22/06/2008 by admin.

Two of Britain’s major industrial organisations have to-day joined forces to help the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust, they are Jewsons a major stockist and supplier of building materials through their distribution centre in Chirk, Wrexham, and major international board manufacture Kronospan, whose British headquarters are also based in Chirk, Wrexham.

The two organisations have joined forces to help move the GVT Trust’s first piece of rolling stock, an 11 ft long replica of an original GVT freight wagon, from Chard Junction in Somerset, where it has been built, to Chirk. There it will go on display at the forthcoming Chirk Carnival and Fun Day, where the GVT Trust will have a strong presence, featuring three separate stalls for marketing, recruitment and membership whilst operating in collaboration with the Wrexham Model Engineering Club, a 5inch passenger carrying railway.

Mike McKenna of Kronospan said “ We are delighted to have been able to help in this project, which we see as leading to the ultimate restoration of the Glyn Valley Tramway which will do so much for the economy of Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley”

His views were echoed by Lee Davies, Jewsons Manager in Chirk, who added that as a Chirk resident and having ben born in the town, he was very pleased to see the old GVT line being restored.

See pictures here: www.wagon.glynvalleytramway.co.uk. The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust website is at www.glynvalleytramway.co.uk.

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18/06/2008 by admin.

Small businesses are being short-changed by the government when it comes to recognising workplace training, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

John Denham, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills is calling for employees to be given the right to request time to train and has launched a consultation on the subject. The UK’s biggest business organisation welcomed the focus on improving skills, but said that it should be easier for micro business owners to get the work-based training they already offer to be formally recognised.

The FSB pointed out that, in a survey of just under 20,000 small businesses, nearly four out of five (76.4%) said they already offer formal training.

Colin Willman, FSB Education and Skills Chairman, said: “We support the government’s efforts to get more people into training, but employers should have the final say based on the needs of the business.

“The government could certainly do a lot more to make it easier for small employers to get the on-the-job training they already offer accredited.

“At the moment the process is too expensive and too bureaucratic for many small businesses to cope with. The vast majority of businesses do not have an HR department to handle these issues.”

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18/06/2008 by admin.

BT Business is searching for Wales’ most inspiring entrepreneurs in the Essence of the Entrepreneur competition. The BT Business Essence of the Entrepreneur competition celebrates the achievements that entrepreneurs are making through the application of technology.

Technology is having an increasing impact on the success of business from allowing small companies to have a bigger presence through an amazing website, to equipping staff with the technology to allow them to work more flexibly.

It is important that you reference how you are harnessing the power of technology in your business to make a difference, as this is a key element that the judges will be looking for.

The closing date for entries is Sunday 31st August 2008. Visit www.essenceoftheentrepreneur.co.uk

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05/06/2008 by admin.

It’s time to start thinking about the next Wrexham Business Week if you are planning to stage an event.

Last year’s Wrexham Business Week featured almost 60 events which were well received by the business community. The events offered specialist advice and support on a wide variety of topics ranging from business start-ups, employment law, the London Olympics and how to maximise e-media opportunities.

The event not only attracted local business people but also from across the surrounding region. Delegates also attended from Anglesey, Powys, Shropshire, and Cheshire. The event was funded through external sponsorship and supported by Welsh Assembly Government. Many of the local companies involved offered their services as part of the sponsorship package.

In addition to the practical support offered to business people, Wrexham Business Week promotes the County Borough as a regional business centre, offers excellent networking opportunities to local firms and raises the profile of local business facilities. The dates for the 2008 event have been scheduled for 20-24 October 2008.

If you would like to get involved contact Amanda Davies on 01978 366366.

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03/06/2008 by admin.

The Lord Mayor of London David Lewis - an official ‘champion’ of Wales - is to meet people from two North East Wales based financial services companies to discuss future investment opportunities.

The Mayor will be making a two-day visit to Wales this week to meet key figures and businesses in the fast growing financial services industry.

The visit is Welsh Assembly Government organised and will take place on Thursday and Friday. During his visit he will meet Mr Morgan, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones and Mike Hnyda, a director of the Welsh Assembly Government’s International Business Wales division, as well as representatives from firms including Wrexham-based Avox and moneysupermarket.com.

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