, savemoney and generally make them morecompetitive.”

Alextra hope to bring this to not only itsclients, but all other local businesses. Itrecently attended Xerocon 2015 - an eventbased in London, held by Xero. This is one of

the biggest events in the accounting industryand is a coming together of professionals, toenhance services and productivity.

He added: “The dynamics of running abusiness are changing. Times are movingforward and we want to be able to supportour clients with innovative and practical ideasfor running and managing a businesssuccessfully.”

“We will be helping clients by bringing theirfinancials to their fingertips on theirsmartphones and tablets. Easy to use andconnected to the banks and built in theCloud. Xero will help revolutionizebusinesses, with real time access, to whatthey need when they need it.

For a free two months trial call Alextraon 01270 250800

Uplift your business on the Cloud


Businesses in need of extra hands arefinding support from a newly expandedteam of business angels operating acrossSouth Cheshire and beyond.

PA Today, founded by Pam Allen in 2011, hasgrown to include experienced associates

from high-profile business backgrounds.Pam, a former customer services managerat Wulvern Housing, said: “I know all toowell the demands of running a businesssingle-handedly.

“Last autumn I was at the point where Iexpanded or turned new business away, soI hand-picked a team of associate PA’s I trustto act as my ambassadors and make a realdifference to the businesses we work with.”

Four associates have joined with anothertwo on the way. All have worked in highlydemanding roles, including the Foreignoffice, marketing and manufacturing. Theyare currently supporting businesses inCrewe, Nantwich, Northwich and HazelGrove, near Stockport.

Pam added: “PA Today was founded inresponse to the growing need faced by

business owners for some regular but parttime help. Many of our clients don't wantthe responsibility and cost of taking onemployed staff. A 'Virtual PA' is the answer.”

Clients are offered all manner ofadministrative support from collatingexpenses, raising invoices and chasing debtto managing websites and social media.

The service is flexible. PA Today can workfrom your premises or offsite and help is onhand when you need it, from as little as halfa day a week. It can also support peoplerunning businesses from home.

For more on PA Today call Pam Allenfor an informal chat on 07938 549876or visit www.patodayuk.co.uk.

New angels wing in to support businesses

A company specialising in high-visibilityproducts is celebrating the launch of a newtechnical innovation.

VizLite® Dual Technology tape also knownas VizLite® DT is manufactured by Crewe-based Viz Reflectives which aims torevolutionise the High Visibility Clothingsector.

Already the company has signed up twoexclusive partners to distribute and promote

VizLite® DT in the UK and North Americaand has interested parties in Australia, SouthAfrica, Europe and Asia.

Marketing spokeswoman Mandy Hitchinsonsaid: “As part of health and safety highvisibility warning clothes are worn by a varietyof personnel that work in dangeroussituations to increase their visibility. This isachieved by the bright fluorescent yellow,orange or red fabrics that make them standout in the daytime and by the retro reflectivebands of tape which reflect back the headlights of road vehicles to drivers on the roads.

“VizLite® Dual Technology offers a thirdelement of safety, phosphorescence,popularly known as ‘glow in the dark.’

“What makes VizLite® DT different to otherglow in the dark products is the very highquality of rare earth pigments used meaningit has an extremely bright afterglow that canbe seen from over 200 meters away, plus anafterglow that lasts up to eight hours. Theglow will diminish exponentially with the first

hour being the brightest but the afterglow isstill visible to the naked eye for up to an eighthour period.”

The product has been developed by MDNick Rowbottom who has a patent pendingin major industrial global locations.

The phosphorescent element has rare earthpigment which contains an active ingredientcalled Strontium Aluminate. When atoms ofthis material are exposed to UV light theelements enter what is called a state ofexcitation allowing them to absorb theenergy from the UV light.

No batteries are needed and the productcan be easily incorporated into existing highvisibility garment designs

Now on trial with major Traffic Managementcompanies, it will go on show at the TraffexExhibition to be held at the NEC Birminghamin April.

For more information visitwww.vizreflectives.com

Be seen and safe in new Crewe-made product

Bare Bones Marketing has welcomed a newface from Belgium.

Aurelien Costermans, 23, has joined as aMarketing Intern whilst completing his thirdyear in a Marketing and Business degree atthe renowned Belgian business schoolEPHEC.

He said: “EPHEC has a strong relationshipwith the Manchester Metropolitan Universitywhich welcomes several students fromBelgium each year.

“Thanks to the partnership between the twouniversities, I was offered the opportunity tostudy marketing and English at the MMU,whilst also working at Bare Bones Marketing.”

Aurelien is gaining much experience at BareBones where his tasks have includedblogging, SEO keywords, email marketing,social media management and web contentmanagement.

For more information on Bare BonesMarketing visitwww.bbmarketing.co.uk

Student gets hands on training at marketing firm

Pam Allen of PA Today with new recruits KarenKelly, Jo Davies and Hazel Burgess

30 BUSINESS NEWS


Aurelien Costermans presenting an update on hisinternship to fellow students at the Manchester

Metropolitan University


Chamber member Joanne Grubb was shortlisted for the ForwardLadies Women in Business Awards (WIBA) 2015.

