Your Ayrshire Business - Autumn 2013

your

business yrshire

AUTUMN 2013 ÂŁ2

the magazine of ayrshire chamber of commerce and industry

ayrshire business week 2013

opening doors for ayrshire business

7th - 11th October

contacts Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Suite 1005, Glasgow Airport, Prestwick KA9 2PL Email: enquiries@ayrshire-chamber.org Web: www.ayrshire-chamber.org Tel: 01292 678666 PRESIDENT Willie Mackie CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Valerie Russell

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Helen McBride

magazine Editorial Content: lbruce@ayrshire-chamber.org

Design, Typesetting & Publisher: stuart.glasgownews@gmail.com

Print & Distribution: www.brown-bros.com

partners for business Ayrshire Chamber wishes to acknowledge the support of the following companies as sponsors of our Partners for Business programme.

Published by West of Scotland Media on behalf of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry 2013. No part of this magazine may be copied, scanned or reproduced without the express permission of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce.

The views expressed in editorial and/or advertising in “Your Ayrshire Business” are not necessarily those of the Editorial Committee of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Articles submitted for publication will be considered at the Committee’s discretion and may be subject to editing. Publication is not guaranteed.

Your Chamber for the Autumn “AS I write what will be my last introduction as President, I have been reflecting on how busy the last two years have been for the Chamber.

Whilst summer has returned to the UK in 2013, the underlying economic situation remains very challenging however I have noticed a slight positive change in confidence levels as I have been out and about meeting members – I hope this subtle change will build momentum over the coming months.

Ayrshire Chamber continues to perform extremely well against our peers and thanks to the pro-active work by Val Russell and her team at Prestwick our membership continues to rise. We also continue to be the largest President : Scottish Chamber outside the cities of Willie Mackie Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

One of the highlights, of my tenure as President, has been the development of the Chamber Youth Academy which aims to improve the employability skills of young people. Under the able stewardship of Claire Baird this programme has achieved national recognition made possible by a fantastic group of Chamber members who act as mentors to the young people.

Ayrshire Business Week, in October, will provide another opportunity for networking and for Ayrshire businesses to do business with other Ayrshire businesses. At the time of writing we have a record number of applications for Ayrshire Connections, our business to business exhibition, and I look forward to another week of positive energy across the region.

The Chamber is fundamentally a membership driven organisation and delivering the best possible services and support to our members is the top priority for the Board of Management and the Chamber team. Over the past few months the range of services provided has increased with the launch of Jumpstart, an R & D Tax Credit service and Moneycorp offering discounted rates on foreign exchange.

Over the past 2 years Ayrshire Chamber has continued to play an active role in the economic development agenda at both local and national levels and our relationships with our many public sector partners remain extremely strong.

As I hand over the Presidency to Wai-Yin Hatton, at our AGM on 26th September, I would like to record my sincere thanks to my fellow board members for their support, Val Russell and the Chamber team for their relentless pro-activity and finally to the many chamber members I have had the privilege to meet over the past 2 years. Your remarkable resilience to unprecedented economic challenges is something to be proud of.”

Willie Mackie, President, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry your ayrshire business autumn 2013

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THE Mancini family started ma king ice cream in 1913 at King Street, Ayr. From a little town called Atina, near Cassino Italy, Antonio Man cini arrived in London in the late par t of the 19th Century, settling in Ayr in 1910 to set up in business. His son Michae l took the reins through the diffi cult 30s and 40s and into the rocking 50s and swinging 60s, by which time business was good!

Grandson Philip, and current owner, got involved in the fam ily business in the 70s, he explains, “My fath er took ill, so I took over the mak ice cream for the cafe. Little did ing of the I realise it would be the beginni ng of a 38 year adventure in the world of ice cream!

It was a great feeling being crow ned UK Ice Cream Champion a couple of times but to be the owner of a company which has traded for 100 years is the ice cream on the cake!”

He continues, “I believe the key to our success is passion, har and dedication. My wife Cat d work herine has suppor ted me all the way.

Mancini’s is not a job, it’s a way of life! I never get up in the mor ning and think, oh no I’ve got to go to wor k today. If I did, then I’d know it’s time for me chuck it. All the money could not buy how I feel being KING CONE owner of a wonderful family bus iness.”

Filippo’s Bistro & ice cream par lour is in safe hands for a whi with the 4th generation of Man le yet cini’s all confident cooks and makers. Mancini’s Centenary ice cream Ball will be held at the Car lton Hotel, Prestwick on 15th November.

All proceeds will go to Clic Sar gent.

i! c i t s a t fan , i n n a Cento

Scotland Welcomes the World

THE eyes of the world will be on Scotland in the coming year, with Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and Homecoming Scotland all taking place, it’s a great opportunity for tourism businesses to promote themselves to a wide range of potential customers from the UK and overseas.

This opportunity is, of course, not only for tourism businesses, but all impacted upon by the visitor economy.

VisitScotland’s family of websites attracts an audience of around 14.5 million visitors per year and in order to provide the best possible experience for visitors, and improve the quality of content, VisitScotland is offering businesses who are a members of Ayrshire Chamber a FREE LISTING on visitscotland.com for 2013/2014 when they complete the required registration form. Chamber members who are not current VisitScotland customers can find details here: http://marketingopps.visitscotland.com/dmoind/ VisitScotland will provide login details and a guide on how to get started and those who already are will be contacted directly by letter.

Don’t forget the new Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Industry Website – www.ayrshire-arran.org providing a central hub for tourism businesses to browse online resources, the latest industry news, information on key projects and connect with other businesses in the sector.

Tourism businesses and stakeholders across the area are being urged to register for the site and make use of the resources and information to collaborate and grow the sector.

And if you’re looking for way to grow your business over the coming year check out the Marketing Opportunities 2014 in the Business Support section of www.visitscotland.org

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your ayrshire business autumn 2013

Open and ready for business

By Derek Macgarvie Senior Manager Bank of Scotland Ayrshire

base across Scottish tourism means we have unrivalled experience of supporting viable hotel and bed and breakfast businesses.

We also recognise the importance of manufacturers to the Scottish and UK economies. That’s why, as part of Lloyds Banking Group, we have pledged to make £1 billion of additional funding available to the UK manufacturing sector this year.

Within the legal sector, we're the first and only bank to train a specialist team of Relationship Managers to gain The Law Society of Scotland Practice Management Standard. These teams ensure we provide a specialist service with a deeper understanding of the inner workings of a law firm, and our products are designed specifically around the Account Rules laid out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Of course, Bank of Scotland's support to businesses spans many sectors. Our relationship managers invest time to ensure they get to know you and your business, ensuring they can offer guidance that is tailored to you and your needs.

We’re encouraging enterprise by assisting businesses in their start-up and

expansion plans and one way we are doing this is through the Bank of Scotland Funding for Lending scheme, to allow Scottish businesses to benefit from reduced funding costs. This means we can offer a one per cent reduction in the interest rate, through the whole term of the loan, for new business loans and hire purchase.

AS economic conditions remain challenging for many small businesses across Scotland, there’s a common misconception that banks aren’t lending. But at Bank of Scotland, we most certainly are.

