Tamworth Herald Business News feed - This is Business Staffordshire

Church group is visiting South Africa on building mission to create homes

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:20:00 GMT

INTREPID adventurers from Tamworth are gearing up for a trip to South Africa to help communities in Cape Town build homes.

The six-strong group from the Justice and Peace Group of St John the Baptist Church is jetting off to Cape Town on the Habitat for Humanity mission this Saturday.

Tamworth Borough Council solicitor Jane Hackett is joined by Kit Liversidge, Barbara Kelly, Lynda Sanders, Tessa Wyatt and Andrea Ruck for the week-long venture.

On arrival in Cape Town, the six along with 32 other volunteers from across the UK, will travel to Mfuleni 30km away to take part in a house building team.

Mrs Hackett, said: "It is shocking that in the 21st century people are forced to live in this way. By taking part in this rebuilding scheme we will be providing people with somewhere safe to live, which has associated health benefits.

"By working with residents we can help give something back, we often take our lifestyles for granted and it is only when seeing the reality of how some people are forced to live you want to take action."

The project is being run by international charity.

Ten stone houses will be built during their stay, the volunteers will mix mortar, lay blocks, install doors and windows put up roofs and help ten families build a new life.

Around 40 per cent of Mfuleni are living in informal shacks, often built out of corrugated iron, cardboard and polythene. Most homes do not have electricity or water.

Summer fun at care home's fair

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:20:00 GMT

CAKE stalls and prizes galore are up for grabs at a summer fair.

MacGregor Tithe, an extra care housing facility based in Hospital Street, is holding the event on Saturday, September 11 from 12pm until 4pm.

Bric-a-brac stalls will also feature along with raffles, tombolas and refreshments.

Depressing picture as benefit claimant figures are revealed

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

ONLY two of Tamworth's ten wards have unemployment levels lower than the British average.

Information gathered by the Government's Department for Works and Pensions revealed that 3.7 per cent of those who are eligible to work in Tamworth are signing on.

This places the town 0.1 per cent higher than the Great Britain percentage of 3.6 per cent claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) during July, 2010.

And across the town, the amount of unemployed people signing on varies greatly from Glascote (which has 270 signing on) to Trinity, where just 91 people claimed JSA in July.

Glascote has the highest eligible to work, but signing on percentage in Tamworth at five per cent, with Castle the next highest at 4.2 per cent.

The full breakdown of areas, their unemployment total and working eligible population, is as follows:

Glascote (Glascote Heath) 270/5.2, Belgrave 204/4.2, Amington 207/3.8, Stonydelph 199/3.7, Castle (Town Centre, Fazeley Country Drive Estate, Bitterscote, Kettlebrook, 203/4.2, Bolehall 189/4.1, Wilnecote (Hockley, Quarry Hill) 182/3, Spital (The Leys, Gilway, Borough Park, Perry Crofts) 163/3.7, Mercian (Coton Farm, The Leyfields Coton Green) 160/3.8 and Trinity (Dosthill, Two Gates) 91/1.7.

All wards have seen big falls in the last five months, an average of 42.6 people fewer in each are of Tamworth signed on in July than they did in August.

Glascote has recorded the biggest downfall with 68 fewer residents signing on, close followed by Amington (66).

The other wards falls from March 2010 to July 2010, are; Belgrave (23), Bolehall (44), Castle (39), Mercian (26), Spital (28), Stonydelph (49), Trinity (49).

Horse-riding centre fun day for hospice

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A DAY of family entertainment has been planned at Middleton Equestrian this weekend.

On Bank Holiday Monday, August 30, the Vicarage Hall-based centre is holding its annual fun day, with proceeds being donated to St Giles Hospice.

Visitors can bring their own horses, or hire a horse, and take part in a variety of classes for different age categories including showjumping and gymkhana.

Other activities include games, demonstrations, competitions and displays.

'Hundreds' of jobs to go at one of town's biggest firms

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A MAJOR Tamworth firm is to shed "several hundred" jobs after losing two vital contracts.

Drive Assist, which has its head office in Ventura Park and another premises in Fazeley, announced the shock news to its workforce on Monday.

The company, which supplies courtesy cars and vehicles on short-term hire, employs over 1,200 people – half of them in Tamworth.

Set up by four local men back in 1992, the firm has gone from strength to strength in recent years.

But the shock loss of two major contracts will mean job losses.

