The Business Issue 3 December 2009

BUSINESSTHE

ISSUE 3

DECEMBER 2009

YOUR GUIDE TO BARNSLEY BUSINESS

IN ASSOCIATIONWITH

2 – THE BUSINESS Friday, December 11, 2009

A SELLER of specialist outdoor clothingfor children has received a £50,000boost to develop a brand.

Little Trekkers at Millhouse Green willuse the money from South YorkshireInvestment Fund to continue thedesign and manufacture a range ofpackable waterproofs called SpottyOtter.

Stephanie Butterworth and MatthewJones set up Little Trekkers in 2002after identifying that the children’soutdoor clothing and equipmentmarket was not covered well by mailorder or the internet.

Despite growing quickly and beingsold all over the country, extra moneywas needed.

Stephanie explained: “Afteranalysing the market, it was clear thatthere was increasingly morecompetition and we needed tomaintain our uniqueness.

“It quickly became apparent thatdeveloping our own product range,which had the potential to become abrand in its own right, was the way

forward. Little Trekkers had beensubsidising the growth of Spotty Otterbut we wanted them to be separatecompanies so they could both moveforward.

“Our bank has always beensupportive of Little Trekkers but weare not an asset-rich company andhad reached the limits of what itcould offer us.

“Without the SYIF funding we wouldstill have gone ahead with thedevelopment of Spotty Otter but Ienvisage we would have been twoyears behind our current position.”

The money has been paid in twoinstalments to cover design anddevelopment and manufacture.

David Ward, the fund’s investmentmanager, said: “Spotty Otter is anexciting brand which has had a veryclear business focus from thebeginning.

“We are delighted to have beeninvolved in its recent growth anddevelopment.”

Little Trekkers employs seven.

LEE Kitchen has branched out into cleaningalgae from the roofs of houses.

Lee, who runs the Thurnscoe business SirCleanalot, also has a contract with the glasscompany Beatson Clark in Rotherhamwhere he cleans carpets.

Lee set up the one-man firm, which cleanscarpets, upholstery and does car valeting,about a year ago.

He was a Lance Corporal in the Green

Howards until 1997.During his seven-year army career, he was

a rifleman, physical training instructor anda member of the mortar platoon.

After a spell in the security industry, hespent about six years making radiators.

He established Sir Cleanalot with the helpof a £5,000 grant from the Royal BritishLegion. He used the money to buy a vanand equipment.

SHARON Marshall has whatcould be termed a personalinterest in a business coachingfirm SLK People Ltd.

She set it up so she couldplough some of the profits intoa charity in memory of herniece Katie Walker.

Katie, 20, died in 2007 ofgerm cell cancer.

She survived that form of thedisease when she was sixmonths old and two.

But when she got it a thirdtime there was little that couldbe done because it is more

virulent in older people.Sharon decided the best way

she could pay tribute to Katie’sfighting spirit was donatingmoney from the business to theKatie Walker Charity Trust whichis helping research into thecauses of germ cell cancer.

Sharon said: “Katie never gaveup. As a family, I thought weshould take her passionforward. I hope that within twoor three years I can make£70,000 a year.”

So far, the trust has helpedpay for a conference at which

experts discussed whetherresearch into germ cell cancerwas viable.

“Research into the effects ofthe disease in teenagers isneglected. We hope to changeall that.”

Sharon’s firm is based atBarnsley Business andInnovation Centre, Wilthorpe.

It helps small companies andprovides training and supportto social enterprises.

The one-woman business,established in May 2008, isexpanding into schools. Sharon

has produced a package whichhelps children study with lesseffort. It has had a trial at aschool in Doncaster.

Other clients includePogmoor-based Hilton Electricaland Copier Systems atRedbrook Business Park.

Sharon spent about 20 yearsin the civil service.

She ended up as an adviser onemployment programmes togovernment ministers.

She worked with Des Browneand Andrew Smith who werework and pensions ministers.

Aunt puts profits into germ cell cancer charity

Little Trekkersto brand theirSpotty Otter

Shining example: Lee Kitchen.

Ex-soldier keeps a clean lot

KAYLA Kavanagh is abusinesswoman with manytalents.

She can play nine musicalinstruments includingkeyboards, accoustic andelectric guitars, hammerdulcima, flute, violin and tinwhistle.

Kayla, 30, who runsKaleidoscope Digital at theDigital Media Centre, CountyWay, Barnsley, has toured theUK with her one-woman show.

She spent four monthstravelling in a Volkswagencamper van to perform at 20music festivals.

The tour culminated in anappearance at the EdinburghFringe Festival.

Her firm trains people andfirms how to marketthemselves through socialnetworking websites.

The company also does webdesign.

Kayla works with anothercompany called Silversound tocompose music for shortmovies made by local filmmakers.

She has also donesoundtracks for dramaticgroups such as the Yew TreeTheatre Company.