As part of Lloyds Banking Group, we lent £13.2 billion to SMEs across the UK in 2012. In the same period, our year-on-year net growth in advances to SMEs was four per cent, which is in contrast to a decline in net lending growth of four per cent across the industry. In addition, we continue to approve eight out of ten applications for overdrafts and loans.

Support for multiple sectors At Bank of Scotland, we are supportive of all sectors and particularly tourism, manufacturing and legal. We recognise how vital these sectors are to the economy of the whole of Scotland.

We work closely with VisitScotland, for example, to ensure we understand the opportunities and challenges that businesses in the tourism industry face every day. Our strong, long-term customer

Local knowledge, local support Perhaps our biggest commitment is to local knowledge. This supports our undertaking to meet every reasonable request from viable businesses for commercially priced finance.

Our Senior Managers and Relationship Managers across Scotland have personal authority to sanction lending applications, which means quick decisions can be made by managers who understand the customer’s business and its ambitions, as well as the wider economy.

To find out more about how Bank of Scotland can work with your business, please contact me on 07764 288 060.

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School bags for Zambia IT didn’t take long for the Chamber team to locate a box full of soft toys, childrens books and stationary to be sent, along with a batch of Chamber bags to support the Tukongate Community School in Zambia.

Lynette Rink, Community Projects Manager at Waterberry Lodge, distributed the toys and bags throughout the village community. She tells us, “Tembo, is a highly motivated and energetic teacher at

Six amigas WELL done Chamber team, for once again stepping through the night on the Ayrshire Hospice Land of Burns Midnight Walk.

Dressed this year in a Mexican theme, the Magnificent Six did a sterling job raising money and boosting the office step challenge.

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Tukongote Community Preschool, working with a group of Grade 9 pupils. He gives them extra lessons, mainly in Maths and English, and together they work through school and personal problems and life skills training. In exchange, the teenagers do work within in the community and

around the preschool, like collecting fire wood, picking up litter and repairing the mud on the school and church buildings.

They are aged 15 to 18 years. I am so inspired by their enthusiasm and wish to grow, learn more and get an education.

Their dreams for the future include becoming nurses, preschool teachers, soldiers, accountants, a doctor, a pilot, an engineer and a judge.”

Chamber Chief Executive, Val Russell, says, “I feel truly humble to see the young people so happy and to hear, despite what we would see as very difficult conditions, they have such ambitions for the future. We take education for granted but I am sure young people in schools in Ayrshire could learn much from the pupils there.”

Lynette Rink - Community Projects Manager at Waterberry Lodge, adds, “Thank you for this wonderful donation. It has brought joy and smiles to many people here.”

Business in Residence Opportunity WORKING from home? Need room to breathe? Then why not apply to become the first Business in Residence at the Munro Business Park, Kilmarnock?

Unique Strategy Ltd. is offering a fully serviced office space to a local business for 6 months, available from 1st December 2013. Including; electricity, building insurance, parking, security, broadband wi-fi, cleaning, and more, giving you space to fully focus on your business. Saxen Workplace Solutions has sponsored the office furniture, so there’s no need to bring the kitchen table!

Munro Business Park has been created by Galston duo, Matthew Dodds and Bill Strachan, who built up a successful communications company, UA Comms Ltd. in Kilmarnock in the 70’s. After a takeover by a national company, Matthew & Bill focused their energy and business skills in creating a portfolio of business premises throughout the Kilmarnock area.

Knowing first-hand the problems that SMEs face, they are keen to help local companies flourish and to put something back into the area. One way of achieving this was to provide affordable business premises for small to medium enterprises, especially new start-up companies.

Matthew explains, “We offer short leases and low rents fully inclusive of all overheads, a unique business model in the commercial premises market. By offering a business residency, a young enterprise can focus on expanding sales and customer management. Working from home is not always ideal, this opportunity offers a base amongst likeminded entrepreneurs where facilities, like the large meeting room, allow business to business contact in a relaxed friendly way.”

In partnership with the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, the residency package includes one year’s free membership to the Ayrshire Chamber and a business coach for 6 months.

Chief Executive Val Russell explains, “When Matthew contacted me with news of his generous offer, it was clear that the Chamber could add value.

With a portfolio of money saving services, membership to the Chamber can save businesses money and with access to a business coach for 6 months, the successful business will be supported in growing their business to the next level.”

Bills adds, “We want to nurture that spirit of enterprise which has produced many entrepreneurs; use knowledge, 8

your ayrshire business autumn 2013

experience and tangible resources to keep Ayrshire being a great place to do business!”

To apply for the residency, applicants are requested to submit their current business plan, along with 1500 words outlining how their business would benefit from this

opportunity.

Applications should be sent to vrussell@ayrshire-chamber.org by 5pm on 27th September 2013.

Shortlisted businesses will be asked to attend an interview with a panel of judges.

A chip off the block IN 2012, a collaborative venture involving GlaxoSmithKline and Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce supported the local community with a £400,000 fund under the banner of the Community Development Fund. Part of the initiative helps to fund new apprenticeships for a 3 or 4 year period.

The Chamber recently caught up with apprentice Mark McGill, who has secured a position at the Egger Barony plant in Auchinleck. EGGER is one of the leading manufacturers of wood based panels in Europe.

Mentor Gary Sowerby explains, “We advertised for candidates with at least 4 standard grades in Maths, English, a science and another technical subject for example graphic design or computing.”

After a successful interview and psychometric

testing, Mark started in September last year. He has just passed SVQ PEO Level 2 hand skills, core skills in engineering doing fitting electrical & computer aided drawing and is now doing NC Electrical Engineering at Kilmarnock College.

Mark says, “I saw the position advertised and it sprung to mind that this was something I’d really like to do.”

A day’s work for Mark is varied and could cover general repairs, lighting circuits, heaters, motors and more recently pulling cables.

Gary says, “We teach the basics, such as wiring and circuits before moving on to repair work, programming and more complex circuit wire panel building.

We take it step by step over the 4 years until they are working on a project. My aim is to push him as far as I can, with the aim of replacing me, that’s what I’d like, to share my knowledge. It’s not just wiring up motors, plugs and lights, its computer networking, PLC (programmable logic controller), it’s the whole range of everything you could ever want on the electrical side.”

Mark continues, “I’ve done quite a lot of installation work, working on trunking and the cable tray. I’m really eager to try PLC

work as I did Higher Computing at school, but I don’t know how similar it would be. I think that the programming for the PLCs here would be a step above what I’ve done at computing and it’s something I’m really itching to get into.”

On stepping from the school place to the work environment he adds, “Everything’s just brilliant I think it’s really a good place to work. It’s good to see when you’ve started something from scratch, the final product. I can work flat out for a whole day, compared to school which can be a bit on and off. Here it’s flat out for 8 hour shifts without constantly checking my watch, time seems to fly in.”

Savings via EU Funding: International Placements NEW members Baltic Business Connections provide 3 types of service: business internationalisation to access new EU markets for export; organize EU funded CPD and placements, especially focusing on tourism and hospitality training; organize and host incentive and corporate travel.

Viktorija Zilinskaite explains, “As part of our services, we identified placements for students from the Lithuanian Vilnius University of Applied Sciences. Four students undertook placements in the Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha which over 3 months allowed over £12,000 savings in wages to the business. This amount was

successfully reinvested into the building of a new bunkhouse. Students gained international work experience and collected comparative study information for their future thesis.”

