North Tyneside Business Forum Autumn 2014 Newsletter

Autumn 2014

NewsLetterAutumn2014FuDa Hobart Rose keeps it in the family for five generations (Page 2)New purpose for old Low Lights (Page 3)Dyslexia – help or hindrance? (cover story Page 4)

NORTH TYNESIDE BUSINESS FORUM NEWSLETTER

Autumn 2014

NORTH TYNESIDE BUSINESS FORUM NEWSLETTER p2

Inside this issue

New home for perfect image

p2 New home for Perfect Image p2 Four generations of family businessp3 Boot Camps push for successp3 New purpose for old Low Lightsp4 Dyslexia – help or hindrance?p5 Getting the moves at Move it Studiosp5 Broadband boost for North Tynesidep6 Top Ten Tips ... to get Motivatedp6 Metro – just the ticketp6 Safety Mattersp7 News in Briefp7 Sector Connector Volunteersp8 Business Survey – What You Told Usp8 Forthcoming Eventsp8 Don’t miss the Business Awardsp8 Hot August Tapasp8 Business Survey i-Pad winner

Fast-growing Perfect Image has joined a raft ofexpanding businesses by moving into Cobalt BusinessPark.

Rapid growth has triggered expansion from Newcastle citycentre into bigger offices at Equinox House, driving forwardthe firm’s ambition to double in size within three years.Founded in 1991, Perfect Image provides IT services, such asmanaged servers, networks and systems, to a range ofcompanies from start-ups to blue chip firms and the public sector.

FuDa Hobart Rose keeps it inthe family for five generationsAt a time of economic crisis, which has seen manybusinesses fail, one local business is still going strongafter 136 years.

FuDa Hobart Rose can trace its roots back to 1878 whenthe current Chairman’s great grandfather set up a paint andwallpaper business in Gateshead. It has been manufacturinghome furnishings on North Tyneside since 1959, and fromits own factory in China, producing soft furnishings,cushions, curtains, throws and bean bags.

The Company, now fifth generation, began its textileactivities in Howard Street, North Shields in Welch’s formersweet factory. Expansion led to Sidney Street then, in 1967,to a purpose built factory at Hillheads, Whitley Bay.Diversification into small occasional furniture products in2008 brought with it the opportunity to extend thatactivity.

Today the business runs from four factories on MiddleEngine Lane, employs over 140 staff and supplies HighStreet majors such as John Lewis, NEXT and Dunelm - theUK leader in homewares with a North Shields superstoredue to open soon.

Expansion, with a new factory later this year to producemainstream upholstery, will create more than 100 jobs over3 years with grant assistance through the Regional GrowthFund.

ESTABLISHED

IN

L-r Mizan Rouf, Lynn Cramman, Andrew Robson, Elected Mayor NormaRedfearn, William Morris and Kay Lees

David Rose with children (from left) Sarah, Lucy and James

Autumn 2014


Boot camps pushhard for successA demanding programme of activities is pushing bootcamp success for a North Tyneside health and fitnessbusiness.

In recent months NUCAS Bootcamps, based on CobaltBusiness Park, has staged its first triathlon; participated in athree peaks challenge raising over £1,000 for charity andlaunched a successful “Weightloss Project” for those lookingto shift weight quickly and safely.

Chris Hartley, Managing Director, said; “We started aboutthree years ago as a fitness company offering 3 trainingsessions per week. Following a move to Cobalt our businessis growing thanks to the help of Cobalt’s management team

and our ability to access to some of the UK’s best indoorfacilities.”

The company offers a range of services including personaltraining, 22 weekly indoor and outdoor adult boot campsessions, school holiday youth camps and weekend familyfun fitness sessions. It is also planning its first overseashealth retreat for next year. For further information [email protected],uk or call Chris on07850558925

Syrtes lucide miscere umbraculi. Adlaudabilis matrimonii senesceret parsim

New purpose for old Low LightsA new heritage hub, based in the old Low Lights Buildingat North Shields Fish Quay, opened its doors to visitorsat the end of September.

The Net North Shields provides a local amenity for thewhole community to help celebrate the culture andheritage of the Fish Quay. It includes a cafe, conferencefacilities, meeting rooms and a range of exhibits.

The centre launch follows months of refurbishment work onthe Grade II listed Old Low Light building, the oldestsurviving building on the Fish Quay dating from around1727.

