Business review of the year 2008 (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Business review of the year 2008

12:33pm Friday 2nd January 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

Business editor Richard Garfield throws a spotlight on the major stories of the year gone by.

JANUARY

BANKING on traditional values saw Handelsbanken open for business at Matrix House.

Heading the Swedish bank’s Basingstoke branch is Craig Ward, who said: “One of the key differentiators for Handelsbanken is that we are very traditional in our approach.

“We deal with all of our branch customers and don’t pass on responsibility for them to another part of the bank.”

Described as a universal bank by Mr Ward, Handelsbanken aims for the high end of the market, providing corporate banking, personal loans and a full range of accounts.

About 250 Boots warehouse staff started the new year with the knowledge that they faced redundancy, albeit in 2009, with the closure of the company’s Daneshill distribution centre.

However, they had the opportunity to upgrade their skills and learn new ones by attending workshops, seminars and courses, provided by the likes of BCOT, learndirect and Business Link.

The centre’s manger, Helen Campbell, said: “Boots deliberately chose to brief its people early about closure and with that obviously goes the responsibility to help them through this period of notice, rather than just saying, at the last minute, ‘We are closing the doors and off you go’.”

FEBRUARY

DISTRICT judge David Carney was at the launch of a new group for local legal eagles.

He gave advice to members of the North Hampshire Junior Lawyers Division, at the Light Lounge in London Street, Basingstoke.

Productivity and profitability for many local companies can be improved with a little help from BCOT apprentices.

That was the message from Monica Lubbock-Smith, from the college’s apprenticeship department, at a North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NHCCI) networking lunch.

She said: “Apprenticeships, in my experience, deliver confidence, self-esteem and technical knowledge.”

MARCH

A HAPPY workforce was a key factor for Business Environment (BE) being ranked 52nd in The Sunday Times Best Small Companies to Work For listing.

The company, which provides serviced offices at ViewPoint, in Basing View, was also voted as the Most Improved Company from the prestigious annual listing.

Edwin Hodges, sales and marketing director, said: “We believe that by looking after our employees they will be happier and they will do a much better job at serving our clients, and the clients are the ones that deserve exceptional customer service.

“You can’t have that delivered by unhappy employees.”

Plans were submitted to build a 99-bed budget hotel next to Basingstoke’s four-star Apollo Hotel to meet the borough’s growing business market.

Robert Rutherford, general manager at the Apollo Hotel, which is on the edge of Popley, said the aim is to open the new hotel in 2009.

APRIL

IT WAS all change at Basingstoke’s Women in Business Group.

Following its annual general meeting, held at Basingstoke’s Holiday Inn, a new committee formed to head the new networking group.

It also saw Sue Brown, who is a corporate tax manager at Tenon, step down as president and hand over the reins to Lindsey Page from Hook-based beauty and complimentary health therapists Finishing Touch.

A report compiled by audit, accounting and business services firm BDO Stoy Hayward showed that 30 Basingstoke businesses contributed 14 per cent of the annual turnover in the central-south area of the country.

The report showed that locally-based businesses such as Motorola, De La Rue and the AA are helping to create an unrivalled barometer of economic health for the region.

MAY

THE first boxes of £60million of wine made its way to Berry Bros & Rudd in Basingstoke.

More than 53,000 cases of Bordeaux 2005 arrived at the wine merchant’s Hamilton Close warehouse.

Simon Staples, Berry Bros & Rudd’s sales director, said: “The 2005 Bordeaux is an incredibly impressive vintage and demand from the Far East and Russia has pushed prices sky high.”

A world leader in e-mail ad web security appliances signed a commercial advertising ground deal at the home of Hampshire Cricket, the Rose Bowl.

The firm, based at West Ham Industrial Estate, Basingstoke, was able to show its banners and distinctive logo during all Hampshire’s home matches for the season.

JUNE

A POWERFUL American tool supply company chose Basingstoke to start opening stores in the UK.

Western Tool Supply, which supplies professional-grade power tools, had taken over well-established Hampshire Bolt and Tool, in Armstrong Road.

The new store is run by 23-year-old manager Eric Diehl, who transferred from Utah.

Mr Diehl said: “We had been looking for an opportunity to come to the UK for the past two years. When we saw one in Basingstoke, we jumped at the chance.”

An authentic taste of Italy came to Basingstoke with the opening of Delissimo, in Church Street.

The Italian delicatessen is a family-owned business run by Lucia and Darren Hoyne with Tony and Silvana Tambascia.

Mrs Hoyne said: “We’re trying to bring the taste of Italy to Basingstoke by stocking traditional ingredients that you can’t buy in other outlets in town.”

