Business50 taking place in Glasgow
March 4, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment
Be a Market Leader in Glasgow
The Business50 Show on 30 April 2013 at Hampden Park is billed by organisers as the premier business event in the area this Spring. This is what they say:-
“We are delighted to have again partnered with the Supplier Development Programme team to bring up to 30 exhibitors from Local Government and Public Sector organisations. These exhibitors want to speak to new suppliers of a wide range of goods and services. They want to speak to you……..so click here today to book your place which is totally free.
We are expecting really high footfall for this event on 30 April – at least 500 – so what better opportunity to showcase your company as being the market expert and leader in your field. With only one company per business category exhibiting, you will stand out from the crowd. The costs starts from £200 + Vat to exhibit – that’s less than 50p per contact. Click here to find out more.
B50 Glasgow is here
On Tuesday 19 March, we are delighted to bring our very first event to Glasgow at 6pm – 8pm at Novotel Glasgow Central, Pitt Street. The SmallBusiness50 Club will meet for the first time in the city. To celebrate the first meeting which will be an informal evening of sharing opportunities and lots of interaction, we would like to welcome both friends and members to attend at the members rate of £15.00 which includes a sandwich supper, tea and coffee. Click here to book today.Our FAQs
We have created a FAQs page here and hope to provide answers to some of your questions about Business50. If your question is not shown here, please drop us a line so we can add it to the list. One of the most frequently asked questions is “Do I have to attend all the events? The answer is “Not at all – the choice is yours as is everything about Business50 – the choice is yours”
Freshlink factory to close
November 3, 2012 by Louise Wilson · Leave a Comment
ABP Foods today announced the upcoming closure of its Freshlink sausage factory situated in Glasgow’s east end.
The closure will lead to 145 people being made redundant. It was considered by the company to be a cheaper option to relocated to an existing site than any of the other solutions offered within consultations with Glasgow City Council. The work will now be moved to a factory in Yorkshire.
Shettleston MSP John Mason expressed deep regret that this decision was taken, and announced the focus will now be on supporting the 145 employees to “move into alternative employment.”
He said: “The 145 staff at Freshlink will now be facing an uncertain future, but I welcome the confirmation that the Scottish Government will be putting a PACE team in place to help staff move into alternative employment.
“The company has still not clarified its timescale for closing the plant and this makes it more difficult for staff to find other jobs. This morning a Freshlink employee who has been there 18 years spoke to me and showed me the letter she had received from the Company. It was in very vague terms and for the sake of the staff I would appeal to them to clarify each employee’s position.”
Mr Mason went on to criticise Freshlink for showing “little enthusiasm” to keep the factory in Glasgow open. He said: “It is difficult not to conclude that Freshlink had little enthusiasm for finding a solution that would keep jobs in Glasgow, as the company persistently only sent a junior manager to the task force aimed at saving jobs.
“Having been part of that taskforce for the last four months, I know that substantial offers of help and assistance were put forward. In addition senior officials from Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Clyde Gateway and others have invested significant amounts of time in trying to find a solution. It is extremely frustrating that the company chose not to take them up.”
Freshlink confirmed that production will end early next year, but an exact date has not yet been given.
MP for Glasgow East Margaret Curren described the closure as a “real blow”. She said: “This is devastating news for the staff at Freshlink. The loss of these jobs is a real blow for the East End where we’re already suffering from the effects of this economic crisis
“ABP Foods did not consider the profound effect this decision will have on both its employees and the local area. Freshlink has a dedicated workforce who do not deserve this terrible news.”
Glasgow favourite bakers have a treat for you this Halloween
October 29, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Bradford’s Bakers, a past winner of Glasgow’s Favourite Business Award, is now choc-a-bloc with some frightfully good hand-crafted treats for you to give to guisers as special party treats this Halloween – with bargain 2 for 1 offers on selected lines.
The local family baker is offering a scary selection of treats including: Halloween party tray bakes; giant werewolf cupcakes; spider Halloween party cakes; individual pumpkin, spider and monster cakes; empire biscuits; Halloween cupcakes and pumpkin bread.
And its flagship store at 245 Sauchiehall Street in the heart of Glasgow city centre is also offering Halloween party stands, truffle witches fingers and Halloween chocolate cake pops to help get your Halloween parties started.
