Looking forward: New Year plans for Brackmills businesses
A programme of updates, improvements and innovative projects are in the pipeline for 2012 as businesses on Brackmills Industrial Estate continue to pool resources and pledge to make dramatic changes throughout the year ahead.
This Northampton Business Improvement District (BID), made up of nearly 150 businesses, had an impressive 2011. Projects included an investment of £390,000 into the roads, which saw the introduction of new roundabouts and an end to many of the unpopular speed humps. A new look estate website was launched, e-magazines for employees to share news and views became monthly and there was an investment in signage across the estate, among many other initiatives.
The list of projects will continue to soar this year, with the BID determined to spruce up the estate’s appearance, invest in cycle paths and navigation boards, install new litter bins, organise monthly litter picks, plant year-round flowers on key roundabouts, hold business events and showcases and set up a community project to upgrade the estate’s Crescent Fishing Lake on Salthouse Road. Plans include planting wild flower meadows, introducing picnic benches and improving the nearby car parking area.
Here, some employees from across the estate share their thoughts on some of the most exciting projects ahead:
Chris Barker, Estate Manager: “Now that the first phase of road improvements has finished we will start talking to businesses about what other road improvements are needed, especially in those areas where speed humps are still in situ. 2012 will also see us working Northamptonshire County Council on a jointly-funded programme of signage for cyclists and pedestrians around the estate to improve navigation.”
John Corrigan, Chairman of the BID Executive Board, said: "As a community of businesses we are passionate about supporting young people and about helping nurture employment opportunities. As an estate we already employ some apprentices but we want to up the ante in 2012 and are challenging ourselves to create at least a further 100 apprenticeships this year. In this current economic climate it is important to make sure that we make provision for our businesses to be able to hit the ground running when we see an up turn. By preparing these young people for work we are insuring that we have the right skill sets to enable us to meet the demands of the future. We simply can not allow this generation of school leavers to be abandoned. So I would ask all businesses to support these young people and give them a chance."
John Harley, Joint Managing Director of ACS Office Solutions: “In 2012 Brackmills businesses will be getting even closer to their neighbours, sharing best practise, supporting one another by way of the consolidation of transactional buying, through Group Purchasing Schemes in order to secure the most cost effective supplies, and ultimately to transfer knowledge to each other. All of this will produce a stronger local economy, providing the platform for growth, and more local jobs.”
Ian Taylor, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for Brackmills: "Since coming on board in April I have visited nearly all the 150 businesses on the estate, engaging and offering crime prevention information. 2012 will be all about cementing my relationships with these businesses. I also aim to build on the successes of Business Watch, road safety operations, intelligence gathering and high visibility patrols. Working closely with the BID and our other partners I will also assist the Estate Manager with improvements to HGV parking and environmental enhancements on the estate."
Most importantly, I want to continue to provide a safer community for the people who work or travel in Brackmills."
Peter Hannon, Managing Director of HARTING Ltd: “Since becoming a BID we have built a number of platforms to improve communication across the estate and beyond. The website, newsletters, email alerts, public relations and working groups are examples of this. In 2012 we will build on these communication channels to continually enhance the co-ordination, co-operation and sense of community for employers and employees on Brackmills.”
Posted by: Brackmills Industrial Estate Limited
