The Queen s enterprise award Investing in Cherwell Job Clubs Reducing manufacturing costs Developing skills Meet the buyers

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1 News and Opportunities in Cherwell, North Oxfordshire BUSINESS MOVESAutumn 2009 The Queen s enterprise award Investing in Cherwell Job Clubs Reducing manufacturing costs Developing skills Meet the buyers

2 2 Business Moves is designed and produced by BBK Media Ltd Tel: Leading the way Councillor Norman Bolster, portfolio holder for economic development, Cherwell District Council Welcome to business in North Oxfordshire. We may be amidst a global recession but Cherwell is leading the way in supporting local businesses, workforce, visitors and residents. Job Clubs, matching job seekers with employers and trainers, have been running weekly throughout 2009 in Banbury and Bicester. Over 1,000 job seekers have now been through the doors and gained help to return to work, whilst employers have been matched at no charge with some very motivated and qualified potential members of staff. 537 residents were helped to start a business last year through 21 experienced volunteer advisers from Oxfordshire Business Enterprises. This is in addition to Business Link s service, and in 2009, we re seeing an increase in one-to-one support for budding entrepreneurs and a satisfaction rate of over 97%. Major business events and activities support employers. They include: awards for innovation Bicester Vision s well-attended retail conference the soon-to-be-launched shoppers guide to Kidlington business exhibition and seminars in Banbury. The Banbury in Business event will be held again in 2010 at the new Spiceball conference facilities, part of a 27m investment package by Cherwell District Council in the district's leisure economy. Major town centre regeneration works are now underway and assistance is also being given to the improvement of visitor accommodation. Cherwell District Council and the Cherwell-M40 Investment Partnership are committed to working together with you. We hope you find this information useful: more help is online at The Queen s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2009 Winners Enhanced rail interchange Some members of the Partnership Strong international sales, resulting from committed research and development, resulted in Integration Technology Ltd (ITL) being one of the Cherwell based winners. From within the historic former air base at Upper Heyford, the company designs and assembles a range of compact, lightweight, modular ultra violet curing systems for industrial inkjet applications. The north Oxfordshire headquarters is complemented by regional offices in Chicago, USA, Shanghai, China and Seoul, Korea while the company also has a presence in the important Japanese market. The 67 year old family-owned business Norbar Torque Tools Ltd, from Banbury, is similarly honoured. In 1942 the North Bar Tool Company - as Norbar was then known - became the first company in Britain to commercially manufacture a torque wrench. It now has one of the largest and most modern plants in the World devoted exclusively to the design, development and production of torque tightening and measuring equipment. Now exporting more than 73% of its output, Norbar has distributors in over 60 countries, as well as nine of its own sales and service branches, around the world. Congratulations to two local winners at the Oxfordshire Business Awards: Interiors company Fired Earth, based in Adderbury and previously featured in Business Moves, won The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership Sustainability Award. Also based in Adderbury, marketing communication - reward and recognition programme providers Corporate Innovations, secured The Blue by Darbys Small Business Award. Overnight quality matters! The quality of serviced accommodation really does matter to the economy of north Oxfordshire. Visitors to the area and to your businesses expect the highest standards and that is why Cherwell District Council and Tourism South East have teamed up to offer free one-to-one quality advisory visits by an impartial, experienced advisor to help accommodation providers. Contact Gemma Flood at Tourism South East ( or gflood@tourismse.com Bicester North Station s new car park deck now provides 160 extra car parking spaces.

