INTRODUCTION

Leatherhead Directory

A Leatherhead Directory is now in the final stages of publication and is due for Royal Mail door-to-door distribution to 30,000 addresses in the Leatherhead area ~ plus an additional 5,000 copies for town centre distribution ~ during the next month, commencing 3rd June. The Leatherhead Chamber has taken a full-page advertisement at the front of the Directory, which we hope will attract many new Members, thereby increasing our voice on behalf of the local business community ~ as well as providing more opportunities for local networking within an increased Membership. The Directory will carry a comprehensive listing of all main businesses in Leatherhead and entries will also be listed on a brand new website dedicated to all aspects of Leatherhead, including its resources and activities available to the local community and visitors. Peter Stait, Leatherhead’s Town Centre Manager, has confirmed that www.visitleatherhead.com will be launched later this summer.

LEATHERHEAD TOWN CENTRE & DISTRICT

Shopmobility Leatherhead

Arrangements for the scheme continue apace. Charity status has been applied for, and once this has been granted, purchase of the electric buggies can go ahead. Offers to assist in the running of the service have already been received, but more volunteers are needed to help man the office on a rota basis ~ so further pledges of time, however short, but on a regular basis will still be very gratefully received.
For further information about using the Shopmobility Leatherhead service, on becoming a volunteer, or to make donations in aid of the scheme, please get in touch with either: Peter Stait, Town Centre Manager, on: 01372 363652 or Bruce Andrews, Swan Centre Manager, on: 01372 376358.

Phase II

We reported in March that the target date for substantial completion was Thursday 17th April. Tony Casey, Clerk of Works in Surrey County Council’s Local Transportation Service Mole Valley Department, has provided us with a further, updated, schedule of works, as follows:

“It is taking the contractor longer than anticipated to produce the required quality of work and unfortunately he was unable to meet the target completion date of Thursday 17th April. Since publication of the last Newsletter the following works have been completed:

- construction of reinforced concrete walls;
- installation of surface water drainage;
- installation of ducting for underground cables;
- construction of underground chambers for fibre optic lighting;
- Yorkstone paving at the top of the site.

Currently works are in progress at the lower part of the site on Bridge Street/North Street and comprise:

- kerbing;
- base for paving;
- Yorkstone paving;
- construction of steps;
- footway L.E.D. and tree flood lights are also being installed.

The revised date for substantial completion is Friday 6th June when all paved areas will be completed.

Installation of the railings and artwork roundels produced by Richard Quinnell are in progress and it is hoped will be installed before Friday 6th June. After this, street furniture, street lighting, final snagging, cleaning and sealing of paving will be carried out and be complete by Friday 20th June. The cladding and coping to the concrete walls and fibre optic lighting have been delayed and will be carried out at a later date to be finalised when we have an accurate delivery date. These are low key operations that can be carried out with minimal disruption.”

The Problems with Parking …

… in Leatherhead were clearly stated by those Members responding to our Questionnaire and whose comments were published in the last Newsletter. As promised, on April 15th the Chamber wrote letters enclosing copies of the original Questionnaire and the full results to 23 local politicians, councillors and council officers. As yet, replies have been received from just ten of those contacted ! For the most part, our respondents have been extremely positive in their response to our survey, and Members’ comments have been of particular interest.

We are delighted to have been informed by Heather Ward, Chairman of the Council, that our Members’ views and the subsequent conclusions of the Chamber concur precisely with those arrived at by the Town Centre Forum Car Parking Working Group. Other communications have indicated that our survey results will be of great value in the forthcoming deliberations of the Environment Committee and it is very much hoped, therefore, that the Committee will also form the same opinion. If all parties can find themselves in agreement, then a big step forward will have been taken towards the needs of the town being met. We will, of course, continue both our lobbying in this regard and our reporting to Members.

Our thanks go to everyone who has written for the courtesy they have shown in replying to our letters and for their positive responses.

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.

Pioneer People Theatre Ltd …
Became a Member at the beginning of April, and is located at The Leatherhead Theatre, 7 Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8DN. Sir Michael Forestier-Walker is the Development Manager and can be contacted by telephone: 01372 365130, facsimile: 01372 365195 or via Email: mikefw@the-theatre.org. For further information on films, performances and conferencing facilities, visit The Theatre’s website at www.the-theatre.org.

The Black Dog Gallery …
Has joined during May, and is an art gallery and picture framers. For information, please contact Rebecca Chapman on 01372 377313 or visit the Gallery at 22 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8BZ. There is also a website, to be found at: www.theblackdoggallery.co.uk.

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Training College Would Like to Thank …

… Dan Mansfield of Bleckfield Ltd and Ross Anderson of Tax Assist Direct for their recent support. Both Dan and Ross joined the Chamber just a short time ago ~ and Angela Honeywood, Head of Employment Development for QEFTC, met both Dan and Ross for the first time at the Chamber’s “Business Card Swap Shop” on the 27th of March this year.

Angela says … “As many of you may already know, QEFTC retrains people with disabilities for open employment and many of our trainees are from the Surrey area. At the end of training, we arrange a work experience placement of up to 13 weeks.

Dan very kindly offered such a placement to a trainee from the Computer Mainentance and Servicing Course ~ enabling him to develop his skills further and improve his confidence as he searches for employment.