Kayla, who set up thebusiness in March 2009, hasset herself a turnover target of£16,000 by the end of the firstyear of trading.

She established the firmunder the government’s NewDeal scheme.

Kayla, who lives inMapplewell, grew up inBelfast and read music at thecity’s Queen’s University.

She came to England in 2006to study digital performanceat Doncaster College andmoved to Barnsley when sheheard about the town’s effortsto be a centre for digital

companies.Kayla said: “It was daunting

when I started but I amsurprised how much work hasbeen generated by word ofmouth.” Composed: Kayla Kavanagh.

Kayla’s instrumental in social network marketing

I am surprisedhow much workhas beengenerated byword of mouth

❞

❝

Working to help: Sharon Marshall.

Friday, December 11, 2009 THE BUSINESS – 3

• Static Officers • Mobile Patrol • Key Holding • Alarm Response • Special Events • Canine Unit • Retail Storeguards • CCTV Installation and Monitoring • Youth Nuisance Problems •

• Static Officers • Mobile Patrol • Key Holding • Alarm Response • Special Events • Canine Unit • Retail Storeguards • CCTV Installation and Monitoring • Youth Nuisance Problems •

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We now install CCTV systems to rent or buy

PETER Parker has brought his businessback from the brink after being hit by therecession in the building industry.

His firm Future Roofs in SilkstoneCommon had only a few weeks of life leftafter the telephone stopped ringing.

He says: “Business had been boomingand we anticipated that it would just carryon. It didn’t. I realised that unlesssomething happened quickly we wouldcease trading. We had only a couple ofweeks left.”

He was put in touch with SmarterTraining and Consultancy Ltd whichcarried out a ‘financial health check’through Business Link.

Peter decided he needed to go out andmeet potential clients instead of sitting inthe office waiting for things to happen.

The result was survival and the settingup of a subsidiary business called YorkshireSedum.

Future Roofs fits single ply roofing tohomes. The newer, sister company fitsroofs covered with sedum, an Alpine plant

which holds water and can withstanddrought.

An order to fit a ‘green’ roof at a homein Kendal has been signed.

Future Roofs has completed a £30,000contract to fit single ply roofs on a blockof flats in Sheffield for the builderGladedale Homes.

Peter and his firm were praised byregional minister Rosie Winterton at abusiness breakfast in Leeds.

“It is good to hear that companies likeFuture Roofs are making good use of theadvice offered by a range of expertorganisations,” she said.

Stewart McShane, who runs SmarterTraining and Consultancy Ltd., said: “Theexperience of companies like Future Roofsshows that even if businesses are indifficulty but ask for help, there is a lotthat can be done and it is possible toreverse their fortunes.”

Meanwhile, Jason Dunhill, who set upHol Construction in Shafton in late 2007,faced a headache when his bank turned

him down for an overdraft to coverworking requirements.

The firm had an ‘exemplary’ track recordand Business Link and Jason’s accountanthelped carry out credit checks and cashflow predictions.

Jason, who also drew up a new businessplan, approached other banks andeventually got the overdraft which helpedhim to develop the firm.

He has attracted new customers quickerthan anticipated.

“The financial health check and otherwork not only helped to secure theoverdraft I needed but reassured meabout the future of the business. Theforecasting looks good,” said Jason.

Business Link adviser Jane Pitchfork said:“Throughout the credit crunch, which hashit the construction industry pretty hard,Jason has remained optimistic and upbeatand worked on the next element of hisbusiness plan.

“He is due to exceed last year’s resultsdespite the economic downturn.”

The recession in the construction industry has been cruel. IAN THOMPSON reports on how twofirms dealt with crisis.

Construction industryreverses its fortunes

A COMPANY has achieved a £1.5mturnover in three years.

Soars of Barnsley, which trades asDigital World and Blue Square, puts thesuccess down to fast-changingtechnology.

It fits satellite TV, audio visual andother equipment and development ofmore sophisticated devices has led torising demand from customers.

Boss Steve Soar, who runs the firm withhis wife Sara, said clients were in Southand West Yorkshire and parts ofNottinghamshire.

The company, which employs 18,moved from Wombwell to ShortwoodBusiness Park between Birdwell andHoyland in March 2009.

Mr Soar grew up in Stairfoot and livesin Darfield.

After school, he worked at his father’scompany C Soar and Sons at Stairfoot asa site foreman for about 12 years.

He decided to change career after hisfather retired and set himself up as asub-contractor fitting satellite TVequipment.

Technologyfirm seesprofits soar

Over the moon: Steve Soar.

THE takeover of a Town Endnursery has saved 16 jobs.

My Nursery at theMcLintock’s building onSummer Lane has beenacquired by Mini Me’s Nursery,a company set up so thetakeover could go ahead.

The nursery and its after

school club, which caters forabout 96 children, was ownedby the Mid Yorkshire Chamberof Commerce.

The chamber had wanted tosell the nursery and facedhaving to shut it down whenthe lease came up.