3 Green light for eco-development at Bicester. Golden opportunities for businesses in north Oxfordshire are being linked to central Government s recent announcement of a sustainable development of 5,000 homes to be built in North West Bicester, with new sites for businesses and an additional 5,000 permanent jobs expected. Councillor Michael Gibbard, portfolio holder for planning and housing, is keen everyone in Bicester realises the extent of the benefits which will come to the entire town: "This is the start of a significant period of Government investment in Bicester. I'm confident it will prove to be the catalyst for more investment both from the private and public sector. The Bicester development will receive support, expertise and advice from the Homes and Communities Agency and will also become a regional priority for funds from the National Affordable Housing Programme. In addition, eco-developments will have access to (and often priority status for) a range of funds, including the Technology Strategy Board's 200-million programme of investment in sustainable buildings. We ll keep you in touch through BUSINESS moves and at with regeneration already evident! A major regeneration project to refurbish existing premises on Bicester s Telford Road Industrial Estate was opened by The Mayor of Bicester, Councillor James Porter. Offices and workshops from 150 to 2,000 sq ft have been created by Fraser Hamilton and his company Working Assets. Knocking on Westminster s door Crompton Technology Group Ltd (CTG) of Banbury, one of the UK s premier composites engineering businesses, formed part of a Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) delegation to promote high performance engineering at Westminster. Business ministers were lobbied including the Rt Hon Lord Drayson, John Penrose MP, Ian Lucas MP and shadow minister, Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke. Scott Roberts said, CTG now boasts an order book in excess of 200m across the growing aerospace & defence and clean energy technology sectors. This growth has been founded upon technical innovation driven through a continued investment in high performance engineering. CTG employs 130 staff based in Thorpe Park, Banbury and has a turnover of 11m focused upon technical innovation and export led sales. Tony Baldry MP, who spent the day at Westminster in support of the Banbury based business, announced I am incredibly impressed by CTG. I hope that in years to come we will see CTG continuing to expand in Banbury, and along with excellent work being done by Prodrive, they will help give further prominence to the motor sport industry. James Porter, Mayor of Bicester with Fraser Hamilton of Working Assets Limited Growth leaves room for the next generation Begbroke Centre for Innovation & Enterprise opened in July 2006 and has been fully occupied ever since. Oxford Nanopore Technologies moved in when the centre first opened and are now flying the nest to their own 10,000 sq ft building. The Centre, therefore, now has both office and wet lab space available. If you would like more information about Begbroke Centre for Innovation & Enterprise, contact Barbara Allsworth on 'Banbury in Business' 2010 to showcase new conference facilities Businesses moving into North Oxfordshire, or starting-up, are often impressed by the supportive business networks and events regularly taking place. The 'Banbury in Business' expo showcases local employers and provides seminars on key topics. Next year's exhibition, seminars and conference will be held at the new Spiceball Centre in Banbury in March If you would be interested in participating, contact Steven Newman (Economic Development Officer) on (01295)

4 Young Enterprise grows in Northern Oxfordshire Local students described their entrepreneurial journeys at the Young Enterprise Area finals. North Oxfordshire Academy s RoXsolid won Best Company and the PDQ Partnership Award for Marketing with their USB wristbands. Atom, of Bloxham School, won the Mercure Whately Hall Hotel Award for Best Customer Service. RIGHT: Plant Tots of Bicester Community College receiving the Cherwell District Council Award for Innovation from Lilian Bannister BELOW RIGHT: RoXsolid, of North Oxfordshire Academy with (l-r) the Mayor of Banbury, Ann Bonner, Adviser Kath Bonner Dunham, Link Teacher Sophie Kilmister and Adviser Tom Lindley A gardening kit for youngsters, by Plant Tots, of Bicester Community College, scooped Cherwell District Council s Award for Innovation. Finalists included Bartholomew School, The Warriner School and Cokethorpe School. Julie Stodart-Cook, of Kingham Hill School, won Most Inspiring Link teacher. Outgoing Area Board Chair, Sue Priest, said, Plans are to include more schools and an action-packed kick-off event is being held in September. Thanks to everyone involved in turning around what was an almost non-existent level of engagement, to wholehearted participation. Rob McKay of SEEDA is now taking the reins and plans to focus on quality and innovation. 4 Signs of improvement John Greaves (MRICS) of Lambert Smith Hampton reports on signs that the commercial market in Bicester is slowly but surely improving: Arena 14, situated on Bicester Distribution Park, provides a range of small new industrial units. Of the original 14 units, only two now remain available with interest levels having improved significantly over the past few months. Tapping into business support New to Arena 14 is the Bicester Bathroom Company Ltd. Owner Ansell Rawlinson complemented the Cherwell Investment Partnership and Oxfordshire Business Enterprises for their help: We were granted planning mixed use on the unit: good news and a big thank you for all your support. Recent successes on the Talisman Business Centre in Bicester also demonstrate the improvement in the market. In 2008 almost 45,000 sq ft of space was vacant in three buildings. All of this vacant accommodation has now been let and the centre is again fully occupied. The new tenants include South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust John Greaves ARENA 14, BICESTER Agents: Lambert Smith Hampton and White Commercial for a new control centre and headquarters, a relocation into new offices for MEM Consumer Finance Limited and a 12,000 sq ft distribution warehouse for Lyreco UK Limited. The success of the Talisman Business Centre is significant due to it being the largest office and business park in Bicester and its success reflects on the town as a whole. Lambert Smith Hampton are currently marketing a 10,000 sq ft modern, industrial unit on the Launton Road Industrial Estate and it is indicative of the improvement in the market that a very encouraging level of interest has been generated at an early stage and three offers received for the property. Success has also been evident on the Avonbury Business Park where Tiffen Europe Limited have recently relocated from Weston Business Park to take advantage of this quality location. TALISMAN BUSINESS CENTRE Agents: Lambert Smith Hampton and VSL & Partners

