In Brief: Quick Thinking to open in Leeds; Sense Internet helps smash record; Short-term funding option launched; Bang & Olufsen pledge charity su
QUICK-Thinking, the Oxted-based communications agency, is to open a new office in Leeds.
The new operation will be headed by former Poulters client services director Jane Howarth, who previously worked with Quick-Thinking’s managing partners Graham King, Rupert Postlethwaite and Andy Hunt.
The Leeds operation will be based at The Calls – the city’s creative and media quarter next month.
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A WEBSITE built by Leeds-based Sense Internet for hotel chain Travelodge has helped smash all previous records.
During the latest Travelodge room sale a record breaking room was sold every second through Travelodge.co.uk.
Sense has worked with Travelodge for eight years to drive more and more
traffic to the website, which in that time has grown in importance to
become the key booking channel for the company.
Travelodge.co.uk is frequently one of the UK’s most popular travel websites, according to the online insight company Hitwise.
The website’s search and booking applications, as well as the underlying
technical architecture, were developed by Sense to cope with the huge
volumes of traffic generated by consumer and business demand for
Travelodge’s special sales.
Aidan Cook, Sense’s managing director, said: “The levels of bookings experienced during the latest sale show just how successful investing in web development has been for Travelodge.”
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YORKSHIRE-based restructuring and recovery boutique Armitage Jones has announced the availability of short term funding as part of its programme of turnaround activities aimed at helping companies in distress to restore financial stability.
Aimed at larger privately owned companies, funding is available for projects of between £100,000 and £5m, with the intention of either returning the business to the original shareholders or arranging a trade sale.
Tony Armitage, one of the firm’s partners, said that the rescue fund would provide equity and working capital to help businesses overcome immediate cash flow problems.
“As businesses continue to suffer from a lack of liquidity, fresh and innovative thinking is needed to provide new solutions to the current challenges,” he added.
Based in Ilkley, Armitage Jones comprises Mr Armitage, former Hammonds chief-turned- investor Chris Jones, and property developer and professional investor Simon Padgett.
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The WEST and North Yorkshire operation for audio visual brand Bang & Olufsen has pledged long term support to The Hope Trust, a local charity that supports ovarian cancer research and treatment.
All events hosted by the Leeds, Harrogate and York stores throughout 2009, ranging from product launches to specially invited customer previews, will raise funds for The Hope Trust.
The three stores already have a busy events calendar in progress and plan to host a series of events throughout the year in collaboration with other likeminded brands.
Graham Broomfield, marketing and business to business Director at Bang & Olufsen of Leeds, said: “We are very proud to be associated with the girls of The Hope Trust who work tirelessly to raise funds and help to make a difference to people’s lives.”
“With the largest store and show apartment in the UK, Bang & Olufsen Leeds boasts fantastic facilities that are perfect for hospitality. Our unique BeoLiving Room showcases how our products can be combined to create the ultimate in home entertainment.”
Kirstyn Pollard, chairman of The Hope Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to have this incredible support from Bang & Olufsen which has the potential to raise tremendous funds for our cause.”
