Core Strategy Criticised
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County Business Publishing £1.50 Volume 29 Number 7 June 2011 01793 615393 www.swindon-business.net [email protected] Trading Places - Jobs for the boys First stop for In the fast lane for growth (and girls) would-be How the M4 and superfast broadband are Plan 500 hits the exporters halfway mark driving Chippenham’s success Pages 8 & 9 Pages 12 & 13 Page 5 News in Brief Core Strategy criticised enior business figures are accusing Swindon Town’s challenges discussed hopping guru and Council of jeopardising the town's economic recently-appointed growth in its Draft Core Strategy, the blueprint The challenges facing Swindon's S government adviser that will shape the town's development for the next S on the high street, Mary economic development were under 15 years. discussion at a prestigious conference Portas, has been invited to Critics of the strategy say it lacks ambition and Swindon to see how the being held in the town. Staged by could deter major firms moving to the town at a Barclays Corporate and supported by town’s retail offering is time when it urgently needs new jobs to be created. poised for transformation. Swindon Business News, the Future of They also fear that it is too prescriptive in some Swindon was due to hear from a range The star of Mary Queen aspects - although it continues the long-held view of Shops and Secret of top-level speakers on Swindon's that Swindon should have a university, it only prospects in the current challenging Shopper is due to present allows for one to be built at North Star. her findings in the autumn economic conditions, with the invited A number of large employers are also warning audience of local business figures after being asked by David the council that by adopting a 'low growth' agenda Cameron to investigate the encouraged to take part in the debate. - in contrast to Swindon's traditional expansionist Barclays Corporate director Chris decline of the UK's stance aimed at attracting largescale inward traditional shopping areas Elias, who shaped the event, said investment and population growth - it risks sending Swindon had grasped opportunities and the rise of so-called out a message that the town is closed for business. ‘clone towns’ dominated by from changes in the global economy Key to the frustration among some members of in the past and could do so again. See chain stores. the business community, as well as developers and North Swindon MP www.swindon-business.net for an the town's property sector, is the decision by the update and next month's Swindon Justin Tomlinson has issued council to use the government's 'localism' agenda to the invitation to Ms Portas Special invite: Mary Queen of Shops Business News for a full story on the slash the number of new homes planned for the event. to see for herself how the town by 2026 from 36,000 to 25,000. town's retail areas are They claim this could prevent new employers ‘Smarter Office’ unveiled undergoing change. relocating to the town because of a lack new homes Although Swindon has for staff to move into. Phone headset manufacturer slipped 10 places to 65th in Some business figures are also questioning the VenueScore national Plantronics has unveiled what it calls whether the figure of 52.5 hectares (130 acres) of its Simply Smarter Office at its retail league table over the development land agreed in the strategy is sufficient past three years, a number Wootton Bassett headquarters, which it to meet demand. claims will help firms embrace more of schemes, including a “It shows a lack of ambition," said one. "What regenerated Parade, are flexible working methods. Senior if another Honda or Intel decided to move to members of the US firm's management expected to lift it back up. Swindon? They would look at this strategy, decide Mr Tomlinson, vice- team led by managing director, EMEA, the town is closed for business and go somewhere Philip Vanhoutte were linked by live chairman of the All-Party else. In some ways the council isn't just adopting a Group on Small Shops, webcast to explain how innovation and 'low growth' strategy, it's 'no growth'." better use of technology can drive said: “I’m keen to get Mary One business leader at a recent meeting with Portas here as I think she’ll business workplace efficiency. Also at council officials and members pointed out that the high-profile event were Tim find Swindon interesting. Swindon had dropped in the UK GDP rankings Everybody associated with Oldman, CEO of Leesman Index, an from second to the mid-20s. independent specialist on workspace retail here is pulling "Before, we were just behind London - now we together to improve the design, and Gita Katbamna, director of are behind Berkshire and other such locations," he workplace change at GlaxoSmithKline. town and we're on the cusp said. "Swindon never did low growth - so why of some new developments For full story go to www.swindon- now?" business.net which will improve the James Gregory, partner at property agents Alder retail heart.” Coming up in July King