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Tamworth & Lichfield 1 17th Quarterly Issue SPRING 2013 Business E-Brief Welcome I’m excited to be writing my second welcome and update as Business and Economic Partnership (BEP) Chair, as the pace of our Partnership activities has provided plenty of material. Our focus this year will be primarily around ‘additionality’ (affecting things that mightn’t otherwise happen/acting where we can make an impact), influencing and facilitation underpinned through strengthened communications throughout the partnership and the wider business community. I am pleased to say we are now engaged with the Whittington-based Defence Medical Services and the Armed Services Community Covenant through their Economic & Prosperity Group to promote integration of their plans and communities with our local businesses. Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) links are strengthened with my vice-chair Jenny Cartwright becoming Branch Chair, extending the BEP reach to smaller and rural businesses. Working with the Southern Staffordshire Partnership has placed business support firmly on the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and Stoke-On-Trent & Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP) agendas. The BEP economic strategy has been incorporated into the Lichfield and Tamworth Strategic and Community Plans, ensuring they have a business perspective. Partners are working with the GBSLEP and SSLEP to ensure that the importance of our local economic activity and your businesses are fully recognised - this is important, particularly in view of the recent Heseltine Review. All these activities require good partnership working and improved communications. Our communications are currently being enhanced and we plan to integrate the Business E-Brief, Business Networks Forum, BEP website, social media and TL4B to facilitate two-way dialogue and information sharing between all businesses and players within the wider partnership. If you would like further information or to become more involved with your Partnership, please contact me: [email protected]. Deb Baker (Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership) Reeves Green approached the Fund to help achieve a re- brand and sustained growth. After 30 years in marketing communications, delivering topical creativity and ‘on the pulse’ strategies, they are now ready for the next 30 years. Colin Reeves, Creative Director at Reeves Green said “BCRS were exemplary throughout our loan enquiry. They really understood our business, responded quickly and decisively and allowed us to reach our goals with a minimum of red tape. What I would say to any business out there looking for finance is don’t hesitate to talk to BCRS. Instead enjoy a fast response from the word ‘go’ and relish the opportunity to focus attention on your business.” The Staffordshire Business Loan Fund is run in partnership with Staffordshire County Council and BCRS. Loans of between £10,000 and £50,000 are available, but only to viable Staffordshire businesses already turned away by the banks. For any Staffordshire-based businesses looking for access to finance, please contact BCRS on 0845 313 8410 or at www.bcrs.org.uk Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations In This Issue Page Local business news 2, 3, 7 Business Awards: the full story 4, 5 B2B achieve £1m goal 6 Open to Export 8 Business Networks Forum update 8 17th quarterly issue delivered electronically to local businesses and public sector organisations 80 businesses receive loan funding Lichfield-based Reeves Green is amongst 80 businesses which have received support from the award-winning Staffordshire Business Loan Fund since it started in 2009. Left to right Graham Green, Director and Colin Reeves, Creative Director at Reeves Green

Business Brief Spring 2013

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News for Tamworth and Lichfield businesses

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Tamworth & Lichfield

1

17th Quarterly Issue

SPRING 2013

Business E-Brief

WelcomeI’m excited to be writing mysecond welcome and update asBusiness and EconomicPartnership (BEP) Chair, as the

pace of our Partnership activities has providedplenty of material.

Our focus this year will be primarily around‘additionality’ (affecting things that mightn’t otherwisehappen/acting where we can make an impact),influencing and facilitation underpinned throughstrengthened communications throughout thepartnership and the wider business community.

I am pleased to say we are now engaged with theWhittington-based Defence Medical Services and theArmed Services Community Covenant through theirEconomic & Prosperity Group to promote integration oftheir plans and communities with our local businesses.Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) links arestrengthened with my vice-chair Jenny Cartwrightbecoming Branch Chair, extending the BEP reach tosmaller and rural businesses.

