Colchester Business Directory 2011-2013: Contains Complimentary CD-ROM listing thousands of Local Businesses pot

Suite 6 The CentreColchester Business ParkSeveralls Lane, Colchester Essex CO4 4YQ Pearcy Blackman is an independent, local partnership of chartered surveyors with an established reputa

3

HELPFUL FRIENDLY ADVICE

ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE LAW

Domestic & Commercial Conveyancing Lasting Powers of Attorney

BRIGHTLINGSEA

01206 302694

12 Victoria Place Brightlingsea CO7 0BX

Community Legal Service Criminal

Defence Service

01206 251718

mail@plantstyle.co.ukplantstyle.co.uk

Construction and maintenance

Arboriculture

Specimen tree planting

Project Management

  !    

You have a choice of three types of survey:

• The Homebuyer Survey

* The Building Survey (formerly known as a structural survey)

* Limited reports

• Services for homebuyers and homeowners

• Services for landlords and tenants

• Services for lenders, insurers and companies

A consistent range of

services

We offer specialist surveys

your requirements

What’s a house really worth, and

which survey

should you choose?

Suite 6 The CentreColchester Business ParkSeveralls Lane, Colchester

Essex CO4 4YQ

Pearcy Blackman is an independent, local partnership of chartered

surveyors with an established reputation for speed, accuracy and

value for money.

Our reputation is based on more than 25 years in business, working with banks,

building societies, insurers, home buyers, landlords, tenants, local authorities,

property developers, housing associations and companies.

You can draw on the skills and resources of professionals with different specialisms who

provide a comprehensive range of survey and valuation services for all types of residential and commercial property.

AGM Metalwork Ltd (formerly Renzland Forge Ltd)

Are you looking for a reliable, experienced and reasonably priced metalwork fabricator?

We may be able to help, especially if you require something unusual which involves close liaison

In addition to all our range of Bespoke Built Gates, Railings, Balconies, Barriers & Bollards, Balustrades,

Automation and Access Control, that you may know us for!

We can offer many items and services that may be of interest to you,

Such as: Escape/Conventional and Spiral Staircases Structural and Steel Frameworks for Orangeries, Extensions and Buildings, Gazebos and Garden Metalwork, Bespoke Steelwork, Steel Security Doors, Door and Window Grilles

We can provide a full installation, setup and maintenance service

We work closely with our customers to ensure that their requirements meet their expectations

To discuss your requirements or to arrange a free site survey give us a call 01206 210212

www.agm-metalwork.co.uk sales@agm-metalwork.co.uk

We gratefully acknowledge the support

of all the firms whose advertisements

appear in these pages Without their

help we would not be able to produce

this directory As a reciprocal gesture

we have pleasure in drawing the attention

of our readers to their announcements,

but wish to make it clear that Colchester

Borough Council can accept no

responsibility for their products or

services advertised

As the name suggests, we are not just a Bodyshop or

Mechanical Services company, we are your Complete

Automotive Solution.

We pride ourselves on offering outstanding customer

service, ensuring that you are supported and assisted

through difficult insurance claims, have assured quality

workmanship and are completely satisfied with all aspects

of our service, at all times.

Vehicle Repair Solutions is a trusted name in vehicle

accident repairs, mechanical repairs and de-fleeting

services We have a range of repair services for every type of

customer, including private motorists, fleet customers, car

dealerships, insurance companies and brokers We have a

team of highly trained professionals, from our customer

care team to our workshop technicians.

Our Car Care Services include:

Vehicle Refinishing

Full Accident Repairs

Cosmetic SMART Repair

Garage Services

MOTs – Motorbikes, Cars, Vans & Minibuses

Accident Management Services

Complete De-fleeting & PDI Services

End of Lease Specialists

Valeting

Sales Photography

Storage & Transportation

Vehicle Repair Solutions Ltd

• Your Car • Your Choice • Your Complete Automotive Solution

9 Introduction

11 About Colchester

13 The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015

19 Colchester - the Perfect Place for Business

22 Tourism in Colchester

23 Colchester - Ahead of the Game

24 Networking in Colchester

25 Contact the Council

26 Advertisers’ & Entrants’ Index

27 Advertisers’ Directory

For full directory listings please see CD-ROM on inside back cover or visit

www.burrows.co.uk/colchester

• Town Hall

• Lion Walk Shopping Centre

• View through Balkerne Gate

& QUALIFIED COMPETITIVE RATES

The last directory has been

successful in bringing Colchester

businesses together with

contractors, not just locally but also

nationwide The directory is also

used as an inward investment tool

to showcase the diverse businesses

that Colchester has to offer and its

broad range of business support

services

All local businesses have the

opportunity to have a listing free

of charge, to benefit from the free

marketing and opportunities that

this offers Although this directory

does not claim to contain the

details of every Colchester

business, thousands of them have

already signed up and are listed

on the enclosed disc

If you would like to include your

company, please go to

www.colchester.gov.uk/business

and click on the button to link to

the Business Directory, where you

can have your details added

We do hope you find this guide

a useful tool and we encourage allColchester’s businesses to explorethe wealth of business servicesavailable to them in the Borough

Whether your company needs toseek financial support and advice,find out about procurementopportunities or somewhere tonetwork, then this directory has thecontacts and information for you

This directory is entirely financing, with no cost for the local taxpayer

self-All enquiries concerning thisdirectory should be addressed

to the Enterprise and TourismTeam at:

Colchester Borough CouncilRowan House, 33 Sheepen Road,Colchester CO3 3WG

Tel 01206 282107Fax: 01206 282711 Email:

enterprise@colchester.gov.uk www.colchester.gov.uk

Introduction

Welcome to the third edition of the Colchester Business

Directory – a free service to all businesses in the Borough

provided by the Enterprise and Tourism Team at Colchester

Borough Council, to encourage trading amongst local businesses.

• High Street

• Town Hall

“All local businesses have the opportunity to have a listing free of charge and benefit from the free marketing and opportunities that this offers ”

UNIT 3, 30A STRAIGHT ROAD, BOXTED, COLCHESTER, ESSEX CO4 5HN

Phone: 01206 273363 Email: ESSEXCONCRETE@HOTMAIL.COM www.essexconcreteandfencing.com

At Essex Concrete & Fencing we are the leading fencing suppliers in the area.

Here at Essex Concrete & Fencing we manufacture all of our fencing panels and concrete posts etc at our site in Boxted near Colchester

We have the widest range of fencing products in the area including field gates, stock wire, post and rail, fencing panels and concrete products.

All our Customers are welcome to see our products at our premises

Some of our competitors sacrifice quality for price, WE DON'T.

ESSEX CONCRETE AND FENCING

BEST PRICES, LARGE STOCKS

FENCING PANELS TIMBER FENCING CONCRETE POSTS STOCK FENCING

FULL LANDSCAPING AND FITTING SERVICE AVAILABLE

• Culver Square

• Dedham Village Sign

• Garrison HQ © crown copyright

Colchester is not just a town,

but a thriving regional centre

A diverse and growing

Borough, with a vibrant

town centre, it is becoming

increasingly recognised as

a place where things are

happening, a successful place,

an old historic town, but

increasingly a young city in

the making, one receptive

to new ideas and challenges

Colchester is the perfect place

for business

Location

The Borough of Colchester

lies in a key gateway location

between the UK and Europe,

with access to Europe via

excellent links Harwich

International Port is just

20 miles (34km) away and

Stansted, London’s third largest

airport only 30 miles (48km)

With access straight onto theA12, London is only 62 miles(100km) away This makesColchester the perfect locationfor living, working, studying and doing business

We work with many partnerssuch as the Haven GatewayPartnership to ensure that

we deliver a prosperous andsustainable place And that’swhat matters to us We workhard to develop a vibrantfuture, to create a hotspot for businesses in the easternregion

Looking ahead, Colchester’sinternational links and digitalstrategy will provide even moreopportunities in the globalmarketplace, making Colchester

a worldwide brand

About Colchester

Copha

n

Rome Munich

Prague

Mad

Pa ris

COLCHESTER

HARWICH STANSTED

LONDON BIRMINGHAM LEEDS

GLASGOW EDINBURGH

BRADFORD MANCHESTER MANCHESTER SHEFFIELD SHEFFIELD

CARDIFF BRISTOL LIVERPOOL

SOUTHAMPTON

PARIS AMSTERDAM

Distances from Colchester to:

London 62 miles (100km) Amsterdam 173 miles (279km) Paris 219 miles (353km) Edinburgh 330 miles (532km) Munich 539 miles (868km) Copenhagen 543 miles (874km) Prague 602 miles (970km) Madrid 824 miles (1,326km) Rome 879 miles (1,415km)

Welcome to Colchester Colchester has over 181,000

residents, 5,500 registered businesses, significant

educational institutions (including the University of

Essex) and is a garrison town with a rich heritage

Vat registered Colchester Colchester Eastern GBbusinesses (2007) (numbers) (%) (%) (%)

-Source: BERR Vat registrations/deregistrations by industry

Source: Office for National Statistics

Source: ONS mid year population estimates 2010

Working age Colchester Colchester Eastern GB

population (2009) borough % % %

Source: ONS mid year population estimates.

