Don't miss the next Vision Buxton Networking event on Wednesday 2nd April - See below for details.

Edition No 2                                                                                                                           14th March 2008

Vision Buxton News

Another year has passed quickly for Vision Buxton and it's time for the Annual General Meeting once again.  This will be held at the Lee Wood Hotel at 12.15pm on Friday 28th March and all paid up members of Vision Buxton are very welcome to attend.  You should have received official notification through the post by now, but if that hasn't arrived yet please let Nicola know and she will send you the information straight away administrator@visionbuxton.co.uk.

The first networking event held at the University on Monday 3rd March was very successful, and we are very grateful to Simon Baker for taking the time to update us on his new role at High Peak Borough Council.  A programme of further networking events is being organised at the moment.

Details of the next events on 2nd and 16th April are below, and we will keep you updated of others through this newsletter.  Prospective Vision Buxton members are welcome to attend one networking meeting as a "taster" before joining, and we would like to give a warm welcome to new members who have joined since the last newsletter:

Moor Grange Farm, Flagg

The Place, Buxton

Waitrose, Buxton

Prime Technical Services, Buxton

Hazlewood Business Solutions, Chapel

Spa Media, Buxton

Read Interiors, Youlgreave

The Prince's Trust, Buxton

Funny Wonders, Buxton

Turnstone Design, Buxton

Anniversary Present, Buxton

Silk and Lavender, Whaley Bridge

Nicola is working hard to update the Vision Buxton website with all members' details.  If you have not already done so please e-mail Nicola with the contact details you want including and a short description of what you do.  There will be chances in future to buy an enhanced entry - news on that and other website offers coming soon.

Evening Networking at "The Place", Buxton - Wednesday 2nd April

Our first evening networking event is to be held on Wednesday 2nd April at Buxton's new and exciting restaurant "The Place".  This is a joint event, bringing together members of both Vision Buxton and High Peak Networking (www.highpeaknetworking.com).

This event will run from 5.30pm until around 7.30pm and is a chance for informal networking.  There will be a charge of £5.00 on arrival to cover the cost of the event, which includes a drink and canapés.  The bar will be open if you wish to purchase further drinks.

This is a great opportunity to widen your business contacts in the comfortable and relaxed surroundings of "The Place" - don't forget a good supply of business cards!  Places are limited to 50, and booking is essential, so please contact Nicola as soon as possible to reserve your place - administrator@visionbuxton.co.uk.

Networking Lunch - Pavilion Gardens, Wednesday 16th April

The next Networking Lunch will be held at the Pavilion Gardens on Wednesday 16th April, 12 to 2pm.  This will follow the format of the first very successful lunch at the Dome, starting at 12 with informal networking, lunch from 12.30 to 1.30, followed by a presentation from a special guest.  More details of our speaker in the next newsletter.  The cost for this lunch will be £15.00, and as places will once again be limited please contact Nicola as soon as possible to reserve a place - administrator@visionbuxton.co.uk.

Are you a virgin networker, or uncertain how to get the most from networking events?  If you would like help in developing your networking skills, watch out in the next newsletter for details of a presentation coming up which is designed for you!

Budget Breakfast

Vision Buxton members are invited to a free breakfast meeting and presentation on the effects of the recent budget.  The event takes place on 11th April at Chapel en le Frith Golf Club and is being arranged by Ian Bingham FCA CTA, tax partner at PKF (UK) LLP, a leading firms of accountants and business advisers.  There will be a presentation on taxation and business followed by a short question and answer session. The event is free and includes coffee and bacon sandwiches.

 

Andrew Bingham, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the High Peak (and coincidentally Ian's brother) will also be present.  If you would like to attend please let Andrew know for catering purposes - 0129822521 or andrewforhighpeak@hotmail.co.uk.

A6 Closure - Buxton to Chelmorton

Derbyshire County Council have closed a stretch of the A6 outside Buxton while essential work is carried out to make a roadside rock-face safe.  Work to make the rocks stable and put up protective netting to prevent them falling into the road is being carried out at Ashwood Dale.

One lane of the road was due to be closed for the duration of the work but the road was closed completely last week (5 March) when the rocks were found to be more unstable than expected.

The A6 is closed from the junction with Duke's Drive in Buxton to the junction with A5270 near Chelmorton. Traffic is being diverted along the A5270, A515 and B5059.  The road is expected to re-open at the end of the month.  For updates call Derbyshire County Council on 08456 058058.

Funding to support business transformation - emda/Business Link

East Midlands Development Agency has made a Business Transformation Grant (BTG) available to businesses located in the East Midlands.  The BTG is intended to help companies overcome the hurdle to a substantial change in their business, whether that is through a change in business processes, supply chains, products or markets.  The aim of this change will mostly be growth but it could also apply to holding market position or turning a business around in a difficult market.  BTG can have a revenue and capital component.  Each grant will have a ceiling of £10,000 which must be matched funded by the participating business on a pound for pound basis.

To make an appointment with a Business Link Adviser call 0845 058 6644.

emda pledges healthcare innovation boost

A new regional initiative launched by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is set to provide a major boost to innovation within the region's healthcare and bioscience sector

The healthcare and bioscience innovation network - iNet - has been developed by emda and East Midlands Innovation - the regional Science, Innovation and Industry Council. The iNet will bring together partnerships of regional businesses, universities, the public sector and innovative individuals to drive the successful exploitation of new ideas. Go to www.emda.org.uk "news and events" for more details on this and other business related stories.

We hope that this E-Newsletter has been of interest.  Please let us know what YOU would like to see in future editions, or details of any special events or offers you would like to promote.  Don't hesitate to contact Nicola regarding this or any other issues connected to Vision Buxton, or if you would prefer not to receive further copies of the newsletter - administrator@visionbuxton.co.uk.