British Shops and Stores Association (bssa) has announced the latest set of results from its quarterly Sales Monitor, which shows clear evidence that independent retailers are feeling the effects of the downturn to a greater degree than multiples, with three month like-for-like sales down 1.83% compared with a BRC figure of down 0.03% for the same quarter this year.

With the exception of Scotland , only London and the SE showed positive sales performance in the last quarter. This reinforces the evidence of the BRC London sales monitor.

The survey also reveals that after a positive performance by Department stores in the previous quarter, performance has dipped to minus 5.5% in the last quarter.

‘It is of great concern that overall performance year to date is adverse by - 1.7% compared with last year,’ comments bssa Chief Executive, John Dean. ‘Superimpose above inflation increases in overheads and one can see the pressures many independent retailers face.’

Unlike the last quarter - January to March 2008 – where there was a definite market shakedown in effect, with clear winners and losers and very contrasting fortunes amongst different business types - only cards, crafts, stationery and hobby stores benefited from an increased performance this quarter, with books, toys and music stores faring particularly badly – down 7.5% - closely followed by department stores, but all other participating retailers experienced the same slump to a slightly lesser degree.

When comparing performance with the same quarter last year, 58% reported a drop at an average of -12.2% and it is the same story when it comes to performance for the financial year to date, compared with the same point last year. 55% of all respondents reported a lower performance with the same average decrease.

John Dean concludes:

‘Comments from respondents indicate that independent retailers are trying to counteract the effects of the downturn with deeper sales cuts impacting on margin. Store owners report that currency fluctuations are making trade difficult and unpredictable and that they are worried that increases in rents, wages, competition and ‘red tape’ encourages preparations for closure. Parking problems were also raised.

‘These results indicate the serious predicament independent retailers currently face. Despite the dangers of increasing inflation, there is a strong argument to drop bank rate to stimulate the economy in the short term.’

The Sales Monitor produced by bssa differs from the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Retail Sales Monitor in several ways. Calculated on a quarterly rather than monthly basis, it does not include sales returns from multiples or businesses operating in the food sector, thereby providing a more meaningful barometer to the current retail climate experienced by the mix of businesses on UK high streets.

For further information visit the bssa website at www.british-shops.co.uk or call 01295 712277.

Notes for editors:

• bssa is the leading trade association to offer unrivalled support and commercial advantage to small and medium-sized non-food retailers. Today it has in excess of 4,000 members who have a combined annual turnover exceeding £3 billion, trading out of 6,200 outlets and employing over 45,000 staff.
• Firmly proactive in its stance, in addition to commissioning qualitative research, bssa also produces an annual members’ Wages Survey as well as a quarterly Sales Monitor highlighting consumer spending and retail performance within the independent non-food sector. This service assists and supports its ongoing ‘Health of the High Street’ campaign.
• The Association has two primary tasks. Its large membership base enables it to leverage economies of scale to provide a comprehensive and highly competitive portfolio of core retailing business and professional services to its members. These include web design and e-commerce solutions, card processing and banking, a property and ratings service and a comprehensive Legal Benefits Scheme, which includes access to essential online employment and health & safety sites as well as telephone advice lines. In addition, it represents the interests and concerns of its members to Government both directly and indirectly through the offices of the British Retail Consortium.

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Penryn based communications consultancy SEA are working with Bristol’s Knowle West Media Centre in exploring how digital media can aid social inclusion and reduce environmental impact.

This month they plan to get four digital campaigns for the award-winning Carbon Makeover programme off the ground.

SEA are also running Low Carbon Communications workshops for centre staff and community members.

For more information about their workshops please visit www.sea02.com/workshops

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The Stephens Scown Team Stops for a Picture at the Summit.

Four teams from Stephens Scown in Exeter, Truro and St Austell are celebrating their success in completing the Three Peaks Challenge in record-breaking times.

Thirty seven members of staff took part in the event to climb the highest peaks in Scotland, Wales and England – Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike within the space of 24 hours – some smashed this target, returning home with more than two hours to spare.