One employee, a 20-year-old Tamworth man, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was told on Monday that I was losing my job and obviously I was really upset.

"It is the second time I have been made redundant this year and as I have only been at Drive Assist for less than three months, I won't get any redundancy pay.

"I have a car loan, insurance and rent and other bills to be pay – I need a job, but at the moment I am not very hopeful of getting another one, there are few jobs in Tamworth anyway and now they'll be another 200 or so people looking for a new job too."

The man, who works as a claims handler, added: "The mood in the offices is horrible – everyone is really sad, I think there are around 200 of us who are losing our jobs, but what makes it even harder is that we've not yet been given a deadline for when we actually leave."

Company director Ralph Ferguson told the Herald that several hundred job losses were likely.

"Drive Assist has recently been informed of the loss of two contracts. The specific details regarding the end of these contracts has yet to be finalised.

"This will result in job losses at our head office in Tamworth, and across depots throughout the country.

"It is too early to state the number of jobs that will be lost, however, it will run into several hundred out of a total workforce of more than 1,200.

"Full consultation with affected staff will be undertaken by the company in due course."

Drive Assist was set up by Steven Binch (who is still a director) and three other people in 1992.

As well as its two call centres, it has 18 key operational sites and a fleet of 15,000 vehicles, from basic courtesy cars through to commercial and prestigious vehicles, 80 per cent of which are owned by the company.

The recent success of the company is illustrated by the fact that they reached the finals of six different business awards last year.

Mr Ferguson added: "We recognise that this is a disappointment for the local community.

"Drive Assist has grown every year for the last 18 years and although this is a set back, the company remains confident for the future."

Tournament arrows in on helping charity

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

DARTS players are being urged to help raise money for charity. Tamworth Sports Bar in Victoria Road is launching a monthly darts tournament, beginning on Friday, August 27 from 7pm.

All players are welcome to come along, register, and compete for a £150 top prize and trophy. The first event will raise funds for Help For Heroes.

See new hotel being built... brick by brick

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

WEB fans cans monitor the progress of Drayton Manor Park's new hotel online.

Bosses at the tourist attraction have launched a live photo stream to show the construction of the facility, which means anyone interested can watch it being built, brick by brick.

The photo updates can be viewed at www.draytonmanor60th.co.uk/hotel.php.

The photos enable site visitors to see the hotel throughout all stages of its development, at the click of a button.

Drayton Manor's hotel is scheduled to open in summer 2011.

The 150-bedroom development will feature themed bedrooms, including ones from the popular Thomas and Friends series.

Colin Bryan, managing director at the park, said: "The Drayton Manor Park Hotel has been a long time coming and we're thrilled that the construction is well under way.

"This year marks our 60th anniversary so we like to think of the new hotel as our gift to the park to mark the occasion."

2,000 jobs boost as expansion at business park gets the go-ahead

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to extend a business park near Tamworth has taken a huge leap forward – after receiving unanimous approval from borough planners.

The second phase of the Birch Coppice Business Park development, at Dordon, was given the green light by North Warwickshire Borough Council on Monday night.

Now plans have been unveiled by online grocer Ocado, the home delivery service for Waitrose, to create 2,000 new jobs on the site at a new £200 million central distribution facility.

The 124-acre development plans for warehouse and distribution use were submitted by developer IM Properties.

In a packed council chamber, members ratified the recommendation of the borough's planning committee with several plaudits about the quality of the buildings and landscape design, and management of the established first phase of Birch Coppice.

Ocado, which recently completed floatation on the London stock market, is on record as promising the new jobs when the huge hi-tech 35-acre facility – the size of 17 football pitches – is completed in 2012.

Work will begin on the extension almost immediately, a spokesman said.

A separate planning application for a 350,000 sq ft logistics facility for Ocado will be submitted to North Warwickshire Borough Council in the coming weeks.

It is expected the warehouse facility will service between 180,000 and 200,000 customer orders per week.

Kevin Ashfield, development manger for IM Properties, said: "The positive determination of the planning application and support of the borough's planning officers will bring long- term benefits to the local economy.

"I have seen a schedule of the type of jobs Ocado will generate at Birch Coppice. It is a misconception that employment in the distribution sector is biased towards the lower-paid category.

"Ocado will provide a good balance of skilled and semi-skilled jobs, office, admin and IT posts at a time when jobs of all categories are required in the region."

