Politicians back small business day

* Susan Elan Jones MP backs Small Business Saturday.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones and AM Ken Skates have given their backing to Small Business Saturday, which this year will be held on Saturday, December 7.

The idea originally comes from the USA. It helped increase spending in small businesses and a rise in long-term customers, and created a buzz on the high street.

It also helped small businesses network with each other, championed their role in local communities and highlighted the role of entrepreneurship.

Susan Elan Jones MP said: “Small businesses are important everywhere, but they are especially vital in an area like ours which contains so many villages and small towns. We need to give all the support we can to small businesses so that they do not go under in times of economic downturn.

"Small and medium-sized local businesses have a loyalty to their customers and their home area in a way that global multi-nationals do not. They must be supported.”

Ken Skates AM commented: “Small businesses form the backbone of our economy and deserve to be supported. Small Business Saturday is a great way for people to show their support.”

Extra cash will allow people to access advice services

Wales's Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert has announced a series of grants  that will allow almost 7,000 extra people to access free advice services.

This follows an invitation in May for organisations providing free and independent information and advice to apply for Welsh Government funding in 2013-14.

 

Along with the invitation was a request for organisations to adapt to a situation where funding to support their services is being drastically cut but the demand for their services is growing due to cuts to welfare benefits and the struggling economy.

 

Eight organisations will share a total of £936,330 and through their services will provide valuable advice on debt, housing and welfare benefit advice to approximately 6,376 people.

The eight agencies are: Advice UK (£173,743), Age Cymru Partnership (£13,153), Citizens Advice Cymru (£484,086), Law Centres Network (£32,025), RNIB (£20,988), Shelter Cymru (£79,158), SNAP Cymru (£90,710) and the Welsh Refugee Council (£42,467).

Jeff Cuthbert said: “This announcement is another example of our commitment to taking action to provide practical help to people living in, or at risk of falling into, poverty.

“Free advice services are more important than ever given the current economic climate and the impact welfare changes are having on whole communities. Thousands of people rely on specialist, expert advice, but funding is being squeezed at the very time when more people are turning to them for help. Many of these advice services are facing direct cuts to their funding.

“I want to make sure people do not fall through the cracks given the changes to the UK welfare system and am delighted to be announcing these grants.”

An additional £103,950 is being granted to three organisations to provide specialist discrimination advice to around 347 clients.

The three beneficiaries are: Race Equalities First (£25,073), Citizens Advice Cymru (£69,506) and the Royal Association for Deaf People’s Deaf Law Centre (£9,371).

The Minster added: “Ensuring everyone in Wales is treated fairly is fundamental to my vision for a country that embraces equality and diversity and that we can all be proud to live in. These grants will ensure that people who believe they have experienced discrimination can receive professional advice.”

Community hub plan floated for bank building

 

* Community hub plan: the HSBC bank building in Bridge Street.

 

If Llangollen’s HSBC bank closes early next year the building it occupies could be used as a community hub housing small businesses, meeting rooms and a café.

The ambitious plan is the brainchild of local man Mike Edwards who was a member of the team which led the bid for Llangollen to win Cittaslow – slow town – status earlier this year.

Mr Edwards (pictured below) says if HSBC is determined to press ahead with the closure against the wishes of local campaigners, the imposing building in Bridge Street could be acquired on behalf of the people of Llangollen as a community facility.

He explained: “If the branch does close, the Welsh Government should demand that HSBC provides the building to the community on a medium term lease at a peppercorn rent.

“Cittaslow Llangollen could then investigate the condition of the property and put together a business plan to convert the building into a business and community support hub.

“This might have, say, a cafe on the ground floor with business space and serviced meeting rooms on the upper floors which could be let out to generate additional income.

“That way it's a project which would be self-funding in the long term because it would be generating income not merely soaking up money.

“There may also be space for a residential unit to be used be a caretaker-type individual who would be responsible for providing day to day support for the hub users.

“Some of the accommodation could be available for the use of local clubs and organisations to meet etc.”