More than £10,000 was also raised for the South West legal firm’s two official charities - the NSPCC in Cornwall and the FORCE cancer charity in Exeter.

Stephens Scown enlisted the help of Adventure Café to oversee the planning, safety and arrangements during the three days.

Director and Challenge Leader, Richard McLaughlin says Stephens Scown is the fastest team they have ever had, “A big well done and full respect to the whole team from Stephens Scown who took part in the Three Peaks Challenge.

“The time of 21 hours and fifty minutes was a record and one which will undoubtedly take some time to better. As well as the fast teams, we also were truly impressed with the level of commitment and genuine hard graft from everyone involved.”

A support team including a number of drivers from the legal firm helped transport the walkers a total of around 480 miles between the mountains largely during the night.

Event team leader and Partner in the Exeter Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team, Phil Gregory commented: “It was a tremendous team effort and one of which Stephens Scown can be proud. Although it was tough going, it was also exhilarating and extremely rewarding knowing that we were taking part in this challenge for such good causes.

Phil added: “I would especially like to thank the drivers and support team, without whom none of us would have made it - not withstanding speed restricted minibuses, tiny ‘B’ roads populated with sheep during the early hours of the morning in the Lake District and several bouts of travel sickness!.”

Target times of four hours to climb Snowdon and five hours each for Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike were met by the teams, who began the ascent of Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike on Friday 20 June and completed on Saturday 21 June.

Notes to editors:

The three peaks climbed include Ben Nevis, Scotland measuring 1344m, Scafell Pike in the Lake District measuring 978m and Snowdon in North Wales measuring 1085m

A4e’s Pathways to Work initiative in Cornwall has been formally launched, as part of the final phase of the introduction of the Government’s flagship Pathways to Work programme.

Restormel Borough Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jenny Mason, has visited A4e’s Pathways premises at Beatrice Road, Bodmin to officially launch the scheme in Devon and Cornwall, and to see how it is assisting unemployed local residents back into the workplace.

Pathways to Work provides support from highly skilled personal advisers from the public, private and voluntary sectors, to ensure the long-term unemployed receive the specialist assistance they need to get back to work.

Steve Hart, District Manager for A4e, commented: “Pathways proves we can make a significant difference, even with long-term benefit claimants, who are often perceived as being harder to help back into
employment. Since opening our doors on 3rd December we’ve seen more
than 2300 customers join the local Pathways programme and the best news is that we have already helped almost 600 customers back into work.”

Recent independent reports found that individuals and society as a whole are better off as a result of Pathways to Work. It is estimated that for every million spent on the programme, £1.5 million is returned through a reduced benefits burden and increased tax contributions.

Steve Hart continued: “Pathways to Work continues to prove its worth, having so far helped over 100,000 people into work. If the right support is offered, just as A4e is offering here, people can find out for themselves how much better off they are not on benefits. Anyone on incapacity benefits throughout the country has access to a local Pathways service and I am delighted to see things working so well here in the Devon and Cornwall region.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the services A4e is able to offer them should contact A4e on 01208 470200 or 32-34 Beatrice Road, Walker Lines Industrial Estate, Bodmin, PL31 6TW.

Case study

How Pathways to Work can make a difference

Doris Morton was a qualified nurse, working with people who had learning disabilities and severe challenging behaviour. Unfortunately she was injured after an accident and could not return back to work. As a result of her injury she had no choice but to claim Incapacity Benefit for 13 years.

During this time Doris went back to college to gain some paper qualifications as she had left school many years ago with none.

Following sessions with her employment coach at A4e, Doris started to realise her potential and obtained an interview for an ‘Employment Coach’ role within the A4e organisation. She received the relevant training and qualifications through the Pathways to Work initiative in order to build up her confidence and motivation to get back into work again.

Doris successfully secured the post she applied for and has been working for A4e for the past six weeks. She is an inspiration to many and now works with people to get the back into full-time employment.

For further information, please contact Rachel Mealing, Golley Slater on 0161 237 6807 or rachel.mealing@golleyslater.co.uk.