Joanne, owner of JG Creative - a Graphic Design and StrategicMarketing Agency – joined the elite of finalists from across the NorthWest and Isle of Man.

From all the entries received, 31 of the region’s top business womenwere selected in 12 categories by an independent panel of judges.

Based in Nantwich, JG Creative works for two local NHS ClinicalCommissioning Groups, various charities including Henshaws,Mencap and Kings College London and the Recruitment andEmployment Confederation.

Shortlisted in the Start-up Business Woman of the Year category,Joanne said: “I was thrilled to be shortlisted for this award.

I have been a proud Forward Lady sincestarting JG Creative and a lot of mybusiness has come from successfulnetworking.”

Forward Ladies runs its Women inBusiness Awards to celebrate theachievements of pioneering businesswomen and recognise the vitalcontribution they make to our economy.

The winners were decided at an awardsceremony at The Midland Hotel inManchester on March 27.

For more information on JGCreative visit www.JG-creative.co.uk

Working with you to help your business grow

• Accounts Preparation

• Tax Advice

• Business Planning

• Audits

• Capital Raising

• Succession and Disposal

• Financial Planning

• Investments and Pensions

• Management Accounts

• Payroll

At Howard Worth we know how important it is to develop strong relationships with you. We build up an extensive understanding of your business so that as well as preparing your accounts we work alongside you to help add real value to your business and bottom line.

For more details contact: Mike Doherty Howard Worth, Bank Chambers, 3 Churchyardside, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5DEEmail: [email protected]: 01270 626162 www.howardworth.co.uk

31BUSINESS NEWS


Business woman shines in award scheme

Luxury car company Bentley unveiled a stunning range of leatherjackets, cashmere scarves and handbags at the Geneva Motor Show.

Designed to be beautiful without compromising practicality, theleather jacket is available for men and women. Like the cars whichform their inspiration, each jacket is handcrafted, using a fold andstitch leather technique.

Seen also was the new range of lightweight Bentley Cashmerescarves, designed and made in Britain. The cashmere is carefullysourced from Inner Mongolia and is meticulously inspected beforemanufacturing, ensuring consistency in each and every BentleyCashmere scarf.

Also featured at the Bentley Boutique in Geneva was the muchcoveted Bentley Handbag collection, starting from £3,800.

Bentley Collection items are available globally from Bentley dealers, or alternatively online at www.bentleycollection.com

Bentley takes the fashion world by storm


33BUSINESS NEWS


Martin & Co has expanded into new premises on Nantwich Roadfollowing the firm’s best year to date.

Situated next to John Pass Jewellers at 173-175 Nantwich Road, thenew Crewe office will allow the team to grow their specialism inproperty investment and residential sales, alongside the lettingsbusiness of nearly 1000 managed properties.

Celebrating over ten years in the business, the move follows theCrewe and Nantwich firm’s best year to date. Last year saw a rapidexpansion into sales and an average of two properties let each day.

Director Shaun Cafferty said that the new office marked the start

of a new era for the growing firm. “Our new location puts Martin &Co right in the heart of the professional services sector, with leadingsolicitors such as Hall Smith Whittingham and Hibberts LLP justacross the road.

“There is a dedicated area where potential tenants and buyers canbrowse the many properties on offer. A new feature is the PropertyInvestment Centre, where current and prospective landlords canbrowse available properties, assess the performance of theirportfolio and discuss their future plans. The new investment serviceis offered to all South Cheshire investors, not just Martin & Coclients.”

Sales and Investments manager Paul Rowley said: “We have adatabase of 40,000 potential investors and many of them arespecifically targeting South Cheshire as a good place to have buy-to-let properties. We have also seen a 50% growth in our residentialsales over the last 12 months. The new facility provides an idealplatform from which to develop this further.”

The office also houses Martin & Co’s property management andaccounts staff, so landlords and tenants are now able to pop in anddiscuss any maintenance or rental queries face to face.

For more information call Martin & Co on 01270 500905

Office marks a ‘new era’ for the growing firm

30 years roll on for tyre companyCrewe Tyre & Exhaust Ltd, which supplies and fits all major brands oftyres and exhausts, is celebrating 30 years in business.

The firm was originally established in 1966 as a sub-division of theHarris Motor Company, Stoke-on-Trent but since 1985, the companyhas been owned and operated by Eric Harrison.

Eric (pictured) left his job as a sales rep for Michelin to open up hisown business in 1985 and hasn’t looked back since. Eric says: “If I wasgiven the chance to go back 30 years, I would have made the samedecision again. We are proud to have been a family run, independentbusiness for the past 30 years and this has always enabled us toprovide a consistent and high standard of customer service. I wouldlike to take this opportunity to thank all our customers in Crewe andthe surrounding area who have supported us and we look forwardto providing service to our customers for many years to come.”

