Category: Business News

THAMES Valley Police has issued the following information to residents and businesses, following the public disorder in London last night:

“Most of you will have heard in the news about the recent disorder in London. I would like to reassure you that we will be doing all that we can to ensure that this type of behaviour does not take place in your area.

“You may notice an increase in the number of police officers at this time and this should not cause alarm. These officers are there to provide reassurance, prevent any incidents from happening and tackle any criminal activity that may occur. There have been a lot of rumours circulating on social networking sites about ?riots?, some of which are untrue or greatly exaggerated.

“However, there has been some disorder across the force area. These are copy cat incidents of those that have been happening in London, although involving far viewer people. Obviously, we are aware that these incidents and the images people will have seen from the problems in London and other areas of the country will be causing distress and anxiety.

“I would also like to appeal to the community to let police know of any suspicious looking gatherings of young people and any information they may have about people who may have been involved in disorder. If you see any suspicious behaviour contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to police, or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”

Chief Inspector Andy Boyd
Deputy Local Policing Area commander
South Oxfordshire and the Vale of WhiteHorse

ADVICE FOR BUSINESS

Thames Valley Police offer the following precautionary advice to businesses:

Ensure staff report any suspicious activity to security officials and police.

Consider regular checks of the building and surrounding areas.

Identify any areas that are vulnerable and remove loose objects that could be used as missiles.

Make sure all service doors are kept locked and secure when not in use.

Ensure your CCTV system is fully operational.

Consider removing high-value goods from display windows overnight.

Keep as little cash as possible in the building overnight.

Where possible, retail premises should be suitably staffed with security guards.

Landlords need to ensure that residents living above commercial premises are aware of risks and ensure that all fire alarms, smoke alarms and fire escapes are fully functional.

Does your alarm company have the latest keyholder information? If not, call them now.

Does your business have an emergency business plan?

Petrol stations should avoid selling petrol in small containers.

In the event of an emergency, call 999.

WOULD you like to be involved in deciding how money is spent developing the local rural economy? Local people are being encouraged to get involved with the Southern Oxfordshire LEADER Programme. Volunteers become a member of the Local Action Group (LAG), the body that oversees the delivery of the LEADER Programme across Southern Oxfordshire.

The LEADER initiative is a European funded locally-led rural development programme which aims to ensure that local people decide how the money is spent, placing the responsibility for local action in the hands of local people.

The LAG, which is similar to a board of directors, has responsibility for setting the overall strategy of the programme, monitoring individual projects, shaping the programme?s development plan and providing guidance to the programme’s staff.

LAG members meet five times a year and work in partnership with those from other organisations to ensure a mix of knowledge and expertise in supporting and overseeing the Southern Oxfordshire LEADER Programme.

The Southern Oxfordshire LEADER programme aims to strengthen the rural economy and support rural communities. Since its launch in June 2009 the LAG have committed more than

THAME’S newly revitalised and relaunched business group, Thame4Business, gathered together this morning to share breakfast and ideas about using social media to promote themselves and their businesses.

The workshop and discussion, led by Cat Young of STW Thame, explained some of the benefits and pitfalls of using such applications as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Youtube.

Sonja Francis, Acting Chair of Thame4Business said: “By the end of the morning, it was clear that, though many of us dabble in social media, it can be a powerful tool for raising our business and personal profiles, for driving people to our websites to see what we offer, and for reaching out to great numbers of potential customers and contacts for very little effort. I’m sure everyone there, whether ‘old hands’ at social media, or ‘newbies’ had learned something new or were fired up to give social media a go.

“A very successful morning of making new contacts, sharing experiences and looking forward to how Thame4Business can continue to grow and work towards strengthening the business community of Thame.”

The meeting room and fine continental breakfast was provided by Racquets fitness Centre, Thame.

PHOTO: Workshop leader, Cat Young of STW Thame, and new Thame4Business member, Mary Ann Peregrine, Cake Decorator, Caterer and Patissier.

THAME4BUSINESS, the recently re-launched business group, isn’t resting on its laurels after the success of its recent Business Family Fun Day.

A follow-up breakfast event is being planned for next Tuesday, July 19, at Racquets in Thame, starting at 8am.

The theme for the morning will be “Social Media ? to do or not to do?”

Are you already using Twitter, LinkedIn & Facebook to promote your business?

Have you made a start but not sure what to do next?
Or are you a Social Media novice?