Rob Howes, whose company

Clean Up Time cleaned thepremises, heard about thethreat of closure.

So Rob and his wife Amandaand her parents Jeff and NormaHolmes formed a company tosave it.

Rob said he would haveprobably had to lay off three of

his staff if the nursery had shutdown.

Mr Holmes, a technicalmanager with Yorkshire Water,said one of the attractions oftaking over the nursery was itsgood management team.

The building is to undergo afacelift.

Play time: Fromleft, AmandaHowes, nurserymanager AngelaJames and JeffHolmes.

Family takeover saves 16 jobs at nurseryHave you a business storyto tell? We’d be delightedto hear it. Please call ourbusiness editor IanThompson on 734201.


• Smaller meeting room now available for 20-30 people

Conferencefacilities?

If you wouldlike your company to bepart of our next‘Conference’ featurein February, contactBev Wood on 734621

tthhee

Built in 2008 as part of the Remaking Barnsley Initiative,The Core offers a range of office and conference facilities in theheart of Barnsley town centre, close to the Travel Interchange.

All our meeting rooms are fully fitted with audio visual technologyand we provide on site IT Support. It is an ideal venue

for a variety of events, all at affordable prices.

The Core also has a variety of different sized offices availableranging from 1 work station to larger offices (up to 862 square feet)

and the rental package for tenants is all-inclusive.

High quality

conference facilities and

office accommodation

in Barnsley

Go to www.vabarnsley.org.uk for more info and click

on The Core or contact Naomi Douglas on 01226 320107

or e-mail [email protected]

c co or re e

CON

FEREN

CE FACILITIES

The recently re-brandedHoliday Inn Barnsley hasconference facilities to caterfor all business events, fromsmall meetings to large

seminars.The welcoming hotel boasts nine

light and airy meeting rooms, all airconditioned, each providing arelaxing environment for delegates tolearn, train and team build.

Rooms available range from theO’Hara suite, which can cater for upto 400 delegates, to boardroom stylesettings perfect for smaller meetingsor one-to-ones.

Large groups will be best suited tothe O’Hara suite, which can easily bedivided into two rooms catering for200 in each, using a partition wall.Groups between 70 and 90 will bebetter equipped in the Wilkes orHamilton suite, while small groupswill feel at home in the Butlers,Calvert, Tarleton or Meade suites.

Room layouts can be arranged in avariety of styles including classroom,cabaret, boardroom, reception orbanquet, to suit the use of thebusiness.

Karen Tyas, sales and marketingmanager, says the hotel’s conferencefacilities are improving all the time toaccommodate the needs of its clients.

“Since the hotel re-branding wehave started an ongoingrefurbishment plan on the meetingrooms. Fifty per cent of the hotel’saccommodation offering has beenrefurbished already, with theremainder to be completedby the summer,” said Karen.

“We are also bringing innew ‘all in one’ packagesfor day delegates, whichwill be tailored to suit theexact needs of the business.They will get to choosewhich rooms, facilities andrefreshments they requirefor a set price so there areno hidden costs and with a

choice of added benefits to suit theindividual meeting needs.

“To provide a more efficient servicefrom our staff we have recentlyintroduced a dedicated meeting hostwho can be contacted direct from themeeting rooms so clients don’t haveto go to reception every time theyrequire assistance.

“We believe it’s little extras like thisthat make a big difference to ourclients.”

Holiday Inn Barnsley also offer thoseusing its facilities an excellent choiceof refreshments and meals. Tea andcoffee can be served in thecomfortable lobby area, givingdelegates a break from the workingenvironment, while hot two-coursemeals are served in the modernBrooklands restaurant. All food isprepared on site daily using thefreshest ingredients with menusincluding a meat, vegetarian andhealthy option.

And for those requiring overnightaccommodation, the hotel has 77 ensuite bedrooms.

Holiday Inn Barnsley is ideallylocated just off Junction 37 of the M1and provides free parking. Theconference facilities, which are alsoavailable for corporate dinners,launches, anniversaries, celebrations,and parties are located on theground, first and second floor of thehotel accessible by stairs or lift.

Further Details: contact Holiday InnBarnsley on 01226 299571/329178 orvisit www.hibarnsley.com

‘It’s the little extras thatmake a big difference...’

Hamilton suite: Set up in a U-shape ideal for meetings.

Spacious: The O’Hara suite is perfect for large groups.

Church Street, Gawber,Barnsley S75 2RL

Tel: 01226 323616 Fax: 01226 323617

Email:[email protected]

Web: www.barnsleyhospice.org

A purpose built facility based at Barnsley Hospice,ideal for small conferences, meetings and seminars,away from the normal workplace.

� Large lecture room

� Two small rooms for meetingsand syndicate work

� Competitive prices include state of the artaudio/visual equipment

� Excellent catering facilities,freshly prepared on site

� Easy access and free car parking


BUS operator Stagecoach Yorkshire isbucking a national trend byincreasing its passengers.

