ITV Westcountry Tonight films at West of England School and College for young people with no sight

Chartered Accountants Haines Watts based in Southernhay Exeter selected West of England School & College for young people with little or no sight based on Topsham Road as their first Charity of the Year in 2011. Through a series of small networking events and fundraisers they raised £2k at the end of the year. Ben de Cruz Senior Partner for Haines Watts asked the school if they could look at a project or something tangible for these funds. The WOEC created a new sensory room out of what used to be the old Braille room. The £2k covered the refurbishment and a new wheelchair access created as well as all the equipment.

Ben de Cruz joined Caroline Burkie Head of Fundraising and PR and Sara Cross Occupational Therapist together with three of the young learners to view the new facility.

Sara Cross, Occupational Therapist, West of England School and College

“We are thrilled to have this new facility to allow increased access to sensory integration assessment and therapy for School pupils.

The current room that is used is highly subscribed to and is within the college and therefore the school pupils are regularly without a much needed slot in the sensory room.

Due to the Haines Watts money we now have another room equipped for this purpose for the younger learners which is fantastic.

During each moment of everyday we all take in a continual stream of information simultaneously through our different senses; vision; hearing; touch; taste; smell and also the sense of balance and movement (vestibular) and where we are in space (proprioception).

Sensory Integration is the process which “puts it all together” allowing us to sort out and use this information so that we can engage in everyday life easily and automatically.

Often our learners have difficulty processing these sensations and that is where the use of sensory integration therapy comes in.

Learners are assessed and a “sensory diet” is developed. A sensory diet is a carefully designed personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input that a person needs to stay focussed and organized throughout the day.

Just as you may jiggle your knee or chew gum to stay awake or soak in a hot bath to unwind children need to engage in stabilizing, focussing activities too.

The great thing about ‘sensory diets’ is that their effects are usually immediate and cumulative

Activities that perk up the child or calm him down are not only effective in the moment they actually help to restructure the child’s nervous system so that with frequent access to these activities he is better able to:-

• Tolerate sensations and situations that he finds challenging
• Regulate his alertness and attention span
• Limit sensory seeking and avoiding behaviours
• Handle transitions with less stress
• This room is incredibly important and will enable the younger pupils at WESC to have their own “indoor playground” to carry out their sensory diet
• I very much hope that Haines Watts will be pleased with this conversion as without it the sensory integration room would not exist.

EQUIPMENT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PURCHASE WITH HAINES WATTS MONEY:

• Weighted blankets – Feels like a warm hug and helps to increase proprioception and helps to calm
• Chewellery and Chew noodles – for children who explore with their mouth- this kit is used to increase awareness of the mouth and provide additional proprioception to the jaw
• Great lumps ball and giant stress ball and squeezy fidget toys – heavy and squeezy, calming and a fidget toy. Sometimes a child is better able to concentrate if they have a small toy in their pocket to fiddle with to help them stay focussed – just as we might doodle or play with a paperclip
• Soft pressure brush – to use with children to provide tactile stimulation
• Stretchy fish tunnel – A stretchy material tunnel to crawl through providing opportunities to strengthen through hard work – improve core stability, breathing, focus and attention
• Stretcheze in two sizes for bigger or smaller people - provide body awareness and increased proprioception, pushing against the resistance of the stretchy materials provides opportunity to improve co-ordination and strength as well as being calming and organising
• Spinning cone – this is great fun and generates and encourages balance, co-ordination and mobility
• Physio mat – to provide a soft surface for some floor activities
• Large physio roll – to use with a weighted blanket and increase deep pressure, playing games such as human hot dogs!”

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Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk

The Future is bright for electrical contractor celebrating first anniversary in new premises

A rapidly expanding South-Devon based electrical contractor, ‘Shout for an Electrician’ celebrates the first anniversary of the opening of its Newton Abbot Appliance Repair Centre and Showroom on Brunel Industrial Estate with the delivery of four new vans. The new business premises were opened by owner Andy Shout in January last year following the merger of outlets based in Torquay, South Brent and Exeter.

The company which has 11 staff, has enjoyed excellent business growth over the last 12 months and is not just surviving but thriving in the current economic climate having increased turnover from £250k for the last 12 months to £400k for 2011 – 2012. It has been an exciting 12 months of positive changes for entrepreneurial local businessman Andy Shout which includes registering the business as a limited on company on 1st February and taking delivery of four new vans from Vehicle Save Contract Hire & Leasing which have been sign-written and fully fitted-out with ply-lining, bars, pipe carriers and trackers.