Claire Bradford of Bradford’s Bakers said: “All of our Halloween treats are made by our dedicated team of craft bakers and hand decorated by our skilled confectioners, and we’re now running 2 for 1 offers on our pumpkin and spider cakes, as well as our Halloween cupcakes.
“So if you want to host the best Halloween party in your street, give your guisers a real treat with our delicious selection of goodies!”
Founded in the south side of Glasgow in 1924, Bradford’s Bakers remains a family owned and operated business with support from skilled staff still baking traditional hand crafted products
It has branches in Giffnock, Pollokshaws, Eaglesham, Merrylee, Newton Mearns, Clarkston, Neilston, Clarence Drive, Sauchiehall Street, East Kilbride, Milngavie, Crow Road and Troon. For further information please contact customer services on tel 0141 638 1118.
Len Lothian have it sized up for you
October 18, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Glasgow Self Storage Services
Len Lothian offer two storage locations in Glasgow which are situated in places that are easy for their customers to find. One of their facilities is located in Hillington Park while the second can be found in Kinning Park. Both locations are open 7 days a week and are fitted with cameras and CCTV to ensure maximum security at all times. So, whether you’re storing office files, home furniture or a family heirloom, your personal belongings will be safe in their sizeable storage rooms.
Both of the Glasgow locations offer free customer car parking, and they also have hundreds of lockers, containers and units to help cater for your every need. From business storage, to personal storage the company aim to look after your requirements as best as they can. They understand the frustrations that can arise when moving your items to different storage locations, and that’s why they offer a full removals service as well as a van and driver service to help relieve you of some of the pressure.

The self storage units and warehousing facilities are priced by the day. Len Lothian believe this is the fairest and most cost-effective method for their customers, giving you the flexibility and option to store as much or as little as you need for a long or short period of time.
To make their storage service even more customer friendly, they promise to match any like for like competitor self storage quote that you receive from elsewhere.
For further information on the storage services they provide in Glasgow, call the company today on 0333 355 7904. A member of their experienced team will be able to answer any storage related questions that you have. If you’re too busy to contact them straight away, why not use their callback service? Simply tell them a time that’s convenient to call and they will get in touch with you instead.
Business Storage for Office and Commercial Services
Business storage units are available in a variety of sizes. If your company is outgrowing your current office space why not move some of your files and furniture into a temporary storage container. Len Lothian’s commercial storage facilities are safe, secure and affordable; they can also be rented on a day-to-day basis allowing you greater flexibility.
If your office is in need of de-cluttering, contact the self-storage experts today on 0800 953 0320.
Home and Personal Storage Services
All of Len Lothian’s employees are experienced and knowledgeable in personal, home and self-storage matters. Whether you require a sizeable space to fit unused furniture or you’re after a temporary storage locker to keep your belongings safe for a while, they are confident that they can assist you.
Not only do they provide affordable storage facilities, but they also offer van and driver services to customers who need help transporting their possessions to the storage units.
Moving items into storage can be stressful and they aim to make the process as easy as possible for you. If you’re looking for personal storage facilities that won’t break the bank, call them today on 0800 953 0320.
Van & Driver Service Exclusive Offer
The storage company is based in Edinburgh and Glasgow and offers a variety of promotions to help make your moving experience a better one. If you’re looking to transport personal belongings or office equipment into a secure storage room, why not take advantage of their Van and Driver promotion to make your move easier.
At Len Lothian U Store, they are offering an exclusive Van and Driver service to their customers. For just £12.50 an hour for the first 4 hours (conditions apply), you’ll receive a personal driver who’ll ensure your goods are delivered to Len Lothian’s storage facilities the same day.
Get a Storage Quote
The storage ‘Space Calculator’ helps you find the right storage unit to suit your needs. Try it out! If you’re unsure about the space size you require, their experienced storage team are available to advise you.
Leading Scottish IFA wins UK Awards
June 12, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Intelligent Pensions, the leading retirement specialist headquartered in Glasgow’s International Financial Services District, has bagged two of the UK’s most prestigious financial services accolades at the 2012 Money Marketing Financial Services Awards.
In the first category, ‘Best Retirement Solutions Adviser’ the judges, a panel of top-level industry professionals, praised the company’s genuine status as a pensions specialist that puts clients in charge of their retirement, placing it ahead of Atkinson Bolton Consulting and Origen Financial Services.