Notes: % is a proportion of total population.

Earnings by Colchester East GB

residence (2010) borough (Pounds) (Pounds)

(Pounds)

Average gross weekly 518.1 523.3 501.8

full time wage

Source: ONS annual survey of hours and earnings.

About Colchester Continued

This strategy is aimed at focusing

delivery by the Enterprise and

Tourism team and its partner

organisations, to deliver the best

services possible and achieve a

sustainable and strong economy

All of this makes Colchester the

perfect place for business

The key priorities of the plan are to:

Improve business

performance

• Increase business formation and

survival to sustain and develop

local employment

• Encourage innovation and

improve productivity to improve

the overall competitiveness of

Colchester and the surrounding

area

• Increase environmental

sustainability to manage the

environmental impact of

Colchester’s economic activity

• Develop new markets to sustainand develop local employmentand encourage entrepreneurship

• Secure funding and/orinvestment for initiatives toimprove business performance

• Support and retain keycompanies to preserve key skills

in the economy and manage thelocal impact of globalisation

Wilkin & Sons Ltd have been manufacturing premiumquality food products in the Colchester village ofTiptree since 1885 The company recognises that all its activities, products and services have an impact

on the environment and therefore is committed

to a programme of continual improvement inenvironmental performance, prevention of pollutionand compliance with environmental legislation

More than one third of sales are to overseas markets, the strongest beingGermany, USA, Japan and France Most five star hotels in Britain serveWilkin’s products, as do top airlines such as Virgin Atlantic (Upper Classonly) and the best known cruise ships Wilkin & Sons are unique in holdingRoyal Warrants, which they now have for all products, receiving their first

100 years ago

The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 –

The Way Forward

Over 125 years in Colchester…

Colchester Borough Council has a new 5 year Economic Development Strategy listing its priorities and actions up to 2015.

Colchester Business Park

Support priority sectors

• Develop creative industries -

to support the existing creativeindustry and retain creativetalent locally

• Develop tourism - to realise thetourism potential of Colchesterand the surrounding area interms of improved employmentopportunities and visitor choice

• Develop environmentalindustries - to contribute to thecountry’s global obligation to

manage the environmentalimpact of human activity

• Promote social enterprises tobuild local capacity and capabilityfor the wider benefit of society

• Develop networks and supplychains to retain business in thelocal economy

• Promote procurementopportunities to sustain andimprove local productivity

The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 –

The Way Forward Continued

• Castle Park Gardens

• Wind Farm

Creative business in ColchesterColchester Borough Council has purchased the oldPolice Station building on Queen Street in the centre

of town This will be transformed into a pioneering newcreative business centre The centre, purchased with

a combination of external and developer funding, is

a pivotal element in the creation of a Cultural Quarterfor Colchester and realisation of the wider creativeeconomy hub The facility will provide a dynamic andsupportive environment in which creative businessescan thrive, helping to attract and develop a critical mass of talented people and enterprises The centre will provide work space and will offer networking,training and mentoring opportunities for smaller firms

“This strategy is aimed

at focusing delivery by

the Enterprise and

Tourism team and its

partner organisations,

to deliver the best

services possible and

achieve a sustainable

and strong economy ”

Raise skills and reduce and

address worklessness

• Address barriers to work to

release local skills, talent and

creativity into the economy

• Improve basic skills and

employability to facilitate

younger people’s contribution

to the local economy

• Encourage local recruitment and

employment opportunities to

maximise the skills and potential

of the local workforce

• Retain graduates and highly

trained workers to enhance

Colchester’s economic

competitiveness

• Improve the links and outcomes

between business and education

to improve mutual

understanding and future

employment ‘fit’