As a testament to the company’scommitment to providing a high levelof service, it was once again awardedMichelin Certified Status in January2015. This is awarded to tyre dealerswho have reached a high standard inall areas of their business. Centres thatachieve this status signify a centre ofexcellence within the industry, givingconsumers confidence that a highlevel of quality and high service isprovided at all times.

For more information visitwww.crewetyres.co.uk

Crewe-based accountancyfirm, Banks Sheridan isforewarning small and mediumsized businesses to getprepared for Auto Enrolment.

‘The Pensions Regulator’ issending letters to all employersthat haven’t staged and have alegal duty to do so. The letterstates the ‘staging date’ andasks the employer tonominate a ‘key contact’.

Banks Sheridan director, David Morris (pictured) explains: “Thisletter is very important and must be kept safely as it contains crucialreference numbers. The ‘staging date’ is when the employer’s dutiesto make pension contributions into the employee’s schemebecome active. The ‘key contact’ is responsible for managing theprocess on behalf of the company and can be someone within theorganisation or external, such as the accountant.”

Auto Enrolment has been designed to encourage more individualsto start saving for retirement by making employers and thegovernment (by providing tax relief) contribute alongside employeesinto a workplace pension.

David Morris adds: “Amongst the largest pension reforms in morethan a century, Auto Enrolment represents a great deal of work foremployers who now need to find the time as well as administrativeand cash resources to meet their responsibilities.”

Staging dates have generally been introduced in an order based onbusinesses with higher numbers of employees. In 2015, about 45,000companies are lined up to auto enrol staff. This increases to anaverage of 50,000 per month in 2016 but with an estimated 1.2million employers due to stage over the next three years the abilityof employers and pension providers to meet these commitmentswill be tested.

To find out more about the Auto Enrolment services BanksSheridan provides visit www.banks-sheridan.co.uk

Be Prepared For Auto-Enrolment, Local Accountants Warn


34 BUSINESS NEWS / CHESHIRE CONNECT

Sharing your skills, talents and time?


Business and Charity: sharing skills

If you wish to find out more about how a clear, compatible and concise path towards achieving your CSR aims and objectives could be obtained by utilising the services of Cheshire Connect, please drop in, write, email or phone:

Dianne Parrish on 07946 639394 • Email: [email protected]: @ccdiannep • Web: www.cheshireconnect.org

Cheshire Connect, c/o South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, Lyme Building, Westmere Drive, Crewe Business Park, Crewe CW1 6ZD

Business and Charity: Sharing Skills

CHESHIRECHARITY NEEDS MET BY

CheshireWithoutAbuse

BusinessStrategy &Structure

Bentley Motorsprovided

Coaching & Mentoring

Case Study

Cheshire Connect offers a cost-free service whose purpose is to help you identify the best way to achieve your CSR aimsand develop a strategy and action plan that will make a real difference . . . and not merely a box ticking exercise, but to havea direct impact on real people within our community

There is no cost to you or the charity to explore the possibilities. Cheshire Connect is generously supportedand funded in Crewe and South Cheshire by Radius Solutions Limited

How do you locate those charities or voluntary organisations that already exist andare actively working in the community to help address those needs?

Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) definition: ‘A concept whereby companies decidevoluntarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment.’

How do you research the social needs of your local community?

Plans to transform a landmark Crewe building into a much-needednursery providing free places for children have been given the go-ahead.

Now Chamber member Maria Bradbury, the founder of the SteppingStones nursery chain, is looking forward to welcoming families tothe West Street centre after winning planning permission at the 11thhour.

Known as Little Steps, the community interest venture will provideup to 50 free childcare sessions a day for children aged two to fiveas part of a Government-funded scheme.

The entrepreneur, who has nurseries in Weston and Stoke-on-Trent,is funding the building’s child-friendly make-over which will now getunderway. Facilities will include an outdoor playground, learningzone and messy play area.

She said: “We were delighted to get the go-ahead from Ofsted someweeks ago but this permission was about to run out due tounforeseeable delays in the planning process.

“But thanks to Cheshire East Council, which pulled out all the stopsto help, permission was granted in the 11th hour and we can nowfinally press ahead.”

Learning will follow Early Years Foundation guidelines and focus onliteracy, art and mathematics as well as physical and emotionalwellbeing with lots of opportunity to play in fresh air.

She added: “We do have an application in to Early Years whichwould double the number of sessions to 100 a day. We will hear inthe next few weeks.

“Meanwhile, we will press on with plans to make this a communityhub where mums can not only find childcare but forge newfriendships.

“Fabulous if the childcare gives them the opportunity to take on ajob or free up time to study for new qualifications.

“So often it is the obstacle preventing mothers from doing this butwhat can they do when all the free nursery places are taken uplocally? Hopefully Little Steps will be the answer.”

The building, opposite Bombardier, is called Metasi House and aswell as housing Little Steps, it has provided office space for arecruitment company, engineering business and finance firm.

Little Steps will be up and running by the end of thesummer and to register interest in a free child place [email protected]

Green light for community interest venture


4front - south cheshire chamber's business magazine (spring 2015 edition)

Documents