Andy Shout Director - ‘Shout for an Electrician’ says “It has been a very exciting year and the business is growing rapidly. We are getting more and more work in and as a result I am looking to take on more staff and further increase our fleet of vans. We have an established long-term relationship with Vehicle Save and I trust them; it’s not all about cost but the ongoing advice and after sales service they offer. The vehicles are very economical and the fuel savings we have made has already paid for one of the vans. The trackers are proving invaluable and I can accurately measure an increase in performance by 20%. We know where workers are and can divert them to emergency jobs if required which offers an efficient and prompt service to our customers. In addition by having contract hire I have a fixed budget with no hidden costs such as punctures or new tyres and I know exactly how much each van costs me by the hour! The other benefit is that I replace the vehicles after a three year period so the vans are always in good condition which reflects the quality of our brand, image and the service we provide, which is a very important factor.”

Jane Knight General Manager, Vehicle Save Contract Hire & Leasing says “We are a truly independent local business delivering a tailored service to SMEs in the South West for both leasing and daily rental. As a result we are well placed to offer customers totally unbiased guidance on the selection of the right vehicles for their business and within their budget, demonstrating flexibility and a bespoke service to our individual client’s requirement. The vehicles provided to ‘Shout for an Electrician’ are economical and improves the efficiency of the business by reducing downtime and fuel consumption. By having trackers installed, Andy can offer great benefits to his customers. He knows exactly where his engineers are located and how long they have taken on each job so there is no chance of overcharging so his customers get accurate billing. His business is going from strength to strength and we wish him every success going forward.”

www.shoutforanelectrician.co.uk

PR company unveils new brand to local business community

High profile Exeter based PR company Glen King PR/Marketing established in 2005 unveiled its new re-brand and website to 90 local business people at the Business Network (SW) lunch held at Lord Haldon. The new brand created by Architects Design Group who have recently set up an Exeter base, has a fresh and contemporary feel in keeping with the professional image of the company.

Founder Director Glen King with nearly 20 years’ experience in the sector and a former media spokesperson for Camelot the operators of The National Lottery, specialises in the construction industry. In addition Glen looks after a large and diverse portfolio of clients predominantly small and medium enterprises in Devon & Somerset and across the South West as a whole. Current retainer clients include Haines Watts Chartered Accountants; Devon in Sight; Vehicle Save Contract Hire & Leasing; Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings and R G Spiller Building Contractors.

Glen King Director of Glen King PR says “The new re-brand came about as I have been in business for over 6 years and felt it was the right time to get a completely new look and feel to my logo and website. I chose ADG Architects as they are a client of mine who have an excellent reputation and I am always impressed with their work ethics and creativity. Chris Band from the Graphic Design team quickly understood my brief and I am delighted with the results. It was also a great opportunity to launch the unveiling in front of valued clients, business contacts and associates at the Business Network (SW) lunch headed up by Sean Humby.”

The many and varied services provided by the company include press releases; editorial; networking; client facing marketing and event management. The most recent event organised by the company was for independent hearing specialist Broom Reid Harris held at the Rougemont Hotel on 17th October to celebrate their 170th anniversary which included celebrity guest Bill Pertwee MBE of Dad’s Army fame.

Curtis Alcock, Broom Reid & Harris says “It has been a joy working with Glen and without her boundless energy and attention to detail the event wouldn’t have been half the occasion it was. It was highly successful and exceeded all my expectations with innovative ideas and creative format. Glen gained a full PR mix including live links to Exeter FM and high profile coverage on ITV Westcountry Tonight during prime time news.”

Glen says “I have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing some iconic celebrities including Darren Baker the Royal Artist; Bill Pertwee, Alvin Stardust and Dave Hill of Slade. I thrive on variety and really enjoy everything I do in representing and promoting a wide range of clients and sectors from Wine Bars to Rock Stars!”

Accountants adopt new charity of the year

Southernhay based Chartered Accountants Haines Watts specialising in the owner managed business sector and their sister company Haines Watts Financial Services hosted a special fundraising networking event to launch their new charity of the year, Families for Children Adoption (FFC). Attracting over 100 guests from the local business community the event held at the Exeter Audi dealership during National Adoption Week raised £1500 for the charity.

The evening ‘kicked off’ with special guest appearance from Welsh squad Rugby player Craig Mitchell of Exeter Chiefs. Mark Tyler, former sports commentator of ITV Westcountry, new co-owner of Exeter FM and Vice Patron of FFC talked about his own experience of adoption in Exeter. He then carried out a live interview with Craig Mitchell on his World Rugby Tour experience followed by a lively Q&A session with the audience. Local businessman, Nick Agg-Manning volunteered his time as auctioneer and there was also a charity raffle with prizes donated by local businesses. One of the main auction prizes was donated by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue for a day out for six people with visits to the fire stations including the Airport and hands on fire training.