• Aeriel View of Essex University

• CGI Edge Hotel School

• Sainsbury Tollgate

Opening in 2012, the Edge Hotel School will offer a very differentsort of hospitality management education, aspiring to the highestprofessional standards and dedicated to the development of thefuture leaders of the hotel and hospitality industry

In partnership with the University of Essex, the Edge Hotel Schooloffers specialist degree courses, awarded by the University of Essex,where all of the learning takes place within the commercial hotelenvironment of Wivenhoe House The Grade II listed property hasundergone a multi-million pound refurbishment, and is now anoutstanding four star standard hotel that will offer five star levels ofservice to real guests throughout 40 rooms, a signature restaurant,brasserie and bar and meeting and conference facilities

These aspiring managers, as student practitioners of the Edge HotelSchool, will 'learn by doing' as the basis of their higher education,whilst also learning the all-important people skills essential forsuccess in the hospitality industry The student practitioners willoperate all aspects of the hotel guided by industry professionalpractitioners and supported by academic practitioners and will leavethe Edge Hotel School with a unique degree plus the professionalpractitioner skills and commitment to be ready for immediateemployment in the industry

Colchester has The Edge

Maximise connectivity

• Improve the digital infrastructure

to transform Colchester’s

competitive position for new

business enterprise, reduce

the cost base for existing local

businesses and enhance the

quality of life for people who

live and study here

• Improving local and sub-regional

connectivity

The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 – The Way Forward Continued

Connecting Colchester - a Digital Strategy for the Borough

The Council’s vision is to make the Borough the best-connectedAuthority in the East of England by 2013

To achieve this ambition, Colchester will accelerate the formation of

a digital infrastructure enabling access to a fast, affordable broadbandservice for all This high bandwidth service across a wide range ofinternet protocol applications will contribute to leading-edge outcomesfor all businesses, organisations, residents and visitors

Colchester Borough Council is working with information andcommunications providers to deliver private investment which willmake working, living in or visiting the Borough a better place to be

This role will see residents have many more opportunities to engagewith the Council and its services and those of other public andcommunity organisations through the digital medium, reducing thedivide between those living in urban and rural areas and betweenpeople with high and low incomes

By becoming a more competitive location for business, employmentopportunities will be created while the town centre strengthens itsattractiveness as a retail, tourism and cultural destination Transportmovements will be reduced, lessening traffic congestion, whilst thequality of life of all our residents will be enhanced, especially forpeople who need health and care services

Over the next two years, the Borough will be leading on the delivery

of modern, better public services which are accessible to all whileprivate and community needs will benefit from new internetapplications and content

“By becoming a more

competitive location for

business, employment

opportunities will be

created while the town

centre strengthens its

attractiveness as a

retail, tourism and

cultural destination.”

Enhance the quality of life

• Strengthen the competitiveness

of the town centre to improve

the image and reputation of

destination and place for local

people to invest their time and

spend

• Develop and implement

initiatives to support rural

businesses to sustain and

develop the Borough’s rural

communities

• Relaxing in Castle Park

• Lion Walk Shopping Centre

Going for Gold!

Opening in autumn 2011, firstsite’s new home will reinventthe traditional art gallery as an innovative cultural andsocial space with contemporary art at its heart

Designed by award-winning architect Rafael Viñoly, thecrescent-shaped building clad with a unique golden alloypresents a creative space and a landmark destination

At 3,200 square metres, firstsite’s new home will rankamong the largest contemporary art venues in the UK

The building will include exhibition space, artists’ space forartists in residence, learning studios as well as a 200 seatauditorium and a range of meeting rooms for hire – anideal location for any business event

For more information on firstsite’s venue hire offer, pleasecontact 0800 881 5696 or email venuehire@firstsite.uk.net

Stimulate investment

• Promote Colchester as adestination for business todevelop a resilient local economyand provide future employmentopportunities

• Encourage the development andpromotion of sites and premises

to develop a resilient localeconomy and provide future job opportunities

• Promote routes for potentialtrade development and access

to markets to offer maximumopportunities for local businesses

www.colchester.gov.uk/business

The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 – The Way Forward Continued

North Colchester Business Incubation Centre

January 2011 saw opening of thenew North Colchester BusinessIncubation Centre at SeverallsBusiness Park The prestigious14,000 sq ft business centre houses

27 offices, a staffed reception areaand training and meeting rooms

in a purpose built business centre.Many of the offices were pre-let,providing an economic boost toColchester and helping to createnew businesses and provide newjobs

For more information about thecentre contact www.colbea.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE

NEWMARKET

IPSWICH FELIXSTOWE HARWICH STANSTED

Better Town Centre

programme

The programme was launched in

March 2010 to invest in, improve and

prepare a rapidly growing Colchester

for a positive and resilient future

The programme focuses on nine

themes:

• Things for people to see, do

and visit

• Getting to and around Colchester

• Making new buildings and

street scenes

• Creating clean and safe places

and spaces

• Changing Colchester after dark

• Improving Colchester for you

and your family

Where are we now?