Notes to Editors:

A4e

A4e is a successful international business and market leader in global public service reform. Since 1991 A4e has touched the lives of over one million people providing consultation and advice to people and organisations.

It works with government and the private and third sectors to design, develop and deliver social inclusion programmes that benefit individuals, organisations and communities.

A4e excels at bringing new programmes and pilots into new markets delivering services that have a positive impact on the disadvantaged and marginalised.

A4e provides products and services in 7 key areas:

● Welfare to Work
● Offender Learning and Skills
● Financial Inclusion Education and Advice
● Enterprise
● Fund Management and Distribution
● Workforce Development
● Health Care sector

For further information, please contact Rachel Mealing, Golley Slater, Account Director on 0161 237 6807 or rachel.mealing@golleyslater.co.uk.

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A lack of suitably skilled staff in Cornwall is one of the surprising findings of a new business survey carried out for Truro’s Chamber of Commerce.

While a third of respondents quoted the wider economic situation, a third of respondents also listed staff availability and skills as a key business challenge.

The Chamber wrote to around 2,500 businesses in the TR1 to TR4 postcodes areas.

Other survey results paint a mixed picture with 45% of businesses predicting an increase in turnover and 16% of businesses expecting to see a fall. Just under 40% expect turnover to remain broadly unchanged.

But despite this, tougher trading conditions are likely to lead to reduced margins with 21% forecasting a fall, and 38% an increase, in profits.

Larger business proved most pessimistic; 40% of those with a turnover greater than £5m expect it to fall this year.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman, David Tandy of Follett Stock solicitors commented: “The shortage of skilled staff is an issue of great concern. Businesses cannot grow without the right people and the Chamber will do what it can to tackle this issue for our members. But these findings also show that most businesses in the area expect to weather the economic storm, and that’s good news.”

One of the companies highlighting the skills shortage was Govan Gas, a plumbing and heating specialists based in Mount Hawke and employing 16 people throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Its Managing Director, Daryl Govan said: “We simply can’t get suitably qualified staff locally, and that’s stopped our business expanding … we hit a brick wall about 18 months ago after three consecutive years of doubling our turnover. We’re now training staff in-house, but that takes time and costs a lot more than appointing qualified staff.”

Other respondents highlighted specific niche training, which is currently only available elsewhere in the country, such as law and other professional services.

David Tandy continued: “Although staff availability may be hampering businesses now, it’s a sign that Cornwall is looking for more and more highly qualified staff. Long term, that’s good news for the area’s economy. High skill jobs, adding significant value to products and services, are just the ticket for economic success.”

The survey also showed that word of mouth is a vital tool for companies in the area, with around 40% of total business coming from referrals. Truro Chamber currently holds monthly networking clubs to bring together customers and suppliers.

The survey was carried out among businesses with a registered limited company address or a business phone line in the TR1 to TR4 postcode areas.

Truro Chamber of Commerce represents a range of businesses in the city and even has members who trade in Truro but are based in areas such as North Cornwall and Devon.

The organisation lobbies, arranges networking events, sets up social events and provides advice to its members. To find out more about the benefits of Chamber membership, visit www.truro-chamber.co.uk.

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Clockwise from top left: James Hodgson, Partner of Hodgsons Chartered Accountants, Anna Hart & John Miller

The first winner of the Hodgsons ‘Award for Success’ has been announced today. MARK Product Limited has been awarded a tailored accountancy and advice package worth £2500.00, which involves working with the management team, preparing a business plan and providing financial forecasts.  The next stage for Hodgsons is to approach potential equity investors and secure the funding that will allow the business to reach its full potential.

Leading, regional accountancy firm, Hodgsons, launched the competition in March, to provide a vital springboard for growing businesses.

MARK Product Limited is a contemporary furniture business created by the Penryn-based interior designer, Anna Hart and University College Falmouth’s Director of Design, John Miller. The business is rooted in Cornwall – inspired by the landscape and lifestyle – and invests in high quality manufacturing and skills in the county.