Working with the Southern Staffordshire Partnershiphas placed business support firmly on the GreaterBirmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership(GBSLEP) and Stoke-On-Trent & Staffordshire LocalEnterprise Partnership (SSLEP) agendas. The BEPeconomic strategy has been incorporated into theLichfield and Tamworth Strategic and CommunityPlans, ensuring they have a business perspective.Partners are working with the GBSLEP and SSLEP toensure that the importance of our local economicactivity and your businesses are fully recognised - thisis important, particularly in view of the recent HeseltineReview.

All these activities require good partnership workingand improved communications. Our communicationsare currently being enhanced and we plan to integratethe Business E-Brief, Business Networks Forum, BEPwebsite, social media and TL4B to facilitate two-waydialogue and information sharing between allbusinesses and players within the wider partnership. Ifyou would like further information or to become moreinvolved with your Partnership, please contact me:[email protected].

Deb Baker(Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership)

Reeves Green approached the Fund to help achieve a re-brand and sustained growth. After 30 years in marketingcommunications, delivering topical creativity and ‘on thepulse’ strategies, they are now ready for the next 30 years.

Colin Reeves, Creative Director at Reeves Green said “BCRSwere exemplary throughout our loan enquiry. They reallyunderstood our business, responded quickly and decisivelyand allowed us to reach our goals with a minimum of redtape. What I would say to any business out there looking forfinance is don’t hesitate to talk to BCRS. Instead enjoy a fastresponse from the word ‘go’ and relish the opportunity tofocus attention on your business.”

The Staffordshire Business Loan Fund is run in partnershipwith Staffordshire County Council and BCRS. Loans ofbetween £10,000 and £50,000 are available, but only to viableStaffordshire businesses already turned away by the banks.

For any Staffordshire-based businesses looking for accessto finance, please contact BCRS on 0845 313 8410 or atwww.bcrs.org.uk

Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

In This Issue Page

Local business news 2, 3, 7

Business Awards: the full story 4, 5

B2B achieve £1m goal 6

Open to Export 8

Business Networks Forum update 8

17th quarterly issue delivered electronically to local businesses and public sector organisations

80 businesses receive loanfundingLichfield-based ReevesGreen is amongst 80businesses which havereceived support fromthe award-winningStaffordshire BusinessLoan Fund since itstarted in 2009.

Left to right Graham Green,Director and Colin Reeves,

Creative Director at Reeves Green

Business news in brief

2 Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

New Chairman ofthe Board for ThinkLocal 4 BusinessThink Local 4 Business (TL4B) isdelighted to confirm theappointment of a new Director tothe Board, Nick Evans, who alsotakes over as Chairman. Nick hashad a long career in sales andmarketing and as Technical Director of Eccleshall-baseddigital marketing agency, ExtraMile Communications, isan acknowledged expert on online marketing.

Nick's extensive experience will prove invaluable as TL4Bseeks to build on its early successes since separatingfrom council control and forming a limited company backin the Summer of 2012. Since then, TL4B has attractedmore than 1,100 business registrations from acrossStaffordshire, a figure which is rising on a daily basis.

TL4B's aim is to provide local businesses with an onlineplatform from which they can forge networks with otherlocal businesses in order to do business or justgenerally develop business relationships. In addition,there is information on local business support, newsand events, as well as access to procurementopportunities, both public and private sector. TL4B alsoextensively links to other social media networks, suchas Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, widening itscoverage to as wide an audience as possible.

To register your business on TL4B go towww.thinklocal4business.co.uk. You can also follow them on Twitter (@TL4Business) andfind them on Facebook.

What do Burntwood and Hawaiihave in common?Musician and songwriter, Mike Newey of Neon SoundStudios in Burntwood, was honoured when lead guitarist,Bob Spalding of the legendary American band The Venturesasked if he could cover the track ‘Saratoga’ that Mike wrotemore than 25 years ago. The Ventures rose to fame in the60s with the Hawaii 5-0 theme and ‘Walk Don’t Run’ andstill fill concert halls all over the world.