Since the programme waslaunched, a great deal of progresshas been made There have been

a number of successes, highlights

of which include:

St Botolph’s PrioryPublic realm improvements havetransformed this historical area into a quality public open space

New seats, bins and landscapingalongside improved accessibilityand security have made the Priory a place for all to enjoy this important part of the town’srich heritage

firstsiteColchester’s innovative newcontemporary art gallery opens

in autumn 2011 The landmarkfirstsite building will provide newthings for people to do and add

to the town’s rich tourism offer

The building has been the catalyst for regeneration in the

St Botolph’s area, with three newhotels, a creative business centreand numerous retail opportunities

already planned in the surroundingarea

Public realm improvementsThe Council will unveil a newpublic square in line with theopening of the gallery wherepeople can meet and relax Thisattractive new area lies adjacent

to the firstsite building It willinclude new paving, trees, seatingand lighting and provide an openspace for activities and events forpeople to enjoy It also provides asetting to complement the excitingnew developments taking place in

This will be transformed into apioneering new creative businesscentre The centre, purchased with a combination of external and developer funding, will boostColchester’s thriving creative sector

• St Botolph’s Priory

Colchester – the Perfect Place for Business

Colchester is changing A programme of projects has been taking place around the

Borough to initiate these changes and bring forward benefits to help make Colchester

a better place to live, work and visit.

• Colchester Castle

• Old Fire Office, High Street

• View up High Street

by creating new job opportunitiesand attracting investment Thecentre will provide work space,alongside networking, training and mentoring opportunities forsmaller firms

Historic town centreimprovementsMeasures to reduce unnecessarytraffic and improve the pedestrianenvironment in the town centre will be implemented in autumn

2011 It is hoped that this willcreate a better setting forshoppers, residents and visitors

to explore the town centre

Town Station SquarePlans are also progressing todevelop a new public squareoutside Colchester Town’s railway station and the upcomingnew Magistrates’ Court The square will create a much morestriking and inviting gateway to the town

For more information and latestnews on the Better Town Centreprogramme please visit

www.bettertowncentre.com

North ColchesterNorth Colchester has undergone

a transformation Regeneration inthis area has created opportunitiesfor new homes and employmentareas that will lead to job creationand provide an economic boost for the town Recent developmentsinclude:

A12 - junction 28The new A12 junction 28 opened

in December 2010, three monthsahead of schedule The junctionoffers improved access to theWeston Homes CommunityStadium, housing and proposednew developments in NorthColchester Crucially, it has alsoreduced congestion on the localroad network and the busy A12Crown Interchange

Park and RideFollowing the unveiling of the new A12 junction, Essex CountyCouncil has submitted a planningapplication for a new Park and Ridefacility in North Colchester This willprovide a fast, effective transportlink between the North of the townand the town centre and will alsoreduce traffic along key routes

Colchester – the perfect place for Business Continued

“The ‘Better Town

North Colchester Business

Incubation Centre

January 2011 saw the opening of

the new North Colchester Business

Incubation Centre The prestigious

14,000 sq ft business centre was

delivered both on time and on

budget by the Council With easy

access to the A12 and major road

networks, the centre has already

proved popular, providing an

economic boost to Colchester

and creating new jobs

North Colchester is set to continue

to thrive, with new residential and

industrial development planned in

the future

East Colchester

Colchester’s former port area

in East Colchester has undergone

a considerable change over recent

years Significant residential

development has taken place

creating new communities and

providing homes for families in

Hythe train station

A valuable upgrade has takenplace at Hythe train station, whichhas improved transport links to the town centre and enabledcommuters to travel directly intothe capital from the station

These improvements include

an extension of platforms toaccommodate longer trains, new waiting facilities, lighting,CCTV, landscaping and a coveredspace for cyclists The appearance

of the station has also beenenhanced by an innovative publicart project called “The 9.03” Thisinvolved the installation of over