On one route, between Barnsleyand Staincross, there has been a 70per cent rise in passengers and onanother, between Barnsley, Elsecarand Hoyland, bus use has gone upby 50 per cent.

These increases since 2007 havebeen described as ‘staggering’ bybosses.

Over the entire Barnsley network,there has been a ten per cent rise inpassengers over the last two years.

Stagecoach Yorkshire managingdirector Paul Lynch said: “When weacquired the Yorkshire TractionCompany in late 2005, we foundsome of the bus service runningtimes had not changed since themid-1980s. A lot of things hadchanged and, without appearing tocriticise the Yorkshire Traction,punctuality was poor.

“We reviewed all routes andintroduced the biggest change tothe network in 20 years.

“We have had the best passengergrowth on some of the routes whichwere once the least punctual.

“We have improved punctuality,improved the frequency of services,improved the bus fleet and tried togive value for money.”

The company has spent £6.5m on62 new buses, opened a depot onWakefield Road at a cost of £3m andcarried out about £100,000 ofimprovements at the Shafton depot.

Mr Lynch says the average fare islower than in 2005.

A survey of customers in latesummer/early autumn found 75 percent of passengers satisfied withpunctuality, compared with 38 percent in late 2006.

The same survey found overallsatisfaction had risen from 53 percent to 83 per cent.

A PENISTONE designer offurniture and lighting hasbeen given a boost.

Roberts and Burton Ltd onWentworth Meadows hasbeen given an innovationvoucher worth £3,000 to gotowards packaging for itscoffee and table lamps.

The voucher has beenpartly paid for by theregional development

agency Yorkshire Forwardand the European Union.

The firm was set up byPaul Roberts, 35, and MartinBurton, 34, who met whenreading industrial design atuniversity in 1994.

They kept in touch andwhen hit by the recessionthey decided to go intobusiness. They set up thefirm in June.

Paul said: “We weredelighted and thrilled to beawarded this money.

“We applied for thevoucher and did not expectto be successful.”

He said the firm is tryingto use Yorkshire engineersand manufacturers includingCastleford-based Laser andFabrication Ltd and DecorGlass Ltd at Pudsey.

Bright sparks: Paul Roberts and Martin Burton. (S)

Firm makes light of voucher

Change getsrewarded onthe buses

A HAIR and beauty productswholesale and training companyexpects to set on two staff.

Sonelli Hair and Beauty TradingCompany at Oaks Business Parkbetween Hoyle Mill and Stairfootneeds one person to work on thewholesale side of the business andanother to undergo teachertraining.

The firm does training at schoolsincluding the Barnsley Academy,for a number of communitylearning net organisations and theLearning and Skills Council.

It was set up by Zoe Wilson, 35,and Vanessa Ely, 40, in September2008 as the banking crisis startedto bite. Zoe explained: “The bankswouldn’t lend us anythingbecause they’d tightened up onborrowing so we had to fundeverything using things likesavings and personal assets.

“We started from nothing.”Zoe grew up in Kendray and

studied beauty therapy at BarnsleyCollege. After a spell at a salon atHoyland Common she managedHair Express in the AlhambraCentre for about four years. Shespent six years as a hair andbeauty lecturer at BarnsleyCollege.

Vanessa grew up in Wales andmoved to Barnsley when she was14. She studied hairdressing atHuddersfield Technical Collegeand after a spell working in asalon taught hair and beauty atBarnsley College and New Hallwomen’s prison near Wakefield.

She returned to Barnsley Collegewhere she was a lecturer for about15 years.

The pair met when Vanessa wason an interviewing panel whenZoe went for a job at the college.

Beautiful business: Vanessa Ely and Zoe Wilson.

Beauty traders to expand

A WOMBWELL man has beennamed as an apprentice of theyear in the metals industry‘Oscars’ after completing histraining two years ahead ofschedule.

Max Elliott, 20, was appointedas a fabricator at BillingtonStructures, Barnsley Road, aftertwo years of training.

Normally, it takes up to fiveyears to qualify for thatposition.

Max, of Dove Road, was

singled out by judges in theMetskill awards for hiscommitment to completing hisadvanced apprenticeship.

Kevin Campbell, Billington’sproduction director, said:“Apprentices like Max representthe future of our industry.

“We are immensely proud ofwhat he has achieved.

“He is a key part of our teamand his award is well deserved.”

Max joined the firm inSeptember 2005 and was

presented with his award at aceremony in Sheffield.

Metskill is part of the SectorSkills Council for Science,Engineering and ManufacturingTechnologies and recognisesthe achievements of companiesin the metals sector.

Billington Structures hassupplied and built structuralsteelwork for over 60 years andrecently won a multi-millionpound contract linked withbuilding ‘super-schools’.

Apprentice puts pedal to the metal

A DECISION by an accountancycompany to hire out some of itsrooms has had amusing andlucrative consequences.

