RADIO DAZE

Our new local radio station 'Andover Radio' bursts onto the airwaves later this summer, but they have a lot more than annoying jingles to offer local businesses.

Ahead of their official ‘on-air’ launch will be Andover Armed Forces Day (June 25^th) and the release of the town's new website, loveandover.com – a socially-connected and content-rich interactive portal which will showcase positive news and useable information about Andover.

Radio station founders are also offering their experience in multi-media marketing to bona fide Andover businesses to aid customer acquisition in a digitally competitive world.

"Right now, someone, somewhere is buying from your competitor”, says Andover Radio founder David Harber.

“We could help prevent that by putting your business 'top of mind' while prospective customers are just one click away from purchase.

"Infiltrating consumers' buying decisions by connecting online and offline marketing can increase sales and significantly reduce your marketing spend."

Marketing packages are offered at a discount for early adopters and all packages come with built-in radio advertising and scalable digital marketing solution.

Hand-in-hand with sister company ‘Love Andover’, the town’s pioneering radio station is poised to launch an 'Andover DIY SOS' campaign to renovate their new High Street studios, enabling a low-cost, modern and ‘digitally connected’ collaborative workspace for SME and start-up businesses. The volunteer managed studio space will also provide free advice, support and facilities to Andover's charitable organisations.

If you would like to know more contact info@andoverradio.co.uk or call 01264 847831.

www.loveandover.com launches later this month.

 Walworth business park - update

Walworth Business Park www.walworthbusinesspark.co.uk

Plot 37 Evolution 50 Kier and Test Valley B.C. entered into a JV to redevelop Plot 37, creating 50,000 sq.ft. of high quality warehouse space. The list of serious enquiries is considerable but to-date it appears that, in part, due to Brexit it remains available. There is already a two building scheme prepared for the redevelopment of Plot 35 to provide smaller buildings.

Plot 73/74 A Kier-led, four building, retail scheme for this gateway site at the top of the Park. The largest building is close to being pre-let, with two further pre-lets set to immediately follow, leaving the fourth building to be put to a selected list of potential occupiers. This scheme will transform Walworth Business park.

Plot 27B Q2 2016 let to Acti Laboratories UK Limited.

Plot 90 Logistics City Andover The 11 hectare eastern extension to Walworth Business park – 487,500 sq.ft.  – has successfully secured a Resolution to Grant outline planning consent. The site will be developed on 3 terraces and is already the subject of interest from a potential occupier.

Plot 54/89 Ocado’s new 240,000 sq.ft. Customer Fulfillment Centre (CFC) has been in operation for some months now and is well on the way to reaching 700 full time jobs. It is the first of Ocado’s CFCs to use new proprietary infrastructure equipment solution and software, which will support the ongoing growth of our business.

Plot 36 & 35A The ex-Dreams building, along with adjacent Plot 35A, were sublet to Strukta Group Ltd in the Q3 2015, which moved from Salisbury with more than 50 members of staff.

Plot 50 The long lease on Plot 50 (opposite Twinings) was sold in the Q3 2015 to South Coast Building Supplied Ltd., who have built a new 15,000 sq.ft. trade counter warehouse.

Plot 51 The long lease on Plot 51 was sold in Q1 2017 to Treloar Tanks LLP who are busy refurbishing the premises for their own occupation.

Walworth Enterprise CentreThe WEC’s 38 office and workshop units are all occupied but there is always ‘churn’ as businesses grow and move to larger premises.

Please contact Manager, Lorraine Renshaw on 01264-355841 on weekday mornings or via www.enquiries@walworth-enterprise.co.uk.

• Are the primary owner/co-owner of the business, or the most senior decision-maker if the business is not limited by shares
• Have been operating for at least three years and have 5-50 employees
• Have an annual turnover of at least £250,000
• Are scalable and capable of generating additional local employment

Test Valley Business Awards announces TV and former music star as Guest Speaker for gala event

The Test Valley Business Awards Steering Committee have this week announced broadcaster and former music legend, Rev. Richard Coles, as Guest Speaker at the widely anticipated Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony for 2017.

A classically trained musician, Rev. Coles shot to fame as one half of 1980s British pop duo The Communards, best known for the hit: ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’.

A regular panel guest on TV shows such as Have I Got News for You, and QI, Rev. Coles has made many TV and Radio appearances in his time; enjoying over 2 million regular listeners of his BBC Radio 4 show ‘Saturday Live’.

Speaking of the Test Valley Business Awards, Rev. Coles commented:

“I’m delighted to be speaking at the Test Valley Business Awards Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony this year, and am very much looking forward to meeting the winners and finalists selected for 2017.

“Celebrating the achievements and successes of local businesses forms the foundation of a strong community.”

Now in its 13^th year, the Test Valley Business Awards – run by a small steering group of volunteers and supported by the Council – has become a well-established platform to promote business excellence and especially to shine a light on the many new and small innovative businesses operating out of sight.

For more information about the Awards, please visit: www.tvbawards.org.uk.