Senior Partner at Haines Watts Ben de Cruz says “We chose Families for Children as our new Charity of the Year following a visit to their offices located in the grounds at Buckfast Abbey. Caroline Davis the CEO and her team gave an emotive presentation. We also had the chance to meet a family who had adopted three siblings who were very passionate about the charity and their ongoing support. The launch event was highly successful and everyone had a wonderful night at the prestigious Exeter Audi dealership with some fabulous top of the range cars on display which proved very popular. We have so many people to thank who gave up their valuable time on the night including Nick Agg-Manning, Mark Tyler and all the businesses who made such generous donations for the charity raffle and auction. Craig Mitchell was a great draw and we have had really positive feedback from our guests.”

Allison Colton Fundraising & Publicity Co-ordinator says “Families for Children are delighted to have been named as Charity of the Year for Haines Watts and it was great that they chose National Adoption Week to hold their first fundraising event for us. Thank you to everyone who attended and donated so generously. Haines Watts use the strap line Local Matters, National Strength - we are a local charity placing children from all over the UK with loving adoptive families in the South-West - so for us too that has real meaning.”

For further information please visit www.hwca.com/exeter

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Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk

Business professionals offer their expertise to help local charities

Experts from two Southernhay based firms join forces to help local charities and not for profit organisations get a better understanding of the legal and financial implications in delivering contracts, sub-contracting or entering into partnerships and consortia. The interactive workshop for voluntary and community sector staff was supported by Exeter CVS in partnership with the Devon Consortium VCS commissioning project - part of the Stronger Communities Programme funded by Devon County.

The event, held at Wonford Community Centre on Remembrance Day, was led by partners from Chartered Accountants Haines Watts LLP and Tozers Solicitors LLP offering extensive expertise in financial and legal matters to 15 representatives from Devon based voluntary and community organisations.

The partners from each practice hosted surgery sessions on key questions posed by charity delegates. These covered a range of issues including the implications of VAT when sub-contacting; different legal forms of partnership; various types of contracts and TUPE.

Ben de Cruz senior partner of Haines Watts Exeter specialising in the owner managed business sector, is also a non executive director for charitable and not for profit organisations.

Ben de Cruz says “With my background and the services we offer as a Practice to this specialist sector, I felt it important to support local charities in this complex process. The areas you need to look out for when entering into a sub-contracting relationship can be very labour intensive and complicated and I was more than happy to offer my time and expertise to help.”

Tozers LLP are regular presenters at charity, schools and employment seminars and based at Broadwalk House, Southernhay West.

Head of charities at Tozers LLP, Richard King, comments “We were delighted to be able to offer those working in the voluntary and community sector some guidance on the legal implications of contracts. My focus is advising charities and social enterprises on their legal responsibilities; Stephen Jennings who is a fellow partner and solicitor at Tozers LLP, is particularly expert on employment and contracting issues.”

The leading force behind the event was Exeter CVS and the Devon Consortium bringing together experts from the business sector to support charity skills and growth.

Deborah Fisher CVCS Commissioning Officer says "It is great that local firms are willing to give their time and skills to support voluntary and community sector groups get to grips with very difficult and complex issues. This type of specialist, focused support can really help build the capacity of local organisations to successfully adapt to the changing environment."

Devon sight charity announces the appointment of two high profile patrons

Award winning Devon in Sight based in Topsham which supports the visually impaired people across the County, announces that they have newly elected Lady Devon as Patron and veteran actor Bill Pertwee MBE of Dad’s Army fame as Vice Patron of the charity.

Established in 1925 the organisation (formerly known as Devon County Association for the Blind) has had an exciting year of changes. This includes the appointment of a Director of Services and team members; a new charity name; the opening of their new Resource Centre and the launch of their mobile road shows which commence on 19th November at Paignton Library.

Martin Pallett Director of Services says “We are very privileged to have not one but two high profile Patrons to support the services that we provide to the visually impaired people of Devon. Lady Devon’s late mother-in-law used the services of this charity for many years and so she has a close association and understanding of the valued works we carry out for the local community. Bill who moved to Topsham three years ago has embraced the local community and is very pro-active in his charity works.”

Lady Devon and The High Sheriff of Devon, The Hon. Mrs Sarah Lopes attended the opening of the newly refurbished Resource Centre on 14th July which attracted over 100 visitors. 85 year old Topsham resident celebrity Bill aka Captain Mainwaring’s arch rival, Chief Air Raid Warden 'Put that light out!' Hodges’ from the vintage Dad’s Army television programme cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the centre.