Mike is rhythm guitarist ofinstrumental band ‘Counterpoint’ whowill be headlining at this years 21stAnnual Pipeline Convention ofInternational Instrumental Rock Musicin Hertfordshire this Easter weekend.

Following their 40-minute set,Counterpoint will back BobSpalding’s set who is flying in fromAmerica especially for the event,where Mike and Bob will play‘Saratoga’ together.www.neonstudios.co.uk

Lichfield businessowner implementsdaring plansLocal business entrepreneur, ChrisBlunt of the Bus Stop Group inLichfield, has dared to dream bigand plans for his IT businessbrokenStones in 2013 are daringand exciting. Unlike most businessowners, Chris is implementing thoseplans and driving his businessexpansion forward. He has investedin himself by learning the skills, traitsand day-to-day workings of otherhighly successful entrepreneurs.

“In the last nine months, I’ve moved offices, merged andre-branded, grown our IT team and revolutionised ourmarketing strategies. In October I was crownedStaffordshire’s Entrepreneur of the month and at therecent Business Networking Awards I was HighlyCommended for Entrepreneur of the year. Much of whatI’ve accomplished recently has been down to the helpand support of Nigel Botterill’s Entrepreneurs Circle. I’dhighly recommend it to any business owners seriousabout success. Business has never been better!”www.brokenstones.net

Nick Evans, newChairman – ThinkLocal 4 Business

Disclaimer: The Business and Economic Partnership has taken all reasonableprecautions to ensure that information contained in this document is accurate butstresses that the content is not intended to be legally comprehensive. It isrecommended that no action be taken on matters covered in this document withouttaking full advice. If you do not wish to receive the Business Brief please contactMatt Fletcher on 01827 709 382 or email [email protected]

Chris Blunt,Managing Director -

Bus Stop Groupwith his recent

accolades

Firm gives youth club teen appealRugeley company, GMP Design, which specialises indesigning and fitting out nightclubs and bars all over theworld, has been drafted in to give the Phoenix YouthCentre in Daventry some youth club teen appeal! Theyouth centre needed to attract older teenagers whootherwise would have nowhere to go. So the new designgives the club a nightclub atmosphere, complete withstage, dance floor, café and soft drinks bar and Skypepods so members can chat to friends online.

GMP’s Ben Rayner said; “Some ofthe older youngsters had nothing todo other than hang around thestreets. The youth centre wasn’treally drawing them in. Our designmakes it a far more mature andexciting place to be.”

GMP has transformed nightclubs inLondon, Bangkok, Beijing, Tokyo andthe French Alps. www.gmp-international.com Ben Rayner, GMP Design

Business news in brief

3Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

Dragon gives REW Clothing a boostTamworth clothing business REW Clothing has receiveda business boost from TV Dragons Den star TheoPaphitis. Rachel Wright, owner of REW Clothing,tweeted Theo about her business during ‘SmallBusiness Sunday’, an initiative set up by Theo. Theo re-tweeted Rachel’s message to his 313,346 follower’s andas a result, the business has more than 350 followersand extra orders for their brand new product the REWcollar the alternative to the scarf. They are also profiledon a new website www.theopaphitissbs.com that isexclusive to Small Business Sunday winners.

Rachel Wright said; “We’ve only been in business 18months. It’s great to have the support from Theo. Thishas helped spread the word about our brand and ourbeliefs in British made products.”

Anyone looking for a re-tweet from Theo should Tweet him about their businesson Sunday between 5pm - 7.30pm and include the #SBS. Six lucky businessesare re-tweeted on Monday at 8pm and then invited to enter their profile on hiswebsite. www.rewclothing.co.uk

2013 is getting off to a great start forTamworth-based Pickerings Solicitors LLP, asthe firm has been shortlisted for theBirmingham Law Society 'Law Firm of theYear up to four Partners' Award. The firm isone of only five to make the shortlist in thiscategory and is hoping to put Tamworth firmlyon the map within the West Midlands legalcommunity. The winners will be announced atan award ceremony on Thursday 14th Marchat the ICC, Birmingham, which will be

attended by Baroness Helena Kennedy. Thisfollows on from the firm’s success in scooping‘Local Law Firm of the Year 2012’ lastOctober at the 360 Legal Group’s prestigiousnational legal conference and awards

Chief Executive Simon King of PickeringsSolicitors LLP, said: “It is great news for allthe team here to be recognised for theirefforts and achievement and great newsfor Tamworth”.