With EU funding, Baltic Business Connections now plan to extend this international placements scheme to further students from Lithuanian and Latvian universities, facilitating Ayrshire hospitality, tourism and other internationally trading businesses to capitalize on this opportunity.

Get in touch www.balticbusinessconnections.com

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The Taste of Success is Mint!

MINT Accounting celebrated its Ayrshire office’s one year anniversary by scooping a prestigious industry award.

They were named The Small Accountancy Firm of the Year at the Scottish Accountancy Awards in Glasgow.

Follow @hmrcgovuk on Twitter It has been more than two years since HMRC posted its first official 'tweet' on Twitter.

Twitter was first used as a pilot for the 31 January 2011 self assessment filing deadline. It continues to grow, with tweets covering deadline reminders, information about online services, notes to agents, businesses and employers, warnings of email 'phishing' scams and even reports of significant criminal prosecutions. HMRC’s Twitter account has attracted a wide audience and currently has more than 63,000 followers.

Charlotte Gillett, Mint’s commercial director, said “It’s been a busy and highly successful first year for us in our Ayrshire office meaning we’ve been able to more than double our staff. Being named The Small Accountancy Firm of the Year capped our flying start in the area.

“We look forward to building on our success by offering our Mint conditioning sessions and discounts throughout September to local businesses and tailored support to new businesses through our Fresh Mint package.”

The Aberdeen headquartered company was founded in 2010 and opened its second office last summer in Ayrshire. www.mintaccounting.co.uk

Another First

m or all the fa ily since 199 Fun f 3

Contact us for great corporate ticket offers!

Also corporate Christmas family days available in December.

Please contact 01292 441210 for further information www.headsofayrfarmpark.co.uk 10

your ayrshire business autumn 2013

BIG Blue Dog Design is delighted to announce the launch of carena.org.uk a groundbreaking project in association with North Ayrshire Council.

The team at Big Blue Dog were tasked with designing and developing a community portal forming a hub for people requiring care as well as their carers, allowing easy access to information about care and support in North Ayrshire as well as events and community news.

This website is the first of its kind in Scotland following the introduction of new care initiatives allowing people more freedom to choose how they utilise their personal care allowance. CareNA was formally launched on Wednesday 24 July 2013 at the 24/7 Care and Support North Ayrshire exhibition at James Watt College, Kilwinning.

Kris Kirk, Creative Director of Big Blue Dog explained, “The website was created to respond to significant changes by the Scottish Government in the way social care is provided through the introduction of self-directed support. Our clients, North Ayrshire Council, are the first local authority in Scotland to provide a complete, accessible and structured platform to explain these changes, support users’ choices, allow service providers to market their services and share news and events with the wider community.”

Minister officially launches new Ayrshire College THE new Ayrshire College was officially launched at a special event at Ayr Racecourse by Education Secretary Michael Russell.

Mr Russell said: “I am delighted to be here to officially launch Ayrshire College. Scotland’s further education system has evolved in the last decade and college reforms were introduced to give students the best possible opportunities in vocational training, moving on in education and taking their first steps on the career ladder. The team at Ayrshire College is bringing a great deal of expertise and exceptional links to local business that will benefit all the students who pass through its doors now and in the future.”

The new College aims to Inspire Achievement, Raise Aspirations and Increase Opportunities for all communities in Ayrshire. It will play a key role in helping to develop Ayrshire’s economy by ensuring that students develop the right skills and positive attitudes to get a job, keep a job and progress in their career.

The Principal of the new Ayrshire College Heather Dunk said: “This is a very special day for Ayrshire and I am delighted to welcome Mr Russell to share this celebration with us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff who have worked so hard to make the merger a success. We look forward to working with our students, employers and stakeholders to make a difference for businesses and communities in

Ayrshire. Today is a significant landmark and we are confident that by working together we will make Ayrshire College the best in Scotland; inclusive, innovative and sector leading. A college of which all of our students, staff, stakeholders and communities will be proud.”

Ayrshire College will support over 14,000 students has a turnover of £45m and around 800 staff and will operate from three main campuses in Ayr, Kilmarnock and Kilwinning as well as satellite centres in Cumnock, Gatehead and Largs. www.ayrshire.ac.uk

The Apprentice with not such a bad idea!

DURING the latest series of The Apprentice, candidates competed against each other for the chance to turn their business idea into a reality with Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment. Well it seems that Prestwick based Sleek Media was one step ahead of Neil Clough, one of this year’s favourites.

Euan, the Marketing Manager from Sleek Media explains, “The more we watched, the more we began to realise Neil’s online estate agents business plan sounded exactly like a project we were currently working on called The Little Blue House. We managed to make contact with Neil who was interested to hear how we were getting on with it and we will have the opportunity to meet with him to discuss our ideas at next month’s Scottish Expo Exhibition where he will be a key speaker.”

Like Neil’s idea, The Little Blue House website allows you to be your own estate agent and provide a unique way to sell your own home by uploading your property details directly onto the site. www.littlebluehouse.co.uk

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Ayrshire Business Awards 2013

APPLICATIONS for the 12 award categories are now with the judges for shortlisting and the winners of each award will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock on Thursday 10th October. The Ayrshire Business Awards 2013 ceremony will be hosted

by BBC’s Catriona Shearer, best known for waking up the nation as the face of Scotland’s Breakfast TV Bulletins and regular anchor of the flagship news programme Reporting Scotland.

The Ingram Motoring Group has continued to support the awards as Principal Sponsor for the second year.

Malcolm Ingram, MD at Ingram Motor Group says “I am absolutely delighted to continue the Ingram Motoring Group’s sponsorship of the Ayrshire Business Awards, last year was my first time as the main sponsor as I was very impressed with all of the events, especially the awards dinner which exceeded all of my expectations, the quality of businesses that were represented on the evening was incredible and as Ayrshire business people we should be very proud indeed” Chamber Chief Executive, Val Russell adds, “We have been delighted with the response to this year’s Awards and it’s great to see new entries from companies that haven’t taken part before. Each year the competition becomes more hotly contested and I don’t envy the judges’ difficult decisions in choosing the winners.

I’d like to thank all the Award sponsors; Ingram Motor Group, Business Gateway, Vattenfall, Nestle, Heads of Ayr Farm Park,

EDF Energy, Entrepreneurial Spark, Westfield Health, Taste Ayrshire, Sainsbury’s, GlaxoSmithKline and Ayrshire Weekly Press, whose involvement make these Awards possible.”

Val continues, “The Awards dinner has become a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for local charities and this year we are delighted to be supporting Marie Curie Cancer Care and Break the Silence. If anyone wishes to donate a prize to the dinner raffle, please email businessawards@entourageuk.com ” Tickets to the Awards Dinner are on sale now, priced £65 from www.ayrshirechamber.org and guests will enjoy a predinner drinks reception followed by a 3 course meal with wine.

sponsored by...

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A Big Hearted Partnership!

Doing good guide book THE Ayrshire Coastal Path guide book, written and published by Jimmy Begg has raised £25,000 for the Rotary Club of Ayr, which has been used to fund the Ayr Rotary Malawi Project.

online, 2% of the income generated will go into an Ayrshire Chamber Charity fund which will then be distributed to all charities who are members of the Chamber.