The building began life as alighthouse but, in the early19th century, it was convertedinto an Almshouse. During the20th century it was used as atraining establishment for theDeep Sea Fisheries Associationand later the MaritimeVolunteer Service.

The refurbishment work wasundertaken by a range of businesses across the borough,funded by money from the Coastal Communities Fund andmanaged by North Tyneside Council.

Centre Manager Pearl Saddington said; “The Fish Quayenjoys a rich history and the opening of The Net NorthShields is further evidence of the area’s regeneration. Wehave received substantial support from businesses on thequay and across North Tyneside and look forward to thecentre becoming a major tourist attraction and a valuable community asset.”

After renovation by TWBPT and after tarmac laid - JUNE 2013

on success

Old light building south side fromoutside Clifford’s Fort walls - FEB 2012

Autumn 2014


Dyslexia - Asset or handicap?What makes Sir Richard Branson and Bill Gatessuccessful businessmen? Could it be that that they bothsuffer from dyslexia?

Research by Professor Julie Logan, from the Cass BusinessSchool in London, indicates a link between entrepreneurshipand dyslexia. Her findings reveal entrepreneurs in the UK aretwice as likely to be dyslexic as members of the generalpublic.

According to Professor Logan, dyslexic people display betterskills in oral communication and problem-solving. They arealso likely to be better at managing staff, having developeddelegation skills in order to cope with their conditions. Thebroader implication being that many of the coping skillsdyslexics learn in their formative years become bestpractices for successful entrepreneurs.

John’s StoryLike many dyslexics, John Maypother from Wallsend-basedAce2Gardens, suffered badly at school and believes dyslexiaheld him back for over 40 years. However, when faced withredundancy after 28 years with the Federation Brewery,John enrolled on a programme of Learn Direct courses,passing nine in one year. His confidence grew with eachsuccess, the creativity started to flow and so did the ideas.

“I worked in care for a while and was always coming upwith ways to do things better. Unfortunately those incharge often did not appreciate my suggestions and weeventually parted company. I set up Ace2Gardens in spring2013 and have not looked back; my creativity is nowliterally paying off in spades!”

John now uses his ideas to create stunning gardens whichreflect the personality of the owners. He firmly believes agarden is also an important part of a business; “It’s the firstthing customers see and it sets the scene for what’s goingon inside,” he says.

Mike’s StoryRedundancy also featured large in Mike McCoy’s dyslexiadiagnosis. Mike and his wife Alison, who own ME PATServices Limited, are both dyslexic and have bothexperienced redundancy; ultimately leading them to set uptheir portable appliance testing business in 2009.

“I have always been a good verbal communicator butstruggle with the written word, particularly black wordswritten on a white background. Finding out I was dyslexicwhen signing on after my fifth redundancy was like having aweight lifted from my shoulders,” says Mike.

Alison and Mike have different types of dyslexia but findtheir skills complement each other. Mike concentrates onpromoting the business, while Alison, a woman in a man’sworld, undertakes the electrical testing work. It’s apartnership that works for them both at work and at home.

However, despite being labelled ‘stupid’ at school Mike didexcel at one particular project; a history book he createdcalled Newcastle Old and New. This old piece of schoolwork has recently been rediscovered and, thanks to supportfrom local journalist Chris Rooney, is being turned into aproper book which Mike hopes to publish next year.

For further information on Ace2Gardens call JohnMaypother on 0755 1947582; for further information onME PAT Services call Mike McCoy on 07865 923716. Formore information on Dyslexia visitwww.bdadyslexia.org.uk.

John Maypother

Alison and Mike McCoy

Autumn 2014


Getting the movesat Move it StudiosA North East freestyle disco dancer has ditched a highpressured career in HR to set up a dance studio inWallsend.

Helen Telford opened Move It Studios in the town centrefollowing help from the North Tyneside Business Factory.She used her redundancy package to set up the studio andfund three specialist dance instructors.

She said: “I’d always worked in highly pressurisedenvironments, but after the birth of my daughter knew itwas time for a change. I wanted to do something I lovedand make a difference at the same time.”

Since opening its doors in April, demand has beenunprecedented and Helen is now converting the building’sfirst floor into an additional dance studio while turning herbusiness into a social enterprise.

