J9bg Business Group Minutes of Meeting

J9 Business Group:

Minutes from last meeting and update

Thursday 17th February 8.30 – 9.30am
The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX

I'd like to thank everyone that attended our last event, kindly and wonderfully hosted by The Roses theatre.

For those that weren't able to join us, you missed some excellent speakers and a great breakfast! We hope to see you at the next meeting, where I know you will receive a warm welcome. Please find enclosed the minutes of the meeting for more information and we will continue to keep you updated with events and activities from across the J9 and Tewkesbury area so please look out for these including our Tewkesbury United event on 9th June.

I mentioned at the meeting some of the work we are doing as a group, some of the successes and where we see the group heading. I presented our proposed vision, which we'll make available on the website (www.j9bg.co.uk). We'd welcome any feedback from you in respect of this as it is a work in progress. Thanks for your support, the group is very much driven by the business community so please do get in touch and we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.

Unfortunately Mike Trust has now left GFirst. The J9 Management Team hope that you'd join us in thanking him for all of his hard work and support in helping drive forward the J9 Business Group and will miss his input and drive and wish him all the very best for the future.

Attendees: Chris Pike (Abrieve Ltd), Helen Burns (Ashchurch Railway Trust). Graham Higdon (Atlantic Coast Studios Ltd), Renee Parry (Basepoint), Kirstie Cutler (Bredon Hill Consultancy), Gary Packer (Corinium Safety Management), Arif Khalfa and John Daniels (both D F Legal), Pauline Evans (Glos Express Travel), Gill Bryan (Gloucestershire Libraries), David Smith (GFirst), Brendan Lawler (Moore, Brown & Dixon LLP), Tim Cooper (John Morgan Partnership Ltd), Rob Stokes and Steve Bowers (both Morgan Waugh Haines LLP), Ian Mence (New Markets Ltd), Brian Calway, Carol Batsford, Carole Wright and Wendy Spencer (ALL Priors Park Neighbourhood Project), Ian French and Sheldon Witney [J9 BG Chair) (both Redsixty), Abid Naser (Smartline International), Tim Knight (Severn Vale Housing), Shelby Powell (Tewkesbury Chamber of Commerce), Bruce Keen (Tewkesbury Saw), Mike Woods (That Games Company), Deborah Rees and Gill Powell (The Roses Theatre), Mike Trust and Daniel Nicholls (both Parklife)

Apologies: Adrian Gillman (Domestic Appliance Distributors D.A.D.), Dave Riley (Duraflex), Luke Fitzmaurice (Edge Street Events), Frank Bowe (Moog Controls), David Bloxham (Tewkesbury Chamber of Commerce), Nickie Philipson-Stow (The Orange Pig), Julie Wood and Katie Power (both Tewkesbury Borough Council), Caroline Rawlinson (Vivid)

Mike Trust thanked all those present for attending today’s meeting.

MT informed ALL that Gloucestershire First is currently undertaking another restructure. This time to reduce the staffing from 40 to 18-23. There will still be focus on innovation, investment and business growth but it is unclear how this will work or will remain in post. By the end of February it will emerge who will be in post to continue this work.

MT and DN will keep the J9 Management Team informed of how the Gloucestershire First changes take place and what this means for Tewkesbury. In the meantime Sheldon Witney as Chair as offered to handle any J9 Business Group enquiries.

DR welcomed ALL to The Roses Theatre and provided more information about the services it provides other than its renowned production of theatrical and cinematic performances.  These include-

• Live Broadcasts: Some of the largest theatre and musical productions transmitted live including Cheltenham Jazz Festival
• ‘Take Part’: Community outreach programme for children and adults funded by Big Lottery ‘Reaching Communities’ Fund.
• ‘Art Lift’: NHS patients in Gloucestershire the opportunity to take part in free performance/visual arts sessions to raise self esteem and sense of well being. This is an opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
• ‘Youth Offending Project’: explores actions and consequences, using theatre and film as an aid.
• Business involvement: whether this involves corporate sponsorship or joining the Business Members Network which demonstrates local firms support to local arts and community.
• Future: Due to public cutbacks public funding will have fallen £100k by 2013.  Currently undertaking a feasibility study which looks at how The Roses can make more efficient use of their space.  This may involve creating a restaurant downstairs, partnering with the library to create a ‘cultural hub’ etc.

GB from Gloucestershire Libraries, ASK Us Service, provided an overview of the free business information services available which very few people know about.

MINT
MINT is a database of over 3 million UK firms which provides a huge range of business and financial data including companies, directors, news and market research.  This information can be used to create the basis of company reports or more interestingly as mailing lists for marketing/sales purposes.  The ASK US team can create customised mailing lists just for your business categorised by a whole range of criteria such as area, sector, size, turnover etc.