Phase one of Birch Coppice Business Park started in 1998 when IM Properties acquired the derelict Birch Coppice Colliery site.

Company proves it's in a growth industry

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A DORDON business has announced a new sponsorship with The National Forest.

PHS Direct, which specialises in the provision of workplace washroom consumables, has backed a woodland planting project.

It involves planting six hectares of land at Overseal near Swadlincote.

James Clark, managing director, said: "We wanted to support a project that would have a positive effect on the environment but that also was able to engage with our staff, suppliers and customers in a real way.

"The majority of our staff at our Dordon operational centre live within 10 miles of the forest and this will enable them to see the impact of the project and also allow them to make great use of the forest over the years."

PHS Direct will make a contribution to The National Forest for every box of paper it sells and 5,000 trees will be planted every year for at least three years.

Chamber chiefs take a giant LEP forward with partnership deal

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

BUSINESS chiefs in Lichfield and Tamworth are backing a proposal to launch a Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce has pledged to join the LEP, which will be one of a number set up to replace Advantage West Midlands (AWM).

Proposals for establishing LEPs have to be agreed by September and Lichfield and Tamworth's decision to join Birmingham and Solihull is a major step forward.

Neil Lancaster, president of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber, said it made sense to link up with the largest city outside London because it would lead to more opportunities for job creation and inward investment.

"Lichfield and Tamworth businesses are an important engine of the local economy," he said.

"We know we have much to offer and we're confident in our ability to compete with the best in the world.

"We think that by partnering with Birmingham to form a LEP we will be part of a compelling team, able to punch our combined weight as we compete in global markets.

"It is also important that each LEP in the area co-ordinates its activity with other LEPs where this makes good sense."

He explained: "For example, there are cross-cutting activities in topics like skills, inward investment, innovation, etc, where a number of LEPs will want to work together.

"We need to remember the real competition lies in international markets and not between local LEPs."

Mr Lancaster said that for LEPs to succeed, it was important to recognise the importance of having a good working relationship with the local authorities in the region.

He said that he had written to his chamber's local authorities – Lichfield District Council, Tamworth Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council – advising them of the stance that had been taken by his organisation.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber Group, welcomed Lichfield and Tamworth's decision to become a partner in the proposed LEP.

"This is a significant decision and we will do all we can to help Lichfield and Tamworth come on board the proposed LEP," he said.

"In terms of economic geography, it makes sense for them to join up with us, and it will give added value to all of the chamber members involved."

Alert to firms over trader register scam

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

TAMWORTH businesses which are members of Staffordshire's register of reputable traders are being warned to be on their guard after one company was targeted by a fraudster.

In the last week, one business received a call from someone purporting to be from the Trader Register.

They said the firm's membership had expired and renewal would cost £3.99.

Bank details were given and substantial amount of money was withdrawn.

Staffordshire County Council is now contacting members of the Trader Register to remind them that membership is free for life.

Oscars for tourism

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

THE Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards will celebrate the very best in tourism in the West Midlands by showcasing the diverse and fantastic range of attractions, accommodations and tourism venues the region has to offer.

Known throughout the industry as the 'Tourism Oscars', these highly coveted awards recognise the quality, innovation and dedication within the tourism industry.

The 2010 year's awards will culminate in a glittering awards ceremony on October 21 when all finalists will be able to celebrate their achievements and find out who will pick up the awards.

Regional category award winners will then be put forward to the national Excellence in Tourism Awards 2011 co-ordinated by Visit England – the national tourism body.

Theme park is listed for four tourism awards

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A TOP Tamworth tourist attraction has been singled out for a string of accolades.

Drayton Manor Theme Park has been short-listed in not one but four categories at the 2010 Heart of England Excellence in Tourism awards.

The business is one of 53 companies that have been selected out of hundreds of entries.

Drayton Manor has been recognised as a contender for the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year; Best Tourism Experience for Drayton's Magical Christmas; Sustainable Tourism of the Year and Access for All.

"We're delighted to have been short-listed in four categories, particularly as we are currently celebrating our 60th anniversary year," said Colin Bryan, managing director of Drayton Manor.

"The Midlands has a tourism industry to be proud of with many fine attractions for people to visit, and the Excellence in Tourism Awards is a great way to highlight the superb quality of tourist attractions in the region."

Attractions and accommodation providers from across Birmingham, the Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire entered the 16 categories for the awards.