Ayrshire Chamber is delighted to become This month, every Chamber member will a Primary Partner in Buy2Give. The aims of receive their Buy2Give Card. Just mention this scheme align very much with those of the Chamber, to encourage businesses and your card number when booking an Event the wider community to trade locally and with the Chamber, either by phone or when possible support local charities.

Each Chamber member will be issued with a Buy2Give card and encouraged to use their card when booking events.

“Some of the suppliers we use are also members of Buy2Give therefore we will generate more for the fund from our own purchases too.” said Chamber CEO Val Russell.

“We would encourage all businesses to become Buy2Give are rolling out their exciting fundraising programme across Ayrshire over the members as it can lead next 12 months and we need really GOOD people to work with us! to new customers Over the course of the next 3 months we will be appointing our first 3 Area Managers and also help fulfil who will replicate and develop what has already been achieved in East, South and your Corporate Social North Ayrshire respectively who can go on to become our full social franchisees for the areas. They may be individuals or small existing social or charitable organisations, but Responsibility. they will share a strong desire to help us build an economic community dedicated to Chamber members helping charities, community organisations and local businesses to achieve something have the opportunity to remarkable by working together. use their card with over There is no age or type profile here although it is likely that the successful candidates 60 other Big Hearted will have some business or charity experience —we are simply looking for enterprising, Businesses in Ayrshire positive people who enjoy meeting others and have an empathy for our goals. who have joined the It could also be that you are an existing Buy2Give Programme. charitable or social organisation who need to “Over the last year, develop a new income stream. some 5000 Buy2Give This is a great opportunity for people who want Cards have been to work for an award winning organisation that distributed by Charities and really can make a difference!

Community Organisations in Ayrshire, including over If you are interested, please email your details to 1000 to local businesses”, Ken Robb at info.buy2give@gmail.com says Buy2Give Director, Or call us on 01563 852253 for more information.

Ken Robb, “and we aim

BUY2Give and The Ayrshire Chamber have announced their partnership in a new programme designed to help Chamber members achieve more sales whilst helping local charities!

Wanted! Really GOOD people!

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Initially, Iain Dickson of the Rotary Club of Irvine Seagate, who has had dealings in Malawi for many years, suggested making contact with the Rotar y Club of Limbe. The Limbe club has a long history of involvement in Matching Grant projects so were able to help the Ayr Club.

The project has resulted in the installation of solar panels providing electricity for light and small scale power to 20 houses in the Chauluka village, replacing candles and kerosene, light and power to Muwalo school, providing additional evening study time and running computers for teaching staff, light and power for the school block at Malonda Village and a solar powered water pump supplying Bunyenga village.

to increase this number substantially over the Autumn. Charity supporters are naturally attracted to businesses that support their favourite cause and it makes good business sense to become a Buy2Give seller by joining us as a full member. It costs very little to do so and gives unique access to customers who have a new and compelling reason to buy.”

“We have exciting plans to develop our Buy2Give Partnership into a campaign which really promotes a Buy Local theme”, concluded Val Russell.

“This will enable our members to win new business and encourages them to buy from each other whilst helping the local community in Ayrshire. We hope that everyone will really get behind it!”

Let’s make Ayrshire a Big Hearted Chamber!

For more details, visit www.buy2give.org.uk or email info@buy2give.org.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON…First Independent Finance Ltd. WE are told by our members that access to finance is one of the key difficulties that face business.

We all know that industry awards, where a business is highlighted by their peers at being the very best at what they do are difficult to fool, and it’s the industry first and foremost who know who is worthy of merit.

In the world of finance Ayrshire has a business that punches above its weight. In 2012 they were awarded UK asset finance broker of the year and later in that year in a completely unconnected award were awarded European asset finance broker of the year in a ceremony held in Barcelona.

Not satisfied with that they were reaccredited with Investors in People Gold. By achieving this twice in a 3 year period they are a rare breed of companies to have gone for gold twice and are the only finance institution to have achieved this.

But it doesn't stop there. They won our chamber service excellence award in 2010, they have won numerous Scottish Enterprise awards and they have a policy of encouraging share ownership throughout their staff, and this year, they will help UK businesses raise in excess of £80 million of that funding that seems so hard to access.

First Independent Finance was incorporated in Stewarton in 1999 with a desire to help Scotlands SME market find attractive funding terms. It quickly grew to cover the whole of the

UK. So why all these awards?

"Good question" says Allan Ross, managing director " I suppose it’s because we take a long term view in how we run our business, we try to get it right as we want customers to keep coming back to us. We source the right suppliers and we build long term relationships First Independent Team with everyone we work picking up European Award with. Most important, our staff turnover is very the back of a growing desire of some low, we seem to have found a balance of being businesses to trade on the internet. First a challenging, but rewarding place to work. It Independent Finance has always been early takes focus and hard work from all our people adopters of technology and it would seem a to get it right. Being marked out in our industry sensible approach to move with the times. as worthy of recognition is a pleasant bonus, Allan adds, "I think the way we deliver our but it's not what drives us. services will change a little, we will still have I think our industry sees our desire to invest people out there meeting people because in getting it right as a key factor in our success. understanding our client businesses is vital to Investment in difficult times for all the way we do business. I do think there will businesses is never easy and that also applies be a growing importance of being able to do to us. We have taken risks in; how we reward business online and to meet that demand we our people, market our business and build I.T will need to expand. Hopefully, in the years to systems in what has been a turbulent time for come, we will be recognised for customer financial services. That investment has brought service, excellence in IT and still be a great us through the recession pretty well.” place to work and an even better company to The business has plans to grow further, on deal with.”

Dinner chat turns up the laughs on Arran

Image: Hugh Boag, Arran Banner

THE Douglas Hotel on Arran, recently hosted a dinner and comedy night with Fred McAulay and Phil Differ. The event proved so popular that all 80 tickets were sold out in advance of the event.

Elaine Campbell, Company Secretary at the Douglas explains, “While attending the Chamber Annual Dinner, I took the opportunity to chat to host Fred McAulay, suggesting a wee comedy gig on the island.

We worked up a dinner and entertainment package that saw Alastair Dobson, from Taste of Arran, as MC for the night, introducing the comic talents of Fred and Phil. The evening was such a success that we are in the midst of planning our next one!”

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Need to make changes to your VAT record?

CHANGES to VAT registration details can now be made more easily online; online improvements for tax agents registering groups for VAT. Did you know that you can now make changes to your online VAT registration details more easily?

HMRC has seen an increase in the number of businesses using our online tax registration service, with around four out of five new businesses currently using it to register for VAT. Virtually all businesses must submit their VAT returns online and make payments electronically, so it makes sense for you to get online from the start and register your business for VAT using the HMRC website. When you register for VAT using the HMRC online tax registration service, you will be automatically signed up to use the HMRC VAT Online filing service.

Recent improvements to the services mean that you will also be automatically signed up to allow you to notify changes to some of your VAT registration details online (for example, change of business name, change of business address). If existing VAT Online customers enrol for this service they will no longer be required to use an Activation Code to activate it.

As well as improving the online service sign up process for businesses, HMRC has also improved the online service for agents when registering a group for VAT. Agents are now able to provide all the necessary documentation during the online process. This is something agents have been asking for to improve the current registration service for them and their clients.