DEB Chartered Accountantsoffered its ground floor officesto be used for an assessment ofheadteachers. Carnegie, theLeeds company doing theassessments, employed actorsto take part in role playingsessions.

One actor played an irateparent, but DEB forgot to tell aclient that its offices atWharncliffe Business Park,Carlton, were being used forthe sessions.

DEB boss David EdwardsBrown said: “The client heardall this shouting from the actor

and wondered what was goingon.

“After that, we went out of ourway to tell customers if similarsessions were taking place.”

The rooms have been used byhealth trusts, schools and forinterviews. Mr Edwards Brownsaid: “We wanted seminarfacilities for ourselves anddecided to hire the offices out.It has made a substantialcontribution to paying foroverheads of the offices.”

The company, which employs14, moved into the offices in2006. It has developedcomputer software, whichoffers things like tax tips andchecks for PAYE reviews forother accountants.

Earlier this year, the companywas runner-up in twocategories in awards organisedby 2020 Innovation, a leadingUK accountancy association.

Letting out: David Edwards Brown.

Clients may act up, but room hirehelps accountants pay overheads

facilities, professional meeting rooms and anonsite management team.

Meanwhile, the BBIC at Wilthorpe now boastsa fully equipped studio. Ideal for businesses withaudio and digital requirements, the studiofeatures four offices, sound equipment and a postproduction room. The Digital Media Centre atBarnsley is also an ideal setting for creative mediaand digital businesses wishing to developfurther.

For photographers, artists and creativesThe Civic provides individually designedoffice spaces in a creative environmentwith performance space,contemporary gallery,photographic studio and onsitecafe in a fantastic town centrelocation.

For the full range ofEnterprise Hubsnow availablethroughoutBarnsleyvisit

www.enterprisingbarnsley.co.uk or contactJames Herbert on 01226 249590 for moredetails.

The 4.7m Enterprising Barnsley programmeis funded by £2.89m from the

European RegionalDevelopment Fund,

£739,000 from YorkshireForward, and other

fundingsources.

PASSION, commitment anddetermination are helpfulwhen it comes to establishingany business, but acquiring thecorrect support and facilities isessential.

Luckily for local entrepreneurs,Enterprising Barnsley is helping exciting

business ventures come to fruition throughits ‘Enterprising Hubs’ located around theborough. The fundamental objective of theinitiative is to make these office hubsaccessible and affordable to eligible Barnsleybusinesses looking to take the leap from ahome office into a fully supported andprofessional setting.

The shared office accommodationprovide modern facilities as well asexperienced ‘enterprise coaches’, on hand tooffer free support as and when it’s required,assisting with anything from initial businessplans to growth-related strategies. Oneperson who knows just how helpful thissupport can be is aspiring entrepreneurMarcus Matlou.

Marcus moved his business, whichspecialises in commodities and marketingexotic fresh produce, into an EnterprisingHub within the Barnsley Business andInnovation Centre (BBIC) in Cudworth threemonths ago. Since that time Marcus saysEnterprising Barnsley has given him thesupport and facilities needed to get hisbusiness Trippletree Ltd off the ground.

“Setting up a new business is verychallenging, and even more so in arecession,” says Marcus.“It’s one thinggetting the initial financial support to takeyour business ideas forward but it’s anotherthing knowing what to do next.

“I started my business from the familycomputer at home, but as an entrepreneur Iwanted to look professional and have myown work space.

“I found out about Enterprising Barnsleythrough my local library and have been

overwhelmed with the support theyhave offered.”

Marcus is now enjoying running

Trippletree from the hub at Cudworth withfully serviced ICT facilities and free coachingall at his fingertips.

“So far I have been pleased with theprogress of the business but I know thereare still challenges ahead,” says Marcus.“Theoffice facilities have been great and I havehad coaching in marketing and accountancy,which is proving very helpful. I feel withEnterprising Barnsley’s support I cancontinue to grow as a business with anoverall future vision of creating jobs inBarnsley and helping small scale farmershave a better quality of life in South Africa.”

Commenting on the progress ofTrippletree, JamesHerbert,marketing andnetworksmanager atEnterprisingBarnsley, says

it’s encouraging to see entrepreneurs suchas Marcus making the most of the hubs.

“The work spaces are offered atcompetitive and affordable rates, starting atjust £35 a week, to provide new businesseslike Trippletree with the necessary space andtools to get the job done.

“We offer flexible arrangements at thehubs so people can enter into them easily,allowing their business to reach its fullpotential growth with our support, and thenopt out again when they are ready to taketheir business onto the next step.

“In addition, we will be holding regularnetworking events in and around the hubsfocusing on different business led topics,open to businesses in the Barnsley area.

These provide fantasticopportunities for new and

established businessesto gain essentialcontacts whileexchanging thoughts

and ideas.”

Enterprising Barnsleycurrently has office

accommodation availableat eight hubs located

throughout the borough,each with something

different to offer.