Competing with Drayton Manor for the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year are Alton Towers and West Midlands Safari and Leisure Park.

Up against the park for Best Tourism Experience are BBC Birmingham Tours, Go Ape, Wyre Forest, Worcestershire and the Great Classic Car Hire, Worcestershire.

Battling it out with the attraction in the Sustainable Tourism of the Year category are Broadway Manor Cottages, Worcestershire, Hidelow House Cottages, Worcestershire and Poston Mill Park, Herefordshire.

And taking on the theme park in the Access for All award are Cadbury World, Birmingham and Hidelow House Cottages, Worcestershire.

Also recognised is Tamworth Information Centre, which has been shortlisted for the Tourist Information Service of the Year.

Vying for the title alongside the Market Street TIC are Coventry Visitor Information Centre and Lichfield Information Centre.

"As we enter one of the busiest periods of trading for the tourism industry all the short-listed businesses should feel proud of this milestone achievement that recognises their business as one of the best in the region's tourism industry," Tourism West Midlands chairman Brian Summers said.

"Competition for the awards is still fierce as the judges face the challenging task of deciding on the overall finalists for each category.

"The awards will be a celebration of the Heart of England region."

Judges will review the selected businesses during August with the winners announced in October.

60-year-old theme park's new website

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

DRAYTON Manor Theme Park has unveiled a new website to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

www.draytonmanor.co.uk has information about the park, photos, videos, money saving offers and details of its new 150-bedroom hotel.

Colin Bryan, managing director of Drayton Manor Theme Park said he was extremely proud of the theme park's 60th anniversary.

Car dealership races to number one spot

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A TAMWORTH car dealership has been named as one of the best in the country for the fifth year, by the disabled drivers' organisation Motability.

Heartlands Ford, which has a branch in Saxon Drive, received the accolade for providing the best support and customer service in helping disabled people drive using specially adapted cars.

The dealership, which is part of the Ford Retail Group, won the prestigious title of Best Motability Dealer Group of the Year.

Judges commended the firm's quality of support to the Motability scheme, from senior management to individual dealership staff with the level of customer service as "first class".

The awards ceremony was attended by BBC newsreader Hugh Edwards, who presented the Motability 2010 winners with their trophies.

Call centre workers buzzing with triple award nomination

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:20:00 GMT

A TAMWORTH call centre is in the running for three awards this year, after being announced as finalists in the 2010 Call Centre Focus (CCF) European Call Centre Awards, some of the industry's most prestigious awards.

The Wilnecote company has been shortlisted in the Best Centre for Customer Service, Large Contact Centre of the Year and Large Team of the Year categories.

Last year CPP's claims team, which handles mobile phone insurance claims for the Phonesafe product, was shortlisted in the Large Team of the Year category, just losing out on the night.

But customer service manager, Catherine Worden, is looking to set the record straight this time around.

"To be a finalist two years in a row is a fantastic achievement," said Catherine.

"It's the recognition that the 100-strong team deserves and although we face tough competition from the other finalists, I'm really hoping we can bring the prize back to CPP this year."

CPP is a life assistance company, which provides help to people during stressful events such as losing or having a wallet, purse or mobile telephone stolen, as well as help in the event of identity theft.

It is shortlisted for the first time in two new categories, which bosses say signifies CPP's commitment to delivering excellent service to its customers.

Mike Kneafsey, consumer sales and service director, said: "We are delighted to be declared finalists in these three categories.

"It's a great honour to be recognised and a compliment to our employees for all their hard work."

All finalists will be visited by a judging panel in the coming weeks with the winners' black-tie evening taking place on Tuesday, September 21, at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

Lovell plans 'one-stop' maintenance service

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:20:00 GMT

TAMWORTH-BASED construction company Lovell is set for a major expansion of its housing maintenance business, with the acquisition of Powerminster Gleeson Services from MJ Gleeson Group.

All Powerminster's contracts, plus the company's 178-strong workforce, will transfer to Lovell Respond, the company's response maintenance business.

Lovell, which has its head office in Tamworth, is one of Britain's leading providers of affordable housing.

It is part of the Morgan Sindall Group, a construction and regeneration group.

Lovell managing director Stewart Davenport said: "Powerminster's expertise in PFI estates and facilities management complements Lovell Respond's strength in day-to-day maintenance services.

"With social housing contracts increasingly being tendered on a combined 'planned and response maintenance' basis, the expanded business will create a seamless 'one-stop shop', offering clients the full range of maintenance services alongside our expertise in new-build and refurbishment.

