Local News

Town Centre

'Leatherhead Ahead' Action Group
LEATHERHEAD & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - STATEMENT OF SUPPORT - FROM BRUCE ANDREWS
As President of the Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce, I would like on behalf of the majority of my fellow Directors to give support to Leatherhead Ahead and their campaign to open up the Church Street and North Street link, and to use the monies allocated for the water feature to be spent to achieve this.

The Chamber of Commerce fought for many years to achieve much the same aim. Sadly the Chamber was unsuccessful, largely due to the fact that residents and traders were split on their views about the link. With residents and traders on opposing sides, agreement could not be reached on the future of the High Street or the Church Street link.

The Chamber is pleased to see that residents and traders are now standing shoulder to shoulder on this issue, which can only be good for the future of Leatherhead. Yes, Leatherhead is suffering from lack of action and the all to familiar negative attitude. Leatherhead has plenty to offer and we should all be talking the town up rather than quoting the negative side, which has often been the case.

Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce supports Leatherhead Ahead and wishes them every success with their endeavours to restore Leatherhead to its former glory and status within Mole Valley. On a personal note, I would like to add that I am not in favour of a water feature as reported two weeks ago, having had experience of one in the Swan Shopping Centre some years ago. This was abused on a regular basis, so much so that it was removed.

Access & Parking
Please continue to lobby Mr Paul Manwaring, District Engineer, County Highways Service, Surrey County Council, c/o Mole Valley District Council, Council Offices, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SJ, and let him know of your support for the Chamber's proposals that the High Street be opened to vehicle access between the hours of 4.30pm and 10.00am daily.

We remind our Members that an extra 50 short-term parking bays will be available in the Station Road car park from next month ~ please remember to alert shoppers and visitors to this change, and encourage them to bring their custom to Leatherhead. A4 posters are still available from the Chamber office, for any Members who'd like to display them in their windows, so please call on the above number if you'd like copies.

Retailers Forum
The Forum, held on 26th February 2002 at the Englishman's Castle in Church Street, was enjoyed by a gathering of some 19 participants ~ both Members and non-members. Issues such as High Street access, parking, roadworks and the format of future Forums were all discussed over a glass or two of wine and nibbles. It was pointed out that Leatherhead currently has only 12 on-street parking spaces, which compares unfavourably with other towns, and that the Chamber should continue to press for increased parking provision, both short and long term.

Concerns were voiced regarding the potential negative impact of proposed roadworks on traders, and it was suggested that affected businesses should consider applying for a rates reduction to cover loss of income. Regarding the Forum itself, it was decided that the current, informal meetings held around twice each year was ideal, with the possibility of holding 'special' meetings should the need arise.

The Chamber would like to encourage more Members to attend the Forums, and take advantage of the opportunity to exchange information, air views, and share a pleasant and productive hour or so with fellow Members and other local businesses. We will let you know once the date of the next Forum has been arranged.

Retail News from the Town Centre Manager
There has been quite a lot of activity on the shops front in Leatherhead since the date of the last Newsletter. 44 High Street (formerly Today Fashions) has been sold, and is due to re-open in the middle of April. A high class soft furnishings shop will be operated by Croft & Maitland, formerly of Cobham, and will add to the retail mix in the town. 36/38 High Street (formerly Creature Comforts) has changed freehold ownership, subject to contract.

More details will be announced once the legal formalities have been finalised. 28a High Street (adjacent to Halfords) has been leased by Halifax for the last seven years but never occupied by them. Their leasehold interest is now on the market, and some retail expression of interest is being reported by the letting agents. At 16/22 High Street (formerly Humphreys, Butchers) the freehold has changed hands three times in the last six years, but unfortunately none of the owners have carried out a re-development of the site.

There is a current planning permission for an A3 restaurant use, and it was hoped that the existing freeholder would implement this and had, indeed, carried out preliminary demolition work. However, the site has now been put back on the market at an asking price of £500,000. Outside of the Swan Centre, the only other available retail units are at 17 North Street and 22 & 26 North Street. The latter two units are available on a short term basis only.

