Category Archives: Business

BoConcept move out of Sauchiehall Street after fire

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Following the devastating fire at Glasgow School of Art the BoConcept store at Sauchiehall Street will close at the end of this month. But it will be replaced by two new pop up stores at Princes Square which is already open and Buchanan Galleries as part of a bigger plan to relocate the business.

An example of a BoConcept sofa

Adam Davidson, Director of BoConcept Glasgow says: “Due to uncertainties around the Sauchiehall street location which has been caused by the recent disastrous fire of the iconic Glasgow School of Art, it is with great regret we have been forced to find a new location for our thriving business. The two new pop up inspiration stores in Princes Square and Buchanan Galleries will offer the same excellent service level provided by BoConcept Glasgow but with our long term plan to open in a new permanent location in Merchant City”.

BoConcept provides contemporary designs for living, dining, sleeping and working areas of the home. BoConcept offers a high quality yet affordable range of furniture and home accessories, many of which can be tailored to suit today’s constantly evolving lifestyle needs.

Originally founded in 1952 BoConcept’s unique furniture customisation sets it apart from other furniture brands allowing it to establish more than 260 retail branches worldwide.

Tablet maker helping the honey bees

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A Giffnock tablet producer has introduced honey bees in hives situated at its factory in a bid rot do its bit for the decline world population. The company Aldomak has worked with Motherwell-based bee experts Plan Bee in its latest ethical initiative.

The company which produces Scottish tablet, fudge and toffee has ethical production as its main ethos sourcing locally and with new plans for producing its own gas with anaerobic digestion and electricity with turbines and solar panels. The company is already buying green electricity from National Grid.

Dario Riccomini, managing director of Aldomak, said: “Bees are responsible for pollinating around 70 per cent of UK crops and initially we have around 80,000 bees and we are hoping that the colonies might grow to some 400,000, depending on the weather.

“Our company is already successful, but this initiative is not about profit. We take very seriously the concept of corporate social responsibility and we want to take practical steps in that direction.”

Although honey will not be used in the factory owing to strict regulations, the honey products which result will be sold through Plan Bee.

 

Local School Leaver Awarded Accounting Scholarship worth £15,000

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Seventeen year-old Kayleigh Hagen of East Kilbride is one of just 16 young people to be selected from 300 applicants for an Accountancy Scholarship with Kaplan.

Each year, Kaplan awards school-leavers from across the UK Accountancy scholarships worth £15,000 each to study for an Accountancy Apprenticeship (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, CIPFA or CTA) followed by the chance to carry out further professional Accountancy qualifications.

Kayleigh succeeded at each stage of the selection process by impressing the panel of five interviewers with her passion for numbers, ability to remain calm under pressure and passion to work in an Accountancy-related field. Amazingly, all five panellists told Kayleigh they would employ her and she was offered a job and an interview on the day. She now has a secured Apprentice job at local firm, Campbell Dallas where she will start at the end of the month.

Yvonne Anderson, HR Director at Campbell Dallas said:

“Campbell Dallas is delighted to have secured Kayleigh as one of our AAT students for our 2014 intake. She impressed us throughout our recruitment and selection process and we believe she will be a great asset to our firm. Campbell Dallas is currently going through a period of considerable growth and we hope that Kayleigh will be part of this success.”

With the rate of youth unemployment so high, Kayleigh has a rare opportunity to get her foot on the career ladder early, and without incurring thousands of pounds of debt.

On receiving her award from Kaplan, Kayleigh said:

“I’m thrilled to have been selected for the Accountancy Scholarship. Once I’d made up my mind to become an Accountant I became worried about the huge amount of debt I would come out with after studying. Winning the Scholarship is such a huge weight of my shoulders and now I can’t wait to start my Apprenticeship and start earning money.”

Jenny Mason, Kaplan Apprenticeship Advisor said:

“Congratulations to Kayleigh! We had hundreds of applicants of a really high calibre this year so being one of 16 winners is a real achievement, and employers will recognise this. Being awarded the Kaplan Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity and Kayleigh can be reassured she has a bright future ahead of her, which is important when it’s so hard for young adults to find employment. Apprenticeships are a real viable career option to become a qualified Accountant without getting into debt. I wish Kayleigh the best of luck with her Apprenticeship!”

If you’re an employer, you can take on Kayleigh to work in your Accounts department and benefit from a talented addition to your team with her training costs covered. We also have several impressive runners-up who are looking to become an Accountancy Apprentice. Visit http://www.kaplanvocational.co.uk/talent for more information.

The Kaplan Scholarship applications for 2015 open in August 2014 and are available to young people in years 11 and 13 across England and Glasgow. Young people must have a passion for numbers and aspire to work in an accountancy-related field. To find out more, or apply for any of our Glasgow-based Apprenticeship vacancies visit kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk .

Submitted by Laura Crossley

Gerry Weber shop comes to The Avenue

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THE Avenue Shopping Centre in Newton Mearns has secured the first Gerry Weber retail outlet in Scotland.

One of the most famous and successful German fashion and lifestyle companies, Gerry Weber will open its doors at The Avenue this Spring.