Find out more about this service and other VAT information at www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/ 16

your ayrshire business autumn 2013

Dared by Dragon Duncan

THE Cook School Scotland has been challenged by Duncan Bannatyne, Patron of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association to turn an investment of £500, of his own money, into a minimum of £5,000 which will be donated to the charity.

Eight Scottish businesses are taking part in Dragon’s Dare, a unique initiative launched by Duncan Bannatyne, where challengers have six months to reach their fundraising target.

Each team will receive personal mentoring from Duncan with the challenge culminating on December 13th when participants will present their business models to an esteemed panel of entrepreneurs including Duncan, John Pirrie and Michelle Rodger. After the judging session, successful teams will receive their awards and the most profitable will be

Sole mates HERE at the Chamber we use our expertise and knowledge to make links and boost trading between our members. Nicola, from the Business Development Team at the Chamber, was meeting with new members, Jonathan and James Broughton from the Cumnock Factory Outlet, when she hit upon the idea of a collaboration between factory outlet and footwear retailer Shooze with Sole.

Following extensive refurbishment in April, The Cumnock Factory outlet was looking to extend its children’s

proclaimed champion of the Dragon's Dare.

The Cook School Scotland accepted the challenge and has produced its first recipe book, ‘A Taste of The Cook School Scotland’. Containing 55 mouth watering recipes, the hard backed book is priced at just £15. Profit from the sale of the book over the first 6 months is being donated to The Scottish Spina Bifida Association.

Packed full of the Cook School’s best loved recipes; Cullen Skink, Hot Smoked Salmon Salad, Vegetable Tagine, Pesto Prawn Linguine, Apple Tar te Tatin, Baked Alaska, Dark Chocolate Fondant and more, ‘A Taste of The Cook School Scotland’ is available for purchase from www.cookschool.org, The Cook School Scotland shop or by calling 01563 550008. footwear department and had asked the chamber for a recommendation.

Through regular member contact at networking, Nicola suggested getting in touch with Donna Read of Shooze with Sole as she was aware of the business plans for expansion in Ayrshire.

The happy outcome is that Shooze with Sole now channel end of line stock through The Cumnock Factory Outlet. Owner Donna Read explains, "At the end of each season we have stock left over, so having an outlet department is invaluable. We turn past season stock back into cash which can then be re-invested. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Cumnock factory outlet Thanks Nicola!”

Healthy Working Lives Revised Award Programme THE Healthy Working Lives Award Programme has been revised making it a good time to get involved. Your local team can provide advice and services for employers in implementing health, safety and wellbeing policies and practices. It helps employers understand how best to engage with their workforce and have the greatest impact in protecting and improving their health, safety and wellbeing. In tackling the widening gap between those individuals with the best and worst health, it is critical that employers ensure all employees have equal access to policies and practices in the workplace allowing everyone to experience and benefit from good work.

So how can you get your organisation into better shape. Work can be good for us, physically, mentally and financially. It increases our confidence and independence and makes us feel part of society. However, it can also bring costly health risks. In 2010, 2.5 million working days were lost due to accidents and work-related ill health in Scotland, costing Scottish organisations

like yours a total of £187 million. So a healthier workforce really does make for a healthier organisation.

Could you; • Support stopping smoking or healthy eating?

• Reduce work or workplace hazards?

• Provide access to advice and support for people who need it?

• Make more opportunities available to people with disabilities or health problems?

Employers who realise the importance of building healthier working lives should be recognised for it. That’s why the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives Award Programme gives a practical framework to help all employers get involved.

The benefits for your organisation: • Enhance your reputation as a responsible and well managed organisation • Raise the profile among clients and stakeholders, setting your organisation apart •Reduce absence rates and support employees returning to work • Create a healthier, more motivated and productive workforce

Make-over time

NEW Chamber members, Karl and Pamela from the Carrick Cinic in Prestwick are keen to show off their new look premises by hosting a Chamber networking event later in the year.

Owners Pamela Spence and KarlHeinz Grimm celebrate one year at the

helm this month and wanted to give the clinic a fresh new look for their anniversary.

Established in 1991, the clinic has been in its current location on the Main Street for 6 years.

Pamela, who has worked there since 2007 explains, “When previous owners, Paul and Pat, decided to retire after 21 years in business, Karl and I decided it was the perfect opportunity for us.

We believe in high quality, supportive, integrated health care, prevention and treatment. The Back Clinic is in most demand at the moment, but we have a great team who cover a range of therapies, including helping children with ADHD. We look forward to meeting and welcoming fellow Chamber members soon.” www.carrickclinic.co.uk

• Promote health and safety and protect employees from workplace hazards • Control insurance costs • Contribute to the health of the wider community The Healthy working Lives Award Programme is an outcome focused approach to support employees to achieve these benefits in the organisation in a practical, logical and beneficial way.

Some of our recent award winners are: • Kilmarnock College • EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited – Hunterston B Power Station • NACCO Materials Handling Group • NATS Prestwick Centre • UTC Aerospace systems • Belmont Academy • Irvine Housing Association • Webhelp Tsc • Cunninghame Housing Association If you would like to join the other companies that are benefiting from our free and confidential services then please contact your local workplace team on 01292 885855 or email AAUHB.HWL@nhs.net or contact our national team on 0800 019 2211. You can also visit our website for more information at www.healthyworkinglives.com

VG Energy Awarded Contract With The NHS RENEWABLE technology specialists, VG Energy Limited is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a contract with the NHS. VG Energy will provide all technical support and planning works to the NHS for two wind turbine development projects on two NHS Shetland Isle sites.

Commenting on this partnership with the NHS, VG Energy Director Warwick Payne said: “This contract is strategically significant for VG Energy as it demonstrates that we have the relevant expertise and capabilities to deliver technical support and planning works for multiple wind development projects for a client of the prominence of the NHS. This is a major vote of confidence in the company and is the result of 5 years’ experience successfully designing, planning and installing over 500 renewable projects.”

Founded in 2008 by two visionary agricultural businessmen, VG Energy has established itself as the market leader in supplying, installing and maintaining small to medium sized wind turbines, mainly to a farming customer base and landowners. www.vgenergy.co.uk your ayrshire business autumn 2013

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Major construction programme in South West Scotland - opportunities for local business!

THE next few years will see a massive investment in public sector facilities, resulting in a substantial boost to the local economy. Local authorities, the NHS, the emergency services, the Scottish Courts and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, are all involved in developing large scale public service buildings and many of the projects will be procured through hub South West. hub South West is a 40% public sector/ 60% private sector development partnership which aims to invest over £600m in new public buildings over the next 5 years, while helping to generate business and employment opportunities for the people of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Dumfries & Galloway. The current delivery programme is valued at circa £350M across a number of sectors. hub is looking to grow its Territory Supplier Network and is looking for companies within the south west to become involved in the process. The target is to increase local participation in construction projects from 35% to 65%, resulting in huge benefits in terms of business opportunities, job creation and local economic development.