5 Banbury town centre improvements begin. Both public and private investment is arriving in the town with major public works set to transform the environment of historic Parson s Street through to Cornhill and the Market Place. The aim is to ensure the historic town core remains a vital and viable commercial centre over the coming years through: Priority to pedestrians New paving Rationalised car parking in the Market Place New street furniture; and Better facilities for the market and other events. The major works will continue throughout 2009, with an expected completion date of June For further details, contact Lisa Chaney at Cherwell District Council on (01295) Innovative public-private investment Cherwell District Council has stepped in to invest 10m of its own capital in the redevelopment of Bicester Town Centre. By working in partnership with Sainsbury s, it helps secure the future delivery of this important scheme. The Council, as land owner, has also enabled Hurran s Garden Centre, a feature of Banbury for nearly 100 years, to transfer into a new Hillier s Garden Centre, thus maintaining the vibrancy of the town and securing employment. with Deli Brasserie making a delicious investment Alison (left) talks to Lynette Riley of Oxfordshire Business Enterprises Bicester resident Alison Jackman started her own deli business in Cornhill, Banbury in early 2009, and has now opened a fabulous brasserie upstairs. Assisted by an adviser from Oxfordshire Business Enterprises, Alison took a prominent historic building and invested her incredible energy and expertise not to mention her savings to create a landmark business serving residents, visitors and local businesses with something very special. Alison explains: The restaurant has been open now for just a few months and the positive feedback and lovely remarks from all the diners just keep coming. The Deli Brasserie is set to have a sweet future in every sense! Alison welcomes you to call into 24 Cornhill, or phone (01295) Contact Oxfordshire Business Enterprises on (01295) or see 5

6 From recession to progression Recruit staff through Job Clubs 6 North Oxfordshire s leading the UK with shop windows for job vacancies in Banbury and Bicester. Businesses can promote job vacancies directly to job seekers free of charge! Vacancy details can be sent through to the Job Club Co-ordinator (see below) or potential candidates can be met face-to-face. At the opening of Bicester Job Club, Tony Baldry MP explained that: Job Clubs provide support to people whilst out of work and help into work. The whole community is pulling together and I congratulate employers, councils, the college, Job Centre Plus, recruitment agencies and all others who are part of this successful service. The Banbury and Bicester Job Clubs offer: a place for local employers to recruit free-of-charge up-to-date listings of local job vacancies on-line computers to help search and apply for jobs expert advisors on-hand to help with careers advice and free training opportunities financial assistance and benefits advice advice for existing small businesses and for those looking to start a new business. Having recruited staff through the Job Club, Sainsbury s HR Manager, Clare Brande, said: If another business had several vacancies to fill I would certainly This is a top priority it is critical that we stand full square behind Job Clubs. It reaffirms the commitment of Cherwell District Council to this town, to all businesses and to supporting enterprise. Barry Wood Leader of Cherwell District Council recommend that they attend the job club. Banbury Job Club offers special workshops and drop in sessions, such as Thinking of becoming a teaching assistant?, A future career in hospitality and catering and Start your own Business. It has seen over 1,000 job seekers through its doors, with typical comments being: Extremely helpful I ve just signed up for a computing course I come along every time to read the job sections of the papers The lap top was great to apply on line for a job Job Clubs are held each Friday from 11.00am until 1.00pm, alternating between Banbury and Bicester at the following venues: Bicester Job Club Methodist Church Hall, Corner of Sheep Street and Bell Lane, Bicester OX26 6JQ Banbury Job Club The Mill Arts Centre, Spiceball Park Banbury OX16 5QE Contact Suzanne Kennedy (Job Club Co-ordinator) on (01295) or e.mail economic.development@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, or see