To compound the company’s success, Intelligent Pensions also took gold in its other nominated category, ‘Best Annuity/Drawdown Specialist’, beating Hargreaves Lansdowne and Origen Financial Services into joint second place.
Of the Intelligent Pensions entry, the judges commented that the one word that came up again and again was ‘professionalism’. The panel also praised the freedom that the company’s services offer to its clients in retirement.
Intelligent Pensions managing director Steve Patterson said he was delighted to receive two awards against stiff competition.
“Being recognised as the best retirement solutions adviser in the UK by some of the leading industry professionals was a tremendous honour,” he said.
“Retirement planning is what we do and all that we do,” said Patterson. “To win both categories in our chosen field of expertise is testament to the quality of service and advice we are delivering to our clients.”
Income drawdown specialist Intelligent Pensions www.intelligentpensions.com has in excess of £300 million of funds under management.
Cheapest rents are in Glasgow
March 6, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Glasgow’s neighbourhoods continue to dominate the affordable end of the city rental market, according to the latest research from Scotland’s leading rental portal Citylets.
Figures for Q4 2011 show that of the ten least expensive areas to rent in Scotland eight are in or around Glasgow with Govan & Ibrox being the cheapest area to rent, with an average monthly 2-bed rent at £432 a month – a fall of 0.9% since Q4 2010.
Local areas in Aberdeen and Edinburgh predominate Scotland’s top ten list of most expensive rental areas. Only one Glasgow neighbourhood made it in to the top ten list, with the average rent for a two bed flat in the Park and Woodlands area standing at £795, a rise of 3.7% compared to the same time last year.
The rental figures were revealed after Citylets collated average rent levels in Scotland during the fourth quarter of 2011 as part of its quarterly data report, which is acknowledged as the most comprehensive research into the private rental sector.
Dan Cookson, Senior Analyst for the Citylets network which includes major partner brands such as Findaproperty, S1homes and Primelocation, admits that although the same areas tend to make the list, most neighbourhoods in cities across Scotland are seeing steady increase in rents.
He said: “It’s interesting to see that neighbourhoods in Glasgow remain some of the cheapest to rent in Scotland. This kind of result shows that despite the increased demand for private rental property it is still a very competitive market. However with Park and Woodlands amongst the top ten most expensive areas to rent it shows that tenants are still willing to pay good prices to rent in what is perceived as a desirable area.
“It is no surprise that Aberdeen and Edinburgh’s West End areas are continuing to top the list. There is always a clear demand for properties in these areas and tenants may not always consider price when choosing these types of places to rent.
“It is good to see that while urban rents have increased gradually over the year there are still areas that can offer value for the tenant in each city. This is important as it is evident that the ‘generation rent’ trend continues with many people not being able to afford a deposit for their first step on to the property ladder.
“Affordability is clearly important to many people when choosing rents. However it is not straightforward to say that people are purely price driven, many are driven by location and consider this as the deciding factor.
Aberdeen’s West End is the most expensive area in the country to rent, with the average monthly rent for a 2-bed flat currently stands at £972, compared with the national average 2-bed rent of £626. Following closely behind was Edinburgh’s New Town (average monthly 2-bed rent £946) and the capital’s West End (average monthly 2-bed rent £889).
Aside from Glasgow, other low rental areas in Scotland include Bo’ness (average monthly 2-bed rent £436) and Falkirk (average monthly 2-bed rent £464).
The ten most expensive areas in Scotland in terms of rent levels are:
- West End (Aberdeen) – £972
- New Town (Edinburgh) – £946
- West End (Edinburgh) – £889
- Hillside and Calton (Edinburgh) – £873
- Grange (Edinburgh)-£871
- Cornhill and Kittybrewster (Aberdeen) – £835
- Holbun & Ferryhill (Aberdeen) – £813
- Bieldside, Cults & Peterculter (Aberdeen)-£798
- Park & Woodlands (Glasgow) – £795
- Bruntsfield (Edinburgh) – £792
(All values indicate average monthly rent for a 2-bed flat)
The ten least expensive areas for monthly rents are:
- Govan & Ibrox (Glasgow) – £432
- Bo’ness – £436
- Clydebank (Glasgow) – £445
- Paisley (Glasgow) – £455
- Johnstone (Glasgow) – £461
- Parkhead & Tollcross (Glasgow)- £462
- Falkirk – £464
- Shettleston & Carntyne (Glasgow) – £475
- Royston & Springburn (Glasgow) – £477
- Mount Vernon & Uddingston (Glasgow) – £479
(All values indicate average monthly rent for a 2-bed flat)
www.citylets.co.uk was launched in 1999 and is Scotland’s most successful lettings portal. Its quarterly report is the country’s only detailed and independent barometer of the rental market, based on over 50,000 annual lettings from more than 300 agents. It is now a respected tool among investors, landlords and letting agencies.
