PARTNERS
LICHFIELD & TAMWORTH CHAMBER PATRONS
Lichfield pursues BID L
ichfield Town Team, Lichfield District Council and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce are working
together to create a Business Improvement District (BID) business plan for Lichfield city centre. BIDs are an initiative which uses government funding and ratepayers’ money to make specific improvements to a town or city’s business district. Cllr Ian Pritchard, Lichfield District Council’s cabinet member for economic growth and development, said: “Business Improvement Districts are a way for businesses and city centre rate-payers, including councils, to invest a small amount each year – between £100 a year for the smallest businesses up to £5,000 a year for the largest businesses, like supermarkets – in the future of their city. “If successful, a BID in Lichfield city could generate in excess of £250,000 a year for projects and initiatives of the traders’ choosing – from events and marketing, to extra street cleaning, additional policing and more.”
Making a BID: (left to right) Simon Lumb, Mike Castree, Richard Lewis, Oliver Dove, Michelle Baker, Richard King and Cllr Ian Pritchard
‘A BID in Lichfield could generate in excess of £250,000’
The BID development work will be funded using High Street innovation funding given to Lichfield District Council by the government. In late 2013, Lichfield Town Team carried out a BID feasibility study in which 179 businesses took part, more than a third of all of those in the city centre. Of these, 55 per cent said they would support a BID, and a further 27 per cent said they wanted to find out more before committing. Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber president Richard Lewis said: “Once the business plan is finalised, all businesses will then be asked to vote on whether or not they support the BID. We’re hoping the BID business ballot will take place in early 2015.” Russell Jeans, of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “BIDs have been
successful across Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, and we’re confident that a BID will give Lichfield city businesses the kind of input and control they want in their city centre.”
Dains advises on medical MBO
Chartered accountant Dains Corporate Finance has advised on the management-buyout of Creative Medical Research, a specialist medical device market research consultancy. The management team, led by managing
director George Ashford, has acquired the Ipswich-based business from founders John and Sue Reynard in a multi-million pound deal. Creative Medical Research was formed in
2003. The company provides specialist research services to medical device designers and manufacturers. The company has an international client base, and manages a network of partners spanning 38 countries. Roy Farmer, Dains corporate finance partner,
said: “John and Sue identified the area of medical device market research as an under- serviced area, and through the appointment and promotion of George to managing director the company has developed into a leading international specialist research business.”
On the move: Midland Fertility directors (left to right) Su Barlow, Dr Gillian Lockwood, medical director, Heidi Birch, and Anna Kavanagh
Fertility firm finds new home
Midland Fertility Services is relocating to Tamworth this autumn after investing £3 million in a new property on Ventura Park. The clinic will transfer all its services to the
15,000 sq ft facility, which offers almost twice the space that the organisation’s current base in Aldridge has. Anna Kavanagh, Midland Fertility director of quality and business, said: “Treating around 800 patients each year and the recent expansion of services, means that the business has outgrown its current location.” Midland Fertility has appointed specialist
companies to design and build the clinical and laboratory facilities and also to transfer patient sperm, eggs and embryos to the new building. Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber director Marilyn Castree said: “As an expanding business Midland Fertility Services needed to identify the best premises for its organisation which also included excellent facilities and on-site parking, for its clients and staff. While good road links were an important part of their decision making, the move to Tamworth was mainly based on the best premises on offer for their organisation with the appropriate facilities.”
Relocation is a good sign
A Birmingham signwriting firm has moved to Tamworth after 55 years in the Midlands city where it was founded. The firm has moved to Lichfield Road industrial
estate, as part of its expansion plans. Two new jobs have been created due to the move. Bowden & Dolphin was founded in Saltley in
1959 by Alec Bowden and Barrie Dolphin, who had both taken a painting and signwriting course at Moseley Art School. Over the years the company grew, and by 1983
had moved to Bordesley Green, at which point the founders’sons, Andy Dolphin and Jamie Bowden, joined as apprentice signwriters. Seventeen years later, the founders of the
company retired, and Andy and Jamie, together with siblings Anthony Bowden and David Dolphin, took over the reins. Jamie Bowden said: “The need for more working space and better logistics were the drivers behind
Keeping it in the family: Bowden & Dolphin has relocated to Tamworth
the relocation. We look forward to expanding and improving our current position.” Marilyn Castree, director of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber, said: “This is indeed exciting news. Another successful and expanding business, Bowden & Dolphin, has moved to Tamworth, based on the fact that this area had the premises and facilities their growing businesses were seeking. “I believe, Tamworth with its excellent road links and appropriate business premises, is encouraging more and more businesses to relocate to the area.”
MAY 2014 CHAMBERLINK 27
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