The Business Factory offers advice and support to anyonestarting a business in North Tyneside. In the past two and ahalf years it has helped to establish over 950 new businesses.

Broadband boostfor businesses onNorth TynesideBusinesses in North Tyneside are in for a majorbroadband boost as the Go Digital NewcastleConnection Voucher scheme spreads to the area.

Under the scheme, small and medium businesses,charities and social enterprises can get up to £3,000towards the cost of connecting to superfast broadband.

One of the first local companies to benefit is OrionBusiness Park based Cormeton Electronics Limited. Theywere given a conditional voucher so their supplier coulddo a survey; then sent a ‘final’ voucher, reflecting thereal costs and enabling them to place the order andhave the work carried out.

John King from Cormeton Electronics Limited said;“Superfast broadband is essential for our companysuccess; using the Connection Voucher helped towardsthe fixed cost of getting connected and even enabled usto choose our own supplier. It was a seamlessexperience.”

For more information and to apply for a ConnectionVoucher, visit www.godigitalnewcastle.co.uk, call theteam on 0191 277 1625 or emailgodigitalnewcastle.co.uk

Accelerate your business growthGrowthAccelerator is a unique, Government programme ofbusiness growth support available to SMEs based in England.

It is aimed at companies seeking to significantly grow turnover andprofit over the next 3 years and would benefit from some tailored support. Companies like North-East based online retailersPink Boutique who went from a £90 investment to a £1.8 million turnover in two years! For further information contactJulie Skevington at GrowthAccelerator on 07850751703

Autumn 2014


...to getting it doneAt one time or another everyone needs help withmotivation; the enthusiasm to get up and go; to makethings happen. At times it’s easier said than done and youmay even wonder why you thought having your ownbusiness was a good idea. Here, Tracey Tait from TranscendYou gives her suggestions to stay motivated:

1. Decide to be motivated; this comes from you, it willrequire effort and it means planning your work.

2. Perfection does not exist; it’s a myth and addspressure. Aim for positive progress and doing yourbest.

3. Write down what is stopping your motivation;when you identify problems you can plan to deal withthem.

4. See it and think about it; what will it feel like to reachyour goal? Will you be determined to do more?

5. Have a prompt; a song, an aspirational quote or aphotograph, anything that gets your motivation going.

6. Keeping it real; Set realistic goals and break thesedown into smaller chunks – year, monthly, week, day.

7. High five; Got a task you find tiresome? Set yourselffive minutes after which you can do something else.

8. Get moving; Literally MOVE! Tidy your desk, go for awalk, make a cuppa, break the cycle of just sitting

9. The real reason; Recall all the reasons you set up onyour own - the passion, the belief, the excitement, beinggood at it and finally having your own business.

10. Think about Quitting; I’m not suggesting you give up, Iam suggesting you imagine what quitting would be like.Is avoiding the task at hand worth all that wasted time, money and passion?

Tracey Tait is NLPPractitioner, Life Coach and Hypnosis Practitioner at Transcend You: 0191 4999608 or 07900 904850www.transcendyou.co.uk

Safety MatterJust the ticket A recent survey by YouGov considered 525 SME’s (all

with employees) revealing: 22% had 1 person or no one responsible for health and safety; 23% said this was because of time; 19% blamed cost;

A properly implemented health and safety regime is a legaland moral requirement; it will save time and money in thelong run and may not be as expensive to implement as youfear, particularly if you involve your employees in theprocess rather than impose it upon them.

Quality Toolbox Talks are an excellent way to educate youremployees about your health and safety policy and, aneducated workforce will do part of your job for you byreporting issues, engaging in the process and suggestingchanges. They will feel part of the solution rather than theproblem.

For information on Quality Toolbox Talks contact localHealth and Safety Consultant Simon Matthews fromWhitley Bay based Searchlight Consulting on

[email protected].

Give your staff the benefit of unlimited Metro travel from£8.20 a week (based on an annual ticket). A CorporateMetroSaver will help staff make significant savings on theirtravel to work and won’t cost you a penny. Simply buydiscounted all zones annual MetroSavers on your staff’sbehalf and recoup the costs from their salary. This gives staffthe saving benefits of an annual MetroSaver and theconvenience of spreading the cost. [email protected] or call (0191) 203 3225.