Businesses in search ofexcellent transport links need

look no further than theThurnscoe Business Centre.

Located east of Barnsley it issituated close to major motorway

networks including the M1 andA1(M) and is within easy reach of

Doncaster and Rotherham.

Longfields Court at WharncliffeBusiness Park, Carlton is the latest

centre selected to join the EnterprisingBarnsley initiative. This new office building

gives a very modern and professionalimpression for its occupants who can enjoyperks such as free onsite parking, cafe

ENTERPRISINGBARNSLEYFor the full range of Enterprise Hubs now available throughout Barnsley visit

www.enterprisingbarnsley.co.uk or contact James Herbert on 01226 249590 for more details

Enterprise hubs – helping excitingbusiness ventures come to fruition

A D V E R T I S E R ’ S A N N O U N C E M E N T

Aspiring entrepreneurMarcus Matlou ofTripple Tree Ltd at

Cudworth BBIC

Tony PearsonManaging Director

Sales Operations UK Ltd.Based at

WilthorpeBBIC

It’s one thing getting the initial financial supportto take your business ideas forward but it’sanother thing knowing what to do next.� �

LongfieldsCourt,Carlton

LongfieldsCourt,Carlton


Advertiser’s Announcement

Your Local Chamber OfficeBusiness Innovation CentreWilthorpe Barnsley S75 1JLe-mail: [email protected]

Chamber phone number:0844 414 5100

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber ofCommerce Executive Chairman MikeCuff has outlined his views on howthe Chamber will move forwardgoing into 2010.

Mr Cuff, the well-respected former ChiefExecutive of Rotherham Metropolitan BoroughCouncil, was unveiled in his new role at theChamber’s AGM in October.

Looking ahead to the New Year, Mr Cuff said:“I have been involved with the Chamber as a co-opted board member for several years and amexcited by the opportunity that currently exists tohelp shape some important changes. I believethese changes will enable the organisation tomove forward with renewed confidence andimproved services for members.

“There are a number of challenges facing us inthe short-to-medium term that will inevitably bringa need for some new ways of working. Thewhole board is fully focussed on this and I expectto work especially closely with both Presidents andour Chief Executive to help guide the organisationthrough the period of change.

“Especially important will be full engagementand consultation with the newly consolidatedRepresentative Council. The Presidents have a keyrole to play in this but it is essential in my viewthat, as a member organisation, the needs,aspirations, views and skills of member businessestake centre stage in our future plans.

“If, as a board, we can harness effectively thecommitment amongst the wider membership of theChamber I am sure that the organisation will gofrom strength to strength in the future.”

Local company GN Home Improvementshas secured a contract with Frasc, thelargest UK installation and supplybusiness within the heating industry.

The contract will see the Barnsley firm carry outinstallation work on behalf of Frasc throughout thelocal region, in addition to West Yorkshire, as itcontinues its steady growth after being established inMay 2008.

“Frasc supply every type of combination boiler youcould possibly imagine and, as part of our contract, wecover their work in South and West Yorkshire,” saidGN company secretary David Sharp.

“The way the contract operates is two-fold. Peoplecan buy the boilers from Frasc through us and we willthen do the installation. Alternatively, any orders Frascreceive online from customers in the area which wecover will be installed by us.”

GN has recently attained two Certified Quality

Systems standards; ISO 9000:2008 and ISO 14001.These certifications were necessary in order for thecompany to tender for council contracts, which is atarget area of the firm.

The multi-registered company have experienced ahuge demand for their services over the 18 monthssince the firm was created. Their workload has beenso sizable that GN has moved to new premises,increased their staffing and Director Gavin Nunnbelieves more new recruits could be on the agenda.

“We haven’t stopped working over the last 18months and have gone from working out of a van tooperating from our own premises, employing severalqualified staff. It is obvious to us that, rather thanbuying new houses, people are improving their ownhomes and we have picked up a lot of that work.”

For more information on GN Home Improvements,call 01226 291730 or [email protected].

The business voted Barnsley’s best at lastyear’s Business Awards in the town havecause for more celebration, after scoopinga top prize at the 2009 Food ManufactureExcellence Awards.

John Foster, Managing Director of Fosters Bakery, wasnamed ‘Personality of the Year’ at the ceremony, which tookplace at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel, London.

A packed hall of John’s peers were on hands to applaudhis success, in an award category which recognises theperson who has significantly contributed to the food anddrink sector in the past year.

John said: “I am absolutely delighted at winning thisaward. Fosters Bakery is a great advocate for the FoodIndustry and for Barnsley - winning this award putsBarnsley and Yorkshire on the map and reaffirms our strongposition as Great Food Manufactures in the UK.”

For more information on Fosters Bakery, call 01226382877 or visit www.bake-it.com.

One of the highlights of the JuniorChamber Barnsley calendar, the AnnualDinner, will ensure 2010 starts with abang.