Companies which successfully apply to join hub’s Territory Supplier Network will be able to access opportunities to price for

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work with the Tier 1 Contractors and to become part of their supply chains for other contracts. hub is working closely with Ayrshire Chamber, the 3 local Councils and Business Gateway to spread the message and help to gear up local businesses to take advantage of the opportunities. hub will shortly launch the Supply Chain Institute, running a series of free events and workshops, and Skills Academy, training contractors on-site and matching up the job opportunities created to local school leavers, graduates and unemployed, who would like a career in the Construction sector.

Gordon Hunter, Supply Chain Development Manager said, “We believe that this is a great opportunity for local construction sector contractors and professional services companies; a chance to grow their business within their own area further afield through working with these major companies. There is no time limit for applying. However as a number of contracts are to be tendered over the next few months, I would recommend early action.”

For further information on how to participate, contact Gordon at gordon.hunter@hubsouthwest.co.uk, call 01294 225 260, or visit www.hubsouthwestscotland.co.uk

A good vintage

By Jim Smith, Kerr and Smith

“AS you can see from the accompanying photo our Vintage Extravaganza Road Run, organised by the Ayrshire Vintage Commercial Vehicle Association, just gets better and better. One hundred and fifty eight entrants took part, starting at the Low Green in Ayr and motoring to Cumnock for lunch.

Caponacre Estate was packed with the local community recounting their memories of vehicles from their past. The weather was more than kind and the catering available from our Community College partners was welcomed with open mouths!

The time and effort by owners to restore such vehicles is not measurable in monetary terms as it takes many months or years to bring them back to original condition, the real reward is in using or sharing their efforts with others. Look out for next year’s date for a trip down memory lane.”

Caring and sharing EAST Ayrshire Carers Centre is delighted to have been announced as the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Invoice Finance Scotland departments’ Charity of the Year.

RBS staff will volunteer to work with the Centre over the coming year and among other roles will help to maintain gardens and design websites. Representatives of the bank have already visited Dalmellington House to formally acknowledge the year

long initiative, while young carers have benefitted from the new partnership when the bank donated more than 70 Easter eggs for them to enjoy.

Jane Smith, East Ayrshire Carers Centre CEO, said “This is an exciting time for us as the Royal Bank of Scotland will not only offer support but will help us to improve the areas of our organisation that we simply can’t afford to focus our funding on”.

Meanwhile in April the Centre was delighted to be recognised by East Ayrshire Council for work done helping to transform the lives of young people when receiving a Lifelong Learning Award at the Community Planning Awards in Kilmarnock.

The award recognised the success of the Alpha Venture Employability Service which has been running since 2009. Many young people who left school with no qualifications and few prospects have now found sustainable employment thanks to the great work being done by the project.

Staff at Alpha Venture are always keen to get involved with local businesses that may be able to provide work experience or employment opportunities for our trainees.

Young people work in Dalmellington House, a five bedroom guest house, gaining work experience, SVQs and other qualifications relevant to the hospitality industry and many would benefit from additional experience in larger and busier environments.

If you would like to become involved please contact staff at Dalmellington House on 01292 550717, incentives may be available.

Explosive dust extracted!

RUSSELL Consulting Scotland ltd (RCS), Health, Safety and Environmental Engineers has recently been commissioned

by MAHLE Engine Systems to design and install a brand new explosive dust extraction and filtration unit.

Beyond safe guarding staff from harmful breathable substances, protecting the environment from pollution and completely eliminating the production of explosive Hydrogen, MAHLE’S new LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) system also has massive financial benefits. From adding extra days to production, reducing the cost of emptying and recycling waste material, right through to literally quartering the electrical consumption, the new system is economically engineered in all respects.

With the old filtration system required cleaning every week, efficiency has already been significantly improved resulting in an annual saving of over £40,000 and about 10 tonnes of CO2. That’s equivalent to driving a van around the world. www.rcslev.com your ayrshire business autumn 2013

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Nora Senior appointed President of the British Chambers of Commerce THE British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced the appointment of Nora Senior as its new President, succeeding Martyn Pellew who stands down after two years in post. Nora, who will be the business group’s first female President for ten years, was officially appointed at the BCC’s Annual General Meeting after serving as Vice President since June 2011.

Nora is the Executive Chair for UK Regions of global PR agency Weber Shandwick and has more than 20 years’ experience in the public relations and government affairs sector. She is part of the Regional Advisory Group to the London Stock Exchange, and holds nonexecutive roles with organisations such as the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, and previously with the National Trust.

Nora has been recognised with a number of business achievement awards including Scottish Businesswoman of the Year. More recently, she was presented with the UK First Woman in the Media Award on 12 June.

Commenting on her appointment as BCC President, Nora Senior said: “The British Chambers of Commerce is a leading voice on

all issues relating to business and I look forward to championing its crucial work, which benefits businesses of all sizes and sectors across the UK. There are many issues that still need government attention – particularly around the much-needed support for international trade and helping young people to join the workforce, both of which are so important if we are to see a sustainable economic recovery.

“Together with the support of Chambers of Commerce across the UK, I will be working hard to ensure that the views of the business community are heard at both a local and national level, and will continue to campaign for an enterprise-friendly environment so that existing and new businesses can thrive.

“At this crucial time for the UK economy, Chambers of Commerce are more important than ever. They act as a front door in every town and city across the UK, providing support to businesses directly at the coal face. Just take international trade as an example.

Chambers help businesses take their goods and services to new markets in a number of different ways – acting as a first port of call for advice, holding export seminars, exchanging

Whistleblowing Law Has Changed

1. A "qualifying disclosure" now means any disclosure of information that, in the reasonable belief of the worker, is made in the public interest.

Employers should therefore amend the section of their whistleblowing policy that explains what constitutes a protected disclosure.

2.

The requirement that a “whistleblower” must make a qualifying disclosure "in good faith" is now removed.

Employers should therefore amend this section of their whistleblowing policy accordingly.

jamieson

3. Employees will now generally be precluded from being able to "whistleblow” to allege breaches of their own employment contract.

Employers should ensure that this is fully explained in their policy, pointing the employee towards the employer's grievance procedure.

4. Whistleblowers will now be protected from suffering a detriment, bullying or harassment from another employee. This extends the existing protection to employees against adverse treatment in relation to their employer's activity only.

Employers should therefore amend their whistleblowing policy to confirm it is clear that work colleagues should not mistreat any “whistleblower”. www.qdosconsulting.com

plant hire and contractors CONTRACTS UNDERTAKEN New water mains installed, drainage work (land drainage, golf courses etc), kerbing, paving, monoblock, etc.

Suppliers of drainage pipe, underground, sewer water pipe and fittings.

CONTRACT HIRE JCB, TRACTOR AND ATTACHMENTS 24-26 KIRKOSWALD ROAD, MAYBOLE, AYRSHIRE KA19 7TX

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Tel: 01655 883251 Fax: 01655 882511 Mobile: 07768 624954 20

your ayrshire business autumn 2013

To advertise in the next edition of

your

FROM 25 June, four main changes to Public Disclosure statute (aka Whistleblowing) were introduced and the following advice to employers therefore applies.

knowledge and best practice from ‘mature’ exporters and leading trade missions to fastgrowing markets overseas.

“As someone who travels the world as a services exporter, I see first-hand how it’s become easier and more cost effective to trade internationally. Businesses need to be encouraged to explore the potential to step into new markets – but the fear of exporting has to be removed. Given the need for Britain to achieve an export-led recovery, Chambers are and will remain at the heart of this agenda.”

