KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees12, Apr i l , 2011

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An EXAMINER publication

A rightroyal rowKIRKLEES employersshould make their staffpolicies clear to avoidupset on the day of theroyal wedding.The Government hasdeclared the weddingday a public holiday,but West YorkshireSociety of CharteredAccountants said therewould be little to cheerfor some workers whohave been told theymust work.

ClubbingtogetherFINANCIAL advice firmRobertson Baxter isbacking HuddersfieldTown’s star players –by sponsoring theclub’s annual awardsceremony in May.

FTSE 100- 2 .31

6053.44

Yorkshire companies weather the VAT riseWEST YORKSHIRE companies havetaken the recent VAT hike in theirstride, according to a survey.

The latest Business Barometer fromClose Invoice Finance showed that44% of small and medium-sized firmsin Yorkshire and Humber claimed theVAT rise has had no impact whatso-ever on their business – with a further48% saying the impact has beensmall.

Ian Seward, of Close InvoiceFinance, said: “It’s heartening todiscover that the majority ofbusinesses polled aren’t experiencingany major adverse effects of the recentVAT hike, particularly given the factthat the findings of our survey in 2010showed that 39% of SMEs in thisregion were expecting to find itdifficult to cope. It seems, for many,those fears haven’t materialised.

“One in 10 SMEs in the UKpreviously stated that they believed theincrease would put them out ofbusiness in early 2011, compared withone in 100 now.

“It’s reassuring to learn that thesebusinesses, which are undoubtedlyvital to our economic recovery, havebeen able to deal with the change.”

Asked how SMEs were managing tocope with the increase, 37% of firms in

the region said they were passing theVAT rise directly to customers.

“It remains to be seen whether thiswill discourage consumer spending,meaning a decrease in sales, “ said MrSeward. “So although there’s reason tofeel optimism at the moment, smallfirms need to keep a close eye on theirorder books and should be looking attheir cash flow to find a way to absorbsome of the increase themselves.

Bigger and betterfor staffing agency

A RECRUITMENT company hascompleted a move to bigger and betterpremises in Huddersfield.

The move by Stafflex comes almost12 years to the day after it begantrading from offices at WakefieldRoad, Aspley, to offer temporarylabour to local industry.

Now the firm’s 10-strong staff oper-ate from premises at InternationalHouse at Chapel Hill.

Managing director Brian Stahelinsaid: “The time is now right for thismove to larger, more suitablepremises, but rest assured our corevalues will remain the same.

“We view the move with confid-ence.”

Stafflex provides workers of alltypes to help customers overcomeproduction highs and lows and savethem the administrative burden ofhiring, firing and payroll.

The company said the “green shootsof recovery” had provided a boost asemployers sought more temporaryworkers to meet increasing demand.

Among them, Stafflex is recruitingengineers of all disciplines to fillwaiting vacancies.

The company has also suppliedproduction managers, receptionists,hair-stylists, project managers, directmarketing consultants and computertechnicians.

Growth in the industrial, commer-cial and education divisions has alsoprompted the move to Chapel Hill,where the premises provide space offurther expansion.

Mr Stahelin said: “It’s been adifficult couple of years, but we haveretained all our employees, main-tained our relationships with ourexisting clients and brought newclients on.

“This has resulted in new opportun-ities for us and has provided us theopportunity to invest in our future.

“Our new offices on Chapel Hill,opposite Sellers, will enable us toenhance our recruitment services andsupport to our existing customers aswell as providing a better space inwhich to run Stafflex.

“It’s been a difficult couple of yearsfor the Yorkshire region, but ourphilosophy of retaining all ouremployees backed by excellent cus-tomer service towards our applicantsand a 100% retention rate with ourclients has ensured steady growth.”

Among its activities, Stafflexteamed up with Huddersfield Town aspart of its sponsorship of the club tolaunch HTAFC Employment, aproject aimed at getting as many Townsupporters who are keen to work intoemployment as soon as possible.

■ BIG MOVE: Stafflex managingdirector Brian Stahelin

All the latest news stor ies from the wor ld of business plus Stock Market pr ices and local shares . . . Page 2

www.chadwicklawrence.co.ukHuddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

Solicitors for business inYorkshire

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICESLocal shares

FTSE closed at

6053.44Down 2.31

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.46 dollarsBangladesh................. 111.95 takaBrazil.............................. 2.29 realsCanada....................... 1.48 dollarsChina ............................. 9.54 yuanCzech Republic ...... 25.33 korunasDenmark....................... 8.01 kroneEuro............................... 1.08 euroHong Kong................ 12.04 dollarsHungary ................... 267.06 forintsIndia.......................... 63.59 rupeesJapan........................... 131.87 yenMexico ....................... 17.07 pesosNew Zealand .............. 1.94 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.40 kronePakistan.................. 130.33 rupeesPhilippines ................. 60.20 pesosSouth Africa................. 10.18 randSouth Korea.............. 1542.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 169.92 rupeesSweden......................... 9.68 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.41 francsTaiwan ...................... 41.27 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.32 new liraUSA ............................ 1.56 dollars

Carclo 292 -3Marshalls 1191/2 +41/4National Grid 590 +1/2Weir Gp 1784 -13

Big squeeze on spendingFAMILIES are facing the biggestpeace-time squeeze in theirspending power since 1921 aswages fail to keep up with soaringinflation, according to a report.

The rising cost of essentialitems such as oil, utility bills, foodand clothes are set to leave theaverage household with £910 ayear less to spend in 2011 thantwo years ago, said the Centre forEconomics and BusinessResearch (CEBR).

Disposable incomes are due tofall by 2% in 2011, following a 0.8%drop in 2010, as cash-strappedconsumers suffer the biggest hitto their finances apart from during

World War Two and the recessionfollowing the First World War, itadded.

It forecasts that inflation willaverage 3.9% in 2011 – its highestsince 1992 – as January’s hike inVAT to 20% from 17.5% and therising cost of oil and othercommodities continue to drive upprices.

Pay packets, on the other hand,will rise just 1.9% asunemployment remains high andthe public sector makes cut-backs.

But the Government’s austeritydrive is “only a minor element inthe squeeze on householdincomes”.

Shops crisis deepenswith ‘historic slump’MORE evidence of the crisis onthe UK high street emergedtoday after the British RetailConsortium (BRC) revealed thebiggest sales drop in itshistory.

With consumers reining in theirspending on all but essential purchases,the BRC said total sales in March weredown 1.9% on a year ago in the biggestdecline since the start of the trade body’smonthly survey in 1995.

The earlier timing of Easter last yearhad a major bearing on the figures butthe BRC said it was clear consumers didnot want to spend “unless they reallyhad to”, despite a growing number ofspecial offers.

