Category: Business News

THAME based Interoute’s transport operation has closed after going into administration, with the loss of many local jobs.

Report reproduced from an article By Chris Druce, via http://www.commercialmotor.com/ :

Thame-based Interoute Transport Services has seen the transport side of its operation wound-up after collapsing into administration.

The Pall-Ex and Hazchem member was placed into administration earlier this month (17 May), after attempts to sell the business proved unsuccessful.

Carl Jackson, partner at administrator Quantuma, told Commercialmotor.com that the transport side of the business had been loss making for several years and had been propped up by the warehousing operation.

However a significant reduction of business volume from a major customer had proved too much for the business to bear.

Quantuma is continuing to operate the warehouse side of the operation in the hope of securing a buyer.

For the full story, see this Thursday?s (30 May) Commercial Motor magazine.

THAME4Business are inviting local business people to join them for a business lunch on Wednesday May 29, at 1pm at Racquets Fitness Centre, North Street, Thame OX9 3TH
The guest Speaker will be Alun Rowe, Director of Pentangle Internet Limited, who will ask the question: “How secure is your IT?” Alun will share some simple solutions for common IT and data security issues, enabling you to feel confident your business and your customers are protected.

More information and details of how to register on the Thame4Business website: http://www.thame4me.co.uk/community/business-groups/thame4business/#!welcome

A FAMILY-RUN store in Thame is to close, after seventeen years of supplying the town with white goods and electrical appliances.

Domesco, in High Street, Thame, has been operated by Tony Herbert, with the assistance of his daughter, Kerris, but he has now decided to retire, coinciding with the end of the building’s lease.

Kerris told Thamenews.net: “Dad is well passed retirement age and so it seemed the natural time to finish. All though Chesham High Street, where we have closed our other branch, is struggling, Thame seems to have escaped from the worst of the downturn for High streets, but the future is still uncertain.

“Some of the conversations we have had with people coming into the shop for the first time lately, have been very illuminating, with some of them saying that they have lived in the area for several years and not realised we were here. Some of them have told us that they automatically go to places like John Lewis and rarely venture into Thame. So perhaps Thame still has some work to do to attract people into the town to shop.”

Domesco however, may not be disappearing altogether as a business, as the Herberts are thinking about perhaps running a smaller operation, just selling larger electrical appliances, from their warehouse in Thame.

Domesco’s premises is one of the larger units in Thame, and there has already been interest shown from several quarters, in taking on the site.

A couple of weeks ago, Thamenews.net featured the intentions of a local hair salon to raise money for the charity, WaterAid, including a ‘Spend a penny’ invitation.

Ex Mayor of Thame, Adam Buckland, the Proprietor of Brothers Hair Salon in Thame, has now reported back on his, and his staff’s, epic walk for water, last Sunday, and the combined efforts of his Oxford and Marlow salons to raise over

THE next Late Breakfast event in the Eden Suite at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame, will be on Thursday, May 16, from 9 – 10.30am

Guest speaker, Merrill Jacobs of Genero Web Design, will be responding to the question: “Who needs a Web Designer anyway?” and there will be the usual opportunity for guests to promote any forthcoming business or charity events they are involved with.

Book on the website by 12.00 on Wednesday, May 15, to appear on the guest list or just turn up on the day. Either way the entry fee of

HOSPITALITY and retail businesses are being invited to join in the celebrations FOR the launch of OxTrails, the new multi-format trails which will take visitors and residents around places of interest in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

The Ox Trails project, which was initiated last year, involves new themed guides and itineraries to entice visitors into and around southern Oxfordshire.

Local businesses have been working with their respective district councils and Hidden Britain on the project that highlights 25 ?waypoints? or points of interest on each trail.

The trails have been designed to help visitors make their way around the southern Oxfordshire area, taking them on a thematic journey around one of five different experiences ? film, food, history, literature and the outdoors.

As well as covering a wide range of interests, the trails will also be available via a number of media formats, including the Southern Oxfordshire website (www.southernoxfordshire.com), downloadable trails, travel itineraries, and a mobile phone app.

Businesses with an interest in the hospitality and retail industries across the two districts are now being invited to join the launch of the project at a special event at The Lakeview Restaurant, Millets Farm Centre in Frilford, on Thursday, May 23.

The event, which takes place between 4pm and 6pm will show off the new smart phone app and show how businesses and visitors can make the most out of it. The showcase will also feature several stalls from businesses involved in the project, as well as the opportunity to network with others in attendance.