Outgoing President, Martyn Pellew, said: “During my tenure as President, I have worked alongside BCC Director General John Longworth to campaign on behalf of British business. My job has allowed me the privilege of visiting some truly inspiring companies over the last two years, many of whom are finding innovative ways to grow their businesses and increase their workforces. I know that with the help of their local Chambers, these businesses will continue to build on these successes. I now hand over to Nora, whose vast business and communications experience and previous involvement with the BCC will prove invaluable at this crucial time for the UK business community.”

business yrshire

the magazine of ayrshire chamber of commerce and industry

call Stuart Pennington on 07792 362 587 or email stuart.glasgownews@gmail.com

Education Links

World of Work Week GARGIESTON Primary School in Kilmarnock recently had a very successful World of Work Week.

The event was widely supported by parents, local businesses and the wider community who gave up their time to talk to pupils and to share their knowledge. We had a variety of jobs represented including a careers advisor, scientist, health visitor, artist, laboratory team leader, gymnastics coach, finance/media, interpreter and a retired police inspector. We also had a fire fighter, Asda, EDF Energy, Centrestage and Ayrshire Cancer support to represent the voluntary sector. The aim of the event was to raise aspirations, to develop a sense of responsibility and to develop awareness in young people for the world of work.

Literacy Logos DURING Newton Primary’s Literacy Week, a competition took place to create a Dyslexia Friendly logo for the school. Pupils were asked to create a design which they felt best reflected their feelings about dyslexia and the schools approach.

Pupils from the DFS group worked with Kirsty from Sleek media to create a DFS logo for Newton Primary. The pupils were keen to ensure that the logo incorporated the dyslexia friendly school ethos and had at least one element from the competition finalist logos. They listened carefully to Kirsty’s advice as to what makes a great logo and worked co-operatively in order to create the final logo chosen by the DFS pupil group...

“It was great to work with a professional person and it was interesting,” Allan P7 “It was great to work with someone who makes logos as a job,” Cameron P5 “It was great fun getting together to make our logo and work as a team,” Erin P7 “It was great fun and I’d really like to do it again,” Saffrin P5

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by Paul Brown from PB Photography “I WAS approached by Lewis’ mother about Work Experience Week and I explained that I was sure the final decision lay not at my door but rather at those who oversaw this annual affair. I was guided and advised by Helen Laverie at Ayrshire Chamber, who assisted with the smooth transition from Lewis’ hope to ultimate fruition.

“Lewis, a pupil at St. Joseph’s Academy, already knew some basics of photography and demonstrated an eagerness to learn and willingness to listen. I broke the week down into set aims, beginning with instruction on the use of the Studio, its’ facilities and equipment, through to ‘field outings’ and culminating with him undertaking a photoshoot on his own with his own model.

(That’s where Mums really come in useful!)

“Thanks to Iain Loxley of Loxley Colour for welcoming us along to see the professional printing side of the photographic business.

“I believe Lewis benefited from his week, but more so I believe that he enjoyed himself, and seeing what was required if he chose to follow this career path.

“My experience of the week was also illuminating . . . especially when I discovered how difficult it can be to keep up with a 16 year old who wants to go everywhere and do everything!”

Sitting Pretty

Work Experience

Work Experience in Focus

ROISIN, from Loudoun Academy, spent the week with us at Riverbank Mill.

During the week, she participated in some marketing for Mesh Office Seating (UK) Ltd. Our designer, another Roisin, helped to highlight the benefits of marketing with design of adverts and literature. The Distribution Team shared the importance of maintaining stock records and she spent some time understanding the websites and search engine optimisation.

The Saxen and ErgoCube teams, based in the same building, were running workshops on the benefits of ergonomics in the workplace, so Roisin participated in some of the lectures, becoming an expert by the end of the week!

All the team would like to thank Roisin for her help and wish her every success for the future.

Nicola J Gillespie, Mesh Office Seating (UK) Ltd.

your ayrshire business autumn 2013

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The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome the following companies as recently joined members of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Afton Water Leisure Ltd. New Cumnock Contact: May Phillips 07835 375707 www.newcumnockpool.co.uk Outdoor swimming pool Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd. Prestwick 01292 692100 Contact: David Smith www.ashleighscotland.co.uk Construction company Ayrshire Shop Fronts Ltd. Kilmarnock 01563 542991 Contact: Ken McKenzie www.ayrshireshopfronts.co.uk Aluminium & PVC doors & windows, automatic doors, structural glazing Bladnoch Distillery Newton Stewart 01988 402605 Contact: Hazel Barnes www.bladnoch.co.uk Whisky distillery, visitor centre & shop

Border Cars (Ayr) Ltd. Ayr 01292 282727 Contact: Calum Watson www.border-cars.co.uk @Border-Cars Franchised car and motorhome dealer REFERRED by Parks

Braemar Finance Dundonald 01563 852100 Contact: David Foster www.braemarfinance.co.uk Direct lender Burnawn Services Ltd. Hurlford 01563 559393 Contact: Martin Sneddon www.burnawnservices.co.uk Plumbing, heating & gas contractors

Ceres Events Ltd. Dundonald 01563 852265 Contact: Cass McNamara www.ceresevents.com Events planning, conferences & CPD training for healthcare professionals

Clyde Studios Ltd. Ardrossan 01294 537754 Contact: Alec Wilkie www.clydestudios.co.uk Design, graphics, print

Collier & Brock Veterinary Surgery Troon 01292 311988 Contact: Alison White www.collierandbrockvets.co.uk Veterinary surgery for pets & small animals

Cumnock Factory Outlet Cumnock 01290 421121 Contact: Janette Hume www.cumnockfactoryoutlet.co.uk Retail factory shop REFERRED by Sleek Media

Designs by M Troon 01292 737252 Contact: Michael McInally www.designbym.co.uk Floral design studio DISCOUNT 20% off cut flowers

Ekko Waste Solutions Ltd. Ayr 0333 456 7800 Contact: Brian Williamson www.ekkoglass.com Glass crushing machinery & glass waste management REFERRED by Owen

Energy & Carbon Management Ayr 01292 443633 Contact: Graeme Rae www.energyandcarbonmanagement.com

Energy management consultancy service REFERRED by Jim Rae Essentials Plus Ltd. Saltcoats Tel: 01294 601974 Contact: Marianne Paterson www.essentials-plus.com Recruitment, training & development for child care sector Eurovans Ayr 01292 270370 Contact: Caroline Campbell Twitter: @Eurovansayr www.eurovans.net Van sales, repairs & servicing FMC Lettings Kilmarnock 01563 527711 Contact: Fiona Currie Residential & commercial letting services Games Centre Ltd. Kilmarnock 01563 521717 Contact: Stephen Walton www.gamescentre.co.uk Video game retailer Home & Glorious Prestwick 01292 475563 Contact: Margaret Smith www.homeandglorious.co.uk Gifts & accessories for the home Hopeless Dreamers Girvan 07824611135 Contact: Lauren Mcguire www.hopelessdreamers.co.uk HR Services Scotland Ltd. Hamilton 0800 652 2610 Contact: Lesley McBennett www.hrservicesscotland.co.uk HR and H&S specialist for SMEs

We want to recruit more members to strengthen our business network and create more business opportunities for you. We're asking you to help by referring companies you know to us. When they join, we'll reward you with a choice of special offers to help your business. Call the Membership Team on 01292 678666.

