Stephen Wallace on news and events for local businesses
|
With the coming of summer there are some great, free, business-friendly opportunities, including free website creation/hosting for smaller businesses (a joint BT and Google initiative) and free business Link marketing seminars (see red-text below for details). Other local update information follows:
MARKET IN CHURCH SQUARE
We have an ethical/fairtrade market in Church Square, Putney this weekend (23-25th April) – see http://www.marketsquaregroup.co.uk/
ROCKET RESTAURANT
Extensive refurbishment of Rocket restaurant continues and it aims to open in the next 2-3 weeks. This establishment will be run by Wetherspoons as a restaurant-led operation. The significant investment here is also encouraging Wetherspoons to upgrade the Railway, opposite Putney mainline station; in the next few months. These are two good examples on continuing inward investment into Putney by a major industry player.
PUTNEY MUSIC FESTIVAL FEEDBACK
Twenty venues participated in the latest Putney Music Festival over the Boat Race weekend, putting on a great selection of music ranging from Rat Pack tribute singer Dean Ager at Valentina Fine Foods and opera at Carluccios to Halfmoon rock and roll bands and Moomba acoustic pop. One or two bars did exceptionally well, with one reporting what they thought to be the largest single days turnover ever within their company. The Italian Market added variety and colour to a well Boat Race attended event and feedback has been positive.
PUTNEY INWARD INVESTMENT EVENT – further feedback
Continuing feedback from the ‘Invest in Putney’ inward investment event on March 10 th indicates that some of the connections made there are potentially leading to further investment in Putney. Early days yet, but encouraging to see progress.
RETAIL SPENDING
Recent feedback indicates rather erratic trading patterns over the last few months. ‘Selective spending’ seems to characterise current trends, but shops indicate some improvement recently with the good weather. Let’s hope the summer and post-general election stability bring further good business.
CAPSTICKS LEAVING PUTNEY
Capsticks are due to move from their current offices in the Upper Richmond Road close to E Putney tube in early May. This will offer further options for redevelopment in future.
GETTING BRITISH BUSINESS ONLINE (GBBO)
Google, Enterprise UK, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills and e-skills UK have been working together, to develop a proposition to help get small businesses in the UK online through a campaign called Getting British Business Online. The campaign aims to help 100,000 small businesses and entrepreneurs create their first website and attract new customers online by the end of 2010 through:
- A free customised website
- A free .co.uk web address
- A free self help tool to attract new customers online
- A bespoke accredited training unit offered through training providers and colleges
All of the above including the wizard tool can be accesses via the following link:
BUSINESS LINK - FREE MARKETING SEMINAR
Click to book onto free marketing seminars organised by Business Link
HIRE Dick Laurie & his Elastic Band
All-time favourites ‘Dick Laurie and his Elastic Band’, who provided the music at the Putney Christmas market and lights event, and has played for a long time at the Half Moon, is available for hire on a regular or ad-hoc basis. Describing their musical style as ‘mainstream cheerful Jazz’, they typically play a range of Cole Porter, Rogers and Hammerstein etc and comprise keyboard, bass, trumpet and clarinet. Cost around £150-175 for the band for a 3 hour stint with two breaks. Contact Dick on 0208 780 1939.
TOWN CENTRE MANAGER KEY CONTACTS
Please find my latest key contacts sheet attached, including contact details of the new borough licensing officer.
If you become aware of any significant changes due in Putney I’d appreciate the feedback...
Regards
Stephen
Putney Town Centre Manager
April 23, 2010