Surrey Heath Borough Council’s update on Camberley Town Centre developments

Surrey Heath Borough Council update on Camberley Town centre projects, [click on images to expand]

Exciting progress has been made in crucial Camberley Town Centre projects over recent months.

• The Mall, Camberley

Following the Council’s purchase of The Mall last year, work is now underway to begin updating and transforming the shopping centre. Haskoll have been appointed as architects to oversee an exciting refurbishment scheme, and designs are being finalised for the interior. The work will be phased, with the first phase starting in mid-summer in Grace Reynolds Walk, followed by The Square, then other parts of the centre. In the meantime repainting of the roof has already begun as part of the work to brighten up the shopping centre.

Changes are also underway to the branding, with a temporary website already available (www.camberleyshopping.co.uk), and further work is underway to improve the marketing of the shopping centre both to customers and potential retailers when it is relaunched later in the year.

• Ashwood House, Pembroke Broadway

As previously announced, Berkeley Homes has been appointed as developer of the site. The upper floors of the building will be transformed into high quality residential accommodation, comprising around 100 flats, subject to planning permission.

A planning application is due to be submitted in June 2017 following public consultation, with the aim of starting on site at the end of the year.

• Public spaces in Princess Way and the High Street 

Plans for improvements to the ‘public realm’ and amenity areas have progressed with surveys of services and ground levels in the High Street completed. Design work is underway, with public consultation to begin shortly on ideas for changing these areas of the town.

• London Road Block

Consultants have been appointed to undertake feasibility work for the new development and submit an outline planning application by the end of 2017.

• Pembroke House, Frimley Road

As with Ashwood House, Berkeley Homes has been appointed as developer for this scheme, which has the potential to offer around 25 flats and ground floor retail space, subject to planning permission. It will provide affordable housing for local people and retail space for Camberley’s businesses.
A planning application is due to be submitted in June 2017 following public consultation, with work on site aiming to commence at the end of the year.

In another significant development, SHBC have appointed Paul Ramshaw in a new role, Head of Investment & Development. Paul’s previous roles include Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy at Eastleigh Borough Council. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, he will head up a new team, including an applications planner, procurement officer, accountant and lawyer, to deliver the Council’s property acquisition and development plans.

Paul said: “I am delighted to be joining Surrey Heath at an exciting time in terms of property acquisition and development, and look forward to helping drive forward the regeneration of Camberley Town Centre as one of our key priorities.” SHBC Chief Executive Karen Whelan said: “As can be seen, our work continues to make Camberley an even better place to live, work and enjoy. We look forward to making announcements about further significant plans and developments in the near future.”

Surrey Heath’s 2017 Business Awards presented

Surrey Heath Borough Council today announce [click on image to expand],

The winners of the Surrey Heath Business Awards 2017 have been announced at a ceremony at Camberley Theatre. More than 150 delegates attended the awards on Friday 31 March, hosted by the Surrey Heath Business Breakfast event.

Returning for a fourth year, the awards showcase the achievements of businesses big and small, spanning the length and breadth of Surrey Heath, from Bagshot to Frimley, and Bisley to Camberley.

Recognising the great people and ideas that keep the local economy thriving, the shortlist featured a wide range of industries and professions, from fishing to hospitality, and catering to pottery. The six categories and their winners were:

Best New Business – Spotlighting new and emerging businesses. Winner: Mrs Potts’ Place

Corporate Social Responsibility – Highlighting organisations who take responsibility towards the community and the environment. Winner: Sainsbury’s

Business Innovation of the Year – Awarding creativity with measurable results. Winner: FairWeatherGolf

Developing Talent – Recognising businesses that provide opportunities for personal development. Winner: Exclusive Chefs Academy – Exclusive Hotels and Venues

Best Small/Medium-Sized Business – Spotlighting businesses with less than 250 employees. Winner: The Massage Company

Outstanding Achievement – Celebrating a company or individual who has significantly contributed to the growth and success of the Surrey Heath community over a number of years. Winner: Frimley Park Hospital

Each winner received a specially commissioned award, with Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Sir Andrew Morris accepting the Outstanding Achievement Award on behalf of Frimley Park Hospital.

Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, Cllr Moira Gibson said: “This event is key in recognising the borough’s best businesses, but also in encouraging and supporting local firms who contribute so much to the Surrey Heath economy. With such a wide range of businesses entering the various categories, we were delighted by the quality of the submissions, which made the judging process all the more difficult. This successful event is enjoyed and appreciated by the many firms who attend, and of course our congratulations go to all the winners!”

