Latest news from Cambridge PR clients:-
March 2010
EXPERIENCE A BOARD MEETING WITH A DIFFERENCE!
East Anglia is set to be the first UK region to experience a new form of corporate team building that not only encourages camaraderie and productivity but also uses the world’s fastest growing water sport, Standup Paddle-boarding.
This spring and summer Ely based Fen Paddle will be organising a range of team building events based on the sport (which literally entails paddling on a surf type board along inland waterways) ranging from a one hour paddle-boarding experience to teams taking part in a Paddle League and a Treasure Hunt.
Explains Fen Paddle founder Roland Gurner: “Inland Paddle-boarding lends itself perfectly to teambuilding because it’s fun, presents a challenge and leaves people with a real sense of reward and accomplishment.”
Companies wanting to test the water can try a ‘Paddle Day’, which can be anything from a one hour lesson for a team of staff up to a half or full day of team building exercise.
Those who get a taste for it can enter the Paddle League this summer in Cambridge, Norwich and Peterborough city centres, which will be unlike any corporate event ever staged. Teams will have to navigate a floating obstacle course while Standup Paddle-boarding. The event will also raise money for East Anglia Children’s Hospices. Tailor made tournaments can also be run for larger companies.
Corporate teams can also run their own Inland Paddle-boarding Treasure Hunts. With the help of GPS, teams of colleagues are set the task of following clues while they paddle down the river. Teams are only as good as their slowest member, so they are forced to work together as well as having lots of fun as they go.
Fen Paddle’s events take place at Cambridge, Wicken Fen, Ely, Norwich and the Broads. Prices start from £35 for an hour’s instruction.
As well as Inland Standup Paddle-boarding Fen Paddle is also the UK pioneer of other balance orientated sports, including Balance Boarding, which is all about using core muscles to bring stability to an unstable surface, ie a board balanced on a roller. Fen Paddle can provide surf-inspired balance classes for companies on the green spaces, car parks and offices in the centres of Cambridge and Norwich.
Based in Ely, Fen Paddle Company is the UK pioneer of Inland Standup Paddle-boarding and balance-orientated sports. Set up in 2009 by watersports enthusiast and instructor Roland Gurner, the company has used East Anglia’s unique natural features to make the area the sport’s UK centre of excellence.
For more details visit www.fenpaddle.co.uk or call 01353 664750
March 2010
NEW COMPANY OFFERS AFFORDABLE ART FOR CAMBRIDGE BUSINESSES
A new way of selling artwork that gives businesses a changing display of contemporary works for less than £2 a week is being offered by a recently launched Cambridge company.
Works in Print has been set up by father and son team Don and Patrick McCrae and aims to give all types and sizes of businesses the opportunity to display affordable art in staff and public areas. The company uses all available digital imaging technologies to produce quality artwork, whilst delivering excellent customer service. Works in Print offers sets of limited edition prints to which clients subscribe and every six months, the artwork is exchanged for something totally new.
Clients can choose from a growing catalogue of images, which are grouped thematically, to include scenes of Cambridge and its localities; land, sea and skyscapes; urban and townscapes; floral and figurative studies. Bespoke works can also be produced. All prints are double-mounted in handmade frames and under glass.
Explains Don: “Instead of agonising over which art to buy, paying a fortune and then being stuck with it, people pay as little as £1.60 per week, in return for fully installed, maintained and rotated artwork. Our idea is to offer constantly changing sets of pictures that are affordable for everyone.”
Says Patrick; “Clients often think good artwork is the preserve of big businesses, but they have realised that what we offer provides a great talking point for customers and staff alike. And if companies don’t have public areas, this is also a very inexpensive way of brightening-up the workplace whilst making staff feel happier.”
To see the artwork on offer visit www.worksinprint.com. For further information, or to arrange a meeting, contact the company by calling 01223 870087 or emailing prints@worksinprint.com
March 2010
DOCTORS AND DENTISTS OFFERED FREE TAX ADVICE
Barr Ellison Solicitors are offering doctors and dentists with any undeclared tax liabilities a free half hour consultation to help them take advantage of a promise of reduced penalties.
Doctors and dentists have until 31 March to volunteer information about any undeclared tax liabilities if they are to take advantage of a promise by HMRC of reduced penalties. Explains Judy Curtis of Barr Ellison’s tax team: “HMRC has decided to give medical professionals (anyone regulated by the General Medical Council) and dentists the opportunity to put their tax affairs in order with the Tax Health Plan, which promises a reduced penalty of 10% of the tax due and no penalty if the tax due is less than £1000. If they are in this position we are happy to to complete forms to submit to HMRC regarding an intention to disclose and give advice on the information that would need to be gathered in order to make a full disclosure free of charge ”
To take advantage tax payers must notify HMRC of their intention to disclose by 31 March, followed by an actual disclosure and payment of outstanding taxes, duties, interest & penalties by 30 June. Failure to do so could result in penalties between 30 and 100% of the unpaid liabilities.
Adds Judy Curtis: “With the promise of reduced penalties this gives doctors and dentists with undeclared tax liabilities a straightforward way to put their tax affairs in order. After 31 March HMRC will review and undertake compliance checks using the information they hold on those who have chosen not to disclose, which could even lead to a criminal investigation.