We?ll all share our experience to debate and discuss the pros & cons of using Social Media to promote your business.

We’ll work out which platforms are best for us, and we’ll share our ‘top tips’ with each other.

No matter what level of Social Media interaction you’ve had, this session will help you make the most of your online activity.

The session will be facilitated by Cat Young.
Cat is a partner in STW, a digital marketing agency based here in Thame. She has over 15-years? experience in IT, has been soft-skills trainer since her student days, has delivered IT courses throughout Oxfordshire for ACL and has written & facilitated over 100 sessions on SEO, Online Marketing and Social Media in the last 8 years alone!

WHERE? Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame Cattlemarket, North Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3TH

WHEN? Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 8am to 9.30am. ? COST

SMALL businesses in southern Oxfordshire can now get extra support following the launch of a new charity hub.

Fredericks Oxfordshire is the latest Fredericks Hub to open in the south of England offering loans, mentoring and advice to those businesses whose applications for finance have been turned down by banks and other lenders.

The support that Fredericks offers is different from that of normal financiers in that at each stage of the application process the applicant works with Oxfordshire Business Enterprise advisors to present the best possible business plan. The plan is then presented to a panel of local business people who make the decision on whether a loan should be granted.

Once a loan has been approved the business works with professional mentors to address any early issues and ensure the best possible future.

The emphasis is on the individual behind the business, providing a friendly process aimed at nurturing successful businesses across the county.

The Fredericks Foundation was set up in 2001 by Paul Barry-Walsh, a successful entrepreneur in his own right who wanted to help others who aspire to run their own business but are unable to obtain the necessary support to do so.

As a result of the economic downturn, as well as helping the long-term unemployed, the Foundation has branched out to assist existing companies in need of finance who are unable to obtain it from their bank.

The charity is funded in a number of different ways, including substantial donations from its founder on a regular basis.

Over the years the Foundation has been in receipt of funds from the European Social Fund and the Phoenix Fund. They also have a number of affiliated businesses that annually donate one per cent of their profits as well as giving up some of their time in support of the work of Fredericks.

The new Oxfordshire hub was launched at an event on 17 June at Blenheim Palace which was attended by Prime Minister David Cameron and more than 250 business representatives from throughout the county.

Cllr Elaine Ware, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: ?This is a welcome boost to small businesses throughout Oxfordshire that are just starting up or looking to expand.?

Cllr Judith Nimmo-Smith, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: ?During the current economic climate the more help and guidance that businesses can get the better. There are many business owners who have everything in place to be a real success but just need that extra bit of financial assistance.?

For further information visit: www.fredericksoxfordshire.org

A new report shows how small towns and independents can benefit from schemes that reward local shopping.

A national charity representing small towns has launched new research showing a range of Loyalty Card techniques and technology which towns can use to promote independent shops.

The Local Loyalty report reviews a range of loyalty schemes which have been adopted in a selection of market towns and small towns in the UK. It looks in detail at the cards available and wider loyalty scheme options, and will help those considering implementing a scheme in their town or across towns in their local authority area, to make an informed choice of approach and technology. It will also help towns who already have a shop local scheme or loyalty card consider how it may evolve and be sustainable long term.

Details of Thame’s new Loyalty Card scheme: LINK

The report is published by amt-i, a social enterprise and the consultancy division of the national charity Action for Market Towns which works with 400 member towns across the country to maintain local services and re-vitalise the high street.

Hannah Bowden, amt-i?s Business development manager and the author of the report, said:”Making a local loyalty scheme work isn?t easy but loyalty cards are a catalyst for change that are sweeping our towns and levelling the playing field between independent and national retailers. They are a positive way forward in uncertain times and offer our market towns a fighting chance.?

The report was published yesterday to coincide with Independents? Day ? a national day on which the public were encouraged to buy at least one item from their local, independent shop.

The Local Loyalty Report can be downloaded at LINK (it is FREE to download until 15 July 2011 after which date it will be free for AMT members and

HATS, hose pipes and sunscreen were the order of the day on Sunday, for Thame’s first ever Business family fun day.

Around 50 local businesses, trades people and retailers, plus their families gathered at Chinnor Rugby Club on the edge of the town for the relaunch of the Thame business organisation formerly known as Thame First. The organisation, part of the 21st Century Thame Partnership, will be known as Thame4Business, to fit in with the town branding, now becoming familiar around the town.

