12 business focus
Fitness from funding
services. Patel now aims to bring his extensive knowledge and experience to residents offering a brand new modern and uniquely designed well-being fitness centre at the new 2,000 sq ft premises, which will be in keeping with urban living and life.
Alex Douglas of Barclays is put through his paces by Manoj Patel
A Dorset-based entrepreneur is living his dream having launched a new local fitness and health club with funding from Barclays.
Manoj Patel, a chartered physiotherapist by profession, has more than 12 years’ experience working within the NHS, Army and the health and fitness industry, including the Rackets & Health Club and David Lloyd Leisure.
Urban Health and Fitness launched last month on the 1st Floor, 71 High Street, Christchurch, having been totally refurbished to provide state-of-the-art exercise studios and gym equipment together with physiotherapy, chiropractor, nutritionist, masseuse and acupuncturist
He said: “I’ve been looking to fulfill my ambition of running my own fitness centre for some time now. I was excited when these premises became available and delighted that Barclays has seen the potential in my business plan to provide the funding required to refurbish and turn it into a fitness centre. The diverse classes which will be on offer will provide an opportunity for everyone to take part, whatever their fitness level.“
The business is working with a number of local self-employed specialists to provide the well-being services, which will enable gym membership to be kept to a minimum, while at the same time providing a holistic healthy lifestyle approach.
Alex Douglas, business banking manager at Barclays, Christchurch, said: “It’s been very rewarding joining forces with Manoj and seeing him progress his business idea. Urban Health and Fitness is a great example of an entrepreneur using his experience and expertise to take the first steps in running his own business.“
Details:
www.urbanhealthfitness.com
Christmas comes early for Southampton logistics company
Christmas may still be some months away but one warehouse in Southampton is already gearing up for the seasonal spending spree with this year’s hottest toys already arriving from the Far East.
Last month was one of the busiest months for toy imports as the supply chain made preparations for the Christmas market, and this year it’s reportedly busier than ever before at Import Services.
The Southampton-based logistics company has just opened a new warehouse extension at its dockside facility – perfectly timed for the Christmas rush.
Client services director Mike Thomas said the warehouse is operating 24 hours a day and the increased capacity is already filling with the Christmas toy imports.
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“Our previous capacity of 40,000 pallets has increased to 53,000 pallets and already much of this space is filling fast as the Christmas products arrive,’’ he said.
“Our container port facility is the only one of its kind in the UK and this expansion in co-operation with ABP Southampton has been designed to meet increased demand for moving imported products quickly from ship to warehouse.’’
He said key products for the Christmas market include the Xeno and a return of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figurines.
At the moment the warehouse is processing around 10,000 items a week ready for onward delivery to a wide range of retailers from Amazon, Argos and Tesco to John Lewis, Harrods and increasingly direct to consumers at home.
This is the first of a new series of articles and profiles supported by Coffin Mew, lawyers to entrepreneurs.
Coffin Mew has impressive experience as a leading south coast law firm for businesses and individuals, and is well placed to support this new initiative.
With modern offices in Southampton, its headquarters at 1000 Lakeside, Portsmouth, and further bases in London and Gosport, Coffin Mew is building a strong reputation for thinking differently, and having an innovative and friendly approach which the firm feels sets it apart.
Nick Gross, chairman and corporate partner, explains: “We offer commercial advice, not just legal advice. In other words, we work with our clients, understanding their needs, and helping them with the key decisions that drive the growth of their business. It’s a modern approach to law, unfussy and clear – and thus perfectly suited to the entrepreneurial owner- manager.“
Coffin Mew and The Business Magazine will profile a number of outstanding entrepreneurs in the months ahead, under the Lawyers to Entrepreneurs banner.
Publisher David Murray said: “There are scores of fascinating business owners and founders in the Solent region who we are looking forward to profiling in future issues. Watch this space ...“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2014
lawyers to entrepreneurs
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