Lal Bagh in Lichfield voted a Most LovedBusiness in national competitionThebestof’s national campaign ran for the 14 days leading up to Valentine’s Day.Consumers had the chance to review their favourite local businesses,reinvigorating and raising the profile of their local community. Tens of thousandsof reviews were made, equating to one every eight seconds as the contestreached its crescendo. Several of the Most Loved Businesses come fromLichfield, thanks to their customers voting for them!

• Lal Bagh – Voted 6th of the 100 Most Loved Business Nationally• The Spark Café Bar – Most Loved Bar• A1 Vehicle Rentals – Most Loved Car & Van Hire• Professional Approach – Most Loved Telemarketer

Louie Clegg of thebestoflichfield said; “Small businesses are the engine room ofour economy and lots of local business owners – and their loyalstaff – are feeling great because their efforts have beenrecognised and appreciated by so many of their customers.”

Tipu Hussein of Lal Bagh in Lichfield said; “It is very touchingand a real honour to see how much our customers value whatwe do.” www.thebestof.co.uk/local/lichfield

Pictured with Deborah are fellow BEP Boardmembers, left to right: David Dundas - Lion

Industries Ltd., James Whybrow - SouthStaffordshire College, Wayne Mortiboys -Staffordshire County Council and Craig

Jordan - Lichfield District Council.

The REW collar thealternative to the scarf

Pickerings shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year Award

Simon King, Chief Executive –

Pickerings Solicitors LLP

BEP Chair recognised inRegeneration Awards The Business and EconomicPartnership (BEP), a partnership of thepublic and private sectors whichpromotes economic growth acrossTamworth and Lichfield, is celebratingthe success of its Chair, DeborahBaker, who scooped the IndividualContribution to Regeneration Award atthe Southern StaffordshirePartnership’s Regeneration Awards.

Deborah, who runs Lichfield basedHawthornes Research and BusinessDevelopment Ltd specialising inbusiness research and micro-businessmentoring, was recognised for hersignificant contribution over a periodof more than 10 years to a variety ofpartnerships dedicated to developingthe local economy and businessengagement and support. In additionto the BEP and Southern StaffordshirePartnership, this has included theLichfield District Strategic Partnership,the Think Local 4 Business initiativeand the Greater Birmingham andSolihull Local Enterprise Partnership(LEP). In terms of the latter, sheserved on the Development Boardonce the government had approvedthe formation of the Partnership backin 2011, and so was instrumental inshapingthe LEPinto whatwe seetoday.

4 Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

In September 2012 Tamworthbusinessman Dave Harper had anidea. An idea that would promote andrecognise local businesses and raisemoney for The County Air Ambulance.

On 26th January 2013 Dave Harper’sidea became a reality as the inauguralBusiness Networking Awards tookplace at Drayton Manor in a black tiebuzz of glitz and glamour. In less thanfour short months, a venue had beenfound, sponsors had been secured,judges has been recruited, tickets hadbeen sold and nominations had comeflooding in from the members of thelocal business networking groups. Insome awards categories there were12 entries to be considered.

The judges met twice, first to create ashortlist of nominees and again toselect the winners and highlycommended businesses andindividuals.

There were 10 award categories.Unbeknown to Dave Harper thejudges had decided that owing to hisherculean efforts to put this event on,a further award should be created.This award will become an annualaward to be presented to a localbusiness person that has gone the“extra mile” to help other localbusinesses. The first recipient of theDave Harper Extra Mile Award wasDave Harper.