The next Citylets quarterly data report, showing the rental figures for Scotland during the first quarter of 2012, will be published in April.
Calling you to The Avenue
January 13, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Phones 4u, the leading independent mobile phone retailer, has opened an outlet at The Avenue, resulting in the popular shopping centre in Newton Mearns being fully let.
Based at unit 10, the new store offers a comprehensive range of mobile phones from all the major networks as well as related product areas such as laptops, mobile broadband, and accessories.
Michelle McCabe, Centre Manager at The Avenue, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Phones 4U to The Avenue and am sure that its vast range of smartphones will prove popular with our shoppers.
“I’m particularly pleased that The Avenue has proven so popular with retailers that we are now fully occupied and know that our shoppers value the retail offering Phones 4u, together with all our other tenants, bring to the local community.”
Phones 4U store manager Stewart O’Hara said: “Whilst we have outlets in nearby Silverburn and East Kilbride, the Avenue marks our first outlet in Newton Mearns, and we’re delighted to be here. We were attracted to The Avenue by its customer profile, which includes a high proportion of mobile phone users.”
With over 550 stores throughout the UK, one in four new contract smartphones sold on the high street are through Phones 4u.
The Avenue Shopping Centre offers shoppers an alternative to sprawling trolley-dash shopping culture with a comprehensive range of outlets offering a warm and welcoming shopping experience conveniently located on the outskirts of Glasgow city centre.
The Avenue is home to 44 different retailers including: banks/post office; books; children; clothing/fashion; food and drink; health and pharmacy; jewellery and gifts; mobile phones; newsagent and cards; opticians; perfumery/beauty salon; restaurant and coffee; shoe and repairs; handbags/ luggage and travel. It is open until 7pm every Thursday with 1000 free car parking spaces (including underground) seven days a week.
For further information about The Avenue log onto www.avenueshopping.co.uk.
Keeping it in the family at the Scottish Asian Business Awards
November 30, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
It’s a case of happy families in one enterprising household today as Curry King Charan Gill was presented with a lifetime achievement award at last week’s the Scottish Asian Business Awards while his daughter, Preet Sandhu, won the coveted Businesswoman of the Year category in recognition of her achievement in the growth of her residential letting and property management company Happy Lets.
The win caps a significant year of expansion for Happy Lets, which recently acquired Surehome Property, a former competitor for an undisclosed sum.
Commenting on her win, Ms Sandhu said: “I’m very happy to win this prestigious award, which recognises the tremendous progress our firm has made over the course of this year.
“I believe the success of our business is largely due to the amazing work ethic of our staff, who really are the backbone of any successful business. As ARLA licensed agents, we are committed to providing a high quality service to landlords and tenants alike and this belief forms the core of our company mission.
“We are pleased to be working with institutions, including banks, property agents and receivers to help them add value to portfolios that they may have inherited and we find that area of work rewarding.
Happy Lets continues to be growth orientated and we are very much focused on expanding further throughout 2012 whilst maintaining, if not exceeding, the professional service our clients have become accustomed to.”
Preet, together with husband Bobby, won the Scottish Young Entrepreneurs’ Award two years ago, and together they now manage a property portfolio worth over £90 million.
Previously operating under the Harlequin brand, the firm was founded six years ago when property entrepreneur Bobby, 29, married business management graduate Preet, daughter of Glasgow Curry King, Secret Millionaire Charan Gill MBE, and added the management of Charan’s various property investments to Bobby’s burgeoning empire.
The Happy Lets brand was launched two years ago when the firm expanded with the acquisition of The Letting Store in Hamilton, followed swiftly by the relocation of that office into a bigger and more prominent site. These two offices became the twin foundations upon which the enterprising couple plan to build their happy letting empire.
The winner of the Scottish Asian Business Awards’ Businesswoman of the Year was announced at a special ceremony last week at The Thistle Hotel, Glasgow.
