The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise focus for Surrey Heath Business Breakfast

The Surrey Heath Business Breakfast provides business networking opportunities, with an exhibition area, followed by formal presentations. The focus of this morning’s Business Breakfast was The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

The Lord-Lieutenant for Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, described the Award, suggesting businesses should consider applying. He was followed by presentations from two local recent recipients of the Award, Alison Lyons of Sesame Access Systems, and Richard Llewellyn of Benchmark Geophysical Consulting. Both were good. The one from Sesame, well, I just had to post their YouTube video of their product.

 

Camberley Enterprise Expo successfully showcases local business

Surrey Heath Borough Council announced the result of the Camberley Enterprise Expo

The first Camberley Enterprise Expo took place at Camberley Theatre on Wednesday 13 September 2017.

The packed exhibition hall included IT companies, professional services, charities and retailers showcasing their products and services to the local community.  In addition the Expo featured seminars on topics including presentation skills, marketing tips and lead generation.  Eagle Radio ran digital workshops throughout the day.

The pre-show breakfast seminar, hosted by SHBC, provided an update on the latest redevelopment plans for Camberley.  Michael Gove, Member of Parliament for Surrey Heath, opened the breakfast seminar via a video link to express his support for the Expo event and businesses based in in the local area.  Alan Harris, Partner, Montagu-Evans (the managing company of’ The Square’ shopping centre), gave a talk on doing business in Camberley.

Visitors to the SHBC stand had the opportunity to talk to council officers about the regeneration of the town and go on a virtual walk around Camberley town centre via an innovative 3D digital map.

Karen Whelan, CEO SHBC, said, “The Expo proved to be a fantastic celebration of local business.   I was so pleased to see such a great turnout and hope our exhibitors and visitors enjoyed the day.”

The Expo was the idea of Kevin Cantlon, Economic Development Officer at Surrey Heath Borough Council who died earlier this year.  Karen added, “This event is for Kevin as much as the businesses and community and I’m so proud it was a success.”

Co-organiser David Yu from Best of Camberley said: “This is a key new event in the Surrey business calendar. We hope that local businesses made the most of the networking, sales and marketing opportunities it offered. The exhibition was a great place to socialise, make friends and do some business.”

We hope to run this event again next year, so watch this space.

First Camberley Enterprise Expo announced

Surrey Heath Borough council has announced the date of the first Camberley Expo,

If you are involved in business in or around Surrey Heath, the Camberley Enterprise Expo is a crucial event not to be missed.

The Council is pleased to host our first ever Expo on September 13 at Camberley Theatre. With virtual interactions increasingly replacing opportunities to meet existing and prospective clients face to face, the Camberley Enterprise Expo offers a fantastic opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services, build key relationships and gain valuable sales leads.

This local event is more than just another business to business exhibition. It’s open to exhibitors who wish to reach local consumers as well as other businesses – encouraging a wide range of attendees, including venues, banks, IT companies, professional services and retailers.

To ensure the event gets off to a flying start, the Council are hosting a pre-Expo breakfast seminar, including presentations from SHBC Chief Executive Karen Whelan and Surrey Heath MP Michael Gove. A series of business seminars led by local business leaders will also take place throughout the day.

The Expo is supported by The Camberley Society and Surrey Chambers of Commerce, and is being organised by Webster Consultancy and The Best Of Camberley, both of whom have significant experience in delivering successful networking and exhibition events across Surrey.

Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, Cllr Moira Gibson, said: “We are pleased to support this important new business event in Surrey Heath, as part of our key objective to support and promote our local economy so that people can work and do business across Surrey Heath.”

Co-organiser David Yu of The Best Of Camberley said: “This is a key new event in the Surrey business calendar. We hope that local businesses will support it, and make the most of the networking, sales and marketing opportunities it offers.”

A range of stand sizes are available at the Expo, with prices starting at £380. There will also be a smaller, lower cost area for charities, not-for-profit organisations and community groups.

Thanks to event sponsors McCarthy & Stone, Watchmoor Park, Dolphin Head, Basepoint Camberley and The Mall Camberley for their continued support.

Visit www.camberleyenterpriseexpo.com

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