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news opinion
Welcome to September, and welcome to double- digit price rises for gas and electricity, which are due to take effect from this month
Welcome to the continued crisis in the Eurozone, to America’s huge burden of debt, to falling UK house values, to the threat of global food shortages, to yet more retailers going to the wall.
Wherever you look – domestically or internationally – the picture seems gloomy. Britain is described as “broken“ and, to the foreign eye, it appears a far less attractive prospect now than it did on the day of the Royal Wedding.
It’s all so depressing. But is it? If you ignore the headlines, remember that economic statistics usually tell you what has happened, rather than what will happen, and when you get on with business, you may be pleasantly surprised to find the gloom will lift.
Our media and our politicians seem to focus on the negative, so it’s no surprise to find that business confidence has taken a hammering this summer.
Of course, the business calendar always gets a new lease of life in September, once everyone is back from holiday. And, while autumn leaves will start falling soon, there’s every chance that, in the real economy, the last quarter of 2011 might be the brightest quarter of the year.
As in every issue, we once again feature some business successes this month, alongside lots of practical, helpful business advice. You can read the issue as therapy if you like ...
David Murray Publisher
www.businessmag.co.uk
New mixed-use development proposed for Southampton
Grosvenor has submitted a planning application for a mixed use scheme with more than 100,000 sq ft of arts complex and new restaurant space in the centre of Southampton, a development which would be a major addition to the Cultural Quarter and create more than 300 direct jobs.
The developer signed a formal agreement with Southampton City Council earlier this year and has been working in partnership with it to develop a detailed proposal for the scheme, which
will be arranged around the newly revamped Guildhall Square.
Alex Robinson, development manager, Grosvenor, said: “We have worked closely with the city council during the past few months to ensure that we submit a proposal that combines outstanding design and exceptional leisure facilities. If we are successful in the planning process, we aim to be on site early next year with shell completions scheduled for 2013.“
Added Royston Smith, city council leader: “I know residents
are as excited as I am that the development of the arts complex is progressing. Despite the current financial climate, we continue to attract investment and create vital new jobs for our residents.“
Grosvenor has worked with architects CZWG to ensure that the scheme becomes established as the city’s flagship Cultural Quarter development. Plans include six restaurant units, 29 flats besides the new arts complex, which comprises auditoria, studio and creation space for the performing arts, a contemporary art gallery (John Hansard, University of Southampton) and film/ media facilities (City Eye). The facilities have secured major funding support from both the Arts Council and Southampton City Council. The design also incorporates a glazed façade, pedestrianised link to historic East Park and soaring stepped upper floors.
Ian Thompson of Thompson Commercial, Grosvenor’s letting agents, concluded: “This development is a key element in the transformation of the northern section of Above Bar and set to become the location for cosmopolitan café society and alfresco eating. The exciting architecture complementing the attractive Guildhall will provide the ideal ambience for this project to become a major draw to local residents, business people and visitors.“
Board appointed to drive local economy
Representatives of businesses of all sizes, the armed forces, councils and the voluntary and education sectors are set to work together to boost the local economy after the appointment of a high-profile and experienced line-up for the board of Enterprise M3.
As one of the country’s new local enterprise partnerships, Enterprise M3 works across the north and mid-Hampshire and south west Surrey area to tackle the barriers to economic growth for the area.
Subject to approval by the Government, the new board members join the already appointed Enterprise M3 chairman
Geoff French, from international engineering consultancy URS Scott Wilson, and vice-chairman John Copley, from Farnborough Aerospace Consortium. The board reflects the aims of the local enterprise partnership to bring together a balance of senior representatives from business, to articulate the issues that business want to see addressed, and senior representatives from the public sector to provide a clear route to implementation through local authorities. All board members will serve on an unpaid basis.
The areas the action groups are focusing on include: finance, innovation and business support;
transport, strategic planning and housing; land and property; leisure, tourism, place shaping and inward investment; the rural economy and broadband and skills and employability, as well as the needs of specific industries in the area.
In the October issue of The Business Magazine
• Law South East/The Legal 500 • Commercial Property • Christmas Hospitality • Manufacturing • Banking Update
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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – SEPTEMBER 2011
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