Leatherhead Theatre . . .
. . . is now open for business. Following the Theatre's Open Evening in December, to which Chamber Members were invited, we received a number of booking enquiries ~ and we are now able to provide you with further details. A number of venues at varying capacity and cost levels ~ including Main Auditorium & Stage, Green Room Conference Facility, etc. ~ are available for both business and private bookings, along with a selection of catering options. There is also a Metro Café, which is open to the public from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm, Monday to Saturday. For a price list and booking form, please contact: Mike Hibberd, Operations Manager on 01372 365128, or Email: mhibberd@pioneerpeople.org.uk ~ alternatively you can write to: Pioneer People, The Theatre, Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8DN. A Website will soon be available.

Leatherhead District

Can We Help ?
If there are issues affecting your business which are not focussed on the Town Centre, and you feel the Chamber could support you, please do make us aware of them ~ we will assist you wherever we are able. The Chamber's aim is to represent the interests of both small and large businesses in central Leatherhead and the surrounding area by being a focussed and effective voice in lobbying the District and County Council and other organisations to enhance and improve the local economic infrastructure, thereby protecting the interests of business.

Mole Valley Community Strategy
The draft Mole Valley Community Strategy has now been published, and 13 key issues have been identified, including: traffic congestion, road safety and maintenance; the local economy and viability of town centres; the need for more affordable housing; access to services in rural areas and public transport. With regard to the issue of local economy and viability of town centres 'progress plans for revitalising Leatherhead, with development of key sites, enhancement of streets and private premises, and measures to improve accessibility' has been highlighted.

The draft Strategy has been prepared by the Shared Agenda Group, which is a partnership of local organisations from the public, voluntary and business sectors ~ including several Chamber members: Buchanan & Curwen, ExxonMobil (Esso UK Ltd), Halliburton KBR, Mary Frances Trust and Peter E Firth & Company. Copies of the document can be obtained from the District Council offices in Dorking, The Help Shop in High Street, Leatherhead and the County Council's Mid-Surrey Area Office, Kingston Road, Leatherhead. They can also be seen in public libraries, or by visiting the District Council's web site at www.mole-valley.gov.uk. Your views and comments are welcomed, and should be made in writing to the Clerk and Chief Executive, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SJ, or by Email to sa@mole-valley.gov.uk by Monday 27th May 2002.

Members News

New Members
The Chamber extends a warm welcome to our new Members ~ we hope they enjoy the benefits of Membership, and we look forward to meeting them at future Chamber events.

Andrew Lodge Estate Agents …
Took up Membership at the end of January, and operate from 10 North Street, Leatherhead, KT22 7AW. You can telephone Bruce Fordyce, Partner, on 01372 378888, or send a fax on 01372 378889.

Stanford Burgess Associates …
Became a Member during February, and is a Marketing Communications Agency. For further information, contact David Burgess, Managing Director, on 01306 741666. If you would like to write, the address is: Media House, 70 South Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 2HD. You can also make contact via Email: david@stanburg.co.uk, or visit the Website at: www.stanfordburgess.com.

Howard Electrical …
Also took up Membership during February, and is an Electrical Retailer, located at 10 Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8DW. You can contact Nicholas Howard, the Owner, on 01372 377370 (and fax to the same number), if you would like further information.

Heckett MultiServ - East …
Joined the Chamber on 6th March. A division of Harsco Corporation, Heckett delivers specialist services to the steel industry, and design, build and operate facilities for materials handling and preparation, plus waste processing and environmental services. Contact Christopher Parr, Vice President of Legal, HR and Property Department on 01372 381379. You can also send a fax on 01372 381460, Email to cparr@heckettmultiserv.com, or write to Harsco House, Regent Park, 299 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7SG.

A 'Thank You' to Parallel
The Chamber would like to acknowledge its appreciation for the support and backing it receives from Parallel Business Centres who own and run the beautiful Fetcham Park House, a business centre providing serviced offices and conference facilities, and where the Chamber has its office. Special thanks go to Mrs Sheena Weetman, the House Manager at Fetcham Park House, whose skilled proficiency ensures that Chamber functions are a great success.