60 metres of hoardings, decoratedwith attractive artwork and poetryand designed by local artists,influenced by the history and the context of the Hythe

King Edward Quay Works have taken place at KingEdward Quay in the Hythe tocreate an enhanced public spacefor all to enjoy The improvementsincluded a complete resurfacing ofthe area, new lighting, seating, andplanters Bollards have also beeninstalled that provide power and

water to allow house boats to bemoored along the quayside

TranscoastThe Council successfully appliedfor European funding towardsbringing about further changes

at King Edward Quay This funding

is to be match funded and will help provide easier access to theRiver Colne at the Hythe, wherepontoons will be installed to makethe river accessible to as many usergroups as possible It will also beused for a community engagementproject to benefit people withinthe local area

By continuing with these excitingprojects it shows Colchester has

a bright future as well as a richhistory The regenerationprogramme clearly highlights howthe Council is making changes toensure Colchester is a placepeople want to live, work and visit

For further information please visitwww.colchester.gov.uk/regen

• Upgrades at Hythe Station

• East Colchester ‘Town to Sea Trail’ Waymarker

• Roman on Castle Park Tour

Value of Tourism to the Borough

• Tourism was worth £216.8m

to the economy of Colchester

Borough in 2009*

(*2009 is the latest year for which

figures are available).

• The value of tourism to

Colchester has risen by

• Colchester attracted 4.5m visitortrips in 2009

• A 61% rise on the 1993 figure of2.8m visitor trips, comprising of:

- 59,000 trips taken by overseas staying visitors

- 224,000 trips taken by domestic staying visitors

- 4.2m day trippers

Colchester is an ambitious tourism destination As well as being Britain’s oldest recorded town Colchester, is looking forward to new attractions, new hotels and an anticipated additional 500,000 visitor trips annually Tourism is a growing sector in Colchester and contributes over £216.8 million to the local economy.

Colchester Visitor Information Centre

A networked tourist information centre and official Enjoy England partner, the VisitColchester Information Centre(VIC) is the public face of Colchester Borough Council’s tourism team In addition to welcoming over 80,000visitors a year to the centre, answering nearly 9,000 telephone, e-mail and written enquiries and producing theOfficial Colchester Visitor Guide, this award winning team manages the www.visitcolchester.com website, andworks to raise the profile of Colchester across all forms of social media

With the number of unique users increasing every year (1.3 million in 2010) www.visitcolchester.com connectsColchester businesses from across the leisure sector to customers from all over world and closer to home TheVIC combines free information services with a ticket agency and shop, but here too the focus is about supportingthe local economy – its unique Colchester Collection brand showcases local artists, authors, craftspeople andfood producers, providing these mostly small businesses with a High Street outlet for their products

Facts and Figures about Tourism in and around Colchester

What’s special about Colchester?

Colchester is:

• 20 miles from Harwich

• 50 minutes from London by train

• 50 minutes from Stratford by train

– a great base for the London

2012 Games

• 8 miles from ‘Constable Country’

Colchester has a wide range ofclassic attractions:

• Colchester Castle Museum

• Layer Marney Tower

• Hollytrees Social History Museum

• Tymperleys Clock Museum

• Munnings Museum Dedham

• Colchester Zoo

• The Mercury Theatre

Also contemporary attractions:

• Great shopping: all the big namestores plus quiet streets of smallspecialist shops

• The Colchester Arts Centre –comedy, music and theatre

• firstsite contemporary art gallery

Tourism in Colchester

To this end, major partners in the

town, including Colchester Borough

Council, the University of Essex,

Essex Police and the Primary Care

Trust have joined together as

Colchester Partnership for 2012,

working together to showcase the

town and the many opportunities it

offers for any visiting team, looking

to host a preparation, training or

holding camp leading up to 2012

Compete for that contract

There are lots of opportunities

for businesses too Colchester

business Kat Creativ is just one

of the companies that have

benefitted from signing up to

‘Compete for’, a free service that

enables businesses to compete

for contract opportunities linked to

the London 2012 Games and other

major public and private sector

buying organisations, such as

Transport for London (TfL), Crossrail

and the Metropolitan Police

Just go to www.competefor.com

to register your business

And there is more……

‘Compete for’ is not the only site

that offers procurement

opportunities Councils within Essex

have signed up as members of the

Procurement Agency for Essex

(PAE) which works to promote andfacilitate collaborative procurementacross Essex

Suppliers are invited to register onthe PAE portal if they are interested

in supplying goods and services

to PAE members Free of chargeself–certified registration, providesaccess to the national supplierdatabase and email notification

of suitable contract notices Just

go to www.paessex.gov.uk for more information

Essex County Council also has

a procurement portal called Essex Bravo You can sign up

to Essex Bravo by going tohttps://essex.bravosolution.co.uk And to help you win that contractthere is a free online course