It also warned that weaker retailersmay not be able to carry on if such lowlevels of spending continue, sparking

fears of a bloodbath on the high street.Helen Dickinson, head of retail at

survey partner KPMG, said: “We haveseen an emergence of new, lower spend-ing patterns since the middle of January,which are currently continuing to trenddownwards.

“Many retailers will not be able tosustain this ongoing weakness indemand beyond the short-term and arehoping for some good news around theextended bank holiday period and afeel-good factor driven by the royalwedding.”

Retailers have issued a string ofgloomy updates in recent weeks. withMothercare, HMV and Currys and PCWorld parent Dixons Retail all warningon profits and others highlightingtesting conditions.

Chains are feeling the pinch afterhousehold spending power suffered its

first fall in 30 years as wages fail to keepup with uncomfortably high inflation.

BRC director general StephenRobertson said: “Falling disposableincomes and the fear of worse to comemeans people don’t want to spend.There’s only so much discounts andpromotions can do to overcome that.”

He added that the pressures had beenmade worse when National Insurancecontributions rose earlier this month.

Like-for-like sales were down 3.5% intheir worst performance since April2005 and internet sales showed theirslowest growth since records began in2008.

Clothes and book sales suffered theirlargest declines since 2009 and 2005respectively. DIY and gardening alsocontinued to struggle as the uncertainhousing market caused people to delayimprovement work.

Uncertainty for banksT H E R E we re f e a r s o f f u r t h e runcertainty for embattled bank workersafter a report suggested Lloyds BankingGroup should shed more of its branchnetwork to improve competition in thesector.

The Independent Commission onBanking (ICB) made clear in its interimreport that the decision to wave throughLloyds’s rescue takeover of HBOS was amistake, but would now be too costly andcomplicated to undo.

Instead, the five-strong panel ofgrandees at the ICB wants Lloyds tooffload even more of its branches andmortgage and savings business – sayingthe current plans to appease Europeanconcerns on state aid do not go far

enough.While the bank may be breathing a

sigh of relief that the worst case scenarioof a full-blown merger reversal appearsoff the cards, there are concerns that staffat the part-nationalised bank will onceagain pay the price.

Trade union Unite was scathing in itsresponse to the ICB’s report.

David Fleming, Unite national officersaid: “The recommendation to sell offbank branches will not bring radicalchange, but simply brings more insecur-ity for working people in the financesector and often harms communitieswhere the bank branch closure meansmany will not have access to localfinancial services.”

Jobs vowof £450mTHE Government todaypledged to create orsafeguard 100,000 jobsunder plans to invest£450m in businessesacross England.

Under the first roundof the so-called RegionalGrowth Fund, 50 bids bycompanies andpartnerships to promoteeconomic growth andcreate new jobs will begiven financial support.

Ministers said 27,000jobs will be directlycreated or safeguarded,with tens of thousands ofothers supported inassociated supplychains.

‘Protectsavers’BRITISH banks shouldringfence their retailbusinesses frominvestment bankingoperations to protectsavers’ deposits underproposals outlined by theIndependentCommission on Banking(ICB).

The Commission isalso calling for LloydsBanking Group to sellmore of its branches toimprove competition inthe sector, although ithas stopped short ofrecommending a reversalof the HBOS rescuetakeover.

The interim report –which will be followed byfinal recommendations inSeptember – suggestsmeasures designed toreform the industry.

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £28.55 +0.33Gannett 903.10 -0.61Hess Corp £51.18 -0.19Microsoft 1595.22 +5.49Motors Liquidation 45.73Wal-Mart Stores £31.98 -0.05

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEAvon Rbbr 249 +1/2BAE Systems 339 +21/4Rolls-Royce Gp 6291/2 +1/2

AIMBrady Plc 73Dawson Intl 17/8Man Brnze 473/4 +1/2Uniq 691/4 -1/2

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 2045/8 +21/4

BANKSBarclays 3053/8 +81/4HSBC 660 -43/4Lloyds Banking Gp 623/8 +1/4Ryl Scotland 443/8 +1Stan Chart 16781/2 -111/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1192 -9SABMiller £221/4

CHEMICALSCroda 1749 +9Elementis 98 1591/8 -37/8Johnsn Mat 1938 +3

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 3323/8 -27/8Costain 241 -1

ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 4215/8 +7/8Intl Power 3171/4 +11/4Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1318 +6

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTLaird 1331/4 +1/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3751/8 +1

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 1903/4 -1/4Cable & WirelessComm

443/4 -1/2

Cable & WirelessWwide

511/4 +11/4

Colt Group 154 +53/4KCOM 621/2 +1Talktalk Telecom 1363/4 -23/8

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2811/8 -1/4Sainsbury 3367/8 -11/4Tesco 3951/4 -3/8

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 1011 +3Nth Foods 723/4 -1/4Tate Lyle 581 -2Unilever 1904 +1

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 3243/4 +41/2National Grid 590 +1/2Pennon Grp 625 -11/2Severn 1440 +2United Utils 602 +3

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2671/4 -73/4ICAP 514 -5

London StockExch 880 +9Man Group 2431/4 +1Provident Financial 9751/2 -41/2Schroders 1823 +7Schroders NV 1462

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSCooksn Grp 672 -141/2REXAM 372 -1/2Smiths Grp 1336 +6

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 201/4Carphone Whse 372 +2Dixons Retail 121/8Home Retail 2085/8 +3/8Inchcape 3573/8 -21/8Kingfisher 2583/4 -1/4M & S 3591/2 -1/8Mothercare 382 -71/4Next £207/8 +1/8WH Smith 4503/4 +13/4

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6981/2 +2

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 123 -27/8Barrat Dev 1033/8 -43/4Persimmon 4433/8 -191/8Reckitt Benckiser £321/2 -1/4Taylor Wimpey 361/2 -11/2

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 775 -22I M I 1027 -17

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 475

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 205 -3/8

Forth Ports 1636LIFE INSURANCE

Aviva 4523/4 +5/8Lgl & Gen 1201/4 -3/4Old Mutual 1441/2 -1/4Prudential 745 -3Resolution 3113/4 +61/2Standard Life 2151/8 +7/8

MEDIABSkyB 8311/2 -3D Mail Tst 4873/8 -35/8ITV 761/2 +5/8Johnston Press 75/8 -1/8Pearson 1104Reed Elsevier 537 -21/2STV Group 1323/4 -33/4Trinity Mirror 481/2 -3/4Utd Business 602 -4UTV 146 +1WPP 7461/2 -141/2Yell Group 67/8

MININGAnglo American £333/8Antofagasta 1485 +8BHP Billiton £263/8 +1/2Eurasian NaturalRes

9711/2 -2

Fresnillo 1661 +15Kazakhmys 1493 +4Lonmin 1743 -17Rio Tinto £451/4VEDANTARESOURCES

