RAYMOND Blanc, the Chef patron of Le Manoir aux Quat? Saisons, near Thame, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award.
The AA Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Raymond at a glittering ceremony at the London Hilton recently.
Blanc, who this year celebrates 25 years at Le Manoir, was given the award for “his passion for food, his respect for chefs and his ‘humble manner’.”
Photo: Raymond Blanc signing a copy of his latest book in the Bookhouse, Thame, last Christmas
02/10/09
The previous Chartered Surveyors and Property Sales Practice of TFM Readers, which operated from premises in the Cattle Market, Thame, is now being handled by Fisher German LLP, who took over in June this year (09).
More details about Fisher German can be found on its website: http://www.fishergerman.co.uk/
Thame Farmers Auction Mart Ltd (TFAM), which was formed in 2000 as a Friendly Society, continues to operate the Thame Cattle market.
THERE is a unique and exciting opportunity for business owners and directors in Oxfordshire and the South East to take part in Plato: Sustain, a business improvement and leadership development programme with a focus on ecological sustainability.
The programme is an adaptation of the highly successful PLATO? programme, a proven method used by 9,000 past participants across Europe.
Plato: Sustain has been given funding allowing it to offer free places to SMEs in the South East, an opportunity worth
OXFORDSHIRE is set for a recruitment surge, according to a survey from Oxford-based recruitment firm, Allen Associates.
Helen Hymas, resourcer at Stratton Group, told www.Recruiter.co.uk: “We are currently recruiting in Thame. The general buzz is that it is picking up.”
The Recruiter article states that the survey shows that 51% of firms plan to hire in 2010, while 35% have already hired new employees.
The research also shows that 30% predict that their business will recover from the economic downturn within the next six to 12 months, 27% predict recovery within the next 18 months to two years and 44% of small businesses in Oxfordshire report no negative effects from the recession.
Kate Allen, managing director of Allen Associates who commissioned the survey, says: “Whilst many companies have had to deal with recession-related issues resulting in extra pressure on managers, the new recovery predictions are extremely encouraging. Oxfordshire?s readily available talent pool, creativity and ability to innovate look set to help strengthen its economic position over the next year.”
Louise Tyzack, researcher at Banbury-based HR consultancy and recruiter Anthony Cripps Associates, told Recruiter: “We have seen a pick up in the market from a month ago. There has been an increase in jobs coming in for accountancy jobs.”
..is the subject of a seminar to be held later in September, at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame.
The seminar is entitled “The Smarter Way to Web Success ? How to create a winning web presence for your business” and the speakers, all experienced professionals, will be Steve Gunn, Merrill Jacobs and Kevin O’Brien.
DISCOVER THE THREE PILLARS OF WEB SUCCESS
This half-day seminar will reveal the secrets of a creating a successful web presence for your business. You will learn about the three essential pillars of web success:
?Website design
?Website copy
?Website marketing
The speakers will provide valuable practical insights into each topic and demonstrate how they work together to play an essential role in a successful web project.
By the end of this powerful half-day seminar, delegates will understand:
?The design principles underpinning easy to use websites
?How to create a rewarding user experience
?How to a conduct a user test
?How web copy is different to other types of copy
?Different types of web page and how to use copy on them
?Writing for search engines
?The Google philosophy and common sense SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
?Researching using PPC (Pay Per Click)
?Total tracking
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Location: The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame
Time: 9.00am-1.00pm
Cost:
THE next THAME FIRST Business to business networking event for the town and surrounding villages will be held in the banqueting suite of The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame, on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 from 6-8pm.
Chris Jones from Miller Research will be giving an update on the ‘distinctiveness’ Consultancy Work being undertaken in the town on behalf of South Oxfordshire District Council.
Philip Wootton of Business Link will give details of his organisation’s services offered to local businesses.
Come along to the event and discover what other businesses there are in Thame and the surrounding villages, and what they can do for one another.
Provide your business details to be entered into a free, on-line business directory.
More information about the event is available from Alison Isherwood, 21st Century Thame Project Officer, e-mail: ai@21stcenturythame.org.uk, mobile 07944 175633.
Supported by: The Spread Eagle, Thame.