Bill Pertwee MBE says “I was delighted to be asked to be Vice Patron of Devon in Sight. I think it is terrific that this centre which is such a valuable resource to so many people is based in our local community.”

Gwyn Dickinson MBE Chair of says “We are a long established charity with a rich history and receive support from so many throughout the county. This year has seen a series of changes to help us move with the times and improve the services we provide including the showcasing of the latest equipment on the market and a series of unusual workshops and interesting activities. The appointment of the new well known Patrons will help to further raise our profile and the valued works we carry out particularly by the dedicated team and our volunteers. It will further help the charity go from strength to strength.”

For further information please visit www.devoninsight.org.uk

Office solutions company celebrates 10 years as official service & repair centre for Brother UK

Office stationery and equipment supplier Cartridge Line with branches at Exmouth, Exeter and Plymouth celebrates 10 years in business by expanding its services as official approved service and repair centre for Brother UK in the South West.

Owned and operated by local businessman Craig Collins, Cartridge Line was awarded the status after meeting certain criteria set by Brother, including location and appropriate experience. The company’s employees are fully trained by Brother Engineers to carry out repairs in order to meet the necessary specifications to become an approved repair centre. As part of the approved status, the company will be given access to updated service materials with a full back up support system by experienced Brother staff.

Cartridge Line supplies a full range of office solutions including printer consumables; stationery, office supplies; banners/ posters and in-house computer sales and repairs. As a result of expanding the services it provides, the company has grown by 26% in the last 12 months and today has a turnover in excess £1m with ten staff.

Craig Collins Managing Director from Cartridge Line says “Brother UK approached us direct and we are delighted and privileged to be chosen as their official repair centre for the region. To have public recognition of being affiliated with such a high profile and reputable company is a great way to celebrate ten years in business. Each member of the team has local knowledge and a feel of what our customers want. As an approved repair partner for this blue chip company, we will now be able to target resellers in the South West and work with them to carry out warranty repairs on a more local basis. In addition, it will enable us to offer a more complete service to our loyal customers.”

Rob Bridges, Head of Reseller Sales, Brother UK says “Adding Cartridge Line to our list of approved repair centres means that we can continue to offer our customers a better choice in their service process – ensuring that the work is done by trained personnel. This will help to increase customer satisfaction levels in the South West region, as well as the overall customer experience with Brother.”

For further information please visit www.cartridgeline.co.uk

Gary Dixie, Director of Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings, Alphington Exeter talking business

Independent businesses should embrace change to thrive and not just survive in the current economic climate.

As a family owned company trading in the City since the 1960’s, we have built a successful business on our well earned reputation and developed a loyal following by providing high quality products at affordable prices coupled with excellent customer service. In the current economic climate however, times are tough particularly for the independent retailer. So how do you react to a worldwide economic crisis? It is affecting everyone in business so it is time to seek ways of expanding your products or service and growing your market. As a small business owner the current situation may feel out of our control however, it can offer an opportunity to focus on what you do best and effectively emerge as a competitive, better organised and more efficient business.

The only constant in business is change. Regardless of the detail, I believe we must always prepare for this and maximise the current market. This doesn’t mean radical thinking but concentrating on your core product first and then looking at ways of expanding your target audience. I’m not talking about spending lots of money, although attempting to expand your market may need some investment if you are prepared to take the risk as in ‘speculate to accumulate’. Concentrate on your key product or service and then implement new growth by strengthening and redefining the core business. The important point to remember is that you need to meet and satisfy customer expectations, which are never static.

At Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings we have been looking at our mid - long term strategic marketing by focusing on whether people are still readily going to be re-carpeting or furnishing their homes or offices in the near future. At the same time we need to be aware of what impact new businesses will have on us particularly with the advent of John Lewis opening in the City centre at the end of 2012. One option would be to put our ‘heads in the sand’ and hope it will pass! We, have, however, embraced the challenge by focusing on our core business of carpets and flooring with a significant investment in the refurbishment of our showroom at Alphington to bring us bang up to date with the current market trends. It’s all about supply and demand and re-inventing yourself at the appropriate time. Customers want a pleasurable shopping experience with choice, great value and a quality product. We expect the arrival of a high profile retailer such as John Lewis to attract more shoppers into the City which will in turn benefit us greatly. As a result we must maximise our offering so that we are not left behind by these competitors, whilst adding our own friendly brand of individual customer service and local knowledge.