and South West chair of RICS (Royal The invite comes after Institution of Chartered Surveyors) said of the another major retailer on July's edition of Swindon Business development land allocation: "It sounds on the low the verge of opening a store News will turn the spotlight on side if we want to be seen as a serious player in the in Swindon has pulled out, Swindon's thriving creative industries, market looking to attract new inward investment or this time citing the high from design and marketing to digital provide an existing occupier with significant level of business rates in and film-making, as well as looking at expansion.” the town centre - an issue its logistics, warehousing and But Swindon Council believes the strategy that Mr Tomlinson said distribution sector - traditionally one creates the right balance for sustainable growth. urgently needed addressing of the town's mainstays. We will also Describing it as "fit for Swindon", Cllr Peter to make it rates more explain how businesses can safeguard Greenhalgh, portfolio holder for transformation, flexible and avoid the their intellectual property and focus on strategic planning and transport, disputed the number of empty units Swindon and North Wiltshire's hotel housing figure was too low and said growth would increasing. and conference market. come from newly-created jobs and employment The move by the opportunities. national chain, with more "We are open for business. We want to than 50 outlets across the encourage economic growth through inward UK, follows a decision investment rather than just build houses," he said. earlier this year by Public consultation on the draft strategy ends of kitchenware retailer June 16. Lakeland not to move to Swindon Chamber of Commerce has drawn up Mannington. It blamed its response to the strategy which it will unveil to council planning members on June 13. regulations. Meanwhile, lower Latest news on www.swindon-business.net charges in town centre and Smiths News to buy rival Dawson for £20 million Old Town car parks Synergy Health posts full-year profits rise of 17% introduced recently have been hailed a success by Also follow us at @swindonbiz retailers. People Events • Sean Kavanagh is 2008 and 2009 and • Seminar on How to Minimise your the new man at the also ensured that it Businesses Tax Bill helm of the taxation secured the When: 14 June department at Banks 'Restaurant of the Where: VILLAGE Hotel, Swindon Chartered Year' accolade from Accountants. With Bath Life magazine in Contact: more than 30 years’ 2009. [email protected] experience, mainly in 26 Wood Street, Swindon the area of personal • Juice Recruitment • Swindon Mindful Employer Network Sean Kavanagh Emma Burton Wiltshire SN1 4AB taxation, Sean plans has appointed Emma When: 14 July from 2pm to expand the team and grow the department, Burton to the Juice team, responsible for Where: Thrings, Penny Lane, Telephone: 01793 615393 focussing on both personal and corporate recruiting sales, marketing, administration, accountancy and finance applicants in the Swindon Fax: 01793 610553 clients. The move to Banks Chartered Accountants – based in Devizes Road, in Wiltshire area. Emma has over five years Contact: david.latham@ Email: [email protected] Swindon’s Old Town – means Sean’s career recruitment experience as a senior consultant richmondfellowship.org.uk where she worked for Huntress Recruitment. Web: www.swindon-business.net has come full circle. She has always demonstrated integrity, • Royal International Air Tattoo • Daniel Moon has determination, has an excellent wok ethic and When: 15-17 July Editor: Robert Buckland been appointed by thrives in a busy, dynamic and challenging Where: RAF Fairford, Bowood Hotel, Spa & working environment. Advertising Manager: Ann Freegard Goucestershire Production Editor: Owen Fishwick Golf Resort (near Calne, Wiltshire) as its • Lemon&Co Contact: 0800 107 1940 Administrator: Jackie Hall new executive chef. Solicitors in Swindon Sales Executive: Claudia Carr Daniel, aged 29, has has expanded its • Great Western Business Breakfast started in his role at litigation department When: 22 June, 7:30am-9am Controlled circulation: In excess of Bowood this week, with the appointment Where, Steam Museum, Kemble Daniel Moon 8,000 copies per month arriving from Bath's of Calum Campbell to Drive Homewood Park Hotel & Restaurant where he the team. Calum will © Copyright 2011 Contact: 01235 849997 has worked since April 2006. “With Bowood help build and Email: Published by County Business Publishing Ltd. Hotel’s Shelburne Restaurant already laying maintain client Printed by Acorn Press [email protected] claim to two AA Rosettes and Daniel having delivery across both Calum Campbell gained a third AA Rosette at Homewood Park individual and commercial litigation services • Vox Academy - Making the Media County Business Publishing also in September 2010, we have great hopes for and support Lemon&Co’s ongoing commitment publishes a range of business leads the direction in which he will lead the hotel to mediation and alternative dispute resolution.