£241/4 -3/8

Xstrata 15271/2 +14MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

Inmarsat 613 -61/2Vodafone Group 177 +1/2

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1613RSA Insurance Gp 1341/2 -1/4

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 1545 -3BP 4743/4 -33/4Cairn Energy 4541/4 +91/8Royal Dutch Shell A £227/8 -1/8Royal Dutch Shell B £223/4 -1/8Total £377/8 -1/8Tullow Oil 1471 -4

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESAMEC 1184 +2

Petrofac 1541Wood Group 6821/2 +8

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry Gp 1159 -24

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGYAstrazeneca £295/8 +1/8Axis-Shield 326 +3/4GlaxoSmithK XD 5Shire 1839 +20

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 5461/2 -31/2Captl Shop Cent 3891/4 +3DTZ Hldgs 28Hamrsn 4463/8 -1/2Land Secs 736 -4SEGRO 312 -1

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1582 -15Invensys 3337/8 -1/8Logica 1277/8 +3/8Misys 3331/4 -11/8Sage Group 275 -3/4

SUPPORT SERVICESBerendsen 4857/8 -1/8Bunzl 7301/2 -3Capita 7271/2 -6De La Rue 780 +2Electrocomp 2673/4 -23/8Experian 773 -3G4S 2631/4 +1/2Hays 1121/4 -1/2Homeserve 4611/2 -31/8Menzies J 5381/2 +71/2Rentokil 901/8 -7/8Smiths News 871/2 -5/8Wolseley £215/8

IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs 5821/2 -11/2Psion 100 -11/2Spirent Comms 1371/4 -3/4

TOBACCO

Br Am Tob £247/8 -1/4Imperial Tobacco 1959 -3

LEISURE & HOTELS

Bwin.Party Digital 1313/4 -37/8Carnival £235/8 -1/8Compass Grp 5491/2 -5easyJet 3221/4 -2Enterprise Inns 881/4FirstGroup 3165/8 +21/8Go-Ahead Gp 1321 -1Greene King 4465/8 -11/8Intercontl Htls 1262 -19Intl Cons AirlinesGp

2151/2 -17/8

Ladbrokes 128 -11/4Mitchells & Butlers 2973/4 -15/8Natl Express 2391/4 +1/4Rank Org 1491/4 +23/8Stagecoach Group 2123/4TUI Travel 2301/8 -31/4Whitbread 1646 -7

INDEXFTSE 100 6053.44 -2.31

INDEXFTSE 250 11689.70 -36.49

■ PRESSURE: Stephen Robertson

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

AndrewDunne

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Co-directorFamily: Partner Annand son Oliver, eightHolidays: Cities withsome culture. Paris,Berlin and Prague arefavourites or StPetersburg in the snowCar: VW BeetleFirst job: Helping mymum with her interiordesign practice and mydad with his antiquesbusinessBest thing aboutjob: The people – bothstaff and customers.Every day is differentWorst thing aboutjob: I haven’t comeacross the worst thingyet!Business tip: Every-one has the potential todo anything that theirheart desires. If youbelieve you can dosomething, you can.Live the dream

Work: Coffee shopwith a difference!Site: Hammond’sYard, King StreetPhone: 01484 531090Web: www.timecirca2010.co.ukE-mail andrew@timecirca2010.co.uk

Time Circa2010

Nowthat’scoffeeculture

ANDREW Dunne is bringinga new twist to the term“coffee culture”.

For the coffee shop heruns in a quiet corner ofHuddersfield town centrehas become a haven forcreative people as well asshoppers looking for acuppa and a slice of cake.

Andrew is co-director ofTime Circa 2010, a coffeeshop with a definitedifference tucked away inHammond’s Yard, off KingStreet.

The stone-built formercottage, one of the oldestbuildings in the town centre,is chock full of interestingfeatures, including classicalsofas with Union Jackcushions, clocks, framedprints, ornaments andsculptures.

“Someone likened it toCharles Dicken’s’ OldCuriosity Shop,” saysAndrew, with evidentsatisfaction – becausethat’s exactly the impressionhe was hoping to create.

Andrew acquired thepremises with partner andco-director Ann Storey lastDecember and in just threemonths they havedeveloped it into a venue forthe town’s creatives topursue their interests inpoetry, art and music.

“It’s not just a coffeeshop,” says Andrew. “It’s arelaxing space wherepeople can spend some‘indulgent’ time. We haveA-rate staff, wholesomefood and some of the finestcoffee in Huddersfield.

“But it is also a venuecatering for creative andartistic people. We have anexcellent rapport with theuniversity with students andacademic staff cominghere.”

Andrew is using his ownbackground in the creativesector as an interiordesigner and productiondesigner who has worked infilm, television and theatreto make the coffee shop avenue for the arts.

He explains: “We havedeveloped a Poetry Cornerwhich meets once a monthand we have started acreative writing course togive individuals theconfidence to write andpresent their work in openforums and discussiongroups.”

Says Andrew: “We arealso hosting an exhibition inMay by Gillian Pugh, acostume designer who isputting on an exhibitionbased on Shakespeare’sMacbeth.

“The idea is to develop anin-house core group ofcutting edge artists anddesigners from Huddersfieldand to promote them in thetown. We have intervieweda number of artists whowant to be involved.”

Other plans include aseries of events to celebrateSt George’s Day – andShakespeare’s birthday –on April 23. There are plansto use the courtyard fordrama events while thesurprisingly spacious firstfloor space has alreadyhosted a Harry Potterthemed birthday party –with the room transformedinto the great hall at

Hogwarts with propsrecalling items from thefilms.

It will also stage a MadHatter’s Tea Party as part ofofficial opening celebrationsthis summer.

The premises also providespace for music lessons orrehearsals by local dramagroups, cake decoratingclasses and music events.

“We were looking for ahistoric space to base thebusiness,” says Andrew. “Welooked at places in York,Harrogate andKnaresborough. However,Huddersfield provides agenuinely creativeenvironment, which links inperfectly with what we weretrying to achieve.

“The building is veryversatile and being an oldbuilding its previous livesand history has ‘soaked in’to the stones, which alsomakes it very atmospheric.”

Andrew admits thatopening a new business inuncertain times was a “bit ofa gamble” but adds:“Everyone needs to eat anddrink. If we make thecustomers feel special theywill want to come here. It isdown to customer serviceand good quality food.

“If you set high standardsfor yourself, you will behopefully meeting customer

expectations.”Andrew certainly has the

pedigree to succeed inbusiness. He can trace hisancestry on his mother’s sideto Sir William Hartley, ofHartley’s Jams fame, whowas renowned for the ethicaltreatment of his workers.

Andrew seeks to emulatethose values with his ownstaff.

“The customers love thestaff – they even bring themcards on their birthdays –and the place has rapidlydeveloped an extendedfamily atmosphere. We haveteenagers, families withyoung children, professionalsfrom local firms and retiredpeople.