To take advantage of the offer contact Judy Curtis or Denise Macrow on 01223 417200 j.curtis@barrellison.co.uk d.macrow@barrellison.co.uk
01223 417200
March 2010
RETAIL SECTOR SHOULD KEEP EYE ON THE BALL
The Cambridge retail scene might appear to be leaving the recession behind but it’s still no time for complacency an industry professional has warned.
Will Mooney, a partner with Jeffersons Commercial, who in November correctly predicted a bumper Christmas for Cambridge due to a combination of some well performing retailers, some exciting new arrivals and Cambridge’s solid economy, believes there could still be casualties of the downturn. “After the euphoria of Christmas and the sales reality may now hit,” he warns. “The economy is not out of recession and redundancies are still forecast. On the other hand many new retailers, such as Rigby & Peller and Italian deli and cafe Olio & Farina have shown a huge commitment to Cambridge.”
The retailers that might have problems are the weaker ones in the middle market. “At times like these it’s often the value end – note the success of Primark – and the high end that thrive. This has been shown by the high quality of retailers recently opening. People also like to give themselves little treats, which has been shown by recent increased profits at Thornton’s and in Cambridge the successful opening of Mr Simms’ Old Sweet Shoppe, soon to be followed by Patisserie Valerie on the corner of Jesus Lane and Bridge Street.”
Mooney believes the resurgence of the retail area around Bridge Street is an example of how retail should be. “The future is about younger and independent retailers moving into fringe and secondary areas like this and turning them into thriving shopping streets.”
Recent figures from The Local Data Company showed that it’s not just the recession that has caused shop vacancies across the UK and that they need to be actively planned, managed and nurtured to thrive.
A second recent survey though shows that Cambridge does have reason for optimism. The Centre for Cities named Cambridge as one of the top five cities set to succeed post recession.”They have strong private sectors, high levels of entrepreneurship, highly educated workforces and large shares of knowledge-intensive jobs,” it said. Cambridge was ranked first in both residents with degree level qualifications and concentration of knowledge intensive jobs.
“Ultimately it’s the profile of Cambridge’s residents that will keep the retailers coming and this continues with new openings such as the new trendy clothing retailer Superdry,” says Mooney. “But people’s shopping habits are constantly changing, such as with more internet shopping. The new Westfield Shopping Centre in West London is a good example of how shopping centres are adapting to meet needs. While still being a huge centre they have created areas within that such as The Village, a section of smaller high end designer shops that will attract a more upmarket shopper to the centre.” “
For further information contact Will Mooney, Jeffersons Commercial on 01223 315716 wkm@j-commercial.co.uk
March 2010
GRANTA PARK MEETS DEMAND FOR FLEXIBLE OFFICE LEASES
A growing demand from companies wanting small, fully-fitted offices quickly and on a flexible lease is being met by a new initiative at Granta Park science park.
Called Greenlite, the ‘offices made simple’ scheme offers everything from hot desks for one month to office leases of six months or more. A clear, eight page tenancy agreement does away with the need for solicitors’ fees with tenants able to move in straight away. Offices of 765 sq ft are available in Granta Park’s McClintock Building suitable for up to 6 people and, from 2,500 sq ft in the Riverside development for up to 25 people.
Says Granta Park’s Asset Manager Roz Bird: “We’ve been listening to the high-tech market and detected a need for small, flexible, high-quality office accommodation. Companies looking for a small amount of space, short term, will be attracted to Granta Park because the science park environment will impress their clients and, staff benefit from a range of amenities including a cafe, restaurant, nursery, fitness suite, commuter bus and 24 hour security.
Companies will also be able to use meeting facilities in both the McClintock and the Riverside buildings and, there is overnight accommodation at Abington Hall where there is also a restaurant, bar and lounge for relaxing or having meetings.
For further details of opportunities at Granta Park visit www.grantapark.co.uk or contact Will Mooney at Jeffersons Commercial on 01223 315716 wkm@j-commercial.co.uk. or Nick Short or Ben Cullen at Cushman and Wakefield on 0207 935 5000.
February 2010
ALL YOU NEED TO MANAGE STAFF ABSENTEEISM
Following a winter when businesses have been hit by both adverse weather and swine flu, employers and managers are being invited to a workshop on Wednesday 24 March to help them navigate the minefield of employee absence.
Run by Caroline Banwell, a specialist employment solicitor at Barr Ellison Solicitors in Cambridge, the interactive Absence Management Workshop will provide managers and employers with the management tools necessary to reduce absence and increase productivity within their businesses.
“Despite the recession having a positive effect on absence levels it’s estimated that employees are absent for more than seven working days each year, not helped this winter by the adverse weather and swine flu. Managing absence is a challenge for businesses and has to be handled carefully. With this workshop we aim to give people the tools to handle the situation effectively,” says Caroline.”
The morning workshop will take place at Barr Ellison Solicitors’ offices at 39 Parkside, Cambridge CB1 1PN, where parking is available. Places are limited so please email Lynn Roberson on l.roberson@barrellison.co.uk to register an interest. A nominal charge will be applied.