7 Learning through Job Clubs Since the launch of the Banbury & Bicester Job Clubs, Oxfordshire Adult Learning staff have been on hand to offer local people advice on training opportunities and career and employment choices. Oxfordshire Adult Learning can help businesses to keep their competitive edge. Learning and development opportunities include: a range of core skills courses including communications, report writing, presentation skills and handling performance issues; a wide range of NVQs including Business Improvement Techniques and Customer Service; support with English and Maths for staff wishing to brush up their skills; apprenticeships; tailored ICT courses; a wide range of Jobsearch Skills courses are planned in partnership with Oxford and Cherwell Valley College; all training can be tailored to meet the individual needs of local businesses. For more information, contact Julie Baker on julie.baker@oxfordshire.gov.uk or see We ve been particularly busy: our tailored Jobsearch Skills and ICT courses have been well received, and as they have filled, we have developed more to meet demand. So many people have told us how much their confidence and skills have flourished as a result. Jane Dixon Head of Adult Learning 7

8 Planning for your future land needs? Cherwell District Council is preparing the Local Development Framework (LDF) which will guide all future development within the District until The documents within the LDF will aim to deliver sustainable development whilst meeting the needs of the local community. They must take into account social, environmental and economic issues such as employment, housing need and green spaces. The LDF will also identify sites for new jobs, homes, shops and infrastructure. The LDF s Core Strategy will set out the local strategic framework for development. The next stage of consultation on the Core Strategy is in Autumn 2009 and will include draft proposals for the delivery of employment land and the development of strategic sites for housing and employment. If you would like to be added to the LDF mailing list to be kept informed of this and future consultation on the LDF, please send your details to planning.policy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or phone Alternatively register at: Reducing costs for manufacturers through purchasing efficiency A free half day Workshop Wednesday 30 September 2009 To help you get the most from your purchasing function, the Manufacturing Advisory Service in conjunction with Business Link and Cherwell District Council, is holding a free-of-charge half day workshop covering: Save Money - Creative Negotiation techniques for small businesses Improve your Cash-flow- with effective stock management Who should attend: Managers and other staff who have responsibility for purchasing materials and services. The workshops are designed with small and medium sized companies in mind. Attendance is limited to 2 delegates per company. Venue: Cherwell District Council Offices, Bodicote, Banbury, OX15 4AA. Format: All workshops are highly interactive with plenty of opportunity for discussion and to try out tools and techniques, plus comprehensive reference notes. Registration and coffee is from 8:30am. The workshop is from 9am until 1pm, followed by a buffet lunch and networking. The workshops are offered free of charge and include a free follow up assessment for your business by one of our specialists. 8 For more information, or to book your place, please contact: Sue Talbot, suetalbot@mas-se.org.uk or Tel