"We are strongly placed for opportunities offered by the latest round of housing PFI schemes as well as having capacity for working on PFIs in other sectors."

Bus firm announces changes to timetable

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:20:00 GMT

ARRIVA Midlands has announced changes to some Tamworth bus services.

Saturday timetables will be revised to run up to every 15 minutes and up to every 30 minutes during the evening on route 4 (Tamworth to Silver Link) and route 5 (Tamworth to Amington).

Daytime buses, Monday to Friday, continue every 12 minutes, with Monday to Saturday evening buses and daytime Sunday buses on route 5 running every 30 minutes and Sunday evening buses every 60 minutes.

Copies of timetables are available in libraries and Tourist Information Centres, at www.arrivabus.co.uk or by calling 0844 800 44 11.

Jobseekers claimants hit lowest levels in 16 months figures show

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:20:00 GMT

THE NUMBER of Tamworth residents signing on has fallen below 2,000 for the first time in 16 months.

Government figures this week revealed that 1,945 people claimed Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Tamworth during June.

It is the first time since February last year that the total has gone below 2,000.

The economic recovery in the town has been consistent during 2010, with JSA claimant rates falling every month.

From January until June, the number of people signing on has gone down by 500.

Four per cent of those who are eligible to work in Tamworth are signing on.

That figure was down from five per cent at the start of the year.

The number of claimants signing on for 12 months or more, however, has risen throughout the year.

From January, the amount has risen from 385 to 445.

The number of claimants aged 18 to 24 fell over the same period from 755 to 595.

Across Tamworth's 10 wards, claimant rates have fallen in nine during June.

The exception was Belgrave, where the figure remained unchanged.

Below are the JSA claimant counts for the past three months across Tamworth:

Amington: April – 255, May – 226, June – 213;

Belgrave: April – 232, May – 217, June – 217 ;

Bolehall: April – 217, May – 223, June – 193;

Castle: April – 235, May – 229, June 208;

Glascote: April – 320, May – 315, June – 304;

Mercian: April – 177, May – 174, June – 156;

Spital: April – 177, May – 184, June – 160;

Stonydelph: April – 234, May – 221, June – 214;

Trinity: April – 125, May – 118, June – 105;

Wilnecote: April – 209, May – 189, June – 175.

Awards set to honour business stars who've turned pain into gain

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:20:00 GMT

THE search is on to find Britain's most inspirational men and women who have beaten the odds to succeed in business – and entries from Tamworth are being invited.

Barclays Trading Places Awards have just been launched for the fifth year, and enterprising individuals who have triumphed over personal adversity to turn their business dreams into a reality have until Friday, July 16 to tell their story.

The winners will share a £50,000 prize package.

This year's Barclays Trading Places Awards will also invite people to nominate someone they know who deserves national recognition and in spite of facing some of life's greatest challenges, are running their own business – for example, a member of their family or even their boss.

Previous finalists include Bradley Stewart, who was left paralysed after a car crash and went on to set-up a mobile disco business; Tracy Mackness, who studied farming while in prison and now runs a successful pig breeding company; and husband and wife team Kevin and Nikki Sweet, who beat redundancy and long-term unemployment to start a new life in the Welsh countryside as cider makers.

Steve Cooper, chair of the judging panel and managing director of Barclays Business, said: "Trading Places is a celebration of men and women who, in spite of great personal challenges, have taken steps to establish a sustainable business and in doing so changed the direction of their lives for the better.

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to recognise their achievements whilst highlighting an increasingly important sector of the business community – whether they are sole traders or small businesses that together underpin our economy."

Everyone entering the awards will have access to a range of business support packages featuring specialist advice and expert mentoring.

Barclays will present the overall winner with a cheque for £10,000, and the runner-up with £5,000 for their business, at a prestigious black-tie gala dinner at The Savoy in London in November, to be attended by more than 300 VIP guests.

Awards supporters Microsoft and Yell will also be offering tailor-made packages for the 10 national finalists, including the latest business software and special multi-media advertising packages.

Other awards partners include youth charity The Prince's Trust, Leonard Cheshire Disability, the NFEA, Crisis, PRIME and the cdfa.

Entry forms are available in Barclays branches, by calling the Awards Office on 020 8673 2020 or by visiting www.barclays.co.uk/tradingplaces