Minutes of the Risborough Area Business Group

Held at Princes Risborough School on 16th May 2007 at 1900 Hrs

 

Attendees

 

 

President :L.Adlam :L.Adlam Architects

N.Brooks :SBF

B.Aldridge :Alternative Tools

Acting Chairman M.Pitcher :P.A.M.

S.Marriott :PR School

A.Brown :Softech2000

Hon Sec P.Pitcher :P.A.M.

A.Smith :J Smith & Sons

J.Hughes :Corporate Comms

H.Brown :Pickles Delicatessen

M.Thomas :Coppins B&B

J.Thomas :Coppins B&B

L.Walton :FSB

P.Davis :Business Link

S.Barnes : Art & Office

G. Wiles :IFC

 

 

 

Item

Topic

1

Chairman’s Welcome

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

2

Apologies for Absence received from:

D.Kent :Special Days

J.Varley :Sylvia & Jean Hairdressers

C.Etholen :PRTC/CAE

S & J.Barker :Inca Studio

S.Baker :Sylvia & Jean Hairdressers

B.Clark :J.H.Clark Butchers

C.Williams :Business Link

P.Keen :Hypnos

M.Shuttle :David Shuttle

N.Cook :Jinca

 

 

3

Minutes of the meeting held on 14th March 2007 (previously circulated)

The minutes were agreed as a true record.

Matters arising:

·         Chairman apologised for the long delay in issuing invoices and thanked everyone who had paid. A list of paid-up members will be displayed on the RABG website in due course.  Anyone who has not yet received an invoice is asked to contact the committee so the membership list can be brought up-to-date.

·         Bill Bendyshe-Brown has resigned as treasurer.  The chairman thanked him for his contribution to RABG.  A volunteer is requested to take over the role which is not onerous.

·         Heather Brown mentioned the Continental market from Normandy scheduled to open in Risborough High Street on Thur/Fri/Sat.  She assured retailers that access would be kept open for deliveries.  Stewards will control the access points and all stalls will be cleared at the end of each day.  Points of contact for queries and problems will be Bob Aldridge (Alternative Tools), Dennis Green & Alan Turner (PRTC).  The event has been well publicised with notices, leaflets, articles in local papers.  The press is invited to the opening.  Weather permitting, PRTC is allowing free parking in George V playing fields.  Offers to help with parking on the Friday & Saturday will be greatly appreciated!  

There were no further matters arising.

 

The chairman then welcomed Linda Walton, our main speaker for the evening.

4

Presentation:

Linda Walton: Chair of the South Bucks & Aylesbury Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses

Linda first heard about RABG when she was helping the RACA Economy group, under Peter Keen’s chairmanship, on local parking issues.

FSB is the UK’s largest organisation representing small and medium sized businesses (maximum 50 employees) throughout the UK, with over 200,000 members.  The Thames Valley area has some 6,700 members.  It is essentially a lobby organisation representing local businesses to get their voice heard on local issues and to ‘open doors’ where needed.  FSB works closely with Bucks Economic Partnership (BEP) to get involved early in any consultation process and to liaise directly with relevant councillors.

All work is undertaken by volunteers who run events to raise funds for projects.  A recent study was done on market town issues including how the economy of a market town works and the part local businesses play.  Linda would welcome feedback on this report from RABG. 

FSB offers support to members with business problems, helping to put them in touch with the right people.  They work alongside many other organisations on issues such as:

·         helping to address the ever increasing costs to businesses

·         cutting red tape where possible

·         supporting neighbourhood action groups

·         championing affordable town centre parking

·         supporting the local Post Office campaign

·         building sustainable communities and supporting local business

·         persuading local government procurement processes to be more friendly towards small businesses

·         supporting local councils on all issues that help small businesses

 

FSB keeps members informed through columns in the local press such as Bucks Herald. 

Linda then opened the meeting for discussion on ways FSB and RABG could work together.

 

·         Lance Adlam mentioned that a market town study had been done some 8-10 years ago in Risborough and offered to send Linda a copy

·         Heather Brown & John Hughes raised the issue of Risborough’s difficulty in getting WDC to agree to any form of free car parking help to increase local footfall.  Risborough shops compete with those in Thame and Wendover where there is free parking. 

·         The Risborough Rewards loyalty card was explained to Linda and help requested in lobbying WDC for some funding towards the cost of administration when signing up shoppers without an email address.