Also invited were town councillors, several of them local business people themselves like Peter Lambert, Landlord of The Cross Key Pub and micro brewery, and Adam Buckland, who runs Brothers Hair Salon in Buttermarket. The Mayor of Thame also stayed for the afternoon with his wife Margaret, and dutifully kept his jacket on with the Mayoral chain around his kneck, despite the soaring temperature.

Children of all ages – and some adults, took turns on the bouncy castle, donned hard hats and harnesses for the climbing wall, rode on a pony, sat in the petting zoo with the giant rabbits, hens, ducks, geese, baby goats and sheep, enjoyed some quiet artwork out of the sun in the club house and finally, ran in and out of a hose pipe to cool off!

And while the kids were having fun, the adults too were chatting to old friends and making new ones among Thame’s business fraternity, availing themselves of the bar, the free Pimms and the BBQ, as four members of Sound Force, Vic Winslade of Fore Golf’s band, played their own mix of soul, funk and rock from the balcony.

Acting Chair of Thame4Business, Sonja Francis, was delighted with response to the call to bring Thame businesses together in a way unlike any other networking event, and thanked all those who had helped make the event such a success – despite competition from the Thame 10K in the morning and both Towersey fete and the visiting circus during the same afternoon. (Though members of the Circus came over early in the afternoon to join in the fun)

“Its always a challenge to find ways of encouraging co-operation and mutual support among local businesses who don’t always have the time to attend Breakfast meetings or evening networking events,” she said. “And this seemed a good idea to use family time to all come together in a more informal and fun setting, where no one is under any obligation to give ‘the big sell’ but to just get to know who’s out there beavering away just like you. And, who knows, you may meet and get to know others who you can do business with.”

Quotes from some of the businesses who attended:

“Yesterday was fab! The kids thoroughly enjoyed themeselves. Thank you for organising!” (via Twitter)
Ice The Cake

“Many thanks for the fantastic event on Sunday. I think the work for Thame you do is incredible. I would definitely like to become member of Thame4Business, so will be dropping off my application shortly.”
Mary Ann Peregrine, Food Lovers’ Kitchen

“A brilliant event and yes, we must start planning where we go from here!”
Yvette Cundy, Kismet Jewellers

“Great event – looking forward to helping with the group.” (via Twitter)
Steve Gunn Associates

“Big up Thame Business fun day… big success!”
Eddie Hesford, Red Dice Digital (via Twitter)

“Had a lovely day… Fab event! :-)” (Via Twitter)
Laura, North Mill Stoves

Thame businesses who were unable to make the fun day, can contact Sonja Francis 07792 487 030, or email: editor@thame.net for information about the benefits of joining Thame4Business and a membership form.

THAME FIRST, the Thame business group, is re-launching as Thame4Business, and to celebrate is holding a FREE event for local retailers and business to bring the whole family to, on Sunday, June 26, at Chinnor Rugby Club.

The Thame Business Family Fun Day begins at 11.45 am with a welcome drink and after a short presentation by the Chair of 21st Century Thame, Cat Young, everyone is invited to join in the family fun with pony rides, a climbing wall, full-size bouncy castle for all ages, one-touch rugby fun, a mobile squash wall, obstacle races and lots, lots more, and get to know other business people in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. There will be live music throughout the event, FREE BBQ and a licenced bar.

This is a chance to find out what Thame First, the Economic Working Group of 21st Century Thame, has been doing to promote the town and its businesses, to learn about the group?s plans to give Thame businesses a more effective voice and to offer mutual support to each other.

Contact: editor@thame.net for more information and to register for the event, or call: 07792487030

THE West Chilterns women?s networking group, The Athena Network, is celebrating its phenomenal success having grown to 120 members in under four years, under the leadership of former heart surgery theatre sister Sylvia Baldock.

The Athena Network http://theathenanetwork.com is now widely regarded as
the premier women?s networking organisation in the UK and already comprises 26 franchises, 2600 networking members across 30 regions nationwide, but the West Chiltern regional group is particularly thriving with eight networking groups in the region in Marlow, Tring, Wycombe, Maidenhead (two groups), Thame and Aylesbury (two groups). The Thame group meets on the first Thursday
of the month at The Lambert Arms Hotel.

Meet members of The Athena Network at the Thame Businesses Family Fun Day, on Sunday, June 26. Contact:
editor@thame.net for details and to register.

SHOPKEEPERS in Thame are being urged to take advantage of a shop front improvement scheme before it is too late.

21st century Thame has over