The international fashion retailer, which has more than 860 Houses of Gerry Weber and mono-label stores worldwide and more than 2,850 shop areas and successful brand online-shops, has signed a lease on a key unit at The Avenue within the main atrium adjacent to the M&S anchor tenant and the popular Primavera Bistro.

Michelle McCabe, Centre Manager at The Avenue, said: “We’re delighted that Gerry Weber has chosen to locate its first ever Scottish store in The Avenue. For such a renowned international fashion retailer to select Newton Mearns as the location for its entry into the Scottish market stands as testament to the quality of the retail experience on offer to both retailers and shoppers at The Avenue.

“Yet Gerry Weber is not only the recent ‘first’ for The Avenue – another Scottish ‘first’ was our gaining of WorldHost Customer Service Destination Status.”

In addition to Gerry Weber, a string of other new tenants have joined the Avenue line-up over recent weeks, adding to the diverse retail experience on offer at the popular retail location. These include: Sass & Hyde, a boutique selling fashion bags, luggage, purses and matching small items; ladies hairdresses Liv Beauty; white goods shop Taylor’s of Giffnock and KP’s Fishmonger.

“We’re delighted to welcome Gerry Weber and our other new retailers to the Avenue – and are confident that more will be announced over the coming months,” said McCabe.
The Avenue Shopping Centre, managed by commercial property consultancy BTWShiells, offers shoppers a warm and welcoming shopping experience conveniently located on the outskirts of Glasgow city centre.

For further information about The Avenue log onto the website.

Scottish business to get more IP support

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Businesses in Scotland will get greater Intellectual Property support following an event in Glasgow today when tools to assist them will be launched. 

 

The potential for businesses in Scotland to succeed and expand has received a big boost with the launch of new support tools to help small firms identify, protect and grow their intellectual property assets being shown off at a launch event today at Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow.

 

The Intellectual Property Office has launched ‘IP for Business’ – five business tools which make sure firms can tap into up-to-date guidance to help manage their intellectual property (IP) and get more relevant advice from their accountants and other business advisers.

 

The tools respond to the challenge of making sure businesses can generate value from ideas against a backdrop of poor understanding of intellectual property rights and how to exploit them.  At the centre of the toolkit is IP Equip – a new, free interactive online training tool that helps businesses and their advisors to identify assets which may be protected by intellectual property rights and think through the strategy for protecting them.

 

Minister for Intellectual Property Lord Younger said:-“Intellectual Property is a prospect which small businesses often find rather daunting. However, what ‘IP for Business’ shows, is that with the correct support and guidance this doesn’t have to be the case.

 

“The perceived barriers to protecting and managing IP successfully can be easily overcome. All businesses, regardless of their size or turnover, can use these products and I would urge them to do so to tap in their full growth potential.”

 

Colin Meager, Scottish Enterprise Intellectual Assets Specialist Team Leader said:-“Scottish Enterprise works closely with the UK Intellectual Property Office to assist Scottish businesses in the identification, management and protection of their intellectual assets and welcomes the launch of these tools. The tools will greatly assist businesses in the development of their IP protection strategy, which is fundamental to both business growth and international success.”

 

Pulsetta, an Aberdeen based manufacturer of gluten-free bread and other bakery products, understand how important IP is to their business. They recognise the value that can be gained from properly managing their IP and advises all SMEs to consider their IP from the start.

 

Dr Karsten Karcher, CEO and founder of Pulsetta, said:-“Protecting your intellectual property is especially important in the food industry as people can easily copy your ideas. In terms of your ideas, I would always say IP asset protection has to come first. If you’re not protected you could lose them.”

 

Other products launched include:

 

  • IP Equip app which is available to download free from the Apple store iTunes and Android App store. This will give access to IP information on the go.
  • IP Basics which is a range of new guides for business owners, explaining how to maximise the potential of IP.
  • IP Health Check which allows business owners to assess their own business for free with a tailored report to identify and value their IP.
  • IP Master Class which is a popular course which enables advisors to advance their knowledge.

 

 

 

 

Effortless sites will clean up your act

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Iain Faulds, managing director of Effortless Sites explains why you need to review your website.

 

Christmas may be coming, but savvy business-owners are already planning their New Year marketing campaigns.

For many, that includes reviewing the company website. Why? Well, you might find that on closer examination, it no longer reflects your business. This is particularly true of businesses which have grown substantially, changed direction, or added more products and services, to name but a few examples. At this point, a re-design or ‘refresh’ of your website can be invaluable for creating a more accurate picture of your business. Alternatively, you might like to create a completely new website.

Either way, you will ensure that your marketing campaigns are directing potential customers to a site that is fresh, clear and completely up to date. And you can do all this without breaking the budget.

At Effortless Sites, we pride ourselves on creating high quality, web-sites cost-effectively and quickly. We may be a relatively young business, but we have already designed more than 500 web-sites and received glowing testimonials for the results.

It’s not just about creating sites, though. We like to build long-lasting relationships. So, after your site has been created, we stick around, to answer any questions and help with further development. We are there for you, to make sure you look good on the internet all year round.

Why not get in touch to find out more?

Business50 taking place in Glasgow

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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

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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

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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

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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.



Self Storage Units in Glasgow

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.