Business Networking Awardsthe full story

The Business Networking Awards raised £2,000 for the County AirAmbulance Trust. This money will go to their HELP appeal making surehelicopters have somewhere safe to land when they get to hospitals.

Winner DK Electrical,

David Kemp receiving award from

sponsor Andy Smith, Northwood

UK.COM. Highly Commended - Merlin

Floors & Ceramics Limited

Joint Winner Roar Marketing Limited,

Karen Nicholls receiving award from

sponsor Dave Harper, Silverpoint

Inventories Limited

Joint Winner Kimberley Jane Design,Kimberley-Jane Turrell receiving awardfrom sponsor Dave Harper, SilverpointInventories Limited

Winner Four Oaks Financial Services,Martin Ward receiving award from sponsor Karen Nicholls, Roar Marketing Ltd.Highly Commended - Culley Lifford Hall

ProfessionalBusiness of Year

TradesBusiness of Year

Promotions/EventsBusiness ofYear

The JudgesJulie WhiteBA(Hons) Business ManagementGrowing Rural Enterprise Limitedwww.growingruralenterprise.co.uk

Clare Whalley BA(Hons)Meta4 Coaching & TrainingSolutions Limitedwww.meta4ltd.co.uk

Karen Kirby MCIPDGreenshoot HRwww.greenshoot.co.uk

Karen Nicholls DipM FCIM Roar Marketing Limitedwww.roarmarketing.co.uk

Tracy Pound FIC MCMIMaximity Limitedwww.maximity.co.uk

Anthony M LevellPennswood Wealthwww.pennswood.co.uk

Martin Ward DipPFSFour Oaks Financial [email protected]

Dave Harper MAPIPSilverpoint Inventories Limitedwww.silverpointinventories.co.uk

Maz Print who designed and printed the programme andcertificates free of charge. www.mazprint.com

inLIFE Design who created the website free of charge.www.inlifedesign.com

Other businesses who gave of their time and expertise were:

5Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisationsAwards evening photographs provided by Priory Photo Design.

Next year’s awards will take place on Saturday 1st March 2014 at Drayton Manor.

If you would like to be a sponsorplease contact Dave [email protected] visitwww.businessnetworkingawards.co.uk

Winner Prizm Solutions Limited,Peter Robinson receiving awardfrom sponsor Karen Kirby,Greenshoot HR.Highly Commended - Brookes Stephens

Winner Cas Francis, April-UKreceiving award from sponsor KarenNicholls, Co-Chair, Business NetworksForum. Highly Commended - AnthonyLevell of Pennswood Wealth

Winner Design Pit Limited,Gareth Robertson receiving awardfrom sponsor Chris Blunt,brokenStones Limited. Highly Commended - Kimberley Jane Design

Winner Kirsten Bridge, Lily & Lime

Limited receiving award from sponsor

Michelle Barratt, Drayton Manor Park

Limited. Highly Commended -

Chris Blunt of The Bus Stop Group

Winner Brook Marston FarmHotel, Anthony Palmer receivingaward from sponsor Peter Farmer, Think Local Limited

TradesBusiness of Year Networker of Year

ServicesBusiness of Year

Best Employer

BestEstablishedBusiness Over2 Years

Entrepreneurof Year

SpecialRecognition

"I was thrilled to find out I'd beennominated for an award. Pleasantlysurprised was an understatementwhen I found out I'd made the finalfour, so to then actually win theBest Start Up Award was justfantastic! It was a great eveningand all in aid of a very worthwhilecause, County Air Ambulance. I'dlike to thank the organisers, judgingpanel and all those in attendancefor putting on a brilliant inauguralBusiness Networking Awardsevening. I'm already lookingforward to the event next year!" Gareth Robertson, Director – Design Pit Limited

Dave Harper ofSilverpointInventories Limited

The DaveHarper ExtraMile Award

Jason Dutton of Pennswood Wealth, who was a fabulousMC on the night and gave his time free of charge.www.pennswood.co.uk

Priory Photo Design who provided photography at the eventat a discounted rate with a donation to The County AirAmbulance Trust. www.priory-photodesign.co.uk

Best Start Up Under 2 Years

"A resounding effort from all involvedhelped to make a good event into afantastic event, supporting andrecognising small local businesses intheir achievements. Bring it on fornext year" Dave Harper, Director –Silverpoint Inventories.