As well maximising our products we are actively focusing on potential new customers and hence expanding our core market. In addition to our domestic customers there are plenty of commercial organisations who need us; we just need to promote ourselves more widely and with renewed vigour to get the message across and educate the market on the products and services we provide.

The rising elderly population with a subsequent growth in care homes and retirement villages in the South West is one area we are investigating. At the other end of the spectrum is the increasing influx of students as the University of Exeter steadily climbs the league table. We are, therefore, targeting landlords and house rental companies to identify those needs and focus our products specific to this growing marketplace.

We live in the centre of a tourist hotspot and as a result there is an abundance of holiday parks and hotels all requiring services from local businesses. Always turn a negative into a positive; the economic downturn and poor pound-to-euro exchange rate can only have an optimistic impact on the South West with more and more people deciding to take their well earned holidays in the UK. Larger companies moving to Exeter also help to contribute to the local economy and benefit local smaller businesses. The re-location of the Met Office in 2003 is a prime example, adding c. £40 million each year to the local economy and increasing property prices by around 40%. It has put Exeter on the map worldwide and actively encouraged blue chip companies to follow suit. In addition Government recently focused on how to increase house building in the UK in the next 10-20 years which will swell the local population and benefit commerce. This is all good news for our core products of beds, furnishings and carpets.

Finally involve your staff, listen to them and share information. Their discussions with customers, suppliers or even competitors are valuable sources of how the market is functioning. Implement changes with the full knowledge of your staff and effective training.

For further information please visit www.queenstreet.co.uk

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Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk

Striped carpets are bang on trend for this season...

Glen King learns from Gary Dixie of Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings how investing in striped flooring can brighten up your home throughout the winter months and beyond.

Go bold to get that contemporary ‘Wow’ factor and instantly add dramatic impact and focus to your living space. If you prefer the more traditional look, then incorporate striped carpeting from the extensive range of muted tones available on the market.

In days gone by, Kidderminster carpet factories, producers of high quality expensive Wilton carpets, used to utilise leftover yarns to produce ‘one-off’ striped carpets. At that time this was one of the cheapest types of flooring available to consumers who were not in a financial position to pay the high prices commanded in order to own a Wilton carpet held in high reverence. Nowadays desirable striped carpets are seen as ‘top of the pile’ and can be one of the more expensive types of flooring. This is because each carpet is now made as an ongoing product range using high quality yarns with short pile height to ensure the straight stripes stay right on line!

Carpet creates a level of comfort, warmth and cosiness that simply cannot be replicated by other types of flooring and also provides effective sound insulation. At the height of carpet fashion, stripes have now taken the lead; a design statement in their own right. And since the early arrival of Crucial Trading’s Mississippi stripe, the choice is now greater than ever. Contemporary and stylish, carpets will never again be the last thing you consider when creating your ideal living space - now you can furnish your home from the floor up.

The luxury and comfort of wool rich carpets are being used to stunning effect with a huge choice of striped carpets. The highest quality carpet in this collection will be made up of a two or three fold yarn providing a beautiful yet durable product of a superior standard that is suitable for all areas of the home. You can rely on them keeping their good looks for many years to come with a full range of colours, textures and styles to suit all tastes.

Striped carpets and rugs are funky, fashionable and a hugely popular choice as you can co-ordinate them with plain carpets. Make a statement throughout your living area with a wall to wall striped carpet; alternatively utilise smaller areas as a feature to liven up your living space.

Take pattern off the walls and transfer to the floor with an extensive range of striped carpets to be found at Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings...

Playing with pattern on the flooring has never been so exciting. Choose from bold wide stripes or thin pinstripes in neutrals or vibrant colours. Loud stripes become the main focus or add an eye-catching accent to neutral rooms; whilst quieter shades can add tone and texture. Striped carpets look striking as stair runners and stunning in hallways. Alternatively choose to have a custom made striped rug as an aspect in a main room.

Remember that expert fitting is required with this product to ensure the pattern runs straight. Be aware also of walls that do not run parallel and stairways that turn a corner with treads that are narrow on one end and wider at the other, known as winder stairs. Experienced retailers will provide all the necessary professional advice when choosing and installing a striped carpet.

www.queenstreet.co.uk

Photograph of Gary Dixie courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk

North Devon Client Signs Up to New Business Service Launched by Exeter Accountants

Exeter Chartered Accountants Haines Watts specialising in the owner managed business sector, has signed up TCi (GB) Limited an office refurbishment and interior design company operating in Bideford as one of the first clients of their recently launched pioneering service ‘Southernhay Business Centre’.

