2 Business Argus


£1m fund to help hi-tech products


MEDICALtechnology firms inWales are set to get a £1 million boost to help bring new products and services to market. Innovate UK’s Launchpad forWales will provide funding to support the development and growth of high-tech com- panies along theM4corri- dor from south east to west Wales. Aimed at small and micro companies, it will support the development of innovative healthcare products or solutions, as well as encourage growth of the cluster through a number of business sup- port activities. InnovateUKwill launch


the competition at Life Sciences HubWales tomorrow. Winners of the competi-


tion get up to 60 per cent funding towards research costs.


Projects can last up to 18 months and should be led by micro or small compa- nies in the early stages of their development.


Contact us...


Editorial Jo Barnes Special features editor


Tel: 01633 777240 email: jo.barnes@ gwent-wales.co.uk


Advertising Graham Harris Senior Field Sales Executive


Tel: 01633 777135 email: graham.harris@ gwent-wales.co.uk


Samantha Taylor Media Consultant


Tel: 01633 777147 Email: Samantha.tay- lor@gwent-wales.co.uk


southwalesargus.co.uk/ business


By Jo Barnes 01633 777240 jba@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @SWABusiness


AMONTH-LONGballot has been launched with the aim of creating a Business Improvement District (BID) in Newport. The official launch of the proposal, called Newport Now, took place in the city last week. The team behind the scheme,which is headed by project manager TomEvans, has drawnup a five-year plan which will be put into place if businesses vote yes in November’s ballot. Business Argus has been asking local business people what they think of the plan and if they will be support- ing it.


David McLean, of David McLean Communi- cations, Newport


I have been closely involved with the Bath BID in recent years and I sawat close hand the huge benefits the BID brought to the city. I also sawsome of the resistance from business. ABID for Newport is of incredible importance in addressing many of the fun- damental problemswhich have blighted the city centre and contributed to its demise. These problems have con- spired to work against Newport and many people choose to go elsewhere, with Newport businesses suffer- ing as a result. Of course, there will be questions asked aboutwhy the council hasn’t addressed these issues, and if Bath is any guide, some businesses will even question the need for a BID. But the reality is Newport


City Council is under a lot of pressure to save money on services, but Newport’s prob- lems need dedicated effort to sort. ABID will augment coun- cil-provided services and give a real focus on genuine improvement in the manage- ment and running of the city centre. However, the benefits will


be felt by all businesses, not just those within the BID area. With regards to city centre


regeneration, a BID is an essential requirement. Money can be spent on any number of new develop- ments, but regeneration suc- cess will be harder to achieve if the historic problems per- sist. ABID will sweep away those problems and pave the way for a more appealing and


THE BIGGER PICTURE: Newport city centre


attractive city centre within which business can thrive.


Zep Bellavia, managing part- ner, Harding Evans


Solicitors, Newport


Weare actively supporting the Newport BID because it’swhat Newport needsNOW! Many of the 120 peoplewho


work for Harding Evans also live in and around Newport and are part of the local com- munitieswhich the BID will benefit. This is a great initiative bringing together businesses and people to improve the standing of our city.


Siobhan Mail, director at Seer Green Financial Planning, Newport


Wehave long been advocates of the Newport Nowproposals, as the scheme promises much needed support for business- es in the area. Newport has so much to


offer in termsof business opportunities and the addi- tion of a commercial per- spective to the city centre management teammakes sound economic sense. Newport city centre has faced a number of challenges over recent years and for businesses to be able tomake decisions on the overall improvement of the city, without the confines of coun- cil orWelsh Government pro- cedures, shouldmake a real


difference to the regenera- tion of the city.


LukeWelsh, head of


employment, Howells Solicitors, Newport


Newport join- ing the BID is essential for its future development. The city has become a ghost


townin recent years, and future plans including Friars Walk look to breathe a new life intoWales’ gateway. Newport BID will mean


local businesses will decide upon the key improvements needed in the city. Local businesses have a more in-depth understanding of what’s needed to get more people into the city – more people, means more spend- ing, and more spending means better prospects for the city. That’swhy having a BID is simply a no-brainer. I’ve also seen the impact a


BID has had in Swansea, as we also have an office there. It’s rejuvenated Swansea


City Centre and also spear- heads events that have increased the footfall into the city. Howells will definitely be voting for the BID next month!


Guy Jones, NatWest’s director of commercial banking in Cardiff and EastWales, who lives in Newport


I’m absolutely behind


Newport Now. The Newport BID proposal gives us yet another opportunity tomake our city great and also gives local businesses a long over- due confidence boost. Wewill shortly see some


further fantastic develop- ments in Newport that will make us very proud. I believe our culture and


the pride of all those living in Newport is the key to our future and I see Newport Nowhelping springboard us towards the city we all desire.


Clive Thomas, managing part- ner atWatkins &Gunn Solicitors, Newport


I think the Newport BID is a really excit- ing opportunity to make a difference in Newport. However, the key will be in


the implementation and com- munication to businesses to engage them throughout the project. BID has been very success-


ful in areas like Bankside in London, but has also failed in Glasgowwhere businesses resented it as they could see no benefit for their increased financial input. I think Newport Nowis


very important and hasmy support and I wish it ever success and would be happy to be involved.


Robert Lloyd Griffiths, director of Institute of Directors in Wales


The model that Follow us on Twitter: @SWABusiness


has been working in Swansea for a number of years has impressed us greatly and if businesses in Newport consid- er it advantageous to the way in which they do business, then we are keen to let them have their say. There is absolutely no reason


why a Business Improvement District might not work in Newport as it has in Swansea and we thoroughly support the ambition of Newport city cen- tre businesses.


Liz Maher of CenturionVAT, Langstone


To achieve any- thing in life whether busi- ness or personal, you need to have a focussed approach and a clear strategy. Newport Nowhas the poten-


tial to deliver that focus and strategy for thewhole commu- nity of Newport, not just busi- nesses. Whoever you are, you need to


believe that the commitment and energy you invest in a pro- ject such as the economic growth of Newport will actual- lymake a difference. The business improvement approach is a tried and tested model and works if the commu- nity commits to it – it has Centurion’s support. Wesee Newport as a centre of excellence for niche profession- al services such as ourselves, legal firms, specialist account- ancy teams and the like because of its prime location. It’s energy for improvement


and business supportwhich create a great platformfor growth across theUKand Europe.


Tuesday, October 14, 2014 The big question...


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