The dinner, sponsored by Merlin Software, will takeplace on Friday 15 January at Ardsley House Hotel. Theguest speaker on the evening is Graham Honeyman, ChiefExecutive of Sheffield Forgemasters International.

Graham has been made a Fellow of the Royal Academyof Engineering, a Commander of the Order of the BritishEmpire and was recently named as the Institute of Directors‘Director of the Year’ for his inspirational contribution to themanufacturing company.

Under Graham’s guidance, SFIL has won a Queen’sAward for International Trade, regional heats of theNational Business Awards and was named 2009 ExportManufacturer of the Year.

Tickets are priced at £35 – visit www.jcibarnsley.org.ukfor more information.

Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce will also hold itsown annual dinner at Ardsley House Hotel on Friday 12March 2010.

John Is The FoodPersonality ofthe Year!

Junior ChamberBarnsley Annual Dinner

Chamber Chairman’sForward Vision

Coming To The Boil


CHRONICLEBARNSLEY

Has your business got…

Following on from the success of our first publication inOctober, we are pleased to announce that the next issue

of ‘The Edge’ will be published Spring 2010.

Published with the full support of Barnsley and RotherhamChamber of Commerce, ‘The Edge’ will be a platform for local

businesses to shout about their success stories.

Be it a recent award or a newly acquired contract,‘The Edge’ will be seen by over 130,000 readers.

For further details contact

Richard Storrs on 01226 734663or Helen Chadwick on 01226 734330

A ROYSTON man isspearheading a campaign tomake firms stronger as thecountry comes out of therecession.

Derek Carpenter is trying toencourage companies toeffectively spend money onmarketing.

He is an ambassador for smalland medium enterprises inYorkshire and the North East for

the Chartered Institute ofMarketing. He is anxious thatlocal firms are not left behindwhen the economy starts torecover. He said: “Barnsley hasthe best opportunity to fulfill itspotential.

“Ultimately, I hope they canunderstand they can do more.”

Mr Carpenter, who runs amarketing business from hishome in Ruston Drive, is

working closely with Barnsleyand Rotherham Chamber ofCommerce.

Following a series of meetings,the chamber plans to urge itsmembers to take part inmonthly sessions. An expertfrom the Chartered Institute ofMarketing will give a talk.

About 20 business people areexpected to attend the 90-minute sessions.

‘Don’t get leftbehind’

A QUALIFIED nurse of 20 yearshas set up a business providingcare at people’s homes.

Annette Kenny, who runsAcquire Care in Spencer Street,Barnsley, hopes to employabout 50 staff to look afterabout 50 clients once the firmis established.

She said she was inspired toset up the firm because shefelt there was a need for morerespite care.

Staff from the firm helpclients such as dementiasufferers with dressing,

washing and cooking and sitwith them during the day.

Annette was born inDewsbury and has lived inBarnsley for about 14 years.She trained as a nurse atKendray Hospital and hasworked at Valley Park NursingHome, Wombwell, MountVernon Hospital and in A&E atBarnsley Hospital.

She spent three years asmanager of a 38-bed nursinghome in Rotherham and sevenor eight months working for acare agency.

Nurse takes caringrole to the home

A SECURITY company has expandedits operations.

Safesite Security at LongfieldsCourt between Athersley andCarlton has begun providing guarddogs and handlers to building sites.

The firm, run by Steven Wilson andTony Robinson, has also started torent closed-circuit televisioncameras.

The pair set up the business inMarch 2007 and moved toLongfields Court in November 2008.

The company is also in talks abouta contract to provide security at theconstruction site of a school inLincolnshire. The school is beingbuilt by Balfour Beatty.

If all goes well, it could lead toanother five or six jobs.

Steven and Tony, who are fromAthersley, were working as projectmanagers for another securitycompany when they were asked byBalfour Beatty to set up their ownbusiness.

Security company lets the dogs out

BESPOKE soft furnishing businessBryella Interiors has opened a designstudio at the Bullhouse Millcomplex, Millhouse Green.

Gary Marsh, son of founders Elaineand Bryan Marsh, is spearheadingthe new venture.

Gary, who joined the firm in 2006,said: “We wanted to create ashowroom where customers wouldbe able to come and relax whendeciding on fabrics and furnishingfor their home.

“We understand how difficult it can

be deciding on fabrics, paints andwallpapers and by opening this newstudio we hope our customers cancome and feel comfortable and taketheir time to view our extensiverange of products.”

The company was established in1978 and manufactures made-to-measure curtains, blinds and softfurnishing.

It is regarded as one of the leadingsuppliers in its field in SouthYorkshire.

Expanding: Steven Wilson, left, and Tony Robinson.

Bryella shows off designs

Ambassador:DerekCarpenter.


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By Ian Thompson

A VEHICLE rental company has expanded aftermoving premises.

Arrowselfdrive has opened a depot off WakefieldRoad, Smithies.

The move from Barnsley Road, Dodworth, meansthe firm will be able to run a fleet of at least 150cars, vans and trucks.