·         Linda explained the Local Authority Business Growth Incentives Scheme (LABGI) that rewards local authorities for increased annual business growth (based on total business rateable value).  This money is available for local projects but not restricted only to business.  The £700 donated by WDC towards the RR logo on parking tickets could have come from this scheme.

 

The chairman thanked Linda for her most interesting and informative presentation.

 

5

Top 10 Business IT Tips:

Andrew Brown (Softech2000) and Mike Pitcher (P.A.M. Ltd)

The chairman first introduced Peter Davis, a colleague from Business Link and an ex-retailer who ran Ridgeway-CDROM for many years in Bell Street.  Peter would be available at the end of the meeting to discuss IT issues and problems.

Andrew and Mike’s tips for using IT reliably to help with the efficient running of your business are:

1.       Backup : make regular copies of the documents & data essential to your business, and test the restore!

2.       Firewall/AntiVirus/Anti-Spam : have valid licenses for all software and keep it up-to-date and protected from internet and outside attack from viruses, trojans and spy ware etc.

3.       PC performance : spend money on memory to make PC’s perform faster rather than on storage

4.       Broadband : faster performance, essential for upgrading PC software.  The eBucks initiative may still have grants available for upgrading (contact the secretary if interested)

5.       Avoid USB ADSL modems : use the right tools for the job

6.       Register suitable domain names : maintain a professional image, choose a reliable ISP

7.       Use Search facilities : keep up-to-date with relevant business issues and trade news

8.       Use ‘free services’ : Skype, free downloadable software, Microsoft services

9.       Upgrade systems : plan and budget to keep software up-to-date and efficient

10.   Focus on your business : seek professional advice with IT - get it right 1st time!  Discuss business objectives and requirements with Business Link, RABG, IT specialists

 

The chairman thanked Andrew for his presentation.  Andrew is preparing a more detailed document on how to manage your IT requirements.  It is hoped to distribute it to all members soon.

The chairman cautioned against expecting too much ‘free’ advice from Andrew - although he is willing to help, he does have a company to run as well!

 

6

Update on Local Issues:

·        CCTV : John Hughes

should be installed in time for the Town Festival

·        Market Town Forum : Heather Brown

new stalls are on order which will improve the look of the market. 

·        RACA Visitor Project : John Hughes

progressing well with many projects now completed and the rest under way.  The Visitor project has applied for a Market Town Award and is quietly hopeful!

·        Risborough Area Forum (RAF) : Lance Adlam

RAF is being reconstituted with the 1st meeting at 2.30 pm 25th June,  Lance Adlam in the chair.  RAF will act as a ‘sounding board’ for local projects which will then be allocated to the appropriate organisation or people to take forward.

·        RACA Environment : Martyn Thomas

all the projects have been completed including a range of leaflets on cycle tracks, Brush Hill, ‘Go/Where/Eat’ etc.  WDC is compiling a mini guide to Risborough which will include information on local businesses.

·        RAYM : Heather Brown

Youth group strategy has been written and approved and is waiting for funding of £400 to get it printed.  Any offers gratefully received!

 

7

Any Other Business

·         Mike Pitcher reported that Risborough Rewards is continuing to sign up members, nearly 400, and more retailers have joined in.  RR now has its logo on the back of the Horns Lane parking tickets!  Several shops have given positive feedback and some, in particular David Shuttle, are actively using the RR bulk email scheme to advertise special offers, promotions, sales and promote their business to local shoppers.  Any RR retailer wanting to use this facility should contact Mike on mike@pamuk.demon.co.uk or ring 01844 346687.

·         Peter Keen (Hypnos) sent congratulations to Heather Brown on the quality and content of the RABG ‘News and Report’ included with the invoices for 2006/2007 membership.

 

8

Date of Next Meeting

 

The next meeting is on 13th June 2007, 7.00 pm in Princes Risborough School library.

The main theme is Marketing your Business, with a marketing consultant presenting two case studies, one of a small business, the other involving Marks & Spencer.  We hope a representative from M&S will be able to attend!  By the end of the evening you should know the difference between marketing and sales.

There will also be a presentation on your legal obligations regarding the new Anti-smoking legislation.

 

The meeting closed at 20:50 pm, and was followed by drinks and refreshments provided by Heather Brown

Members had the opportunity to talk with the local businesses who had taken tables:

  • Softech2000 on all IT matters including hardware and purchasing software
  • P.A.M. Ltd on bespoke software development and building web sites
  • Coppins B&B representing local bed & breakfast businesses
  • WDC information including various ‘freebies’!

 

 

Hon.Sec Pam Pitcher

06-06-2007