“I can’t thank the staff andcustomers enough for theirenthusiasm and support.”

Andrew hails fromBurnbridge, near Harrogatein North Yorkshire, but cameto Huddersfield when he tookup a post as a lecturer ininterior design at Batley ArtCollege. He also ran his ownpractice, which brought himinto the sphere of TV, filmand theatre. His creditsinclude thecritically-acclaimed TinaGoes Shopping, which wasnominated for a BAFTA.

“You tend to cover all thedisciplines,” he says. “That’spart of the thinking about

having an in-house teamof artists.

“I spent a lot of time inLondon and Edinburghwhere this kind of venueis commonplace, but it issomething new toHuddersfield – a placewhere poets and artistscan celebrate their work inan environment createdspecially for them. Wehave one group of ladieswho are all artists andwho have been dubbedthe new BloomsburyGroup!”

Andrew says beingcreative has enabled himto “think outside the box”in setting up the business.

He also uses thosetalents to help youngstersin Kirklees schoolsdevelop their academicskills and move towardsemployment as a mentorwith Edgerton-basedCompact EducationBusiness Services, whichprovides a link betweenschools and industry to

help raise educationalstandards and encourageenterprise.

“I have been involvedwith CEBS for five years,”says Andrew. “It’s aboutgiving something back tosociety. We all getsomething out of life and itis only fair that we putsomething back.

“It is about assistingstudents at all levels andproviding constructivesupport to help thembecome more confident inapplying for jobs andattending interviews orhelping them to find workplacements.

“There is so much talentin this country. We haveled the world for centuries,but for a period webecame dormant. Nowthat creative talent isawakening again. Thereare little blooms poppingup everywhere.”

■ CREATIVE FORCE: Andrew Dunne, co-director of TimeCirca 2010, is putting art on the menu in Huddersfield

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

TAXTALKColin Barratt

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworthchartered accountants, Huddersfield

Time to getpension adviceSEMINARS have been planned toprovide employers with insights intothe workplace pension reforms.Eastwood & Partners (FinancialServices) Ltd are running twosessions on Wednesday, April 20, atits offices at NorthumberlandHouse, Northumberland Street inHuddersfield.The morning session gets underway at 9.30am with the afternoonsession starting at 2pm.Refreshments will be available foran hour before the sessions begin.Karen Wynard, head of corporateservices, said: “The seminars aredesigned to give employers thebasic details that they need andgive them the knowledge they needto be able to plan for something thatis going to affect them at somepoint in the next few years.”Email Karen on karen@eastwoodfinancial.co.uk or Lucy Hodgson onlucyh@eastwoodand partners.co.uk

Top marks for10 associatesBRANDspecialist 10Associates haslanded two majordeals with theUK’s leadingagribusiness.Bradley-based 10Associates willdevelop newwebsites for twoof AB Agri’s divisions, KW andTrident, as well as developing andimplementing design work for anine-month marketing programmefor KW and that division’s Blendsportfolio.David Worthington, 10 Associatesmanaging director, said: “Althoughwe have worked with AB Agri forseveral years, these pitches werecompetitive, so we are delighted tohave been successful and to be ableto continue providing design workthat achieves results for theirbusiness.“With our proposals for thewebsites, we had to demonstratethat we understood their targetaudience, which is predominantlyfarmers and could develop sites thatwere appropriate for the agriculturalindustry whilst still beingcontemporary in look and feel.“I believe that our experience andunderstanding of their businesswere key factors in our being chosenfor this project.”Netta de la Cour, marketing managerfor Trident, said: “We were veryimpressed with the way 10Associates really understood whatwas important to our customers andhow they would be using thiswebsite, as well as the excellent andeasy to use content managementsystem they are going to beproviding.”

How to avoid thatwedding day rowKIRKLEES firms have beenurged to make their staffpolicies clear to avoid upset onthe day of the royal wedding.

T h e G o v e r n m e n t h a sdeclared the wedding day apublic holiday, but West York-shire Society of CharteredAccountants said there wouldbe little to cheer for someworkers who have been toldthey must work – but notreceive any extra pay.

Society president Tim Parrsaid: “While millions arelooking forward to the royalwedding at the end of April, arow over arrangements for staffthat have to work on the day isbrewing.

“Communication is the keyhere. If employees are madeaware what the companies’policies are, then it can makefor a very splendid historic

occasion for everyone.”Mr Parr said employers

should consider screening thewedding at their businesspremises if they are not plan-ning to close for the day andmaking arrangements for staffto watch the pageantry. Theycould also allow staff to watchvia the web.

But they should also be clearon their policy if staff call insick on the day of the weddingwhen they were meant to beworking.

Said Mr Parr: “Obviously,companies have had a toughtime lately and this includesstaff – many of whom have seenhours cut back and wagesreduced.

“Businesses can use thisopportunity to show that theycare about their staff andensure everyone is paid what

they are entitled to and allowthem to partake in the royalcelebrations if they so wish.”

Some NHS employees inhospitals in England are expec-ted to work the public holidayat their normal rate with no dayin lieu or extra pay. This hascaused a row between Unisonand health bosses. Staff havebeen told that they must applyfor annual leave if they wish totake the day off – with noguarantee it will be granted.

The governments in Scot-land, Wales and Northern Ire-land – and now some hospitaltrusts in England – have agreedto pay staff at bank holidayrates, but many English hospit-als plan to treat it as a normalworking day. The Departmentof Health has said it is up toeach local trust to decidewhether to pay overtime.

■ ROYALTY CHECK: Accountancy societypresident Tim Parr

Budget’s capital ideasTHE intention of the

Chancellor’s Budgetdelivered a couple of weeksago is about “reforming thenation’s economy, so thatwe have enduring growthand jobs in the future”.

As part of the process forg e n e r a t i n g g r o w t h , h eannounced that the lifetime limitfor capital gains eligible forEntrepreneurs’ Relief is todouble from £5m to £10m forqualifying disposals arising on orafter April 6, 2011.

Such gains are taxed at a rateof 10% rather than the higherrates of CGT of 18% and 28%.

But for indiv iduals (ortrustees) who have already madequalifying gains above theprevious £5m limit before April6, no additional relief for thosegains will be allowed followingthe increase to £10m.

Qualifying gains include thedisposal of the whole or part of atrade carried on by an individualor partnership member.

In the vast majority of cases,most saleable businesses arecarried on via a limited companyand Entrepreneurs’ Relief will beavailable on the sale of the sharesin an individual’s personalcompany, if throughout a periodof 12 months prior to the dis-posal the company carried on atrade and the individual owned

at least 5% of the ordinary sharecapital and voting rights andthey were an officer or employeeof the company.