COBRA
Invaluable for anyone starting up or running a small business in terms of providing start up ideas, market overviews, guidance on legislation and links to sources of support.

These services and government legislation, British Standards Online and Keynote reports and much more can all be accessed directly from Gloucester Library or by contacting the ASK Us service who can email any relevant data to you.

Please visit the link below or contact the ASK Us service on 0845 2305421 or visit-
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries/index.cfm?articleid=3052

Q&A?
Q: Do mailing lists include firms that have ‘opted out’?
A : Only lists firms if they have responded

Q: Can you obtain buyers name?
A: Yes, you can obtain named contacts but these vary from firm to firm

Q: Who is MINT?
A: MINT is a UK Database produced by Bureau Van Dijk, similar to Experia whereby the information is collected from Companies House

Q: Why can the Libraries access this service as usually costs hundreds of pounds?
A: Gloucestershire Libraries through Gloucestershire County Council pay a subscription for the services and then can pass this on for free to businesses throughout the county.

Q: How can we access the service?
A: Either directly at Gloucester Library or can be reached via the net or phone please see above for more.

Q: What is your turnaround for data?
A: Circa 2 days although this may extend depending on the proposed cuts to library services.

SW thanked all for attending and with the possible withdrawal of the Parklife Project expressed his interest in Tewkesbury firms working together collaboratively towards a long term vision.

With so many great local business groups throughout the Borough it is important to understand what is J9 Business Group’s role.  Therefore the J9 Management Team have created the following vision statement-

The J9BG Vision:
“To be the very best business community we can be, providing the platform for a co-ordinated and united voice that represents all local businesses from the town and business parks collectively, regardless of size, sector or type.  The J9 Business Group will represent the collective views of the group as well as offering members the opportunity to get together, work together and grow together.”

Currently business groups such as the Chamber, FSB and J9 BG work together informally but there could be a time when this is formalised so that by coming together as a collective they are more likely to achieve their aims and objectives.  This is currently taking place in Stroud- where all business groups have been invited to become part of the Vale & Valleys Business Partnership.  This acts as an Umbrella organisation representing the interests of all groups in terms of lobbying for change etc.

SW stated that over the coming months the J9 Business Group would start to utilise the website more. (www.j9bg.co.uk)

Tewkesbury United?
J9 BG is working alongside Tewkesbury’s FSB and Chamber of Commerce, Basepoint and Tewkesbury Borough Council to create a joint business event titled- Tewkesbury United.  The event will provide all Tewkesbury and J9 firms with the opportunity to setup stands/stalls to showcase their wares to neighbouring businesses and potential customers.  Local charities and youth groups will also be present so that people can understand the wider community issues.  This is due to take place on the afternoon of Friday 10th June 2011.

For more information on this event or to see how you can be more involved with J9 Business Group please visit the website or contact Chair, Sheldon Witney via-

Priors Park is one of the most disadvantaged areas in Gloucestershire.  The Priors Park Neighbourhood Project has been working to improve this area since 2004 focusing on four core themes- Health, Education, Environment and Community Safety and Cohesion.

The Project is managed by a committee and features 2 full time and 2 part time members of staff.  A number of services are provided including individual advice and guidance, health drop in sessions, Police information points.

CW outlined a number of the key projects they currently provide-

• The Play on the Park Breakfast & After School Club and Holiday Play scheme
• Optimist Club:  Open for residents aged 55 or over
• Community Garden: Able to grow their own fruit & veg
• Tewkesbury Community Nature Reserve Project: Working to protect the 88 acres if wetland nearby
• A History of Priors Park

BC, Chair of the Committee, confirmed that the Project is keen to work with local firms in a partnership approach to ensure that the valuable work that has been carried out to date can be continued. 

If you would like more information on the Project or to see how your business can get involve please contact Carol Batsford (Project Manager) on 01684 290069 or via ppnp@btconnect.com

Mike Trust thanked all those present for attending today’s meeting.

MT then provided a quick update on a number of important up and coming events-

1. J9 Lorry and Travellers Event

A number of firms have experienced problems with lorries and travellers using their premises without their permission creating a problem with litter amongst others.  We are looking into the possibility of hosting a meeting between J9 businesses, Gloucestershire Constabulary and the local authorities to see what can be done to resolve these issues.

1. Tewkesbury Food & Drink Festival 30th April-2nd May

This hugely popular festival featuring a host of local products with something for all the family is taking place this year over the May bank holiday weekend.  For more information on the event or to understand what partnership/sponsorship opportunities please visit  http://www.tewkesburyfoodfestival.co.uk/