Surrey Heath Business Awards 2017 finalists announced

Surrey Heath Borough Council has announced the finalists for the Surrey Heath Business Awards 2017 have been announced. The shortlisted businesses are:

Best New Business

• Fishin Addict
• Mrs Potts’ Place
• The Massage Company

Corporate Social Responsibility

• Brooks & Partners
• Sainsbury’s
• Stihl

Developing Talent

• Arena Leisure Centre
• Exclusive Hotels and Venues – Exclusive Chefs Academy
• Stewart & Co

Business Innovation of the Year

• Glo Hair Salon
• Spokes of Bagshot
• FairWeatherGolf

Best Small/Medium-Sized Business

• Yomp Marketing
• Legacy Sportswear
• Stewart & Co
• The Massage Company

Along with the five categories above, an Outstanding Achievement award will also be announced at the ceremony.

The awards will take place on Friday 31 March, hosted during Surrey Heath’s Business Breakfast event at Camberley Theatre.

www.surreyheath.gov.uk/shba

Join Terry Galvin’s talk on IT Security & How Important it is to My Business

The Lightwater Business Association, apart form organising the well known Lightwater Fayre’s in the Square, hosts regular business networking meetings. [Click on image to link to the LBA website]

The next business networking event is on Tuesday, 14th March in Randalls Coffee Shop in The Square, Lightwater. Terry Galvin, MD of Indigo IT, based in Lightwater, is giving a talk on IT Security & How important it is to My Business. With the fast changing world of technology this is a topic on which we all need to keep up to date. I’ll be attending as a visitor to hear Terry’s talk.

The evening begins with informal networking, accompanied by free drinks/light refreshments. The meeting is open to non-members so feel free to bring a guest. Dates for 2017 networking meetings are:

• Tuesday 14th March 2017
• Tuesday 16th May 2017
• Tuesday 4th July 2017
• Tuesday 12th September 2017
• Tuesday 14th November 2017

River traffic on the River Thames is on the increase

Walking along the embankment looking over the River Thames I spotted this ship, the Polla Rose. It was involved in rescuing a drowning man in the River Thames in November last year – the Evening Standard report was – Cargo ship crew save drowning man from River Thames.

In the Maritime Journal, Thames Shipping Ltd, the ship owners of Polla Rose said on acquiring the ship,

the company is optimistic about the potential for river traffic in London and will be hoping to expand.

The Port of London Authority report on the growth of freight traffic on the River Thames. Much of the growth is connected with the transport of building aggregates, and carrying of spoil from the Crossrail construction.

Just thought you might like to know about this – or maybe not.

Nominations requested for Surrey Heath Business Awards 2017

Surrey Heath Borough Council announce their request for nominations to the 2017 Surrey Heath Business Awards,

Surrey Heath’s best businesses, big and small, are encouraged to start 2017 by entering the Surrey Heath Business Awards. Nominations for the borough’s fourth annual business awards are now open, celebrating even more of the great people, firms and ideas that keep our local economy thriving.

The awards will take place in March, hosted during Surrey Heath’s Business Breakfast event at Camberley Theatre. It’s free for all Surrey Heath businesses to either put themselves forward or nominate others. There are six awards in total:

• Best New Business – Spotlighting new and emerging businesses.
• Developing Talent Award – Recognising businesses that provide opportunities for personal development.
• Business Innovation of the Year – Awarding creativity with measurable results.
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award – Recognising organisations who take responsibility towards the community and the environment.
• Best Small/Medium-Sized Business – Spotlighting businesses with less than 250 employees.
• Outstanding Achievement Award – Celebrating a company, organisation or individual who has significantly contributed to the growth and success of the Surrey Heath business community over a number of years.

Five-star Hotel & Spa Pennyhill Park in Bagshot was named winner of last year’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Managing Director Danny Pecorelli said: “Any successful business needs to start off by being embedded and respected in its own local community so it was a huge honour to be awarded the prestigious Outstanding Achievement award at last year’s Surrey Heath Business Awards. It was also such a boost for our fantastic team to get the public recognition an award such as this gives.”

Businesses can enter more than one category, and the closing date for entries is Friday 3 March. After judging takes place, shortlisted candidates will be invited to the awards ceremony on Friday 31 March at Camberley Theatre.

As well as a specially commissioned award, each winner will be invited to the annual Surrey Heath Civic Dinner, and promoted through various media channels, including Heathscene magazine, the council’s website and social media.

More details, including how to apply, are available at: www.surreyheath.gov.uk/shba

Another City skyscraper approved – confidence in London unabated

I don’t quite know why I like skyscrapers, maybe it’s being brought up in the suburbs. Or perhaps how the Skylon at the 1951 Festival of Britain reaching for the sky amazed a young boy, and the liking for tall structures just sort of stuck with me.

No matter, I just do like ’em. So, it’s a pleasure to see that another skyscraper has been approved in the City of London, albeit only 36 storeys. It’s 1 Leadenhall. Here’s an artists impression of the City with this new skyscraper – it’s the one in the middle nearest to the Walkie-Talkie on the right.