In just over 12 months,Entrepreneurs Rel i e f hasincreased by £9m, making it avaluable relief, with potentialCGT savings of up to £1.8m(£10m x 28%-10%) or £3.6m forqualifying husband and wifedisposals.

In a further move to stimulategrowth, pre-announced reduc-tions in the rate of CorporationTax have been enhanced forcompanies with taxable profits inexcess of £1.5m.

The main rate is to be reducedfrom 28% to 26% from April 1,2011 (originally 27%).

Further graduated reductionsare to be made until the main rateis 23% by April 1, 2014.

The CT rate applied to com-panies whose profits are less than£300,000 is to be reduced from

21% to 20% from April 1, 2011.Although the reduction in the

headline rate of Corporation Taxis to be welcomed, the rate of taxrelief on capital expenditureincurred on or after April, 2012,is being reduced.

The amount of expenditurequalifying for the 100% write offis to be reduced to £25,000 fromthe current limit of £100,000.

Those planning significantcapital outlay over the next fewm o n t h s s h o u l d c a re f u l lyconsider the timing of theirexpenditure so as to maximisethe tax relief available.

Similarly, for those contem-plating the sale of their business,they will need to ensure that theyfulfil the criteria to obtain theC G T s av i n g s o ff e r e d byEntrepreneurs’ Relief and do sofor at least 12 months prior todisposal.

Check you qualify before youstart the sale process.

Odds-on favouriteTHEY’RE off to the races!

The third event organised by HuddersfieldTown’s Enterprise Academy will take place atPontefract racecourse next Tuesday – whendelegates will be able to mix business withpleasure.

Company boss Paul Ramsden will providean insight into how his family-owned businessbecame a success while there will also be acontribution from Town legend Andy Booth.

The event, which starts at noon, will alsoinclude an afternoon of racing with the lastrace scheduled for 5.51pm.

Social media expert Paul Scott, ofYorkshire Business Growth will cycle fromHuddersfield to Pontefract to attend the eventas part of his training for Town’s epicfund-raising bike ride to Brighton. Alldonations will be welcome.

Management Buy-Out On The Horizon?Get some trusted and independent advice and

experience on assessing your optionsWe can guide you from start to finish:✑ Negotiating the deal✑ Raising acquisition finance and working

capital✑ Due diligence✑ Tax-planning✑ Getting the job done

For further information please contactDavid ButterworthP 01484 423691

david.butterworth@wheawills.co.uk

W&SWheawill & Sudworth

Chartered AccountantsBusiness & Tax AdvisersRegistered Auditorswww.wheawills.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Karen Wynard is head of corporate services at Eastwood &Partners (Financial Services) Ltd

FINANCIALFOCUSKaren Wynard

Brand update

Export adviceworth heedingKIRKLEES companies have been urgedto join the export drive.Figures from the government’s exportsupport organisation UK Trade &Investment showed that firmsembarking on exporting could expect tosee a 34% improvement in productivity.And exporting business are 11% morelikely to survive than those withoutoverseas sales.The relatively low value of Sterlingagainst most major currencies is alsohelping the competitiveness of UKproducts and services across theworld.Now Business Link Yorkshire hasteamed up with South YorkshireInternational Trade Centre and UKTI torun a series of workshops called AreYou Ready to Export?They are paired with sessions entitledDeveloping and Bringing New Ideas toMarket, which offer small andmedium-sized firms tips on exploitingnew ideas.The workshops run from 1.30pm to4.30pm on Thursday at LeedsMetropolitan University; Tuesday, April19, at the Holiday Inn, Sheffield;Thursday, May 5, at the Hallmark Hotelin Hull; Monday, May 9, at The Cairn,Harrogate; and Tuesday, June 7, at TheRegent Hotel, Doncaster.Visit www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.ukor call 08456 048048 to book.

Don’t disregardthe key issuesIS your business protected against

the loss of a key person?The majori ty of businesses wi l l

understand the need to manage the risksthat they face every day.

They insure their premises, equipmentand stock against fire, flood and theft andthey insure their vehicles.

Equally, however, the majority ofbusinesses do not think about what wouldhappen if they lost another important asset– their key people.

Many small and medium-sized businessesrely on certain key people.

For example, it could be a sales managerwhose contacts and relationships make surethat sales remain on target or it could be adesigner who is responsible for the develop-ment of new products.

Without such key people, the businesscould suffer serious financial loss or even goout of business completely.

Going further than financial loss in termsof the loss of key people, what would happenif one of the business owners died or suffereda critical illness?

Who would take their place and wouldthat person have the skills necessary to fillthe role? Would that person even want to fillthat role?

Whatever a key person does, their losscould have disastrous consequences for thebusiness and in the absence of a key person,the business could suffer various problems.

As mentioned earlier, loss of profits iscertainly one problem, but what about theneed and cost of recruiting and training areplacement or what about the difficultiesthat could occur in raising new finance fornew business developments?

Taking things a step further, the loss of akey person could mean the loss of importantpersonal and business contacts or evengoodwill and the loss of both of these couldresult in financial implications for anybusiness.

Business protection insurance is designedto protect businesses against the effects oflosing one of their key people or one of the

owners through death, critical illness ortemporary disability.

Many businesses do not have any suchinsurance in place, but would it not makesense to insure the most important asset ofany successful business – the key people?

Some businesses may not have this insur-ance because they are not aware of itsexistence or if they are, they may be worriedabout the cost.

Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services)Ltd can provide an independent, specialistadvisory service with regard to this type ofinsurance.

If you are interested in finding out moreabout this insurance and how it works, oneof our independent financial advisers wouldbe happy to talk you through this.

A GROUP of firms providingservices in the field ofelectronics has undergone are-branding to bring all thebusinesses under oneumbrella.

The move by S2S followslast year’s merger of S2SElectronics and Bruce RIDRecycling – when bothcompanies were workingunder different names.

Now Turnbridge-based S2Shas four divisions – S2SElectronics, S2S LifecycleServices, S2S DataDestruction and S2SSolutions.

S2S Lifecycle Services –incorporating the former BruceRID Recycling business – andS2S Solutions have taken up ahigh-security site based inSheffield.

It is also used by the S2SData Destruction division, toprovide “lifecycle services”and diversify into refurbishingand re-marketing sectors.

S2S Solutions provides asafe and secure solution forredundant, working andnon-working corporate mobilephones and smart phones.

Alanna Drysdale, marketingmanager at the S2S Group,said: “Mobile phones today

provide just as much accessto confidential data as harddrives, media tapes, and USBsticks and therefore requirethe same high security andprocess measures.”

She said: “Companydirectors are under greaterpressure than ever todecrease the amount ofexpenditure on assets and todecrease their operatingcosts, while still supplyingtechnologies that give them acompetitive edge within theUK market.

“However many companiesdo not recognise the residualvalue that is in their redundantIT equipment and do not havethe time or the resources toassess their equipment.

