Shrewsbury BID launches town improvement initiative

SHREWSBURY Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a research project to help direct business and community-led projects to improve the town and enhance its tourist offer.

The six month project has been developed by the BID, Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, Seal Communications, and with help of Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire Council.

Kirsten Henly, Shrewsbury BID manager, said the research project has been specifically created to provide the BID and its partners with more visitor knowledge and a framework for future research in Shrewsbury.

“The findings will help partners understand customers and the public’s views and perceptions, encourage more visitors to the town and ultimately improve visitor economy.”

Solihull travel agency turns to general public for growth  

A SOLIHULL travel agency is targeting growth by expanding its services to the general public.

Everywhere Travel, based in Trinity Park, has been handling travel operations for the Midlands-based entertainment and leisure focused EZE Group for the last two years.

It is now looking to expand its customer base by bringing the experience of this service to the general public.

Managing director Stephanie O’Reilly said: “By the end of the financial year in April 2015, I’m looking to have a 50/50% split in EZE Group and our own customers, so we’ve been busy revamping our website and broadening our marketing and social media reach.

“We’ve learned a lot from them and their concierge service approach to business, plus we now have a strategic partnership with the World Choice Plus consortium and they have real purchasing power.

“It gives us the freedom to book literally anything, which sits very well with our brand personality, plus they handle all the back end stuff for us – so we can just concentrate on securing the best available deals.”

Shropshire manufacturer gives students a taste of the workplace

A SHROPSHIRE manufacturer is giving students a taste of what it is like to work in the industry.

Shrewsbury-based Salop Design and Engineering said the move would hopefully be a positive way of trying to address the skills gap which is currently challenging the sector.

Christopher Greenough, a director of the business, said: “I see a skills gap. With manufacturing on the up and with the industry already growing, there are going to be large vacancies for skilled manufacturers in coming years.”

The firm has taken on three apprentices with the intention of training them up to be fully fledged members of the Salop team.

He said this approach needed to be adopted by other firms so that in 10 years’ time there was no shortage of skilled labour.

“I’m always trying to make links with the local community. I’ve been searching for ways to work with the companies and institutions in the area to strengthen our current relationships and build new ones,” he said.

Assay Office awarded certificate for standards

THE Assay Office Birmingham has been re-certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council as meeting the body’s highest ethical, social and environmental standards.

Stella Layton, chief executive and assay master, said: “Assay Office Birmingham considers an ethical supply chain to be very important. We pride ourselves on our independent expertise, integrity and innovation and are always looking to improve our own performance and to encourage high standards across the breadth of our industry.

“Maintaining certification to Responsible Jewellery Council standards is an important goal and we are proud of our achievement. We work in partnership with many brands who are also committed to the principles of the RJC. Our certification demonstrates our commitment and provides reassurance that our values and practices are in line with those of our customers.”
 
Ashish Deo, the RJC’s CEO, said: “RJC congratulates Assay Office Birmingham on achieving re-certification. Assay Office Birmingham was first certified in 2011. After a member has become RJC certified for the first time, independent verification is required at the end of each certification period to ensure continued conformance and thereby maintain Certified Member status.”