A national network with over 60 offices, each Haines Watts office operates independently offering a wide range of services tailored to the local market. The Exeter office primarily focuses on accountancy and taxation services to owner managed businesses and dealing with individual’s tax affairs, with the specialist Forensic accountancy team undertaking work throughout England and Wales. The newly formed Southernhay Business Centre offers a full range of services providing outsourced solutions for all company secretarial and payroll needs required by an SME as well as the use of a prestigious venue in Southernhay West to hold meetings.

North Devon based TCI specialising in the space planning, fitting out and refurbishment of commercial, educational and welfare facilities is to utilise the accountant’s offices situated in the heart of the financial district of Exeter as their registered company address.

Haines Watts partner Patrick Tigwell who heads up the new Southernhay Business Centre venture says “We recognised a market for SME business owners to outsource their secretarial services and as a result launched the Southernhay Business Centre. It offers a full range of options from which they can pick and choose according to their own needs and budget. Our mail services are ideal for individuals, small businesses and start-ups or even established companies looking to create the right impression to clients, prospects and associates. For a small monthly fee TCI now has a fully functional office address in the City’s prestigious financial district which opens opportunities for the company in the surrounding area. They can also opt to have incoming mail forwarded to an address of their choice; held for collection or scanned and e-mailed direct for their convenience.”

TUESDAY:Husband and wife team Adrian and Rebecca Sealey established TCI in 2006 which today has a T/O of £1.1 m and eight employees covering the South West region. The team design offices to suit style and budget from consultation; to space planning; project management and installation. The expanding company boasts blue-chip clients including Babcock of Devonport Royal Dockyard, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue and Balfour Beatty who won the £460 m contract in 2010 for the second phase of a satellite building that supports Heathrow Airport Terminal 2. More recently TCI has been awarded a £250k contract with Bovis Lend Lease to fit out the site offices at Westfield Stratford City which will be Europe’s largest urban shopping centre and the gateway to the Olympic Park in 2012.

TCI has built a well deserved reputation as the office interior specialists in the South West serving clients both locally and throughout the UK. A client of Bideford based Sully & Co which was acquired by Haines Watts Exeter in August they have refurbished the offices of Haines Watts Technology (HWT) based in Southernhay West.

Adrian Sealey Co-Director TCI says “With many years experience and extensive knowledge of the market in which we operate, we have access to the latest products from specialist suppliers from all over the World. We specialise in designing the workplace as a fun place to be which motivates staff and in turn has an impact on productivity. A registered company address located in a prestigious area of Exeter is the first step of the next phase of our development plans to be more effective and efficient as well as raise our profile across the region as a whole to grow the business.”

For more information on how the Southernhay Business Centre can benefit your business please contact:

Patrick Tigwell, Partner
T: 01392 260310
E: pjtigwell@hwca.com www.officeinexeter.com

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Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk

Local retailer rolls out 'The Red Carpet'

Long established independent retailer Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings based in Exeter announces completion of its extensive refurbishment of their carpet and flooring department. The family run company has invested over £50,000 in the newly designed and designated flooring area situated within their large showroom at Alphington. It boasts a larger range of flooring and includes updated lighting to make it easier for customers to select colours and textures.

The family run business founded in 1967 by husband and wife team Malcolm and Nikki Dixie is well known in the local area for building a reputation of trust, reliability and high quality products. Originally based in Queen Street in Exeter, the business quickly expanded and moved to substantially larger premises in Alphington where it remains to this day.

The company has been passed down through the family and is now operated by brothers Mark and Gary Dixie, who continue to run the business with the same traditional values whilst bringing the showroom and products bang up to date.

Gary Dixie Director says: “Although the shop frontage looks deceptively small, customers are constantly amazed when they enter the extensive showroom with 12,000 sq ft of retail space including three large departments of beds, furniture and flooring all under one roof. To ensure we are ahead of the pack in terms of development, we have now invested a substantial sum in refurbishing the carpet and flooring department. Customers can now expect an even larger choice of flooring and it will now be easier to browse through the mind boggling choice of flooring products, with help and guidance from our friendly team of experts. We want to make it a much more pleasurable shopping experience for our loyal retail and commercial customers and to try and attract new ones.”

There are also plans to make further investment throughout the remaining bed and furnishings departments over the next 12 – 24 months. In the last ten years the team has grown to 12 employees with significant experience in product knowledge, delivery & installation and flooring fitting. The company has expanded their offering in many areas including luxurious carpets from Axminster, hard flooring from Karndean and Natural floorings from Crucial Trading.