Winning the Contract is designed

to help businesses improve theirknowledge of public sectorprocurement and was developed

on behalf of BERR and BusinessLink It provides an introduction tothe public sector and the differenttypes of contract, offering practicaladvice to help you identify newbusiness opportunities Just go

to Learn Direct and look underBusiness

Kat Creativ

“A hothouse of creative energyand enthusiasm breathing new lifeinto any business, we are amarketing and communicationscompany based in our hometown

of Colchester From PR to eventmanagement, designing literature,building websites or creating asocial media platform, we willresearch, plan and execute yourmarketing strategies in line withyour company values Workinglocally has enabled us to buildlasting business relationships withcaring and proud individuals thatwant to see their company visionsflourish For more information

on our services please go towww.katcreativ.co.uk”

Colchester is committed to creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and

Paralympic Games in many different ways, including raising participation in sport, attracting new business opportunities to the town and building on our existing tourism industry.

• Artist’s Impression of the Olympic Stadium

Colchester - Ahead of the Game

Every alternate Wednesday at

the George Hotel, High Street,

Colchester from 7am - 9am

Contact:

Des Clarke on 01206 570667

Email: des@selbeck.co.uk

Boadicea Ladies Luncheon Club

First Wednesday of each month

Check for upcoming events at the

HSBC Commercial Centre, North

Station Road, Colchester from

Every Tuesday at the Colchester

Golf Club from 6.45am - 8.30am

Every Thursday at the Rose

and Crown, Colchester from

Contact:

Mark Adlem on 01787 223966Email:

mark.adlem@churchfields.co.ukWeb: www.businesscafe.biz

Business Link for Essex Check website for upcoming events

Contact: 08457 171615Email: info@businesslinkeast.org.ukWeb: www.businesslink.org.uk/east

Business Woman's Network 2nd Tuesday of each month from10am - 12 midday

Summer: Lexden Wood Golf Club,Bakers Lane, Colchester

Winter: Five Lakes Hotel, Golf,Country Club and Spa, ColchesterRoad, Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon Contact: 01206 381482

Email: info@thebusinesswomansnetwork.co.uk

Web: www.thebusinesswomansnetwork.co.uk

Colchester Business andProfessional Luncheon Club 1st Monday of each month from12.30pm - 2pm

Contact: Mr Francis Gillam on

01206 571187Email: fcg@sandersons.co.ukColchester Network Group/

Federation of Small Businesses Every alternate Friday at theArdleigh Crown, Old Ipswich Road,Colchester from 4.30pm - 6.30pm

Contact:

Keith Brown on 01277 365244Email: keith.brown@fsb.org.ukWeb: www.fsb.org.uk/essex/events

Institute of Directors Contact:

Tina Weavers on 01376 518795Email: admin.essex@iod.netWeb: www.iod.com/essex

Pivotal Business Networking Every Thursday at Frankie andBenny’s, Tollgate West, Colchesterfrom 6.45am - 9am

Contact:

Graeme Parrett on 01206 738788Email: info@pivotalbusinessnetworking.co.uk

Web: www.pivotalbusinessnetworking.co.uk/

The information above has beensupplied to CBC Before attendingany events or networking groups it

is advised that you make contactwith the organiser to check thatthe details are still correct

Events, Networking and Training

We listened to local businesseswhen they asked us for a webpagewhere all events and training could

be found in one place

This consultation has meant that onour business pages you can search

or browse for training, events andnetworking in Colchester Just go

to www.colchester.gov.uk/businessand click on the Business Events tab

that Colchester has to offer and its

broad range of business support

services

All local businesses have the

opportunity to have a listing. .. trading amongst local businesses.

• High Street

• Town Hall

“All local businesses have the opportunity to have a listing free of charge and... third edition of the Colchester Business

Directory – a free service to all businesses in the Borough

provided by the Enterprise and Tourism Team at Colchester< /h3>