9 New Investors A very warm welcome to the following new businesses: Meadowsweet Farm Shop at Horley Chemclean (carpet & upholstery cleaning) at Banbury Bulgari, J Choo, La Perla, Donna Karan, Sixty UK Ltd and Avalon Fashions Ltd at Bicester Village Joynson & Gordon Ltd (Direct mail) at Little Chesterton Capital Linen Services and Millie Miles Event Hire at Weston on the Green Hawkshead at Bicester Garden Centre Figment Media Ltd at Bicester The Really Useful Shop at Kidlington Sports World International and Bb's Coffee & Muffins Ltd at Castle Quay, Banbury JJ Marketing at Banbury and Sorba Productions at Cherwell Business Village, Banbury Holden Plant Services at Penhill Industrial Park, Banbury Astral Telemarketing Services Ltd at Horsefair, Banbury Hook Norton Garage Store At Lodge Farm Menu Enterprises Ltd at North Bar Street, Banbury Congratulations also to Oxford & Cherwell Valley College in opening a shop window of training services for businesses and individuals at its new Downtown premises at Market Place, Banbury. If you would like to promote your new business, please contact: Steven Newman, Economic Development Officer on (01295) Development grant makes perfect sensor Based at Weston-on-the Green, Oxford RF Sensors, a company that designs non-contact electromagnetic sensors based on patented Radio Frequency (RF) technology developed at the University of Oxford, has been awarded a SEEDA Development grant of 170,000 to develop simple inexpensive water quality sensors. Oxford RF Sensors already produce sensors for a variety of applications in aerospace, construction, automotive, oil & petrochemical, medical and waste recycling. The development of water quality sensors is important because it will have significant impact in a variety of industrial applications and also in relatively undeveloped economies. Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub has provided valuable support and advice to Oxford RF Sensors. There is no doubt that the Hub s input to the grant process ensured that our application was successful, explained Ross. The Enterprise Hub was able to call on the British Library to produce a tailored market report to help Oxford RF Sensors understand the major stakeholders and the size of the market opportunity, said Wendy Tindsley, Portfolio Director for the Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub. We then worked with the company over a period of months to help them put together a SEEDA R&D grant application. Leading the leaders Common Purpose is inviting applications for the next Oxfordshire Matrix Programme which starts later this year and is keen to find dynamic individuals who are looking to expand their horizons and really develop themselves as leaders. Common Purpose is a not-for-profit leadership development organisation that aims to improve the way society works by expanding the vision, decision-making ability and influence of all kinds of leaders. They run very unusual, very interesting programmes which are carefully designed to enable people to learn both about themselves and about the region in which they work. The ten day Oxfordshire Matrix course includes a rich programme of visits to local organisations, conversations with inspirational leaders and opportunities to develop lasting and supportive connections. Working on challenges is central to the programme and Matrix participants develop themselves as leaders by realising how much they are able to contribute to the challenges other leaders face. It s an experiential approach to learning that brings out qualities in people they may not have realised they possess. At the moment there is Train to Gain funding available which can help toward the cost of the programme and so it s a great time to get involved. For more information contact Clare Barden on clare.barden@commonpurpose.org.uk 9

10 Rural businesses thrive at the heart of communities Maintaining the vibrancy and quality of rural communities in North Oxfordshire involves maintaining a strong economy; supported throughout the 73 rural parishes of the District. Here we focus upon Bloxham, looking at how a former carpet mill has been transformed into a thriving business hub: Bloxham Mill Business Centre is home to 47 Small & Medium Enterprises (SME ) s employing over 230 people. General Manager Ray Avery said, For a fixed price, clients can receive everything they need to run their businesses, from desks, chairs and telephones, to reception facilities and full IT support services. The employees thrive and enjoy the facilities on offer at Bloxham Mill. Is it the gymnasium, free parking, café, light airy workspaces or the beautiful countryside in which they are located? Often they say it is a combination of all. The Centre runs a quarterly networking b2b club and the next meeting on the 24th September will be addressed by Tony Baldry MP. To book a place at the b2b networking club, admin@bm-it.co.uk or call For more information on Bloxham Mill Business Centre visit or call Ray Avery on Bloxham Mill case study: Infocene Ltd 10 Founded in December 2008, Infocene specialises in integrating Multimedia, Communications, IT, Web and Eco solutions. Managing Director, Stuart Smith explains "After originally taking a virtual office at Bloxham Mill Business Centre, we have now taken up residence in an office with twelve desks and employ six staff. With the vibrant cluster of businesses and networking activity combined with the fantastic location and transport links, this is a great place for any business, small or large." Further help available throughout Cherwell District Council s area also made a difference: "The early stage advice I received from organisations such as Oxfordshire Business Enterprises and Business Link was absolutely key in getting me off to the right start adds Stuart. The most important aspect, aside from helping with business planning and advice, was suggesting that I set up a limited company and go for VAT registration. My previous work as a sole trader made it difficult to scale and take on larger projects. Now, in addition to helping small businesses, we can tender for larger projects, particularly within the public sector. Skilled local talent has also helped explains Stuart; We have just taken on a new starter from Zenos IT academy in Aynho. I was so impressed with the crop of talent that we are looking to take on more. Stuart is making further use of the collaborative atmosphere at Bloxham Mill to foster business 'clusters'. Infocene has, for example, just formed a partnership with another resident Safelinq UK Ltd - which provides location based tracking solutions for personal safety and assets. For further details, see or call Stuart on (01295)