Says Gary: “We remain focused on providing quality flooring at great prices and still hold a large stock of carpets on display in the centre of the new showroom; this means customers will have quick delivery on many products. We are also major stockists of Persian and Modern rugs so we can accommodate all tastes and styles, whether traditional or contemporary. We believe no other local retailer offers the flooring choice we now have at Queenstreet, as well as the ability to choose furniture and beds at the same time all under one roof in a friendly and relaxed environment.”

Local Veteran Actor Opens Launch of Sight Charity Roadshow

Award winning Devon in Sight based at Station House in Topsham supporting the visually impaired people across the County; launch the first of their countywide road shows at Paignton Library. Special celebrity guest Bill Pertwee MBE who lives in Topsham and better known as Chief Air Warden ‘put that light out’ Hodges from Dad’s Army fame, carried out the ribbon cutting ceremony in his first official appearance as the newly elected Vice Patron of the charity.

Bill Pertwee MBE says “I was delighted to carry out my first official duty as Vice Patron of the charity at the opening of the first of their Devon Road Shows. I wish them every success for future campaigns.”

Gwyn Dickinson MBE Chair of Trustees for Devon in Sight says “I am really pleased that the first of the road shows was opened by our newly elected Vice Patron and prestigious actor Bill Pertwee. I am particularly grateful to Keith Woolgar who has given a huge amount of time as a volunteer to organising this with support from varied members of the Topsham team. I do regard this as experimental in helping us to explore how we want to develop as a genuinely County wide charity for the future. We will be evaluating the Day as we start to consider how future road shows can be developed across the County, but initial feedback is that it was a resounding success.”

The charity was joined by 16 other companies, charities and organisations providing support and services to people with sight difficulties. These include Action for Blind people; Guide Dogs for the Blind and RNIB Transcription Service.

The day attracted 250 visitors and was organised by volunteer Keith Woolgar who has been visually impaired since birth and is supported with a guide dog. People from the local community were able to find out what support, advice and equipment is available for people with all kinds of different sight loss. The Road Show was of interest to visually impaired people themselves, their friends & family and those working with them.

Devon in Sight provides a range of support to visually impaired people across Devon including information & advice, demonstrating equipment, providing volunteer visitors, low vision support, grants and is linked with approximately twenty clubs across the County.

Martin Pallett, Director of Services Devon in Sight says “To have 250 attendees surpassed all my expectations. The day was very well organised and this was down to many people including Keith as the Road Show Organiser, Cherrie Crook, other members of the team and not least the volunteers who I think were incredible and without whom we simply could not have managed. It will be important that we learn from the Day and develop future road shows in the light of this. This was an excellent start to our outreach programme as we continue to look outwards across the whole of Devon and reach more and more visually impaired people.”

www.devoninsight.org.uk

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Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk

Express & Echo – Working Week: Jim Howard – Vehicle Save (UK) Limited

Jim Howard operates the official Europcar franchise for the South West peninsula at outlets based in Exeter, Plymouth and Taunton through his independent company Vehicle Save (UK) Limited. Jim also owns Vehicle Save Contract Hire & Leasing Limited an independent company based on Marsh Barton which specialises in long term vehicle contracts typically from 6 months – 4 years.

MONDAY: I drive to Exeter Head Office from my home in Torquay. After catching up on e-mails and telephone calls I sit down with the Contract Hire team for our regular review meeting.   As a locally based and independent contract hire business we have the ability to give both existing and prospective customers totally unbiased advice in selecting the best and most cost effective solution in their choice of cars and vans.  Today we’re discussing the results of a survey we have carried out on vehicle fleets operated by local SME’s. It’s no surprise to discover many business owners still base their vehicle buying decisions purely on the cost of purchase which is usually a false economy as they need to take into account the whole picture. This includes the value of the vehicle on disposal; fuel economy; maintenance costs; emissions levels; the consequent cost of road tax and even the tax and national insurance liabilities of both employer and the employee.  What appears to be the cheapest option often proves not to be the case and a more informed buying decision can achieve savings that run into four figures over a typical three year period of ownership.  As a result of our findings, Jane Knight, our contract hire General Sales Manager will concentrate on taking this message to our South West customer base. Her deputy, Andy Tomlinson will develop our niche market product of contracts for those businesses employing personnel on short term or probationary contracts of between 6-12 months.

After a working lunch I meet with Tim Burling of Lombard Finance with whom I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship extending over 16 years as we are planning to buy a further 30 vans to be operated on the daily rental fleet at our Europcar branches in Exeter, Taunton and Plymouth. We discuss and agree the terms of the funding.