The firm says the extra space will mean it will beable to park 40 vehicles instead of 30.

The company had been based at Dodworth forabout two years and the move has led to it taking on another two staff, taking the workforceto five.

Typical customers tend to be companies such asshopfitters, organisations responsible for setting upexhibitions and members of the public taking sonsor daughters to university or college.

Sales director James Hill said: “When therecession started, the value of used vehicles wentthrough the floor and custom from shopfitterswent down because retailers were reluctant toopen new premises. It has been tough.

“But there are signs of recovery. Business issteady and it is picking up month by month.

“We are doing a little bit more. We areundergoing nice, steady growth.”

He said the depot enables the company to fill itsvehicles with diesel before they go out for hire.

In return, customer are encouraged to fill themup before they bring them back.

Mr Hill said: “Most customers are happy to dothat. We find the system is fairer because peoplepay for the fuel they use instead of filling up atank and only using about a third.”

The company acquired Darton Van Hire in early2008.

It was established in 1998 in Huddersfield whereit still retains a presence.

Expansion puts vehicle firm on the moveIt also has bases in Harrogate, Wakefield, Hull and

Bradford.The company is a sponsor of Yorkshire County

Cricket Club and provides cars for South Africanpace bowler Gideon Kruis and Pakistan seamerRana Naveed.

It sponsors the kit of the rugby league sideHuddersfield Giants and the Huddersfield CentralCricket league.

the firm supports the work of the West Yorkshire‘Forget Me Not’ trust which aims to raise £3m to build a children’s respite care centre andhospice.

Driving force : Sales director James Hill.


A D V E R T I S E R ’ S A N N O U N C E M E N T

We willalways gothat extramile for ourcustomers

HAYWOOD & PADGETT is enjoying its 25th year in business and isset to continue to build upon the foundations that it has firmlyestablished.

Managing director, Wayne Padgett, has been reflecting on thecompany’s 25-year history, whilst working on his future developmentaspirations.

The successful scone manufacturer started out in 1984 with nothingmore than a rolling pin and scone cutter. This year the company hasproduced more than 200 million scones from its purpose built bakeryon the Carlton Industrial Estate - making it the largest sconemanufacturer in the world.

Haywood & Padgett currently employs a workforce of 100 and eachemployee plays a vital part in helping to produce 3.5 million

products a week to supply its customers, which include supermarketgiants Morrison’s, ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Iceland.

This impressive customer base was built up by establishing strongrelationships, initially with Yorkshire based retailers such as ASDAand Morrison’s.

“It’s amazing to think we have been supplying Morrison’s and ASDAfor around 20 years,” says Wayne. “We have built up great workingrelationships with them during this time, which we very much hopewill continue into the future.”

Wayne attributes much of the company’s success to the ethos ofstrong business values that he has built upon over the years, butsays the primary business driver is the provision of fine qualityproducts and services. Coupled with this is an innovativemanagement style, excellent customer relationships and a dedicatedand loyal workforce.

“I believe it’s all about putting something back into the company,”says Wayne. “Our employees work incredibly hard and some of themhave actually been with us from the very start. I feel that this is areflection on how much they believe in the business and theproducts that we supply.”

Over the past 18 months more than £1 million has been investedinto Haywood and Padgett to develop and improve all aspects of the

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�business. This has included further capitalinvestment, ongoing employee training anddevelopment and additional resources in the areaof quality assurance.

Quality and consistency are themes that areimportant to the company and Wayne believesthat they ensure customer satisfaction. Thecompany has invested heavily in the developmentof its workforce and this has resulted in greaterflexibility, which has enabled it to achieve andmaintain 100 per cent customer service levels.

Haywood & Padgett is constantly developing newbusiness plans and currently has a number ofprojects in the pipeline that should come tofruition in the next year or so. Wayne believes thatfulfilling customer expectations is at the very heartof the company’s future development.

Celebrating success

“We are not complacent and we will continue tostrive to improve the ways in which we dobusiness,” explains Wayne. “We will always go thatextra mile for our customers.”

Eric Illsley MP, visited the company to help celebrateits 25th anniversary. Commenting on itsachievements Mr Illsley said, “It is a great pleasureto visit successful Barnsley businesses and I wasdelighted to see at first hand the commitment toquality and service of Haywood & Padgett whichhas enabled them to withstand the worst economicrecession in memory.

“The company has been a valued local employer forover 20 years and is a supplier of quality productsto many of the country’s major retailers. The team’shard work, enterprise and commitment to qualityshould ensure the company’s continued success.”

Managing director Wayne Padgett.

Eric Illsley MP congratulates Wayne Padgett and staff members on Haywood & Padgett’s 25th year in business.

Haywood & PadgettThe Bakery • Shawfield Road

Barnsley S71 3HS

Tel: 01226 770011www.haywood-padgett.co.uk

The Business Issue 3 December 2009

Documents

Transcript of The Business Issue 3 December 2009