“S2S Lifecycle Services andS2S Solutions can take thepressure off companies byevaluating their units for them,allowing them to make themost economical decision fortheir organisation.”

In addition to its majordivisions, the group alsooperates a sub-contractmanufacturing and designdivision, S2S Electronics,which is based inHuddersfield.

Fantastic’s figuresFULL service marketing agencyFantastic Media posted itsbest-ever results for the firstquarter of 2011 – and said theperformance reflectsgrowing optimismamong the region’sbusinesses.

Birstall-basedFantastic Mediaposted the improvedfigures aftercelebrating its fifthbirthday at the startof the year with amove into new, bespoke offices– and notching up six contractwins since the start of the year.

Managing director AndyHobson (pictured) said the firmwas continuing to grow at an“exceptional” pace and now

looked to expand its clientservices team.

Fantastic has been retainedto supply marketing services to

commercial vehicleretailer Stormont,specialist recyclerSunersol, office fit outcompany Butler &Willow, IT supportprovider Adept 4,logistics company LinQAlliance and prestigecar company OverfinchUK.

Said Mr Hobson: “We’venoticed a definite optimismsince the beginning of the year,with businesses ready toactively promote themselves inthe marketplace once again.”

Strata forges onYORKSHIRE housebuilder StrataHomes hailed a “very successful” yearas it posted annual pre-tax profits of£1.8m.The Doncaster-based company, whichhas a development at Norfolk Avenue inHuddersfield, sold 305 new homes inthe past 12 months – generatingrevenue of £43.18m with an averageselling price of £150,025.

Independent financialplanning services for

companies and individualsEastwood & PartnersEastwood & Partners

(Financial Services) Ltd(Financial Services) LtdPennine House, Lowfields Close, Lowfields

Business Park, Elland HX5 9DA01422 377737

www.eastwoodfinancial.co.ukAuthorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

Further fall in ‘void’periods lifts sectorTHE average “void” period of private rentedsector property has fallen for threeconsecutive quarters on the back of stronglevels of tenant demand, according to latestresearch by buy-to-let mortgage specialistParagon.The average annual void period recorded inthe first quarter of 2011 stood at 2.8 weeks.Paragon said this figure had steadilydeclined from a high of 3.5 weeks recordedin the second quarter of 2010. The currentfigure is at its lowest since the first quarterof 2009.The survey by Paragon showed that 45% oflandlords experience a void period – thelength of time a property is without a tenant– of less than two weeks a year, with 34%experiencing voids of between two and fourweeks. Void periods allow landlords tocarry out maintenance and improvementwork on their properties.Paragon said tenant demand had risensignificantly over the past two years due tothe continued shortage of mortgagefinance in the owner-occupied sector andlonger-term socio-economic changes suchas greater numbers of economic migrantsand single person households, which isplacing greater pressure on private rentedsector stock.

Bank sets up property teamA FOUR-STRONG team ofrelationship managers has beencreated to help Yorkshireproperty businesses – as LloydsTSB Commercial announcesthat lending to the sector in theregion rose by 8.75% in 2010.

That figure represents lendingto small and medium-sizedproperty businesses with aturnover of up to £15m –companies which needdedicated advice to help themnavigate a slowly recovering

sector.The investment in a specialist

team comes as Lloyds TSBCommercial has been appointedthe preferred banking partner bythe Royal Institution ofChartered Surveyors and isoffering dedicated bankingservices to RICS members.

Dave Catley, relationshipdirector for Lloyds TSBCommercial in Yorkshire, saidthat securing preferred supplierstatus with the RICS meant the

bank was establishing itself as aleading provider of finance andbanking to one of the mostimportant business sectors inthe UK.

He said: ““The SME propertysector is crucial to the UK andregional economy.

“The fact that we haveincreased lending by 8.7% is anindicator that our strategy ofinvesting in this dedicated teamis what businesses are lookingfor.

“Many of our propertycustomers are now consideringpurchasing property – such astheir own premises – again aftera cautious couple of years. Thisis good news for a recoveringeconomy.”

Said Mr Catley: “Byestablishing this team inYorkshire, we are aiming tofurther increase lending to theright businesses at a time whenthe SME property sector needsconfidence and stability.

Industrial spacein big demandTHE amount of industrial spaceacquired across Yorkshireduring 2010 reached a recordhigh, according to latest figures.

The National Industrial andDistribution Report publishedby p ro p e r t y c o n s u l t a n c yLambert Smith Hamptonshowed the take-up of space roseby 30.5% compared with 2009 toreach a record 10.5m sq ft.

Rob Whatmuff, regional headof industrial and logistics agencyfor LSH in Yorkshire said: “Thelast 12 months has seen anincreased level of take-up forexisting stock, albeit on favour-able terms for the occupier.

“This take-up has seen asignificant reduction on stand-ing stock.”

The research found thattake-up in the distribution sectorsoared – with 10 transactions

undertaken on buildings over175,000sq ft.

Activity came from the retailsector with supermarkets,department stores, discount andinternet retailers responsible for79% of take-up.

Despite demand reaching arecord high, availability rose to44.4m sq ft, an increase of 14.5%on 2009.

However, much of the stockreturning to the market is obsol-ete, lower quality and unwantedstock, said Mr Whatmuff.

Focusing on rental values, hesaid: “Landlords have becomemore accommodating in retain-ing existing tenants and havebeen prepared to offer stronglyincentivised deals on leaserenewals.

“This has led to a downwardspiral in rental levels.

“However, the growingshortage of good quality accom-modation combined with a con-tinuation of 2010 take-up figureswill lead to increased rentallevels in the future, resulting in ashift in the balance of power tolandlords.”

Said Mr Whatmuff: “Thereare several key development sitesin West Yorkshire which couldfacilitate the anticipated demandin the ‘big shed’ distributionmarket over coming years, aswell as the immediate demandfor small to medium-sized newbuild accommodation

“While in South Yorkshire, thelarger distribution marketrequires fur ther take-up,medium-sized units in theprimary locations continue togenerate demand and are oflimited supply.”

Job cuts put office space in spotlightMASSIVE job losses in thepublic sector will hit WestYorkshire’s office market hard, aregional property expert haswarned.

The Office of BudgetResponsibility has estimatedthat 320,000 generalgovernment jobs will go over thenext five years.

Property agency CB RichardEllis said that the job cuts wouldput extra pressure on the privatesector to drive growth.

Jonathan Shires, director ofoffice agency at CBRE in Leeds,said civil service and publicsector jobs accounted for about10% of employment across theUK office markets. In Leedsalone, more than 1m sq ft ofoffices space is occupied bycentral government.

Said Mr Shires: “As part of the

Government’s measures tosignificantly reduce spending,there will be substantial joblosses in forthcoming monthsand undoubtedly these cuts willlead to a reassessment bygovernment of the office spaceit occupies.

“The Government PropertyUnit is now tasked with themanagement of civil estate andthis has led to a moratorium onthe signing of new propertyleases or extensions. This,along with the job cuts and adrive for more efficientoccupation, will all mean thatless space is occupied.

“However, where office spaceis occupied on commercialleases, the realities of theproperty market cannot beignored which could go someway to counter-balance the

situation. Therefore, leaseexpires will generateopportunities to consolidate intomore efficient buildings and wecould witness modest demandfor Grade A stock as a result.”

Mr Shires said: “Take-up bythe public sector had alreadyslowed throughout 2010 withpressure placed on privatesector businesses to lead thecountry out of recession.

“This will continue in the wakeof the new, expected job cuts. Itis therefore encouraging that themain source of private sectordemand for office space, thefinancial and business servicessector, is forecast to seestronger nationwide growth overthe next five years, which shouldhopefully outpace the lossesexpected from the public sector.”

■ RENT RISE: Rob Whatmuff,regional head of industrial andlogistics agency for LSH inYorkshire

■ EFFICIENCY: JonathanShires, director of office agencyfor CBRE in West Yorkshire

New record forbusy DTZ teamTHE industrial andlogistics team atDTZ in WestYorkshire hassmashed its ownrecord for thenumber of deals.The team completedmore than 50 dealsinvolving 2m sq ft ofspace during thethird and fourthquarters of 2010 andthe first quarter of 2011 – more than everbefore in an equivalent period.The deals include a mix of acquisition anddisposals on a freehold and leaseholdbasis of industrial, warehousing andmanufacturing premises across Yorkshire.Paul Mack (pictured), associate director ofindustrial agency, said “Despite tougheconomic conditions, we have seen adramatic rise in transactions over the lastnine months.“A combination of lower rents and greaterincentives being offered by landlords overthe past two years and a continued appetitefor freehold premises from the occupiersector has certainly created anenvironment where in some locationstake-up levels have exceeded allexpectations.“In addition, certain sectors are seeingstrong growth, such as the steelstockholding industry and any companyrelated to the food sector.”Said Mr Mack: “Take-up levels are expectedto continue at a similar rate. However, withno new development on the horizon, thedemand-supply ratio is starting to shiftback into the landlord’s favour in certainlocations.“For example, we have started to seecertain occupiers struggle to find suitableaccommodation in Leeds in the 15,000sq ftto 20,000sq ft range and we are aware of acouple of companies with largerequirements for West Yorkshire who arehaving to consider design and buildpackages due to a shortage of availablestock.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSKIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

A ROBUST performance by the UK construc-tion sector in March has been overshadowedby warnings over the spiralling cost of fuel, oiland steel.

The latest Markit/CIPS Purchasing Man-agers’ Index survey for the construction sector– where a reading above 50 indicates growth –fell to 56.4 in March.

That was slightly down on the eight-monthhigh of 56.5 for the previous month.

Economists had forecast that the rate wouldfall to 54.8, but each of the three sub-sectors ofthe industry – civil, residential and commercial– recorded continued growth in March.

There were further signs of inflationarypressure after the industry said input pricesrose to a 31-month high, driven by higher rawmaterial prices.

Other “worrying” signs about the sector’sfuture health have also emerged – as confid-ence was dented by the Government’s austeritycuts and growth in new orders slowed to belowits historical average.

David Noble, chief executive of CIPS, said:“On the surface there wasn’t much of a changein the construction sector in March, but thereis plenty to put businesses on edge about theirfuture prospects.

“The spectre of government spending cuts iscausing the greatest concern, particularly asgovernment stimulus starts to crumble.”

Today’s figures will boost hopes that theeconomy returned to growth in the firstquarter of 2011, but will heap more pressure onthe Bank of England to raise interest rates in abid stave off mounting inflation.

Success for agency asIndustrial estate is fully let

Worries pile upfor construction

■ GOING UP: inflationary pressures are driving up raw material costs for the constructionsector as the Government austerity cuts kick in

AN industrial estate is nowfully let following a series ofdeals.Eddisons, which hasoffices in Huddersfield,acted on behalf of landlordRoyds Properties tocomplete the lettings atEnterprise Court, off TongStreet, Bradford.Fusion Paper and Boardhas taken a unit extendingto 2,113 sq ft whileButterfield Signs haveincreased their presence onthe site by taking twofurther units totalling 6,000sq ft to add to the 16,000 sqft they already occupy.Shazad Mahmood(pictured), of Eddisonssaid: “We are delighted to

have concluded these dealswhich prove that even indifficult times there is stilldemand for good qualityindustrial space. The factthat some tenants aretaking additional space tobe able to handle morework is also a positivesign.”Eddisons has acted onbehalf of the landlord,Royds Properties on alllettings since they boughtthe site three years ago, in adeal which Eddisons alsoconcluded.Max Royds, director ofRoyds Properties said:“The site has provedpopular with a range oftenants ever since we

bought it.“It has excellent loadingand parking facilities andits close proximity to theM606 is a real benefit.”Since the start of the year,Eddisons has alsocompleted lettings on afurther 18,000 sq ft of spaceat industrial sites acrossBradford, many of whichare let to small andmedium-sized businesses.Mr Mahmood said: “Thesuccess or otherwise ofsmall and medium-sizedbusinesses is often a keyeconomic barometer. Thefact that we are seeingdemand from tenants inthese groups isencouraging.”

PRICEREDUCED

FOR SALECar Sales & MOT StationWell Lane, Batley, WF17 5HQ1Garage and substantial car display area1378m2 (4,071 sq ft)1 Site area of 0.22 ha (0.54 acres) approx1 Edge of town centre locationPrice: On Application

TO LETVarious Workshop UnitsCaldervale Works, River Street, Brighouse, HD6 1NL1Various workshop units1265 – 2,748m2 (2,857 – 29,581 sq ft)1Ample secure yard/parking provisionRent: From £2.75 per sq ft per annum exclusive

TO LETNew Build Workshop UnitsCalder Trading Estate, Lower Quarry Road,Huddersfield, HD5 0RR1149.96m2 (1,614 sq ft)1Generous yard and car parking1 Leeds Road Corridor location, close to J25 of M621 Located off busy A62 Leeds/Huddersfield Trunk RoadRent: £3 per sq ft per annum exclusive

TO LETModern Workshop UnitUnit B, Brockholes Business Park,Rock Mill Road, Huddersfield, HD9 7BN1307m2 (3,308 sq ft)1Prominent location adjacent to the A616

New Mill RoadRent: £5.25 per sq ft per annum exclusive

TO LETProminent Office/Workshop UnitUnit 7, Brookfoot Business ParkElland Road, Brookfoot, Brighouse, HD6 2SD1 Frontage to busy A6025 Elland Road1 Ease of access to J25 of M621364m2 (3,921 sq ft)Rent: £19,500 per annum exclusive

TO LETModern Warehouse UnitOld Fieldhouse Lane, Huddersfield, HD2 1AG1Up to 1,465m2 (15,760 sq ft)1 Leeds Road Corridor location1Generous, secure yard and1Car parking provisionRent: Reduced with incentives available

FOR SALELand at Red Doles RoadHuddersfield, HD2 1AT1 Large surfaced secure yard area10.24 ha (0.60 acres)1Redevelopment potential (STP)Price: On Application

TO LETIndustrial PremisesPine Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1SS1Workshop/storage unit1473.64m2 (5,098 sq ft)1 Edge of town centre location1 Ease of access to A62 Leeds Road CorridorRent: £15,000 per annum exclusive

FOR SALE

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Ace service rewarded

A MOTOR trader in Huddersfield isthe latest to be recognised forcustomer service.

Quarmby Garage, of Quarmby, hasreceived an award from WestYorkshire Trading Standards for itscommitment to high standards ofcustomer care as a member of theWest Yorkshire Motor TradePartnership.

Graham Hebblethwaite, chiefofficer of West Yorkshire TradingStandards, said: “This awardillustrates the continued dedicationthat Quarmby Garage has inensuring that their customers receivethe highest level of customer service.

“Choosing to use a garage that is a

member of the partnership shouldeliminate doubt and give consumersthe extra reassurance that they aredealing with a reputable trader.”

Clr Mohan Sokhal, a member ofthe trading standards committee, said“It is encouraging that local garagesare working in partnership withTrading Standards to provideconsumers of West Yorkshire with anexcellent standard of service andcare.

“Consumers should be aware thatthis Partnership is a means ofproviding peace of mind whenmaking such purchases, and is avaluable asset”.

Conference callfor Holmfirth man

■ CAR CARE: Richard Guthrie, of West Yorkshire Trading Standards,presents the award to Sarah Robinson, of Quarmby Garage

Town’s net gainfrom sponsorsA FINANCIAL advice firm inHuddersfield is backing Hud-dersfield Town’s star players.

Robertson Baxter will be titlesponsors of the club’s annualawards ceremony held after thehome game against Brentford onMay 7.

Ten awards are up for grabs onthe night. They include thePlayer of the Year Award, whichwas won by Town captain PeterClarke last year, and the Contri-bution to the CommunityAward, which went to CarlDickinson.

Robertson Baxter will sponsorTown’s showpiece commercialevent of the year held at thestadium. In attendance will beTown’s entire playing and man-agement squad as well as mem-bers of the media and clubpartners.

Robertson Baxter, headed by

Greg Robertson and StephenBaxter, is an independent finan-cial adviser managing close to£100m for more than 140 familiesand trustees.

Town commercial managerTracy Nelson said: ““It is fant-astic to have a successful, Hud-dersfield-based company as them a i n s u p p o r t e r s o f o u rshowpiece event of the year.

“Planning for the ceremony iswell under way and – as always –everyone associated with the clubis looking forward to what prom-ises to be a fantastic night.”

Said Greg: “HuddersfieldTown are a club heading in theright direction. They have anexcellent portfolio of businessand commercial partners and weare very proud to be associatedwith them and sponsoring theirannual awards ceremony.”

Seminars put focuson backing businessA LAW firm with officesin Huddersfield is hostingseminars covering IT andlegal topics of interest tosmall businesses in WestYorkshire.

Chadwick Lawrencewill host the BrighterConnections seminars atits offices at ParagonBusiness Village inWakefield.

The first, focusing onLow Cost BusinessDisruption Planning, willtake place from 8.30amto 10am on Thursday.Another talk, GettingAhead of the Game, willbe held at the same timeon Wednesday, May 11.

Said a spokesman:“We hope these eventswill give local businessesthe opportunity to meetsome of the team here atBrighter Connections andgain an insight into someof the current ‘hot topics’in the world of IT thatcould bring tangiblebenefits or cost savings

to your business.”He added: “Today,

more than ever, allbusinesses depend onthe availability of dataand it may be somethingwe take for granted.

“Data may be ‘missioncritical’ to your businessand loss or interruptionof this data could bedisastrous or you maysimply be sending emailsto and receiving emailsfrom your customers andsuppliers.

“Whatever the case,one thing is certain –loss of data orinterruption of servicethrough fire, flood,human error orhardware/software failurecould be costly,inconvenient and timeconsuming for yourbusiness.”

Call 03707 551515 oremail marketing@brighter-connections.com

■ PRIZE GUYS: Huddersfield Town commercial managerTracy Nelson with Greg Robertson (left) and Stephen Baxter,of independent financial advisers Robertson Baxter, who aresponsoring the club’s awards night

Tim Ingram

WAMA MARKETING company has made a keyappointment.

Wright Angle Marketing (WAM) hasrecruited Tim Ingram as head of creative. Hisappointment follows three recent additions tothe team at the Greetland-based firm.

Mr Ingram has more than 20 yearsexperience in graphic design and print. Forthe past 11 years, he ran his own business,Ten Men Design, producing print literatureand large format exhibition graphics forclients nationwide.

He said: “I’ve loved working freelance, butfeel the time is right to join a vibrant creativeteam again. I jumped at the opportunity towork with WAM.”

The appointments come as WAM, led bymanaging director Judith Wright (picturedfront, left with other team members),celebrates its 10th anniversary.

A HOLMFIRTH businessman took centrestage at an international conference.

Steve Harvey-Franklin, who owns WSIYorkshire, addressed the annual WSI GlobalExcellence and Innovation Conference inBirmingham to talk to delegates from the UK,Europe, USA and further afield abouteffective marketing activities.

He also joined a round table panel toprovide advice to businesses on growth.

Said Steve: “In these difficult economictimes, it’s vital that every business has theinformation that it needs to enable it toprosper. The E&I conference is a great eventto help all those who attend to do just that.”

Other speakers at the event included ScottKlososky, a globally-renowned technologyspeaker who addresses future trends in anyareas of business and society.

Legal presentationA HUDDERSFIELD solicitor returned to hisold university for a prize-giving ceremony.

Nigel Priestley, senior partner of Ridley &Hall and Law Society Private PracticeSolicitor of the Year for 2010, was back onfamiliar ground at Warwick Law School.

He was on hand to present the Julia KerrPrize to the student making the best use ofthe skills and knowledge gained at WarwickLaw School to make an importantcontribution to human rights in thecommunity.

Margaret O'Leary was awarded the JuliaKerr Human Rights Award 2011 for herinvolvement with Femin Ijtihad, anorganisation promoting Asian women’s rightsto activism.

Mr Priestley also gave a talk entitled Howto Make a Difference Through Law.