JULY

IT WAS a red letter day for a high-tech Basingstoke business when the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mary Fagan paid a visit.

She was there to present Image Processing Techniques with its Queen’s Award for Innovation.

The company, which celebrated its 10th anniversary, trades as OmniTek and produces test and measurement systems used for the film and television industry.

After touring the business with its president Mike Hodson, Mrs Fagan said: “From the moment I arrived, it was quite obvious that something very special has taken place here.”

An end of an era for a Basingstoke firm came with the retirement of David Evans, who was head of Lamb Brooks Solicitors, where he worked for almost 30 years.

Mr Evans was president of the Basingstoke Chamber of Commerce during the 1980s and was president of North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NHCCI) for three years until 2007.

AUGUST

ENGLAND’S most capped test cricketer, Alec Stewart, was guest speaker at a business lunch hosted by Clydesdale Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre in Basing View.

He was in town ahead of when Basingstoke’s cricket ground May’s Bounty was to host county cricket for the first time since 2000.

The former England and Surrey skipper said there are many parallels between professional cricket and business.

“As with cricket, you want success in business. It’s about having a plan and making sure you implement it.”

Bright red, fresh tomatoes added a touch of colour to a masterchef session at Ciao Baby Cucina at Festival Place, which hosted a packed Women in Business Group meeting.

Restaurant owner Rita Swart told members: “I want to share my passion of cooking with you by demonstrating how quickly and easily you can prepare some of Italy’s classic cuisine.”

SEPTEMBER

A NEW company looked to the gods to fly high after opening for business in Basingstoke.

Talaris is now the name of the former De La Rue Cash Systems Division following a buyout.

Explaining the origins of the name, chief executive officer Tracey Graham said: “Talaris is the name given to the winged sandals of the ancient Greek god of commerce, Hermes.

“Talaris will emulate his speed, efficiency and agility in delivering the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of cash-handling solutions, technology and services to our valued customers.”

Two very different big high street names made a difference to Basingstoke’s Festival Place.

The town’s Ann Summers store, which sells lingerie and other items, was among the first of 133 stores nationally to have a makeover – one that aims to reflect the brand’s core values of “sexy, innovative and fun”.

Looking to make its mark on Basingstoke was clothing and home furnishing retailer Laura Ashley, which officially opened its store by serving customers with champagne and orange juice.

OCTOBER

MORE than 170 guests dressed up and partied for a Basingstoke company still going great guns after ten years.

Business-to-business telemarketing company Great Guns Marketing celebrated in style at the Raven’s Ait Island at Surbiton.

Among those to congratulate Liz Jackson, who runs the business, was the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mary Fagan, who read out a personal congratulatory message from Prince Charles.

Barclays Commercial Bank was to return to Basingstoke.

Having revamped more than 2,100 sq ft of office space above Barclays’ Market Place branch, a celebration at Milestones museum was held to officially mark the opening.

Area corporate director Tom Fuller told guests: “We have listened to what you in Basingstoke have said and we have done something about it.”

NOVEMBER

THERE was a double win for LG Motion at the INSPIRE08 Business Awards.

Managing director Gary Livingstone picked up two trophies – Entrepreneur of the Year and Business of the Year.

Mr Livingstone said: “This is a massive honour, particularly because when we went into manufacturing, the banks thought we were mad – most people I spoke to thought we were mad!”

Political broadcaster and businessman Andrew Neil was guest speaker at the inaugural launch of North Hampshire Enterprise.

Held at The Elvetham Hotel in Hartley Wintney, 120 local business people came to find out more about the new Chamber of Commerce that is pitching for members in north Hampshire.

Mr Neil spoke about the importance of business leadership in the 21st century.

He said: “The ability to communicate is the number one skill looked for by employees, along with the ethics and integrity of the company they work for.”

DECEMBER

JUST in time for the Christmas rush, a successful north Hampshire florist business opened its second shop.

Husband and wife team Jason and Julie Allen, who run Moutan in Odiham, opened for business in Hartley Wintney’s High Street.

Mr Allen said: “We felt we could offer the people of Hartley Wintney and the surrounding area a good floristry service, like we do in Odiham.”

Meanwhile, a business with a split personality opened in Festival Place.

His & Kids is a hairdressing shop which is literally split into two – offering a stylish men’s section and a bright, engaging children’s side.

Steve Johnson, who is managing director of the chain of shops in Hampshire and Dorset, is upbeat about the business’s prospects in Basingstoke.

He said: “We felt this was a good time to expand as there are some good locations available like here at Festival Place, where the footfall is fantastic.

“Families are visiting the centre all the time and the environment is perfect for our brand.”