Winner Mission Accomplished,

Pam Beale receiving award from

sponsor Cas Francis, April-UK

Highly Commended -

Maximity Limited

Winner, Mint Creative SolutionsLimited, Pam Neaves receiving awardfrom sponsor Clare Whalley, Meta4Coaching & Training Solutions Limited. Highly Commended - Brookes Stephens

6 Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

The area’s most dynamic and successful networking group, B2BTamworth, has reached the milestone of £1million of invoicedbusiness generated for group members.

To celebrate this fantastic £1m milestone, which has been achieved by localbusinesses working together and buying goods and services from other localbusinesses, B2B is holding a special celebration event which they want to sharewith other local businesses. All businesses are welcome to come along to the“£1m Drop In” to be held at award winning Marston Farm Hotel on Wednesday27th March from 8am to 11am. Just drop in on your way to work and celebratewith B2B members at this free event.

Founded in 2009 with just nine members, now at 21 strong, the group won the South Staffs Regeneration Award forBusiness Development in 2010. At the Business Networking Awards in January 2013, eight members were either awardwinners or highly commended in their categories. www.b2bclubnetworking.co.uk and click the B2B Tamworth tab.

B2B networking group achieves £1million goal

Congratulations to the ConnectNetworking Group! Memberscelebrated the 5th birthday of thisindependent business networkinggroup for women. The grouporiginally belonged to a nationalnetworking group but believed theycould be more successful as anindependent group. They relaunchedthemselves as Connect in 2007 andhave gone from strength to strength.Connect currently has 17 membersand meet once per month at the WestMidlands Water Ski Centre, Tamworth.Chair, Clare Whalley of Meta4Coaching & Training Solutions Ltd.said; “I believe we’re a little differentfrom other networking groupsbecause we are independently run.We meet as a group to discuss whatthe members want and hold quarterlycommittee meetings to make sure weare on track. Every month we includea ‘Business Support’ slot which getsgreat feedback. It’s where we open upfor discussion about current businessissues facing us and how we cansolve them.”www.connectingwomen.co.uk

Connect celebratetheir 5th birthday

Members ofConnectnetworkinggroupcelebrate their5th birthday

Flamin’ Grill Tuesdays launches atThe Grill InnThe networking group 'Flamin Grill Tuesday' hada successful launch on Tuesday 19th Februarywhen more than 50 local business attended. Thegroup has been launched by Anthony Levell ofPennswood Wealth Ltd. After the success ofFish and Chip Fryday in Sutton Coldfield it wasdecided to bring the unique formula and localbusinesses together in the Tamworth and Lichfield area at a fresh new venue.The format is not your standard 'stand up 60 second' networking but emphasison building solid business relationships in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

The networking group is open for business every third Tuesday of the month,please contact [email protected] for further information.

Business networking is an effective and low-cost way to market yourbusiness and generate sales, and we have a thriving community ofbusiness networking groups in the Tamworth and Lichfield Area. If youhave not tried business networking before, why not give it a try? Here’s alist of our local business networking groups.