WHY DO CUSTOMERS CHOOSE TO VISIT HENLEY, THAME OR WALLINGFORD? UNDERSTANDING CUSTOMER DEMANDS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
South Oxfordshire?s market towns networking event 2009, 8:00 to 12:00am, 11 November 2009, at The Spread Eagle, 16-17 Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 2BW
YOU SHOULD ATTEND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN:
getting a greater understanding of who visits Henley, Thame and Wallingford and their motivations
finding out how developing your town distinctiveness can improve business performance
gaining greater understanding of the current economic climate in each town and what you can do to maximise your business
sharing best-practice and build links with other towns; and
looking at new ideas and how they can be implemented.
KEY SPEAKERS:
Nick Quail from QandA Research. QandA Research provides a full range of market research services to meet business needs. They offer expert insight to help businesses understand their markets, to develop successful strategies and to deliver what their customers want. Nick will be presenting results from the visitors surveys in Henley, Thame and Wallingford.
Representatives from Miller Research. Miller Research (UK) Ltd is a specialist research and evaluation consultancy company, focusing on projects related to the learning, skills and labour market agenda. The creation of sustainable town centres has been a significant focus of their work in recent years, specifically their retail distinctiveness work, town centre design studies and wider regeneration strategy work. This involves comprehensive baseline and health checks, engagement with key stakeholders and the wider community and working within multi-disciplinary teams to develop solutions that stimulate town centre economies. Their key aim is to bring about sustainable social and economic outcomes as well as improving the physical quality of our towns. They will be presenting findings from their recent distinctiveness work in South Oxfordshire
There is also an opportunity to visit our exhibitor?s stands, take part in our workshops and network over breakfast and lunch.
To register an interest please email caroline.wood@southoxon.gov.uk or telephone 01491 823313
THE next Late Breakfast in Thame will be at The Spread Eagle Hotel in Cornmarket Thame OX9 2BW, on Thursday, September 17, 2009, 9.00 – 10.30 am.
This will be an informal networking event which this month will include a presentation from Steve Gunn of Steve Gunn & Associates:
CURRENT TRENDS IN CUSTOMER SURVEYS ‘The evolution of the most common type of customer survey : from ‘Quality’ through ‘Satisfaction’ to ‘Loyalty’ survey methods and their cost implications.
Plus other types of customer survey and their uses.
You can book and appear on the guest list or simply turn up on the day. Entry fee of
LOCAL businesses are invited to take part in a Wedding Fayre, to be held at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame, on Sunday 27th September 2009. 11am – 3pm
Glass of Bucks fizz on arrival`
Live jazz band playing.
Free Admission and Parking
Goody bags for all brides to be with a 25% off voucher inside for your complete wedding package at The Spread Eagle.
Free prize draw to win some magnificent prizes including:
A meal for two at the Spread Eagle
Spa day for two at Fredricks Hotel (www.fredricks-hotel.co.uk)
Champagne & Chocolates
Contact: info@spreadeaglethame.co.uk
WRITTEN 25 July 2009 | By Marino Donati – The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the British Shops and Stores Association (BSSA) are urging retailers to work together to put pressure on local authorities to save declining high streets.
The BRC published a report this week called 21st Century High Streets, which underlined the challenges facing high streets across the UK, including lack of retail diversity and increasing numbers of vacant units. It also included case studies of initiatives involving independent retailers in towns which have already successfully boosted business.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson said he would put pressure on the government to support businesses and high streets in the downturn, but that retailers had to play their part too. He said: ?Retailers have to work with each other and in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders in town centres to make sure everything is being done to provide vibrant town centres and high streets.?
BSSA chief executive John Dean added: ?Retailers have to get together and talk to each other to find out what they need, then approach the chamber of commerce, the local authority, and town centre manager if there is one. Involve landlords too. We will support the BRC in making government aware of the social importance of the high street.?
The BRC report?s case studies include Swansea, south Wales, which holds an annual Independents Day event where independent retailers pro-mote their businesses with catwalks and entertainment in the city centre. The initiative is run by the Swansea Business Improvement District (SBID), which is funded by local businesses to promote their local economy.
Lindsay Jones, owner of Little Nation, a designer kidswear store in Swansea, said the event had been a big benefit to local businesses. ?On the day of the event and the following week, sales were up,? she said.
Local businessman Dave Kenny, chairman of SBID, said: ?I would encourage any groups of independents to get together and try to develop a BID. You could get the local councillor onside and talk to the Association of Town Centre Management and British BIDs, who will provide guidance for free. But business should get together, pool some money and make a business plan to do what isn?t being done. I think it?s more important than ever now.?