The company’s aspiration is that their product range of furniture, lighting and homewares, which are created in Cornwall, will develop into an iconic brand.

James Hodgson, Partner at Hodgsons said: ‘MARK Product Limited are a fantastic new company riding the wave of the creative boom in Cornwall. We selected them as the first winner of ‘Award for Success’ for their energy, professionalism and knowledge of their product and target markets. I am confident that MARK will soon become a recognisable brand and very proud that Hodgsons will play a part in the company’s development.’

John Miller commented: “It’s been great how quickly Hodgsons have become part of the team, understood the issues and helped shape MARK Product Limited. This has complemented the support from University College Falmouth, who plan to support the start-up of many more innovative businesses through the Academy of Innovation & Research project that it hopes to establish at the Tremough Campus by 2010.”

Anna Hart said: “Hodgsons have been integral in supporting us during MARK’s start up phase. Their business knowledge and support has been invaluable and having them on board to deal with the financial aspects of the business means that we can focus on product design and development.”

Hodgsons are now inviting a second round of applications from new businesses for the Award for Success scheme. Applications should include:

• full CVs of the key people, outlining their achievements;
• an outline of the business concept, why it will be successful, and details of the business’s achievements to date
• an outline of the type of help they think they need in order to progress

Hodgsons created the award because they recognise that new businesses need sound business planning, help towards securing funding, advice on business acquisitions or general financial guidance and mentoring during periods of growth or consolidation.

Anyone interested in applying for the Hodgsons Award for Success should email their application to: awardsforsuccess@hodgsons.uk.com or write with their details, marking the envelope confidential, to James Hodgson, Hodgsons, 48 Arwenack Street, Falmouth Cornwall TR11 3JH.

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Cowlin Construction has dismissed rumours that it is set to quit the Devon and Cornwall region.

The company’s divisional MD, Neil Sherreard, told Business Cornwall:

“I wish to categorically state that this is not the case and that we remain committed to developing our business in the region, under the leadership of regional managing director Mike O’Neill.”

Cowlin was acquired by Balfour Beatty last year and Sherreard added:

“Significant investment is being made into the Cowlin business by Balfour Beatty who are looking for us to expand our organisation.”

Leading Healthcare Consultants MJ Medical are celebrating their part in the recent Financial Close of a £174 million PFI healthcare development for the Manor Hospital, Walsall – within just 11 months.

MJ Medical’s team of specialist Equipment Planners worked with the Skanska Innisfree Consortium and the Walsall Hospital NHS Trust in all aspects of the equipment design for the hospital, as well as the management of room design data from Architects, Engineers and Trust stakeholders. The commitment of all of the parties involved resulted in what was a dynamic, challenging and interactive design programme of works, which was proved successful by achieving Financial Close in such an unprecedented timescale.

Danny Gibson, MJ Medical’s Technical Director said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this exciting and high profile project working in partnership with the Skanska Consortium and the Trust to achieve Financial Close, on a large project, within just 11 months.”

He added: “An important aspect of this project was to ensure the model of care and equipment design was centred on providing state of the art facilities that offer flexibility to meet the healthcare needs of a changing NHS. From the outset we deployed a multi-disciplinary team skilled in healthcare design and project management to provide competent and sustainable equipment solutions and accurate data management services. We’re extremely pleased that the scheme has reached a speedy Financial Close for our clients and the local community who will benefit from it in the future.”

The redevelopment of Manor Hospital will provide a total of 558 inpatient beds. A variety of new services will also be available including a Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, a combined Women’s, Children’s and Young Persons Centre and training facilities for NHS staff. The scheme will be completed by 2011.

MJ Medical are a UK leading health care consultancy with operations both within the UK and internationally. The company has an extensive portfolio of health and social care projects and provides high quality, and cost effective solutions, at any stage of a healthcare project.