The Scottish Asian Business Awards have been celebrated annually since 2006 – honouring the determination, hard work and personal achievements of the Scottish Asian businessmen and women at the forefront of their industries. Each year the competition has become more intense as the event itself has grown into a highly respected outlet where the best and brightest are honoured.
The aim of the Scottish Asian Business Awards is to highlight the talent and achievements of Scottish Asian entrepreneurs who are pioneers in their respective industries. They seek to capture the multicultural spirit of Scotland and, since their inception in 2006, have become highly regarded and instrumental in maintaining social and professional relationships between different cultures.
Glasgow businesswoman in the running for Entrepreneur of the Year
Susan Brownlie, the founder of Glasgow-based Intelligent Data Services, the UK’s leading data provider, has been named in the shortlist for the Entrepreneur of the Year title at The Scottish Business Awards.
Intelligent Data Services is a dynamic and expanding company which in recent years has become one of the UK’s leading data suppliers.
As a data owner, the company is able to maintain and update one of the largest B2B data files in the UK, achieved by implementing a multipronged approach cleaning its data, including using a variety of third party resources. This enables IDS to offer unrivalled accuracy guarantees
The Scottish Business Awards were created to celebrate those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses in Scotland and aim to recognise their efforts, vision and ambition to inspire further entrepreneurial activity within Scotland’s business community.
Susan said:- ‘I am obviously delighted to have been included on such an auspicious list as highlights the strong brand credentials and reputation that we’ve developed as a pioneer in data quality and customer services. However this nomination is also a reflection of the teamwork at Intelligent Data Services. It is the combination of hardwork, focus, determination and a strong customer focus which has, helped us succeed and will continue to do so.’
Josh Little John, Judging Panel Spokesman, said: ‘The quality of entries this year is very strong and therefore making the shortlist is an achievement in itself. The judges were impressed with the range of companies in Scotland making an impact on a UK scale particularly against such a hard economic backdrop.
‘’The entrepreneur of the year category particularly sums up the ethos of the event, as it embodies the people who are leading and growing dynamic business’s in this tough economic climate.’
Providing mailing, telephone and email data Intelligent Data Services is expected to achieve a £2 million turnover in 2011, priding itself on its data quality and customer focus.
The results of the Scottish Business Awards will be announced at an event in Glasgow in February, 2012.
Glasgow company win Best Small Tour Operator award
November 1, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
by Anna Redman
Glasgow-based company, McKinlay Kidd, recently won The Guardian and Observer’s 2011 travel industry award for “Best Small Tour Operator.” Voted by readers of the The Guardian and Observer, they achieved an impressive 99.6% satisfaction rate, McKinlay Kidd triumphed against many larger, more established companies such as Wild Frontiers, Saddle Skedaddle, Audley Travel and Milestones Tours.
McKinlay Kidd is a company that specializes in organizing independent tailor-made Scottish and Irish holidays. The company was established in 2003 by Robert Kidd and Heather McKinlay and has continued to grow over the past eight years. With the downfall of the Scottish economy and a small staff of five, the firm could easily have suffered. Instead they have flourished.
Senior member of McKinlay Kidd staff, Julie Morris, who has been with the company for five years, had the good fortune of attending this year’s award ceremony. In possession of the most sought after ticket in town, or at least in her place of work, Julie was treated to The Guardian’s annual five star treatment.
This three-day event was held in the popular Spanish tourist destination, Tenerife. Awards ceremonies in previous years have been held in Bangkok, Wales, and in 2012 Flanders will be added to the list.
The “prestigious and glamorous” awards ceremony did not disappoint. The awards were black tie and hosted in a banana plantation. Julie said:- “We walked along a long path lined with bananas and torches. It was beautiful, but very long, and felt even longer in heels! As we were walking along there was suddenly an explosion of sound and a band appeared to lead us the rest of the way.” Journalist and Observer columnist, Mariella Frostrup, hosted the awards.
Julie greatly enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in this 25-year tradition and says she “came back feeling energized and positive.” The awards are “a reflection of people’s experience on holiday” and Julie is both pleased and proud to see that her employer is exceeding expectations. This was the first time that McKinlay Kidd has been involved in this awards ceremony and they are honoured to have won first time around. Find out more about the firm’s 2012 programme on their website.