Autumn 2014


Connecting the community

News in brief

Day8 Productions help promote self confidenceWhitley Bay based, Day8 Productions, is a not for profit theatrical productionscompany which encourages self-esteem and self confidence throughparticipation in theatrical activities. The company works across all ages andperforms at least 2 productions per year. There is also a youth academy whichprovides a safe and welcoming environment for young people from allbackgrounds to create, explore and participate in quality drama and theatreactivities. For further information contact [email protected] or visitwww.day8productions.org

The future’s lookingbright for Lewis Nagal Lewis has secured a businessapprenticeship with N2 Limitedafter successfully completing apre-apprenticeship course atTyneMet. Terry Nall N2’sManaging Director said; “We offerour apprentices appropriate

training and involve them in all aspects of the company; Lewis has learned newskills and added value to our business.”

Thousands flock tothe Proper Foodand Drink FestivalThis highly successful event,organised by North ShieldsChamber of Trade, sawthousands of people packingNorthumberland Square tosample the delights of artisanfoods from Northumberland,Tyne and Wear, Cumbria,Yorkshire and Scotland.

PART

NER UPDATE

Employees volunteerA group of Cramlington basedemployees used Sector Connector toget involved with a localvolunteering project.

A group of 13 employees, from healthsciences company Thermo FisherScientific, used a 2 day factory shut-down to help their local community.On day one staff helped the gardeninggroup at West Moor Residents’Association; day-two saw them atShiremoor Centre building bird boxesand making waterproof bags andponchos for the Making WinterWarmer charity using tools andmaterials donated by Berghaus, PercyA. Hudson and Key Enterprises.

For details on how Sector Connectorcan help develop your workforce andraise your profile through volunteeringcontact Ian Dougall on 0191 6432638or email [email protected]

Autumn 2014


Business Survey -what you told us55% of North Tyneside businesses plan to growturnover in the next 12 months; 40% expect to launchnew services and 39% to enter new markets.

These are just some of the facts to come out of the NorthTyneside Business Forum’s recent business survey. Otherkey issues include• Only 29.85% of businesses have a workforce development plan in place.• 88.68% prefer in-house staff training.• Recruitment is mostly carried out via word of mouth (48.15%)• The most difficult vacancies to fill are for skilled manual work (51.52%).• There is a large demand for free support across all areas of the business.

Peter Hedley, Business Forum Chair said; “Response to thesurvey was high and was significantly more than usual forthis type of survey which reflects the depth of interest ofthe local business community. The results provide theForum with a number of opportunities to offer help, supportand advice throughout 2015.”

The full results of the survey are available on the NorthTyneside Business Forum website atwww.northtynesidebusinessforum.com

Did you catch this? Hot August Tapas.“Please sir I want some more” - 30 guests attended ourAugust Tapas event at Windsor Hotel and enjoyed 5exquisite courses of tapas with a little networking on theside. As requested, more Tapas events are planned for 2015.

i-Pad winnerCongratulations go to GaryWatts who is the winner of ourBusiness Survey I-Pad. Garyworks for The Which Networkand assists mortgage brokersfind the right mortgagenetwork for their business.

Don’t miss theBusiness AwardsThe entries are coming in thick and fast, judging isabout to start and tickets are now on sale for thebiggest celebration of business on North Tyneside.

The annual North Tyneside Business Awards take place onTuesday, 2 December at the Village Hotel on CobaltBusiness Park. This high profile, spectacular eventrecognises the contribution our SMEs make to the localeconomy and will set the scene of looking forward to asuccessful 2015. Tickets cost an affordable £40 eachincluding drinks reception, three course dinner and liveentertainment and are available via the forum websitewww.northtynesidebusinessforum.com. Book early toavoid disappointment.

Gary Watts with Karen Goldfinch of Made to Treasure; lead of the NTBF

events group.

Forthcoming eventsNov 2014 Business Safari - Site visit to OGN for local Manufacturers Wallsend

20 Nov 2014 How to Sell to the MOD Village Hotel

2 Dec 2014 NT Business of the Year Awards Village Hotel

Feb 2015 The Sub Sea Sector in NE England tbc

Mar 2015 Showbiz 2015: Business Support & Showcase Event tbc

Mar 2015 Business Safari - Site visit to local manufacturing premises tbc

Documents

North Tyneside Business Forum Autumn 2014 Newsletter