Places at the event are limited and are on a registration only basis. Those wishing to attend should sign up as soon as possible by visiting www.oxtrails.eventbrite.co.uk

Cllr Judith Nimmo-Smith, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Property and Technical Services, said: “Tourism is vital to the local economy with many businesses relying on visitors throughout the year. It?s therefore important that we make it as easy and welcoming as possible for people coming to the area to help them find their way around and find the many hidden and not so hidden gems we have to offer.”

ALL businesses in the Thame area are being invited to a joint, evening meeting on the theme of ‘Promoting Thame’ at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame, on Tuesday, April 30, between 6 – 8 pm.

Thame4Business and Refer-On invite you to join them for this event, which is also Refer-On?s first monthly.

The structure of the meeting will mix up the networking opportunities in an original way. The programme will be:

18:00 Arrive at the venue
As you arrive you will be given a number. All revealed on the night.
18:15 Introductions (15 seconds max each)
18:30 Business briefings on the theme of ?Promoting Thame? from:

Steve Gunn of Steve Gunn & Associates Ltd (www.stevegunn.co.uk), a Chinnor-based marketing agency. He is active in the local business scene, having recently taken over responsibility for the Thame Web Portal (www.thame4me.co.uk). Steve will introduce the Portal and the opportunities for local businesses to benefit.

Caroline Wood, from Economic Development at South Oxfordshire District Council, and Alison Isherwood, who has worked on various initiatives in Thame including the Thame Food Festival, would like to share some ideas on joint marketing initiatives for Thame and to get some ideas on what has/has not worked for your business

19:15 One2Ones/A
Number one pairs with the last to arrive, etc. All explained on the night
19:30 One2Ones/B
Numbers pulled out of a hat! No 1 and No 2 pair up, etc. If the pairings duplicate we will sort on the night!
20:00 Meeting Closes

Fee to attend, including VAT:
Thame4Business / Refer-On Members:

NEW figures based on research in towns across England and Wales today revealed that footfall counts ? the numbers of people visiting high streets and town centres ? have bounced back after collapsing last year.

Vacant property rates have also reduced, providing a glimmer of hope for hard pressed high streets.
Social enterprise, amt-i (part of national charity AMT) today released overall figures revealing high street and town centre performance for 2012, and how this compared to previous years.

The statistics, compiled based on research in 83 participating towns, showed that:

– Footfall has increased by 18% at ‘busy’ times of day since 2011 ? but is still 22% lower than in 2009

– The average number of vacant units in towns surveyed is 8% (down from 9% last year)

– Prime retail rents in towns surveyed has dropped further, to an average of

THIS months Late Breakfast event will be in the Eden Suite at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Cornmarket, Thame, on Thursday, April 18, from 9.00-10.30am.

Working 24/7 for What ? Do you know ‘Why’ you do what you do? Peronel Barnes of create-consult will be explaining during her presentation. In just 15 minutes the ‘why’ becomes clear which impacts the how, helping smooth the paths to success and build business in a fun fashion. Peronel has worked at director level in marketing and sales and, for many years, as a freelance. She presents information simply and creatively to allow great connection with the facts and involvement with understanding.

You’ll come away with a mini mind map of the X Y and Z of your business life that has the potential to change and refresh everything you do and the way that you do it.

Book HERE by 12.00 on Wednesday, April 17, to appear on the guest list or just come along on the day. The entry fee of

THIS month, April, is Earth Month 2013, and the staff of Brothers Hair Salon in Thame, is inviting local people to join them in a walk to ‘search for water’ between Thame and Princes Risborough, via the Phoenix Trail.

The owner of the Brothers Salon, ex Mayor or Thame, Adam Buckland, explained: “Each year Aveda hold a charity Earth Month in their salons around the world. This year we are trying to raise as much money as possible for WATER AID to help them improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world?s poorest communities.”

“There are two way to support Brothers for Water Aid:

1. Walk for Water

On Sunday, April 28, an intrepid team from Brothers will set off from Thame in the search of water!

We will traverse along the ‘Ancient’ Phoenix Trail with our empty buckets, litter picking as we go. After seven gruelling miles we will reach the settlement of Princess Risborough where we will fill our buckets with water from a babbling brook (Or hopefully JK?s pond at Horsenden Manor!)

We will then carry the water all the way back to Thame to feed back into the ‘great’ river that is the cuttlebrook!

If you would like to sponsor our team please pop into Brothers, Thame and pledge what you can!

2. Wishing Toilet

We welcome you to ‘Spend a penny’ in our Wishing Toilet at reception and all your dreams will come true! (Well, if not, maybe the world?s poorest communities will!)”