Parallel provide the venue for the Chamber's Spring and Autumn Receptions, on which occasions their generous hospitality is enjoyed by both fellow Members and special guests alike ~ as well as for Chamber Breakfasts and the monthly Board Meetings. The facilities and professional support offered by Parallel is of immense benefit to the Chamber in its provision of services to Members.

Remploy Celebrates
Chamber Members, Remploy, held a special open day at the Remploy factory in Leatherhead on Thursday, March 14th. The day was a great success, attended by more than 60 people, including members of the public, local business leaders and councillors. Bruce Andrews, the Chamber President, was also present at the event, which celebrated the opening of the factory's new Learning Centre. Maurice Homewood, Head of the Mole Valley District Council, undertook the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the Centre, which can be used not only by local Remploy staff, but also by workers from other factories.

The Learning Centre is equipped with computers and conference facilities, including televisions and videos. Around 70 staff work at the Leatherhead factory, where they carry out electro mechanical assembly work for a variety of manufacturers, and also package products for many companies, including Whittards of Chelsea. Tyrone Pearce, Manager of the factory, said:

"It was good to see so many people from the local community come and have a look at what we do at the factory. The Learning Centre is a real feather in our cap, and we were delighted to be able to show it off."

Remploy was founded in 1946 to provide employment for disabled people, and remains the UK's largest employer of the disabled. It has more than 80 highly flexible factories, located throughout the UK, which supply a range of products ranging from high-grade industrial clothing for use by fire services and the military, to electronic applications for mobile telephones and monitoring equipment. It also has a strong and growing presence in the service sector, providing support for both commercial and manufacturing operations.

Easter Eggs
Adecco continued their tradition of collecting Easter Eggs from local businesses this year for distribution to local children's hospitals. With the added assistance of a collection point in the Swan Centre on Saturday 23rd March, organised by Bruce Andrews, the Chamber President, Adecco gathered in a whopping 200 eggs, which will be distributed by the Easter Bunny to delighted children at The Tadworth Court Childrens' Trust Easter Egg Hunt, on Easter Monday. If there are any Members who did not receive a copy of the Adecco Easter Egg Giveaway leaflet this time round, but would like to add their name to the mailing list for next year, please contact Adecco on 01372 374096.

Members Booklet
We are delighted to have finally produced the 2002 Members Booklet, your copy of which is enclosed with this Newsletter. Our apologies for having delayed its distribution until the third month of the year. The booklet has been generated by a newly-designed database of Members details ~ created with the help of the Details Forms which you completed some time ago, and also with notes of changes supplied along with your subscription returns over the past two months.

The same database records will be used to forward up-to-date entries to HanSam, our Website hosts, for inclusion in the Members section of the site. Please let us know if you require any changes to be made to your record ~ these will then be noted on the Website at the next update, which take place on a regular basis.

Advertise Your Business
It pays to advertise ~ and you can do so by adding your business name and details (including a link to your own website and Email address) to a local community website ~ and it's FREE ! You don't need to be an Internet whiz, the site is easy to use ~ take a look at www.UKVillages.co.uk. The Chamber office has a number of leaflets to give away, which explain the concept in more detail ~ so please get in touch if you'd like a copy.

Christmas Party
We can hear you all groaning … "We've only just finished taking down the decorations" … but Christmas celebrations require early planning ! In years past, the Chamber has organised extremely successful Christmas parties, which have been well-attended and much enjoyed ~ indeed, a number of the smaller businesses adopted the Chamber party as their company "Do". We feel it is time to resurrect these events, Membership-willing. We are well aware, of course, that Christmas is a very busy time for everyone, and December diaries are quickly filled. We would, however, appreciate your feedback on the idea in principle ~ ahead of being able to furnish you with details such as date, venue and cost.

If the level of Membership response is lacklustre on this occasion, we will abandon the idea for this year ~ and ask you again next ! To this end, we enclose with this Newsletter a Feedback Form, and would very much appreciate your replies as soon as possible, in order to progress with the necessary arrangements. Thank You to you all, in advance, for your prompt response.