4 Counties Networking Group - www.fcng.co.ukB2B Tamworth - www.b2bclubnetworking.co.uk Best Of Lichfield - www.thebestof.co.uk/lichfieldBNI – www.bni-europe.com/ukBusiness 1st – www.business-1st.orgBusiness AM - www.businessam.netBusiness B4 Work - www.businessb4work.co.ukConnect - www.connectingwomen.co.ukFish & Chip Fryday -www.linkedin.com/groups/Fish-Chip-Fryday-Sutton-Coldfield Flamin’ Grill Tuesdays - [email protected] At Cathedral House Business Breakfast Club -www.cathedral-house.co.ukWomen In Rural Enterprise Network - www.wireuk.orgTamworth Breakfast Group – www.tamworthbusinessbreakfastclub.org.ukThe Women’s Business Clubs – www.thewomensbusinessclubs.com

Networking News

B2B Tamworth networking club celebrateachieving £1m of invoiced business

Flamin’ Grill Tuesdays launch

If you know of anyother local businessnetworking groupsplease send yourdetails to Matt Fletcherat Tamworth BoroughCouncil, see contactdetails on page 8.

7Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

Got a business story to tell? Then send your news story and a picture or logo [email protected]

Business news in brief

Lichfield firms in acreative lather Palm oil is a natural product but it canbe harmful to your skin, which is whyLichfield's Soap Deli has created arange of soaps and body treatmentswhich contain zero palm oil.

When it came to creating aninnovative, eye catching and bespokepackaging design that would sitacross the range of products, theyturned to Lichfield creative’s PHddesign, one of Staffordshire'sforemost packaging design firms.

PHd worked with the client closely toensure that the handmade uniquenessof the products and the wholeessence of artisan produce was notlost; it was important to havepackaging which was practical,durable and easy to implement whilenot losing all the aroma andcraftsman styling which was key tothe brand being able to hold its ownin the highly competitive beautymarket.

The result has been a lot of interestfrom high street retailers up and downthe country and some from abroad.The range is always increasing solook out in 2013 for some ethicalsoaps and body wash products withbespoke branding and packaging,both showing just what comes out ofLichfield when it gets really creative.

Take a look at PHd design's websitefor more examples of packs andprojects which should wash away thecompetition!www.phddesign.co.uk/portfolio/soaps-smellies

www.the-soapdeli.co.uk/products

A hat trick of Cardiff University contractsRugeley-based Kribensis Leisure Contracts has wona third contract for a major refurbishment of studentfacilities at Cardiff University. They will be carryingout the quarter-million refit in the University’sstudent accommodation block, working to a designconcept drawn up by Kribensis’s sister company,GMP design. This is the third contract at CardiffUniversity for Kribensis.

Last year the firm carried out phase one of the project which involvedtransforming the Students Union snooker and games room into aninternational lounge, reflecting the university’s multi-cultural population.Earlier this year Kribensis carried out the second phase of the StudentsUnion development, which included conference facilities.www.kribensis.co.uk

Handcrafted soap from The Soap Deli insumptuous packaging from PHd Design

Local research firm reveals battle forBritain’s favourite supermarketWith offices in Lichfield andTamworth, SBXL is a leading retailresearch firm, combining state-of-the-art technology with a detailedknowledge of human psychology.

The latest research by SBXL revealsthat Tesco has retained its place asthe UK’s favourite supermarket asAsda and Sainsbury’s slug it out forsecond spot. While Asda was thenation’s second favouritesupermarket up until September lastyear, Sainsbury’s took over thesecond place slot for the remainderof the year up to Christmas. Now Asdahas leapfrogged into second placeagain. The research is part of SBXL’s Continuous Shopper Insightprogramme, which surveys a cross section of shoppers on a monthly basis.Information from more than 3,200 shoppers is analysed to give an ongoingpicture of shopping habits and shoppers’ attitudes.