Tomorrow is a meeting with Sharon Tuckwell, Europcar’s regional director in Bristol and I agree with James Eland my daily rental Operations Director and our Company Accountant Jeremy Chudley points for discussion before jumping in my 1969 E-Type Jaguar Series 2 Coupe to drive to the David Lloyd Centre for a work-out.

TUESDAY: 7.45 am I meet James and Jeremy at our Europcar rental branch on Marsh Barton before heading to Bristol for our meeting. The meeting is cordial and constructive, dealing with many aspects of the sometimes complex relationship between franchisee and franchisor. Europcar is focusing on improving the quality of customer service delivery at their branches across the UK and it’s good to know that our branches are consistently achieving a very high level of positive customer feedback. Despite the economic climate customer demand is running at an unprecedented high level. Our corporate customers, who represent 80% of transactions, are recognising the merits of short term rental as an efficient method of providing solutions for staff who have to travel. Historically our rental vehicles have been driven for an average 2000 miles per month and the uplift in demand is double edged. On the one hand, improving average utilisation levels which is good for the bottom line, and on the other increasing the mileage driven. This means our team has to be extra vigilant when carrying out usual safety checks between rentals to ensure routine tyre checks and maintenance requirements are identified and acted upon if necessary.

On our return we visit the Taunton branch to catch up with the Manager, Sean a highly motivated individual who does an excellent job of running the smallest of the three offices. Back to my desk at Exeter and at 5 pm off to David Lloyd before for an hour’s tennis before heading home and then to Ashburton Conservative Club with my partner Christine for the bi-weekly quiz night.

WEDNESDAY:  Meeting with Volvo Finance to sign the paperwork for funding for 15 new Nissan Primastar vans for the daily rental fleet offered on extremely favourable terms. We are using Volvo as the funder as they have a very close working relationship with the supplying dealer which works to our benefit.

I then meet with the brokers who arrange the insurance on the daily rental fleet.  We review the claims experience over the last six months and it’s good to know that these are running at a lower level than expected, which bodes well for the pending annual review of premiums.

After lunch Jeremy and I meet with Debbie Franklin, a partner and corporate tax expert with Peplows, our accountants and auditors of many years. We have an excellent working relationship and discuss company results at the mid year and associated matters arising. Then James, Jeremy and I discuss the agenda for our monthly Branch Managers’ Meeting which is held alternately at each of the three branches with tomorrow’s at Plymouth.  It’s a good opportunity to get feedback from the managers and circulate the previous month’s Management Accounts for discussion. We identify what went well at each of the three locations and where improvements can be made. We express all our cost areas, many of which are variable, large or small, as a percentage of monthly turnover and against budget forecasts.  The two largest elements are fleet costs and drivers’ wages; where effective hands on management at branch level makes an enormous contribution to the bottom line.  The agenda features regular elements including health and safety and employment issues as well as what is topical.

An hour’s tennis session with Riccy my coach at David Lloyd follows in the early evening.

THURSDAY: Driving from home I get to the new Europcar premises in Millbay, Plymouth which was officially opened in the summer by the local Mayor and conveniently situated close to the city centre and the ferry terminal.   Simon the Branch Manager gives me feedback on how the new site is operating and confirms the larger and more secure premises represent a vast improvement in the overall customer experience. At 10 am Eric the Exeter Manager and Sean from Taunton join us. The individual Manager’s input is invaluable, particularly where an initiative can be adopted at each branch.  We work through the agenda incorporating a working lunch. The meeting concludes at 3 pm and I drive to Exeter for an hour at my desk.  I leave a little earlier than usual to travel back to Plymouth with Christine to see a play.

FRIDAY: 8.10 am I start the day at Michelmores breakfast at Exeter Golf and Country Club which is well attended by the local business community. It’s an excellent chance to meet colleagues as well as establish new contacts.  This event is particularly enjoyable as Jenny Bond; one time Royal Court reporter for the BBC delivers a humorous and interesting account of her illustrious career.  It’s a lovely morning so at 10 am I head over to Exeter Airport. I’m the proud part-owner of a unique Sportavia RS180, a four-seat sport aircraft one of just 18 produced in Germany in the late 70’s and the only one on the British register and thus a bit of a rarity in UK skies. I fly down the coast over Torbay and Dartmouth and on the return trip turn up the Exe estuary before touching down again at Exeter. 

After lunch a meeting with our PR consultant Glen King of many years who works very hard on our behalf to promote all our services for both contract hire and daily rentals. She raises our profile across the South West and has achieved great success. I then catch up on the tasks built up over the week before heading home for the weekend and dinner with old friends.

For further information please visit www.vehiclesave.co.uk

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Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk