Featured News
CWLEP will leave "a lasting legacy"
"CWLEP is, and always has been, one of the top performing LEPs in England and Coventry & Warwickshire continues to outperform many other areas in the UK"
Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Sarah Windrum, has spoken of her pride in its achievements over the last 11 years and has vowed that its legacy will live on.
Earlier this year the Government announced in the Levelling-Up White Paper that LEPs in England are to integrate into local democratic institutions. Following this, CWLEP’s Board of Directors met on September 22 to agree it will cease its functions by March 31, 2023.
Since 2011, CWLEP has brought to the area £191 million of investment which has been match-funded by £407.4 million for a wide range of projects throughout Coventry and Warwickshire. This has led to the creation of over 17,500 jobs and support for 6,200 learners.
Three rounds of funding from Central Government’s Local Growth Fund have also led to building 5,500 new homes, the completion of 150,000 sqm of commercial floorspace, new Centres of Excellence for valuable local skills including WMG’s Degree Apprenticeship Centre and WCG’s Trident Centre.
To ensure that businesses continue to receive the support they need, the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub will be established as a stand-alone entity with a new Board and revised governance structure as a community interest company. CWLEP expertise will be retained here through the existing team who have supported nearly 5,500 businesses with bespoke guidance.
The new CW Growth Hub will also integrate Coventry & Warwickshire Champions and Coventry & Warwickshire Place Board with the new Group initially funded by legacy monies from CWLEP and Local Authorities. The new Growth Hub Board will establish a Coventry & Warwickshire Economic Forum to ensure the needs of business are factored into future economic planning.
Sarah Windrum said: “CWLEP leaves a lasting legacy of which we can all be proud. CWLEP is, and always has been, one of the top performing LEPs in England and Coventry & Warwickshire continues to outperform many other areas in the UK as an attractive location for new investment.
“CWLEP funding has made a considerable difference to our town centres through projects like Transforming Nuneaton, Henley Street in Stratford, and the North Warwickshire Arts Challenge as well as infrastructure improvements ahead of Leamington hosting the Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“Partnerships are at the heart of LEPs and that has particularly been the case in Coventry & Warwickshire where the united approach between the private and public sectors has been paramount to all our achievements. CWLEP has brought together our Local Authorities; District and Borough Councils; the private sector and our business representative organisations; and partners including voluntary, community, Further and Higher Education, and health sectors to achieve real impact for our area. And this approach through strength in partnership remains."
Warwickshire County Council Chief Executive, Monica Fogarty, shares the pride in what the CWLEP has achieved and pledged that the strong spirit of collaboration towards working to keep the region's economy strong will continue.
"Warwickshire County Council, along with all of our partners in the region, shares in the pride of CWLEP's achievements," she said. "It has been rightly recognised as one of the top performing LEPs in the country with an outstanding track record for attracting investment and helping to create the conditions in which our regional economy has thrived.
"The County Council will not waver from a commitment to work alongside public sector partners and businesses representatives to ensure that Coventry and Warwickshire continues to prosper as an area where businesses choose to invest and grow."
Investment Zone status would trigger jobs and growth
“It is wonderful news for Warwickshire and for Coventry that the site of the Gigafactory is on the shortlist to be an Investment Zone."
Warwickshire is among a shortlist of locations in the UK chosen as trailblazers for the Government’s new flagship Investment Zones (IZ).
Coventry & Warwickshire is home to the West Midlands Gigafactory site, a key site for the West Midlands, as the UK transforms the automotive supply chain for a net-zero carbon battery electric and fuel cell future. The 530,000sqm site, capable of hosting a 60gw/h cell manufacturing plant, is located on the Coventry border in Warwick District.
It is one of a number of sites within Warwickshire that are the focus of significant interest and investment from UK and global automotive future mobility supply chain. The IZ sites will feature a range of tools to incentivise and accelerate investment and job growth.
The Warwickshire and Coventry area has seen a strong eco-system of innovation assets develop in recent years, driven forward in part by two strong research led universities with the University of Warwick, and its industry-facing WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group), and Coventry University, as well as by local industry partners. The Warwickshire area has been a hotspot in recent years for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for vehicle technology design, testing and development, and the local IZs will help unlock further growth and support skills development to bring more of the local population into better paid, higher skilled employment, and support the upskilling of the existing workforce, and help drive growth in the West Midlands.
The automotive and future mobility supply chain locally already supports 50,000 jobs directly in R&D (research and development) and manufacturing, and many more across the West Midlands.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “It is wonderful news for Warwickshire and for Coventry that the site of the Gigafactory is on the shortlist to be an Investment Zone. The very principles that support these zones are already deep-rooted in the region with our strong talent pipeline, the collaboration between private and public sector and the innovation throughout our enterprises that has driven so much growth in the region in recent years.
“That additional sites in Warwickshire will potentially form further Investment Zones is excellent news for the area, and testament to our long-held commitment to encouraging and promoting collaboration and innovation between all partners. We hope that Warwickshire’s economy, our local supply chains, and those seeking gainful employment in the area, will reap the benefits of that commitment when, as we hope, these zones materialise.”
WRIF funding available to help drive businesses' growth plans
“Warwickshire has so much to offer as a place to do business in a wide range of sectors...what we are offering is another incentive to companies in our key growth sectors, but also those looking to relocate here.”
Businesses across Warwickshire are being urged to take advantage of a unique new £140million investment fund to help them grow in the wake of the pandemic.
Warwickshire County Council aims to distribute the funding over the next five years through its Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund (WRIF), offering small business loans of up to £100,000 or debt finance up to £10million to existing and new businesses to help their long-term recovery and growth.
The fund is split into three areas to support businesses of different sizes and scales. Applications to all three areas – medium and larger companies, smaller business including start-ups and social enterprises, and commercial property and infrastructure – have been strong, but the council is keen to attract more companies to come forward.
The first local funding under the Business Investment Growth (BIG) – debt finance to growing medium and larger businesses with sound prospects – has been issued to Nuneaton-based Forge Care which has created a £7 million state-of-the-art residential care home for children.
Priority sectors of interest to the County Council for the BIG are automotive technology, digital creative and digital technologies, and future mobility, but applications are open to companies in a wide variety of sectors.
Warwickshire County Cllr Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy, said: “BIG caters for funding of between £500,000 and £10million and the Business Investment Growth team is on hand to support businesses through the application process and Investment Finance team carry out due diligence as the finance can take different forms.
“We are delighted to have reached agreement with Forge Care and there are several others in the pipeline but we would urge companies to seriously look at what the WRIF can offer as a way of putting their growth plans into place.
“Warwickshire has so much to offer as a place to do business in a wide range of sectors, and what we are offering is another incentive to companies in our key growth sectors, but also those looking to relocate here.”
The investment is a fundamental part of the Council’s Covid-19 Recovery Plan - and together with other support from the Council - is expected to create over 3,000 new jobs and safeguard many thousands more.
Warwickshire County Council’s investment is designed to help address a fall in GVA, arrest the downward trend and drive growth and recovery of the county’s previously strong economy.
It is anticipated that the WRIF will also unlock and bring in around £100m of additional private sector investment and, through improved growth and productivity, create an annual increase in GVA of up to £160m.
For further information on the WRIF and what support it can offer, please visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wrif
For more information about the small business loans, call Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust, who manage the Local Communities and Enterprise Fund on behalf of WCC, on 02476 551 777 or visit https://www.cwrt.uk.com/applylce
WCC and HS2 form partnership to promote skills and employment
HS2 apprentices on site in Warwickshire
It's full speed ahead for a new skills and employment partnership between Warwickshire County Council and HS2.
Main works construction on the first phase of HS2, between London and Birmingham, began in September 2020 and Warwickshire County Council's Employability and Skills Team began playing an active role in promoting HS2 jobs locally.
As HS2 work programmes and Warwickshire HS2 job opportunities were set to rise, the WCC skills team (also known as the Warwickshire Skills Hub) wanted to do more to showcase the greater employment opportunities this presents to the county's communities.
HS2’s construction partner for the region, Balfour Beatty VINCI, forecasts that it will need a workforce of around 7,000 people to deliver its 90km stretch of HS2 which stretches from Warwickshire, through Birmingham and on to Staffordshire.
The opportunity to become a HS2 Job Brokerage Partner is an ideal partnership opportunity for HS2 and the Warwickshire Skills Hub team to work together and build a skills and careers strategy to a boost employment activity across the area.
Fay Winterburn, Warwickshire County Council's Employability and Skills Lead Commissioner, said: “We are delighted to become a HS2 Job Brokerage Partner and very much looking forward to collaborating on joint activity across Warwickshire and threading HS2 themes through many strands of our work such as Careers, Employment and Inclusive recruitment."
Julie Venn-Morton, Skills Manager at HS2 said: "We're delighted to have joined forces with Warwickshire County Council and look forward to working closely with the team at Warwickshire Skills Hub to ensure local residents are supported to access jobs on HS2. Our construction partners are actively recruiting for hundreds of roles and we want to see local people benefitting from these opportunities."
Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Martin Watson, said: "We welcome such a great opportunity to build on our existing partnership with the HS2 team and their partnership network. It was abundantly clear that the synergy and alignment between both teams works and their joint priorities meant that taking steps to formalise a joint approach for Warwickshire was a logical step and one we are really keen to embrace.
"We believe HS2 employment opportunities are such a good fit for so many of our communities and we are very committed to playing an active role in showcasing such opportunities."
Breakfast event will advise on how to reduce energy costs
"I would urge SMEs not to miss this opportunity to connect with peers and ask our team of experts about what practical steps your business can take."
Manufacturing SMEs in Warwickshire can get some good advice on how to reduce their energy costs at a collaboration breakfast event on November 9.
The event at Warwick Manufacturing Group's Wellesbourne campus could not be more timely. At a time of rising costs, it will impart guidance on energy-saving practice opportunities that SMEs can implement to reduce usage.
At the event, SMEs will share their experience of seeking solutions to the increased cost of energy through collaboration with intermediaries such as WMG, who are also working with Warwickshire County Council, engineering professional bodies and other interested parties.
WMG have been working with a number of SMEs to identify opportunities to improve energy management efficiency. With strategic partners including the County Council, the IET Midlands Manufacturing Network and the Innovation Alliance West Midlands, the aim is to attract 50 manufacturing SMEs on the day to help support them in reducing their rising energy bills.
Arrival for the event will be at 7.30am for networking and breakfast with discussions commencing at 8am. The event will finish at 10am.
Hardeep Sandhu, Warwickshire County Council's Business Investment Growth Delivery Lead (Economy & Skills) said: "This event is for SMEs by SMEs. With the cost of living crisis rising and energy bills increasing, we wanted to bring the industry together to help provide expert advice on a range of energy-saving opportunities that SMEs can implement to reduce usage.
"By sharing best practice and working collaboratively, we can help to reduce risks together. I would urge SMEs not to miss this opportunity to connect with peers and ask our team of experts about what practical steps your business can take to help with short term and long term savings."
To book a place at the event please visit https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/mediacentre/events/smesosenergyconsumptionnov/
Business Centre welcomes foodbank with open arms
"We are very grateful to the county council and all the businesses in the centre that have made us so welcome and been so generous."
Nuneaton Foodbank is well-equipped to tackle rising demand for its services after moving into a new home at the Centenary Business Centre.
The Foodbank, which has operated under The Trussell Trust since 2013, faced a worrying future earlier this year when its previous base was put up for sale.
But a perfect solution has been found after they occupied two units at the Warwickshire County Council-run Centenary Business Centre in Hammond Close on the Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate.
The units are used to store food to be distributed to the foodbank's four centres which open across town for part of every weekday.
Nuneaton Foodbank's Projects and Operations Manager, Richard Fleming is delighted with the new base - and the warm welcome and support offered by the county council and other business at the centre.
"It has been a great move for us," he said. "We needed to find another home and it is fantastic to be settled into it at a time when demand in the town is dramatically increasing. We have traditionally delivered to our centres once a day, but at times in the last month I have been delivering twice a day.
"At such an important time, the set-up and facilities here are ideal for us. One of our units is right next to the delivery ramp so is perfect for unloading supplies. As part of the business centre, it is also secure which is so important - at one of our previous bases we were twice broken into.
"Parking was an issue at both our previous homes too but the situation here is much better in that way. We are very grateful to the county council and all the businesses in the centre that have made us so welcome and been so generous. One business-owner passed by our door and found out what we do and came back an hour later to donate some tins!"
Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy and Place, Cllr Martin Watson, is pleased that the Centenary Centre has provided the perfect home to an organisation which is so important to the community.
"Nuneaton Foodbank does excellent work in the town and it's great that the base they now have at the business centre works so well for them. I look forward to them making their long-term home there.
"I am pleased, but not at all surprised, to hear that other businesses at the centre have rallied round and been so welcoming. It is a really supportive community there, both among the entrepreneurs in the units and the staff who run the centre so well."
Centenary Business Centre is run by Warwickshire Business Centres who have fully managed office and industrial units from 200-12000 sq ft in size right across the county. They are home to many growing businesses but were more than happy to support such an important local charity when they needed help, as units were available.
Any local businesses looking for office or industrial space should contact Luke Pulford at lukepulford@warwickshire.gov.uk
For more details about Nuneaton Foodbank, please visit https://nuneaton.foodbank.org.uk/
To donate, please visit their Justgiving page, https://nuneaton.foodbank.org.uk/2021/10/25/just-giving-donations/
Accreditation will help CWRT to help more small businesses
"CWRT has been very understanding and its support, advice, patience and business acumen has been vital."
Specialist finance provider Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT) has been accredited by the British Business Bank under its Recovery Loan Scheme.
CWRT will be able to provide small businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire with commercial loans of between £25,001 and £150,000, enabling them to invest and grow.
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) was initially launched in April 2021 to support businesses after Covid-19. Since then, CWRT’s lending under the scheme has helped safeguard 208 jobs, with 98 new jobs expected to be created.
The RLS has now been extended, however, it no longer requires businesses to evidence the impact of Covid-19 and provides the borrower and lender with a 70% government backed guarantee for those businesses that may have weak security. Businesses that have received funding from the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) or the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBILS) are able to access the support but it may reduce the amount a company can borrow.
This is part of the overall support package available from CWRT, which includes delivering the Local Communities & Enterprise Fund (LCE), funded by Warwickshire County Council which was launched to help small businesses start-up and existing firms to grow.
One of those businesses to benefit from the LCE is Wellesbourne-based Turret Training, which is a leading UK and international provider of First Aid at Work courses and specialises in Pre-Hospital Trauma Training.
Simon Rogers, owner of Turret Training who received a considerable level of funding from the LCE fund, said: “CWRT has given me an opportunity to create working capital to build and develop the company by investing the money in medical equipment, marketing and future training qualifications for the team.
“I set up the business just before the pandemic, which meant we lost a contract in Dubai overnight and the company didn’t operate for 12-15 months. CWRT has been very understanding and its support, advice, patience and business acumen has been vital. We are now looking to develop providing medical cover at hospitality events.’’
Sheridan Sulskis, CEO at CWRT, said: “We are amongst the first five lenders announced to have been given accreditation so far under the new version of the RLS and we are looking forward to supporting more businesses that we may not have been able to support without RLS.
“The main objective is to provide access to finance to small businesses in all sectors as they look to recover and grow – whether that is for managing cashflow, investment or growth.
“We can offer support right across Coventry and Warwickshire for small businesses so I would urge owners to get in touch to find out how we can help.”
Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for economy, said: “Our region has a wonderful breadth of small businesses and they are integral to our economy and our communities. The LCE continues to support those businesses which are seeking to consolidate and grow post-Covid and also help other entrepreneurs to turn their ideas and skills into new small businesses.
“This is also an excellent example of putting our community powered approach into action. We are stepping forward to support businesses and social enterprises to make a real and lasting impact within their communities.”
The Recovery Loan Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA.
Further information from CWRT is available from www.cwrt.uk.com or by calling 02476 551777.
For more information about Warwickshire County Council’s LCE Fund, please call the CWRT team or visit: https://www.cwrt.uk.com/applylce”
Multiply projects will support adult numeracy
"It is very encouraging that there has been a lot of interest in delivering these courses and it is great to see this important scheme for employability in Warwickshire advancing."
Adults in Warwickshire who are looking to improve their numeracy skills will benefit from new courses designed to open up opportunities for people to grow their confidence and employment options.
The Multiply project is a £270 million Government investment in new courses to be delivered locally by councils, colleges and other training and education providers.
Warwickshire County Council has been allocated £2million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver programmes over a three-year period to adults who do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in Maths or equivalent.
The Council's call for applications met with a strong response with projects with a value at almost £3M requested. These will now undergo a rigorous assessment process as the County Council works with local partners to identify the projects to receive funding to March 2025.
It is hoped to make decisions on which projects will be Multiply-funded later in the Autumn with the first participants able to start Multiply projects this year. The successful projects will be announced at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/multiply."
Many adults in England struggle with numeracy and such poor numeracy skills can hold people back from having the confidence to get on in life and into work. Those who improve their numeracy skills are more likely to be in employment, have higher wages, and better wellbeing, so the Multiply programme, by supporting individuals, will help employers and thereby the local economy.
Warwickshire County Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: "The Multiply initiative is a very welcome one as it addresses an area which is holding back so many adults and their aspirations to build careers. It is very encouraging that there has been a lot of interest in delivering these courses and it is great to see this important scheme for employability in Warwickshire advancing."
For more information please vist: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/multiply
Business Futures helps 200 Warwickshire entrepreneurs to launch
"Business Futures was brilliant for me. PET-Xi completely understood my situation, and helped me every step of the way."
A business support programme which has helped more than 200 Warwickshire entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground marked this milestone with a special networking event.
The second Business Futures Celebration event, organised by Coventry-based national training provider PET-Xi and held at Metropolis Bar and Restaurant in the heart of the city, was a chance for individuals supported by the programme to get together and showcase their businesses to each other.
PET-Xi’s Business Futures programme helps fledgling entrepreneurs learn the basics of starting a business, provides access to initial grant funding and provides one-to-one mentoring even after a business has finished the programme.
Around 15 businesses from a range of sectors including property, automotive, fitness, and catering met with each other at the event to share ideas, and also highlighted just how useful the Business Futures course was for them.
Mark Tierney, owner of electric vehicle repair specialists Electric Vehicle Solutions, was one of the entrepreneurs in attendance.
He said: “I’ve been a manual worker all of my working life, which meant I was very good with hands-on work but knew little about running a business. When I was made redundant during the pandemic, I wanted to start my own garage that specialises in electric vehicle repair. I knew I had the practical skills, but not the business knowhow.
“Business Futures was brilliant for me. PET-Xi completely understood my situation, and helped me every step of the way, including sorting my business plan and recommending other courses such as Customer Services.
“It was great to meet other businesspeople who have been through similar situations to me, hearing their stories and getting some valuable contacts into the future.”
Attendees also heard a speech by Warwickshire county councillor Piers Daniell, who started his own business when he was just 15.
He said: “The first few years of running a business is very hard, so any start-up looking to make that first step will always benefit from extra support. PET-Xi’s Business Futures programme is fantastic in that it gives these entrepreneurs a one-to-one mentor to help guide them through some of the stumbling blocks of starting a business from scratch, such as producing a solid business plan or ensuring accounts are being looked after.
“It also provides a source of grant funding to help pay for some initial overheads, allowing businesses to move forward and break into their respective markets.
“It’s important for any starting business to understand that it’s often a bumpy road, so it’s wonderful that PET-Xi’s Business Futures programme is here to give so many young Warwickshire businesses the help they need along the way.”
Gary Drake, Assistant General Manager at PET-Xi, said: “Since the Business Futures programme started, we have worked with more than 200 individuals across Warwickshire to help them turn their business ideas into reality. It was fantastic to see such a range of businesses from all sorts of sectors networking together and sharing stories of how helpful the programme has been for them.
“We are looking forward to helping even more businesses in Warwickshire make the best possible start through Business Futures.”
Business Futures is a government-funded programme through £500,000 from the UK Community Renewal Fund, which is allocated locally through Warwickshire County Council, with an additional £50,000 from Pet-Xi in match funding. Participants must be aged between 16 and 65, unemployed and living in Warwickshire.
To find about more about PET-Xi’s Business Futures scheme and for details on how to apply, contact Gary Drake on 07852 030334 or email gdrake@pet-xi.co.uk
* The Business Futures programme is part of a package of start-up support including Warwickshire County Council’s start-up service (delivered via the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce) and the JumpStart project, delivered via Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust. The Business Ready programme also supports tech-based and other innovation-led start-ups. For more information, please visit our business start-up pages. For information about other support, please contact the CWLEP Growth Hub.
Green Business Programme event is well-attended
"There is support out there that many business are not aware of...these kind of events should be organised more often."
More than 60 businesses from a variety of sectors attended an event hosted by the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme, organised in partnership with Warwickshire County Council.
The event, which took place in Stratford-upon-Avon on September 14th, offered businesses an opportunity to learn more about local green projects as well as financial and non-financial support available.
Maria Covlea, Marketing and Events Coordinator at Coventry City Council spoke about the Green Business Network while other speakers included Matt Whitehead (Climate Change Programme Manager) at Warwickshire County Council), Jo Smith (Business Growth Advisor at WCC), Jim Clark (Account Manager at the Growth Hub) and Bernadette McCullagh (Business Advisor, Green Business Programme).
The event was very well-received by attendees whose comments included: 'an interesting variety of content and great to get a copy of the presentation materials so promptly afterwards‘ and ‘I've learned there is support out there that many business are not aware of...these kind of events should be organised more often.’
Warwickshire County Council is implementing an ambitious plan of action to reduce emissions and achieve its target to be net zero as an organisation by 2030 and to lead the county to be net zero no later than 2050.
Cllr Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Environment, said: “There is plenty of work going on across Warwickshire to reduce carbon emissions and our local businesses have an important role to play in this.
“This event was a great way for businesses to find out more about the opportunities available to them, both financial and non-financial and I am pleased that it was so well-received. We were delighted to work with Coventry City Council to deliver this event. By sharing our expertise and opportunities, we can better support the Coventry and Warwickshire economy."
* The Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is being delivered by Coventry City Council, Coventry University, and Coventry University Enterprises Ltd.”
For information about the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business programme, visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/homepage/359/sector-or-specialist-support-for-your-business
For information about other support for your business, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/business-support or contact CWLEP Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747.
Pre-school moves in to former library site
“This deal sees a former community asset brought back into economic vitality, it provides a home for a well loved and valuable local resource, and brings in much needed funds for the council."
A new property firm set up to boost the Warwickshire economy has completed its first deal.
The Warwickshire Property Development Group (WPDG) has agreed a 10-year lease with the Little Willows Pre-School on the former Whitnash Library.
The nursery has been based at the local primary school for 24 years and the deal will provide its first standalone home. It comes after the creation of a new civic centre hub which houses a multi-use sports hall, library and café.
WPDG was established by Warwickshire County Council last year to realise the potential of its development sites, commercial buildings and mineral rights in the most sustainable way as possible.
The move is part of a drive to ensure that properties which are owned by Warwickshire County Council are not only fully let, but can, where possible, benefit their communities.
WPDG is tasked with realising the potential of regeneration opportunities – including the provision of affordable local housing and units for local businesses – on Warwickshire County Council-owned sites and as managing the council’s commercial property assets.
It is part of a broader £300m package of investment alongside the Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund (WRIF) which the County Council has launched to revitalise the local economy.
Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader at Warwickshire County Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, said Little Willows was an ideal first letting for the organisation.
He said: “This deal sees a former community asset brought back into economic vitality, it provides a home for a well loved and valuable local resource, and brings in much needed funds for the council.
“WPDG has made real progress in the last few months and there are some very exciting projects in the pipeline which will bring added jobs, homes and prosperity to local communities.”
James Devereux, of WPDG, said: “The formation of WPDG has sparked a great deal of interest and we have a very healthy pipeline of activity and inquiries across all our areas of operation and also right across Warwickshire.
“It is so fitting that our first lease helps a local organisation which serves its community so well, and will allow it to move forward to further success.”
Little Willows was established in 1998 at Whitnash Primary School offering morning sessions to 13 pre-school children, and is run as a charitable trust.
But now the nursery – which currently offers breakfast and after-school clubs to 62 youngsters – is moving to the former Whitnash Library in the town.
Stacey Coulter of Little Willows, said: “This is such a great move for us and for our children. The school has been a really good home for us over the years, but it is the right time now to move into premises and the library is perfect.
“The added room will allow us to create a sensory space which will be really valuable for children for special needs, and we will have dedicated meeting rooms where we can talk in private to parents and health professionals. There will also be a new staff meeting room.
“The new centre is right at the heart of our community and will give us a very visible presence.”
Town centre Commonwealth Games sites were a huge success
"The Games brought a real feelgood factor with them and it was wonderful to see our businesses enjoying some of that."
Between July 28th and August 8th the attention of the Nation, the Commonwealth and further beyond fell on Birmingham, the West Midlands and Warwickshire with the hosting of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
A series of festival sites across the region saw big screens installed at the Pump Room Gardens, Royal Leamington Spa and in Market Square, Warwick, offering a space to spend time with friends and family and a chance to take in the atmosphere of The Games.
Both sites, hosted by Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council in collaboration with the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, proved popular with locals and tourists travelling from outside the area for the Games.
At Warwick, a range of family friendly activities offered something different to visitors including crazy golf, circus skills and arts and culture. In Leamington there were performances ahead of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the opportunity to practise a spot of lawn bowls. Over the course of the event, volunteers were able to join the fun by assisting residents, day visitors, those on holiday and sports clubs who visited Warwickshire.
Both Leamington and Warwick sites received positive comments from visitors who noted the fun and friendly atmosphere, welcoming the chance to spend time in our safe and clean public spaces, whilst seeing what our towns have to offer. Business and organisations from the region have commented on the positive impact of the activities. Further details from an economic impact assessment for the region are awaited.
On August 7th, tens of thousands of spectators lined the streets of Warwick to see some of the world’s top cyclists battle it out in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Cycling Road Races. In the preceding nine days, Leamington’s hosting of the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls competition at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa offered a very different kind of excitement. The two festival sites provided a fantastic spot to take in the action for these key events hosted by Warwickshire and the wider games.
Cllr Martin Watson, WCC Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, said: “The festival sites brought a vibrancy to the town centres where they were hosted and, as well as the businesses that were part of the entertainment, local hospitality venues received a welcome boost from the large crowds that gathered.
"The Games brought a real feelgood factor with them and it was wonderful to see our businesses enjoying some of that. By all accounts, Warwickshire stepped up to the mark, offering a warm welcome to all travelling to the region and witnessing the ‘friendly Games’, with a global audience getting a glimpse of what the county has to offer."
Tech start-up courses on the way
Small businesses and entrepreneurs who are planning to start a business can take on some valuable tips from a series of Tech start up courses delivered over the next few weeks by Coventry University Services Ltd.
The courses are:
How to survive a startup, 10am, Tuesday October 4th
This session is aimed at very new startups. Many entrepreneurs find the process of establishing a startup extraordinarily difficult. In this webinar, we will share some of the techniques experienced entrepreneurs use to avoid depression, anxiety and general stress.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/startup-essentials-how-to-survive-a-startup-tickets-412747186947
Begin with LinkedIn, 10am, Tuesday October 11th
This session is aimed at those planning to launch soon and startups. You may be using LinkedIn - but are you using it effectively for your startup? In this webinar, we'll explore the best ways to boost your profile, find potential clients and spread your message. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/startup-essentials-begin-with-linkedin-tickets-412752623207
Branding, logos and creating a strong visual identity, 9.30am, Friday, October 28th
This session focuses on the importance of consistency in logos and branding. Touching on website branding, social media branding (covering photos and graphics) as well as other channels such as email marketing. We’ll also explore the theory around font choices and colour choices - such as colour psychology and the nuances in perceptions around font choices.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/branding-logos-and-creating-a-strong-visual-identity-tickets-407989827557
Content Strategies and Crafting Effective Content Campaigns, 9.30am, Thursday November 3rd
This session looks at content and effective strategies for making the most of a business’s content assets. We'll define content pillars, how you can determine yours and why pillars are important when developing a strategic approach to content creation. This session will include advice on this strategic approach on social media, website content and email marketing and will provide a framework for building a content campaign and ensuring it is consistent with your overall marketing goals.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/content-strategies-and-crafting-effective-content-campaigns-tickets-408761916897
For more details and to book tickets, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/tech-startups-26749
Wellbeing Forum offers ideas on employee support
The second Coventry and Warwickshire Workplace Wellbeing Forum took place on Tuesday 27th September to help businesses learn more about how to improve the health and wellbeing support they offer to their employees.
The event followed the initial launch by Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council earlier this year which aimed to encourage people to take a more proactive approach to looking after their own wellbeing and to raise the profile of local prevention opportunities.
The Workplace Wellbeing Forum is helping to do this by providing a place for local employers to network and access resources that will support them in developing improved wellbeing practices.
The free-to-attend event was held at Wolston Community and Leisure Centre in Rugby Borough and offered as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Wellbeing for Life programme.
Representatives from businesses across the region were invited to attend a varied programme focused on Mental Health. Hosted by Citizens Advice, Act on Energy and WCC, it included thought-provoking sessions on food poverty, rising debt and the fuel crisis.
Other guest speakers came from MIND, Sky Blues in the Community and Transmission PR and each provided ideas for ways to develop wellbeing offers for employees. There was also an opportunity to pick up more information and talk to local health and wellbeing service providers such as Thrive at Work, The Samaritans, Dimensions, Dearlife, Kooth and Amparo.
The next forum will take place in March 2023.
Businesses urged to have their say on Transport Plan
The business community is being urged to make their views known to help shape the next Local Transport Plan for Warwickshire.
Following the first round of consultation in 2021, Warwickshire County Council has opened a second round of opinion-gathering. A draft plan has been created which outlines the strategic aims for transport in the county and will guide decision-making over transport schemes.
The consultation will assess whether the draft meets the key aims of the Council plan and the county’s residents and businesses and whether the LTP key themes, policies and overall content are suitable or need further amendment.
Alongside the Core Strategy sit six sub-strategies;
- Active travel: how walking and cycling as means of travel can be supported
- Freight: a rail transport infrastructure to support the local economy
- Managing space: how physical space is used for transport and other purposes
- Motor vehicles: creating an appropriate road network, recognising this is still the most used mode of transport
- Safer travel: Sustaining a reliable and safe network with reduced road casualties
- Public transport: An alternative transport to cars to provide economic and social benefits for all.
Businesses are urged to complete the consultation. Their input is key to the final strategies and policies which will make up the whole LTP which will go to Cabinet for approval before being published, probably in early 2023. The LTP itself will then inform future service delivery in transport initiatives and infrastructure.
Cllr Wallace Redford, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: “I’m really pleased to see the next stage of the consultation for the LTP go live. The initial engagement with Warwickshire residents, visitors, key stakeholders and organisations and businesses was really well received and we had many responses. This has given us the information for a second draft which can really tackle the transport issues that the county faces over the coming years.
“It’s not just anyone with an interest in transport in Warwickshire, though, that I urge to complete the consultation; if you want to see how businesses will be supported, how places will be managed to promote residents’ health and wellbeing or if you are interested in how the county will achieve its ambition of becoming net zero Carbon, your input is vital.”
Consultation has now gone live and will run until 20 November 2022 and can be found at: https://ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/insights-service/local-transport-plan/
Good management will keep your business and employees safe
In recent WMB articles we looked at the Fire Safety Legislation, the need to carry out a fire risk assessment and the ability to raise the alarm, but now we will focus on one of the more technical elements...means of escape (MOE).
Under article 14 of the Fire Safety Order (FSO), means of escape can be seen as a designated route for people to escape a location or building to a place of safety in the event of a fire. The adequacy of the means of escape is assessed based on management, occupancy, construction, time, exits and travel distance.
Management is possibly the most important aspect of MOE from buildings, because without effective and efficient management of fire safety responsibilities, even the best designed and equipped buildings can become dangerous and untenable very quickly in the event of fire. Good management will have plans to prevent fire, respond to an outbreak of fire or an emergency, and mitigate the effects of a fire. Planning, Organisation, Control, Monitoring and Review, are the cornerstones of fire safety management.
Occupancy considers the use of the premises and the people who occupy it. Factors to consider are:
- Hazardous processes, high fire loading, the presence of flammable or explosive materials and substances, or other ignition sources will inevitably increase risk and therefore require control measures to reduce the risk down to acceptable levels.
- The number of people and their distribution within the building.
- The age, physical and mental condition of occupants.
- The activities that take place on the premises (e.g., lone working or sleeping increases the risk.)
- How people are likely to react to an emergency and how quickly they will start evacuating.
Construction refers to the ability of the building construction to limit fire spread. For example, an escape route protected by fire-resisting construction, gives occupants more time to escape safely, and compartment walls can create a place of relative safety when evacuating. To be effective, elements of structural fire protection must form a complete barrier to fire and smoke. This includes well-maintained fire doors and fire-stopping of any penetrations by pipes or cables.
Time available for escape is the period from when a fire ignites to when the conditions within the compartment or building become untenable. The target escape time is 2.5 minutes, but this may vary according to the level of risk on the premises.
Exits from the premises in terms of their number, location, width, and ease of opening, are evidently an essential part of the means of escape. If the exits are not accessible to disabled people likely to be on the premises, refuges may be implemented to create a place of relative safety while awaiting assistance for further evacuation. Escape routes should be kept clear at all times, that is, free from obstructions, ignition sources and combustible items, wall linings or decorations. Essentially, anything that constitutes a fire risk should be located away from escape routes and exits. Emergency escape signs should be visible in any location where the direction of escape is not obvious and emergency escape lighting should be installed to illuminate escape routes in the event of a power failure.
Travel distance is the distance to the nearest place of relative or ultimate safety from the furthest point in a room. Limits on travel distances are determined by the level of risk and availability of alternative escape routes. Longer travel distances are allowed in low risk premises with two or more directions of escape, while the limits are more restrictive in premises that are high risk or where only one escape route is available.
For more information on fire safety in your premises please refer to the free guidance on the Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-safety-law-and-guidance-documents-for-business
Expert advice on attracting and retaining talent
Business leaders and HR professionals heard expert advice on how to attract new talent and retain staff in the skills crisis at an event organised by a leading college group.
Warwick Trident College, which is part of college group WCG, hosted the networking event which saw attendees given guidance and insights from a trio of industry experts.
The college group organised the event to help businesses overcome the challenges they are facing in staffing, with the employment market getting more and more competitive. It was attended by businesses, HR professionals and stakeholders – including a delegation from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Olivia Parrish, Founder of Leap People Solutions, was initially introduced to WCG by the Chamber and was one of the speakers at the event. She emphasised throughout her talk the importance of fostering a positive working culture in an organisation and how if businesses get that right it that can lead to increased productivity and retaining staff.
Attendees also heard from Phil Ingle, Managing Director of Phil Ingle Associates and Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Phil highlighted that a wide range of sectors are experiencing very similar issues in recruitment, recommending that looking at pay and flexible working can be a differentiator for employers.
The third and final speaker was Sally Bromley from Henpicked, who delivered a talk on workplace well-being, with a focus on the menopause. Sally discussed the symptoms of menopause, how people can be supported and the awareness training which is available around it.
Navneet Rai, Business Development Manager at WCG, said it was a great event and provided invaluable networking opportunities for attendees. “We’re very pleased with how the event went and from the feedback we have received those who attended came away with valuable insights to support their own roles and businesses,” she said. “It was an informative and interesting evening for everyone, with the three expert speakers driving some really important discussions.
“We work with hundreds of businesses across the Midlands, and it is clear that challenges like recruitment, workplace culture and wellbeing are prevalent for the vast majority. At WCG we will be looking to host further events like this in the future, covering the wide range of challenges businesses are facing. We are committed to engaging with employers in the regions in which our colleges are based and this is one way that we will be looking to strengthen those relationships.”
News in Brief
Latest news-in-brief from around the region...
US giant completes takeover of Ansty-based Meggitt
US engineering firm Parker-Hannifin has completed its £6.3 billion takeover of aerospace company Meggitt. Parker, which makes engineered products for the aerospace, automotive and manufacturing industries says the acquisition will provide complementary technologies and increase the aftermarket mix of its aerospace business. Parker also has manufacturing facilities in Warwick.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/takeover-of-meggitt-in-6.3bn-deal-completes
Planning submitted for North Warwickshire MIRA South site
Private equity investor and developer Evans Randall Investors has submitted a planning application for a major expansion of MIRA Technology Park (MTP), on the A5 Watling Street near Nuneaton. The proposed Southern Manufacturing Sector will link directly into the existing MTP site, adding an additional 2.3m sq ft, bringing the total size of the development to 3.5m sq ft.
https://www.commercialnewsmedia.com/archives/124410
Innovative truck-maker showcases delivery truck
REE Automotive, an automotive technology company and provider of electric vehicle (EV) platforms, has announced P7-B, a class 3 delivery truck built on a P7 cab chassis, following intensive customer evaluations at its UK Engineering Centre in Nuneaton. The new P7-B is part of a fleet of vehicles available to prospective customers to evaluate, test, and experience the unique agility, performance, and design enabled by REE’s novel REEcorner x-by-wire technology.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/08/11/2496566/0/en/REE-Automotive-Debuts-P7-B-an-Electric-Class-3-Box-Truck.html
Jaguar Land Rover opens new lab at Gaydon campus
Jaguar Land Rover have opened a new testing facility to test future generations of vehicles for electric and radio interference. The Electromagnetic Compatibility laboratory in Gaydon will help to make sure new vehicles meet current and future legislation and quality standards regarding electronics and connectivity. The first vehicle to undergo these test was the new Range Rover Sport which launched in May.
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/jaguar-land-rover-opens-electric-24661908
Hydraulic Tech Company expands Exhall site
Hydraulic solutions designers and manufacturers Savery Hydraulics has announced it is expanding its headquarters in Exhall, near Coventry. The British engineering firm, which has existed in one form or another since the industrial revolution, is planning to develop an additional 23,000 square foot warehouse unit at Grovelands Industrial Estate, Longford Road.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/savery-hydraulics-expands-coventry-site/
Jaguar Land Rover order book strong as losses continue
Jaguar Land Rover has reported first quarter revenues of £4.4 billion, racking up a loss of £524 million thanks to supply chain problems and the Covid lockdowns in China. But it reports orders at record levels and continues to expect significant improvement during the financial year ending 31 March 2023.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/jaguar-land-rover-losses-rack-up-at-524m-due-to-global-semiconductor-supply-and-covid-lockdowns-in-china/
Warwick-based Onto raises $60m to support growth
All-inclusive electric car subscription service Onto has raised $60 million in equity in a Series C funding round led by Legal & General. The round will enable the business to consolidate leadership in the UK and expand into Europe, starting with Germany.
https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2022/07/27/316381/legal-general-leads-60m-series-c-funding-round
Work begins on Calgavin Centre for Flow Research in Alcester
Planning consent for the development of a new, purpose-built headquarters building has been secured onn behalf of British chemical engineering firm, Calgavin. Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has given approval for construction of a 36,381 sq ft building with integral Grade A office space, on a prominent 2.3-acre site at Alcester Employment Park. The new development will be known as the Centre for Flow Processing and will become a focal point for the integration of commercial and university-led research.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/property/chemical-engineering-firms-hq-gains-planning-permission
Warwick tech company welcomes new chair
The Warwick-headquartered technology and network services company, Telent, has appointed Paul Lester CBE as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the company.
He succeeds David Naylor-Leyland who is stepping down as Chairman after 12 years in the position.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/warwick-based-telent-appoints-new-chair/
Leamington Spa identified again as hub for the gaming industry
Known as ‘Silicon Spa’ the town has become one of the largest gaming hubs within the UK games ecosystem, employing over 2,000 highly skilled people – over 10 per cent of the UK total in games development. Recent reports Game Changers and Tech Cities by commercial real estate advisors CBRE say small locations beyond London and the larger regional cities are punching above their weight as gaming locations.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/leamington-spa-identified-as-uk-hub-for-gaming-industry/
Building contractor begins work on landmark Creative Quarter Development
Building conservation specialist contractor Croft Building & Conservation has signed a £4.2 million contract with regeneration specialists Complex Development Projects (CDP) to restore and convert three derelict buildings in Spencer Yard into office space for creative and digital businesses.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/restoration-of-three-leamington-buildings-to-begin-after-4-2-million-deal-agreed-with-midlands-contractor/
Stratford Medtech firm acquired for £5.5m
Roquefort Therapeutics PLC has completed its acquisition of Stratford-upon-Avon biotech firm Oncogeni Ltd for £5.5 million.
https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/992914/roquefort-therapeutics-completes-oncogeni-purchase-martin-evans-joins-board-992914.html
Medtech firm moves HQ to central Stratford
Newson Health is moving to Bridgeway House offices in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, taking 8,330 sq ft of Grade A office space across the ground and second floors as their new headquarters. It is the largest letting within the town centre for several years.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2067080-new-headquarters-for-world%E2%80%99s-largest-menopause-clinic
Warwick office campus welcomes new Medtech Firms
A leading interior design consultancy has been appointed to carry out £4.5m refurbishments at Opus 40 Business Park, Warwick, on behalf of companies in the medical and healthcare sectors. Medical equipment manufacturer, Quanta Dialysis Technologies, plans to open a new 23,293 sq ft state-of-the-art development facility at the revamped office building. Meanwhile Alliance Medical, the diagnostic and molecular imaging services provider, will move into a 9,505 sq ft activity-based, hybrid working environment.
https://ukdaily.news/westmidlands/office-principles-north-lands-redevelopment-contracts-9729.html
Major Nuneaton logistics campus construction underway
Leading logistics service provider Rhenus Warehousing Solutions, developers Baytree Logistics Properties and AXA IM Alts have officially broken ground on a major new development at Baytree, Nuneaton, which will create hundreds of new jobs for local people on completion. The site will consist of two warehouses, totalling one million square feet. The first warehouse is completing this year and will be 210,000 square feet. The second, which is due to complete in early 2023, will be 771,000 square feet.
https://www.rhenus.group/news-media/detail/work-commences-on-major-new-sustainable-development-in-nuneaton-for-logistics-specialist-rhenus
Hams Hall completes with letting of DC4
Prologis has successfully pre-leased all of speculatively built Prologis Park Hams Hall with final unit, DC4, being let to West Midlands-based AMG Logistics on a 15 year lease. The full occupancy of the Park, ahead of practical completion later this summer, demonstrates the site’s strength and broad appeal particularly to both automotive and logistics sectors. Other recent lettings include to battery technology company Britishvolt.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/full-occupancy-at-prologis-park-hams-hall-as-final-unit-is-let/
South Warks office market continues to perform strongly
Lingerie retailer Bravissimo has agreed a ten-year deal to lease new office space at a Midlands development. The deal is one of a pair concluded by commercial property agents Bromwich Hardy for the Tachbrook Park site at Leamington Spa. The firm said the two deals offered further evidence of high levels of demand for quality accommodation in the office market in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
https://www.bromwichhardy.com/News/Lingerie-retailer-Bravissimo-agrees-deal-for-new-office#:~:text=Leading%20lingerie%20retailer%20Bravissimo%20has,Park%20site%20at%20Leamington%20Spa
Halfords and Palmer Foundation team up to boost apprenticeships
Former Aston Martin CEO and current Switch Mobility CEO Andy Palmer has teamed up with Halfords to try and encourage more young people to work in the car industry, starting out – as he did – with an apprenticeship. The UK currently has a shortage of qualified motor technicians, while even fewer are being trained to work on electric cars. The Palmer Foundation, the charity set up by Andy Palmer in 2020, will be working with schools to identify disadvantaged young people who may be suitable for an automotive apprenticeship. The young people will then be interviewed by Halfords, which will then cover the cost of a two-year apprenticeship, which includes one day a week at college, for all successful candidates.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/358679/halfords-teams-andy-palmer-get-young-people-car-industry
Rugby apprentice wins prestigious national award
Technoset Ltd apprentice Tyler Gillespie has been named Lloyds Bank SME Apprentice of the Year award after excelling in his role with Rugby-based manufacturer Technoset Ltd, which specialises in precision engineering.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/manufacturing-apprentice-from-technoset-reaches-national-awards-final/
Leading FE Group WCG hosts major skills event
WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) is launching the new ‘Attracting and Keeping Brilliant People’ networking event at Warwick Trident College. It is expecting to attract up to 100 business leaders and HR professionals from across Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands on Tuesday, September 27.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/how-to-attract-and-keep-brilliant-people-warwickshire-college-group-will-tell-employers-how/
Skills Thrive Academy welcome boost to hospitality sector
Two boutique hotels in Warwickshire have launched a new leadership academy to help combat a national skills shortage and provide staff with pathways to progression. The Eden Hotel Collection’s new Thrive academy opens to its first cohort in September, where nine members of staff will embark on a series of training and projects over the next 12 months.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/warwickshire-hotels-launch-leadership-academy-to-help-tackle-national-skills-shortage/
Universities and Catapults unite to accelerate UK innovation
University of Warwick is part of a new £6.75 million national network to accelerate UK innovation. The Innovation Launchpad Network+ brings together leading universities, the Catapult Network and regional innovation ecosystems to enrich the exchange of ideas and knowledge across these organisations.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/university-of-bristol-and-university-of-warwick-join-6-75-million-national-network-to-accelerate-uk-innovation/
University of Warwick makes UK top 10
University of Warwick (8) and Loughborough University (10) were the only Midlands universities to make the top 20, with Aston University placed at number 22. The rankings are one of the leading tables for UK universities.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2022/sep/24/the-guardian-university-guide-2023-the-rankings
Rugby Services tops EV charging in UK
England’s most popular public electric vehicle (EV) charging locations have been revealed by Zap-Map, with the Gridserve Electric Super Hubs at Moto Rugby and Moto Exeter topping the list.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/gridserve-at-moto-rugby-is-uks-most-popular-ev-charging-location/