SBXL’s Senior Insight Manager Serena Tippler said that while Tescoremained out in front, the battle for second place was very close. “A lot offactors are in play when we ask what a shopper’s favourite supermarket is,but Tesco continues to take the number one slot, scoring highly forconvenience and price. Asda has moved back into second place, but thebad news for them is that when we asked shoppers what their leastfavourite supermarket was, Asda came top, which tells us there is work tobe done on the Asda shopping experience. We survey a wide range ofshoppers geographically and across the income scale. The message we aregetting is that convenience is the major factor for most supermarkets. Thisis emphasised even more as we move up the scale from discount topremium stores,” said Serena Tippler. www.sbxl.com

SBXL’s Serena Tippler, Senior Insight Manager

8 Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

Tamworth marketing consultancy, RoarMarketing Limited works in partnership withthe Business & Economic Partnership toproduce the Tamworth and Lichfield Business E-Brief.Contact Karen Nicholls at Roar Marketing,[email protected], www.roarmarketing.co.uk.

Matt Fletcher’s department is the central link between thepublic sector and local businesses, so if you have anyqueries about any of the articles in this issue or just don'tknow who to speak to on business issues please contactMatt on 01827 709382 or email [email protected]

For sponsorship and advertising opportunities pleasecontact Karen Nicholls or Matt Fletcher and please sendyour news stories for the Business E-Brief (with picture orlogo) to Matt Fletcher at Tamworth Borough Council.

The Business Brief is collated, written and designed in Tamworth and Lichfield.

Contact us

Matt Fletcher, Senior Economic Development Officer,

Shared Service Tamworth BoroughCouncil and Lichfield District Council

The Business Networks Forum is run by localbusinesses with assistance from the local council’sBusiness Development Team. Giving businesses avoice on local and national business issuesAmbassadors from local networking groups,individual businesses and organisations attend.

Car parking and traffic flow in Lichfield city centre,Tamworth town centre and Tamworth Ventura was thetopic for the last two meetings. At the December2012 meeting issues and solutions from a businesspoint of view were brainstormed. At February’smeeting senior people from both Tamworth andLichfield Councils discussed the suggestions andshed light on what they are doing to alleviate theserious issues of car parking and traffic flow in thearea. Any local business is welcome to attend. Thenext meeting is on 3rd April at Drayton Manor andSue Arnold, Deputy Crime Commissioner forStaffordshire will be the guest. Please contact MattFletcher at Tamworth Borough Council for moreinformation on [email protected]

Malcolm Gibbs of Q & AManagement Services and

Ambassador for B2BTamworth at brainstormingsession on car parking and

traffic flow in the area

Business Networks Forum Update

Open to Export is a community-based business service aimed atsmall and medium sizedenterprises with the goal ofenabling them to export overseasand increase international trade.On this website, businesses findextensive exporting resourcescovering every step of theexporting journey, written by UKTrade and Investment and itsselected partners. There is alsoa section on the site wherebusiness owners can postquestions to the widercommunity and gain answersfrom industry specialists.www.opentoexport.com

Are you Open ToExport?

South Staffordshire College has been busy engaging withlocal businesses.

The college celebrated Industry Week across its fourcampuses at Cannock, Tamworth, Rodbaston andLichfield. For the second year running, in an initiative tobroaden links between the College and industry, studentsmet with employers to give them valuable insights on theirchosen career path. Tamworth businesses FrancescoGroup and Percy Lane Products were amoung those whodelivered practical sessions, advice and support.

Drayton Manor hosted tourism students to help them gaininsight into the leisure, travel and event managementsector. Student Caroline Crawley (17) found the DraytonManor trip key to her understanding of the industry, “Itmade me realise the scale of what hospitality entails andthe importance of setting the right ambiance for an event.”

Two apprentices from the College have completed a workcontract in Italy. Adam Hancox (18) from Bedworth,Warwickshire and Damion Wright (16) from Tamworth,joined NiTP’s (National IT Partnership) Level 3 Gold

Standard Advanced Apprenticeship in IT at the College’sTamworth Campus and within a month of starting work forTamworth-based Gen2 Systems were offered the chance toundertake a month-long contact in Rome.

The wheels of industry turn at South Staffordshire College

Left to right Francesco’s Graham Thompson demonstrates the artof hair colouring to South Staffordshire College’s Hairdressing

students Dana Gibbs, Lauren Court and Samara Potter