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your ayrshire business autumn 2013

I Do Licious Ltd. Cumnock 01292 518424 Contact: Alexa Scott www.idolicious.co.uk Wedding deals website Innate Care Ltd. Ayr 01292 880 892 Contact: Hazel Wilson www.ayrspinalcare.co.uk Chiropractic healthcare J L Young Removals Irvine 01292 671716 Contact: Janice Anderson Removals Kings Arms Hotel Barr 01465 861230 Contact: Kassie Farmery Hotel Macdonald WiTS Ltd. Saltcoats 07902 865147 Contact: Neil Macdonald www.macdonald-wits.com Wireless network, professional services & training REFERRED by Lighthouse IT & Network Services Machrie Bay Isle of Arran 01770 840329 Contact: Claire Richardson Twitter: @claraarran Tearoom and baking Moorburn Manor Nursing Home Largs 01475 687177 Contact: Rob Jones www.moorburnmanor.com Nursing home for the elderly Mrs C Cleaning Services Ltd. Prestwick 01292 479577 Contact: Beverly Campbell Domestic cleaning services REFERRED by Associated British Ports Owen Kerr Signs Ayr 01292 281000 Contact: Owen Kerr www.owenkerr.com Signs, displays, vehicle graphics REFERRED by Digital Kitchens

Roche Environmental Galston 01563 822511 Contact: Gary Roche www.roche-environmental.com Environmental, H&S consultancy REFERRED by Tarbolton Landfill RWG Services Limited Northwick 07966 164370 Contact: Roy Gwillam Accountancy services Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd. Prestwick 01292 474478 Contact: Craig Brown www.sainsburys.co.uk Supermarket Savoy Café Ayr 01292 262563 Contact: Gerry Toner Food and drink REFERRED by Anthony Valenti

Scottish Union of Supported Employment Edinburgh 0131 657 8200 Contact: Kate Storrow www.susescotland.co.uk Promoting equality & diversity in employment SEM Events Ltd. Cumnock 01290 518424 Contact: Alexa Scott www.scotteventmanagement.co.uk Wedding event management Sounding Board Associates Troon 07845948106 Contact: Pamela Anderson Coaching, sound work and training The Business Timesaver Ltd. Kilmarnock 07926016524 Contact: Isabel McNicoll www.t-bt.co.uk Virtual office services & business support The Drift Inn Isle of Arran 01770 600 608 Contact: Amy Rickard www.driftinnarran.com Bar & restaurant

Tower Tools & Equipment Ltd. Dundonald 01563 850999 Contact: David Fisher www.towertools.co.uk Tools & equipment supplies for construction, engineering, agriculture REFERRED

by Linea Construction

Tyme Limited Ayr 07801 065 098 Contact: Kevin Williamson www.ekkowaste.com UK Steel Enterprise Ltd. Bellshill 01698 845045 Contact: Scott Webb www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk SME support in steel areas, job creation, finance and premises V G Travel Ltd. Ayr 01292 267078 Contact: Vanessa Good Twitter: @goodtravel_co www.goodtravel.co.uk Independent travel agency & foreign currency DISCOUNT 5% on selected holiday packages and preferential rates for currency Volaro Ltd. Kilmarnock 01563 551513 Contact: David Blackwood www.volaro.net Technology for the travel industry West Coast Fisheries & Butchers Ltd. Prestwick 01292 477602 Contact: Gareth Downie www.westcoastfoods.co.uk Retail & wholesale, fish, meat, poultry & game Xtra Accounting Ltd. Ayr 01292 254000 Contact: Hazel Murphy www.xtraaccounting.com Accountancy your ayrshire business autumn 2013

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Events round up THE Chamber Partnered with Wai Beyond and Well Connected Life to facilitate a development day for women, 14 delegates attended the interactive session at the Menzies Hotel, Irvine.

This session encouraged woman to realise their potential and achieve their ambitions within their organisations by facilitating choices and changes to provide confidence to realise their aspirations.

Our summer networking hosts were Hope Homes at their impressive housing development at Knockroon, near Cumnock.

This is not just another housing development, it is a new community being built on Dumfries House Estate. With a network of paths leading to the house and the many facilities of the estate itself, it has a wide mix of sizes and types of homes, shops, businesses and community facilities. Over 30 members gathered in Knockroon Visitor Centre, for an informative talk by Anne Hope, on the fantastic development, before an interesting tour of the site and show homes. Thanks to Hope Homes for hosting!

Our annual trip to Arran was a great success, and the sun shone! The day began with coffee at the Auchrannie Resort, where our members opted to have go at archery, and

most, were successful in hitting the target!

Thanks to Arran Adventure for the expert tuition and patience with our archers!

Members were then treated to a full tour of the fantastic spa facilities at the new retreat, before enjoying a delicious lunch in Brambles Restaurant. Thanks to our sponsors Stagecoach and Caledonian MacBrayne!

In June the Chamber Training Academy session, entitled “Key to Managing your Work/Life Balance” was facilitated by Alison Page from Routes to Flourish, the session encouraged discussion, shared ideas and best practice on how to achieve a better work /life balance.

by Yvonne Munro Events Co-ordinator After a summer recess , our events revved up with our Host S+S Services, with summer networking at Subaru, our members gathered in the showroom in Heathfield for an informal networking evening, with fun quiz, and demonstrations by the Subaru team. Thanks to S+S Services for hosting!.

The Chamber Training Academy (CTA) launched with a popular session on Social Media by Early Bird, titled Content is King.

A full program of Chamber Training Academy sessions is scheduled for the coming year, offering a varied program covering many topics and reasonably priced for our members to get full benefit from each session, with our experienced training partners. (Please see Full details on page 22)

Autumn 2013

Events Diary

Providing you with the opportunity to meet contacts, expand your knowledge and grow your business Tick Talk Speed Networking 18th September 5.30 - 7.30pm Host and Sponsor: Partners for Inclusion, Kilmarnock £20

Ayrshire Business Week 2013 Opening Doors for Local Business 7th – 11th October A week long programme of events Sponsor: Ingram Motoring

Festive, Fayre, Fun and Networking with a sparkle 11th December 5.00- 7.30pm Fashion show and stalls

First Aid at Work 3 Day H&S approved courses Running Monthly 16th – 18th September 9am – 4pm Venue: Aviator Suite, Prestwick Airport £216 per session

Networking Lunch with the Islanders 23rd October 12.00 – 2.00pm Venue: Cecchinis, Ardrossan FREE

Annual General Meeting 26th September 5.00 – 7.00pm Guest speaker: TBC Venue: The Gailes Hotel, Irvine FREE

Tick Talk Speed Networking 14th November 5.30- 7.30pm Host and Sponsor: E- Spark Dundonald £20

Venue: Enterkine House Hotel To book your stall @ £50 plus VAT Call Yvonne on: 01292 678666 Chamber Training Academy Full details and dates on page 22 8.30 - 11am £35

Prices shown are Chamber Member rates and include VAT unless otherwise stated.

To book or for more info www.ayrshire-chamber.org or call 01292 678666 26

your ayrshire business autumn 2013