Window Stickers
It's pleasing to see the Chamber Membership Stickers being displayed in the windows of a number of Member's premises around the town. Our thanks to you all for advertising your Membership and support of the Leatherhead Chamber ~ which we hope will raise awareness, and encourage other businesses to join us.

Letters to the Editor

Members Soapbox
We are surprised that your contributions to this section of your Newsletter have not been flowing in thick and fast ! Please do put pen to paper, and exchange feedback with both the Chamber and your fellow Members ~ maybe you have some helpful business hints or tips to share … ideas for Chamber events … issues you'd like to be raised … you must have something to say ~ and we'd like to hear it ! We hope to hear from you in time for our next publication, which will be May.

Members Spotlight

ADECCO

Local Issues - The Current Employment Market
Unemployment in the Mole Valley area in February 2002 stood as just 300 'Jobseekers'. The implications of this are wide reaching and will affect every business at some level. At times of low unemployment, the labour market suffers from a shortage of supply and prices (i.e. wages) are therefore forced to rise. In a recent survey, Adecco found that less than 10% of workers in Leatherhead live in the Mole Valley, meaning that the recruitment market is much wider than merely the town itself. Outside factors such as public transport links, house prices and local training facilities will also affect the job market.

Adecco (previously known as Alfred Marks) have been recruitment consultants in Leatherhead for 33 years. As the largest employment services company in the world, we are part of a network of over 300 UK branches, and a company that send three quarters of a million people out to work every day, around the world. We liaise with other branches in Sutton, Guildford, Redhill, Kingston and our new branch in Epsom to source suitable candidates.

At Adecco we specialise in Administration, Catering, Industrial and Driving work, both Temporary and Permanent. As a special offer to our fellow Chamber Members, we are offering new customers a 10% discount off our first invoice, for the next month. Please do not hesitate to call us on 01372 374096 for further information.

MACINDOE INTERNATIONAL

MacIndoe International specialise in performance and cross cultural coaching and consulting, development training and performance improvement tools. Based in Leatherhead, it is led by Gail MacIndoe, MBA and certified Business Performance Coach and NLP Practitioner. MacIndoe International has extensive experience in facilitating change at all levels: from enhancing the performance of individuals through skills and cross-cultural coaching to strategic redirection of business units and supporting specific projects. They work with business owners/managers and organisations to help them develop, promote and grow their business, their staff and themselves. Some areas in which they work include:

· Business planning and development
· Staff development
· Conflict management
· Goal setting
· Identifying gaps and obstacles to efficiency
· Time management
· Interpersonal and communication skills

Gail is certified to offer DISC (behavioural style) and PIAV (Personal Interests, Attitudes & Values) assessment tests which can be used to assist in job selection, conflict resolution, individual and team development, stress management, staff turnover reduction as well as improving sales performance and customer service levels. She has offered a free assessment report to the first three Leatherhead Chamber members to contact her.

At the last Chamber Breakfast, Gail gave a talk on Business Coaching and recently spoke on Confidence Building at the Surrey Business Link's Women in Business Conference. One of her more popular workshops is Dynamic Communications where participants learn to first recognise their own behavioural style and then the style of others so as to be able to adapt and blend their style for more effective communications and relationships. For more details and to arrange a free consultation, please contact Gail MacIndoe at: MacIndoe International, 10 Glenheadon Rise, Leatherhead KT22 8QT ~ Tel/Fax: 01372 377171, Email: info@macindoe.com ~ visit their websites: www.macindoe.com and www.expatagency.com.

(An opportunity to publicise your business to the Membership. Two profiles will be presented in each Newsletter, maximum copy 250 words. Contributions are published in order of receipt. Your next Newsletter will be printed in May.)

DIARY OF EVENTS

Further Chamber Events will be organised during the course of the year. Members will be notified of these events by Flyer ~ and details will be also be published in each Newsletter, as well as being uploaded to the Website.

Further Chamber Events will be organised during the course of the year. Members will be notified of these events by Flyer ~ and details will be also be published in each Newsletter, as well as being uploaded to the Website.