11 On the road to success with your help? A chance for you and your business to get involved and to make a difference: SKIDZ, The Banbury Motor Project would like your help. Skidz is a Charity based in Cherwell District Council s Thorpe Way Industrial Estate, offering young people from schools, colleges, the Youth Offending Team and other groups, a practical and hands-on alternative learning experience in a professionally equipped garage workshop. Dealing with real customers and working in teams guided by staff and volunteers, confidence and self-esteem are built to assist with finding employment. Sue Shattock explains: We are in the process of putting together an "Employability Skills" Award, to be endorsed by local employers, which the young people can take to interviews and will highlight their own particular "A" levels; ATTITUDE ATTENDANCE and APPEARANCE! My co-director, Rob McKay, and I need more local business people to bolster the expertise on the Board of Trustees, in particular training/self development, legal matters, marketing and, inevitably, fund-raising, as we attract no subsidy from education bodies or social services. If you are able to volunteer help for an hour or two, without the commitment of board membership, that would be fine, or your business may be prepared to sponsor an individual student? Our aim is to generate sufficient revenue from client groups to cover all costs and continue to develop the charity. Thank you, in advance, on behalf of our local youngsters who do deserve a chance to succeed and to become valued members of our local community. Sue Shattock can be contacted at sueshattock@btinternet.com or on Reaching the Skills Summit There is a pressing need for businesses in north Oxfordshire to invest in skills for the future, and to make use of the help available locally to meet future business challenges and to maximise opportunities. This was the key finding of detailed research work which informed businesses at the Cherwell Skills Summit Informed by recent research into skills within local businesses, Tim Boswell MP urged businesses to...be as flexible as you can but do not give up on the job of re-skilling this country - or it will be difficult to find the right technicians and graduate engineers for the future these are problems that have gone on for a long time, heightened by the recession and they still need a solution. Tony Butcher, Managing Director of Prodrive confirmed that the motor sport industry is important to the UK economy as an industry with a 6bn turnover, 3.7 billion of that for export, employing 40,000 people in UK, with a strong core in Oxfordshire. We need the best engineers and technicians and to be the best at what we do... engineering as a subject isn t popular - we as a nation and a region need to do something to address that to encourage young people to take an interest... Bob Walding, Thames Valley Area Manager for the Learning & Skills Council explained: Train to Gain, for example, is a developing product which is investing 3million into Oxfordshire. Currently full funding is provided for the first (NVQ) Level 2s and depending on eligibility this is now being extended to Level 3s. Diane Papworth, HR Manager, identified how Kraft Foods had made the most of local support:...we re the ones who know our business and brought the College in saying let s work together... there was some resistance to the initial class-room programme for operatives but now they re a team driving things forward, looking at problems with open eyes... To view the skills advice to businesses and the findings of the research, go to and click on webcast. THE SUMMIT AGREED TO ESTABLISH A CHERWELL SKILLS BOARD TO: Develop a Local Cherwell Learning & Skills Plan with targeted action to address the mismatch between the training on offer and employers needs for engineers, scientists, technicians and for local recruits to have basic skills in maths, English & IT. Facilitate closer engagement and dialogue between employers and learning & skills providers to encourage active participation in addressing the mismatch. Facilitate a better understanding of what local employers can get from the Government Train to Gain and apprenticeship offer. Engaging partners at events such as the Job Clubs, Jobs Fairs and Banbury in Business 2010 to promote the employer/provider engagement. Longer-term development of the local labour market in priority sectors to help fill the recruitment gap with suitably qualified local candidates. 11

12 12 CHERWELL - M40 INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP Tel: chip@cherwell-dc.gov.uk