Editors Notes:

• MJ Medical is a leading UK and international healthcare consultancy specialising in Equipment and Health Planning, and Equipment Procurement. Established in 1987, MJ Medical as history of successful consultancy and procurement projects with the UK and internationally (including projects in Africa, Asia, Middle East Europe and the Americas).
• For further information about MJ Medical visit www.mjmedical.com.
• Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust appointed Skanska Innisfree Consortium as Preferred Partner for the Manor Hospital Redevelopment Project on 1st November 2006. Skanska are a leading UK Public Private Partnership company.

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Star of television and stage - Shobna Gulati

STAR of television and stage Shobna Gulati appeared with Hall for Cornwall’s Director Tim Brinkman to help celebrate the purchase of some new lighting equipment for the venue.

Fundraising through Theatre Fund donations has led to the venue being able to purchase the equipment which will help the venue offer even better lighting options to visiting companies and improved performance to customers.

No longer will the Hall have limited dimmer options as the new equipment has increased light dimming capabilities from 130 to 242 options - meaning that shows can now better realise their lighting designs. This will also help make for speedier fit ups and improved efficiency and safety due to the removal of spare cabling which will no longer be required.

Like 887 other theatres across the country, Hall for Cornwall receives funding from government and local councils. With a full repairing lease on the listed building - the charity has to work very hard to raise additional money via selling programmes, selling food and drink and fundraising.

The ‘Loved to Bits’ Theatre Fund campaign was launched in 2005 to help deal with trouble spots around the building and to help with the purchase of much-needed new equipment. By adding an 85p Theatre Fund payment to each ticket sold the venue has been able to supplement existing funding.

The fundraising scheme has been a great success and has already helped the Hall replace an almost obsolete ticketing system as well as helping the charity tackle a list of vital repairs.

“None of this would be possible without the continued support of our customers and we can’t thank them enough,” says Tim Brinkman.

Shobna - best known for her appearances in Dinnerladies and Coronation Street - is currently appearing at the Hall in The Vagina Monologues added: “It’s a lovely venue and brilliant to see how the Cornish people are helping to ensure the continued success of live theatre.”

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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is warning that the demise of energywatch in October this year will leave small businesses with nowhere to turn for help and advice with energy contracts.

The warning comes as an FSB snap poll of over 1,000 business owners reveals that 57 percent have made complaints to their energy companies and that only half of those complaints are being dealt with satisfactorily.

With over 30,000 calls from small businesses received every year, energywatch has built up a solid reputation for small business representation in the energy market. But from October 1 2008 it will be disbanded. The FSB is warning that energywatch’s work is unlikely to be covered by Consumer Direct, which will nominally take over energywatch’s responsibilities but has shown little willingness or ability to tackle small business energy issues.

Celwyn Richardson, FSB Cornwall’s Regional Secretary and Energy Spokesman
said:

“This is appalling news. As someone who works with Energy suppliers, I am well aware of the complications within the Energy Supply process and the difficulty a customer has getting to someone in authority when something goes wrong. Consumer Direct do not stand a chance. This whole idea is innocent in the extreme. As it is, most of the suppliers hide behind foreign call centres, and use those operations as “cut out” by then failing to support them by actioning the requests made.”

John Holbrow, FSB environment and energy chairman, said:

“This survey provides damning evidence that some energy companies are still not treating small businesses properly.

“It is sad to see that the government is disbanding energywatch at the very time when its work on behalf of small business consumers is most needed.

“The government has so far failed to ensure that there is an effective alternative in place. With Consumer Direct seemingly uninterested, come October there will be thousands of small business owners with nowhere to turn for help when their energy companies take them for a ride.”

Notes to Editors

Of the 1063 businesses that responded to the question “Have you ever lodged a complaint with your gas or electricity supplier?” 57% said yes and 43% said no. The reasons for their complaints were: billing problems (46%), inaccurate meter reading (21%), customer service (9%), difficulty switching supplier (24%). Only 51% of businesses had their complaints dealt with satisfactorily while 49% did not.

More information about energywatch is available at www.energywatch.org.uk

The FSB is Britain’s biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk.

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