Ross visited the College recently and gave a talk to trainees from the Accountancy Department, providing valuable information on career opportunities in this field of employment ~ and has also agreed to return in the near future to provide “mock” interviews for a number of trainees … which will help them enormously.”

Should any other Members like to have a chat with Angela about the possibility of them assisting QEFTC trainees in any way, please telephone her on: 01372 841136.

Meeting and Exhibition Space ~ Leatherhead House

Leatherhead House is a brand new air-conditioned office of some 45,000sq ft comprising three floors in the heart of Leatherhead. Whilst unoccupied, we would like to offer these light and airy open spaces as a venue for meetings or small exhibitions, free of charge, to Members of the Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce.

This special offer will remain in force until the building becomes tenanted, at the discretion of the owners. Situated in the glass entrance foyer and around the building are contemporary works of art. Of particular note is a large mobile which hangs in the central atrium and is visible from all floors ~ the delicate design and construction sympathetically reflect the space and light where it hangs, imperceptively responding to air movement.
If you are interested in the possibility of using part of Leatherhead House, please call Gill Smith on 01372 362824 between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. or the managing agent Daniel Edwards at King Sturge on 020 7493 4933.

Free I.T. Training in Leatherhead

The Leatherhead Learning Shop is located at Manor House, 19 Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8DN and provides FREE and flexible ‘open’ IT training, allowing you to fit your study around your work and any other commitments you might have. The centre is open 64 hours a week, so you can choose to attend after work or on a Saturday if those times are more convenient. There are a variety of modules to choose from, including Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database, Internet, E-mail, Desktop Publishing and Presentation Graphics ~ and you don’t need to have used a computer before to take advantage of the courses on offer. There are 2 levels of qualification available; a Level 1 Certificate for the total beginner and an intermediate Level 2 Diploma for those with more experience. The only requirement is that you undertake to complete your chosen course. If you would like further information or to arrange a visit to the Learning Shop to take a look, please telephone Christine Bull, the Centre Manager, on 01372 386401.

The Armada Probus Club

Are you about to retire or semi-retire? Would you enjoy meeting other retired professional and business men once a month for lunch, occasional walks, theatre trips, etc.? The Armada Probus Club is a Luncheon Club which is non affiliated, non sectarian and non political. It meets on the first Wednesday of every month at the Leatherhead Leisure Centre at 12.30 for 1 o’clock. Lunch is normally followed by a short talk on a current or topical subject. The annual membership fee and lunch costs are currently £10 and £12 respectively. There is usually a monthly walk organised, plus social events such as theatre trips and twice-yearly Ladies Day Lunches. For further information, please contact: Brian Maurice, 4 Sharon Close, Bookham, KT23 3LB, Telephone: 01372 457516.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SOAPBOX

Have your say! How can the Chamber help you and your business? How can we best represent your interests within the local business community? We welcome your feedback.

Please DO get in touch before publication of the JULY 2003 NEWSLETTER !

SPOTLIGHT

An opportunity to publicise your organisation to the Membership. Two profiles are presented in each Newsletter, copy approximately 250 words. Contributions will be published in order of receipt ~ so HURRY … and submit your copy in time for publication in the July Newsletter !

MOTORHOUSE

Motorhouse has been in business for nearly twenty years, and eighteen of those years have been spent here in Leatherhead.

Prior to opening Motorhouse almost 20 years ago, I gained a wealth of experience as After Sales Manager for a London-based BMW main agent.
Motorhouse carries out repairs and servicing to the highest standard on all makes of vehicle ~ and we currently enjoy providing our services to several well known local companies.

On the date and at the time of your choosing, Motorhouse will collect your vehicle and carry out the required work according to your booking instructions. Your vehicle will then be washed and vacuumed before being returned to you ~ an executive service at a price which I am sure cannot be beaten.

A DISCOUNT is offered to Chamber Members

If you would like me to supply you with more detailed information or, indeed, if I can be of service, please do not hesitate to call me:

ALAN RATCLIFF, Proprietor: 01372 377471 Argossy Works
201-205 Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey, KT22 7PB

STS COMPUTERS

Having very successfully managed the Technical Department of a local computer outlet for three years, Rob Scott resolved to establish his own company ~ which led to STS Computers being launched in Leatherhead during 1998.

Despite the town’s recent history of difficult trading conditions, STS Computers is proud to have achieved an annual growth of 60% year on year since its inception, necessitating a move during 2000 to the much larger premises we now occupy in Church Street ~ and we have continued to thrive.

STS Computers has a dedicated workshop staffed by knowledgeable engineers and has a well deserved reputation for being able to repair equipment which other computer specialists aren’t able to.

In addition to our renowned workshop, we are also known for our low prices and excellent service ~ our establishment has grown on the strength of recommendations and repeat business rather than glossy and misleading advertising.

Our shop is also the base for our business support services, providing hardware, networking and software support for our business customers as well as bespoke databases for the service industry.

We also make a point of never forgetting our customers, who are responsible for our continued growth ~ and we look forward to serving many more valued clients in the years to come.

For more information and to discuss your requirements, please contact:

PAUL FAIRMAN on: 0845 3456 250, or
visit STS Computers at: 44 Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8DW
Email: paulfairman@stscomputers.com
Website: www.stscomputers.com