Mr Edwards added: “The hub could be equipped with ITC - internet, printing, photocopying etc - which local independent businesses could use and, if they wanted to meet customers, suppliers or similar, they could use the meeting rooms with full support normally available to larger business who have extensive resources.

“Armed with a convincing business plan we could convince funders, such as the Welsh Government and the Lottery, to back the refurbishment and conversion of the building.”

Mr Edwards says the Llangollen hub could be based on the successful model of Glyn Wylfa Ltd, which is housed in the former estate office overlooking Chirk Aqueduct.

It has been established as a social enterprise and development trust by a committed team of local residents with complementary business and social community skills.

The refurbished building includes a variety of high quality office accommodation, a meeting room for up to 20 delegates plus a café. It also offers an arts and crafts market place at weekends.

* Gill Thomas from the Chamber of Trade and Tourism has sent the following note to llanblogger:

"Just wanted to clarify the situation re customers of HSBC using the post office. This option is only open to personal account holders. Business, Charity and Community account holders will have to travel to Chirk, Ruabon or Wrexham. This is why this decision is so devastating for us and means we will probably have to move to one of the remaining banks in town."

KLS issues latest statement on bank closure issue

Keep Llangollen Special has issued its latest statement on the proposed closure of the HSBC bank in Llangollen, which we bring you here:

 

“In a BBC News article on Friday, RBS (NatWest) are quoted as saying, “Since 2010, branch transactions are down almost 30%”.  We know what that means.

 

“Also, from Barclays just recently when 1,700 job cuts were announced, one quote stood out:  “Mr Blakey [editor of Retail Banker International] thinks banks need to "right size" their branches, because they are not needed as much with the advent of mobile and internet banking.

 

“We’ve been urged to leave HSBC, but how can you jump ships when there are no ships left to jump to?

 

“Now is probably a highly counter-productive time to take precipitous action like switching accounts from HSBC as it might harden HSBC’s attitude further.

 

“We have written to Alan Keir of HSBC to help smooth-over ruffled feathers, at least while negotiations continue. It has been acknowledged.

 

“Despite the flat refusal by HSBC to meet with the Chamber of Trade, Mark Isherwood has persuaded them to have a meeting in Cardiff,  accompanied by Ken Skates AM.

 

“It is not an event to which others are invited, regrettably, so we need to furnish them with as much ammunition as we possibly can.  

 

“We have been asked by Mark Isherwood’s office to provide details of any individual cases we would like him to take to the meeting.

 

“We now know what to do; it’s all hands on deck to canvas for cases from businesses and residents about how the branch closure would cause hardship to them.

 

“I’m quite certain the Chamber of Trade and KLS can compile all your comments and present them in a coherent and concise form.

 

* As a for instance, some of us may feel that their accounts would not be transferrable to a new bank due to problems with debt and still need a local manager to help them because of their relationship with someone who understands their circumstance rather than a stranger who might be less sympathetic.

 

* It might be because of anxiety and the need for personal  understanding and sympathetic contact.

 

* It might due to physical impairment or that the cost of transport is unaffordable to them.

 

* Perhaps you have no telephone, which implies you have no Internet access either.

 

* Impaired vision, partial hearing and physical immobility  are obviously problems, and if you have carers provided by social services you may not be willing to entrust your bank account details with.

 

* If you’re a trader in town and have concerns such as openly carrying sums of cash to bank, even road safety  worries crossing the A5 to the Post Office or delays introduced by third parties slowing its transfer to your account, let us know.

 

“Please be a good neighbour – if you know anyone who would be unable to read this, please let them know.

 

“We need your name and address. It will be kept confidential. Hand-written letters, which we encourage, may be given to Watkin & Williams who have kindly offered to be a collection point. (Mark the envelope HSBC, please.)

 

"Whatever the reason, please contact researcher@keepllangollenspecial.org.uk , or the Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism  at LlanCTandT@hotmail.co.uk.

 

“What we need to tell our leaders is that this is no longer a local issue. It’s turned UK-wide. Our local and national economies are going to plummet if we can’t find a solution.

 

“Next week, documents will be sent to all AMs. Watch this space.”

 

Martin Crumpton, 

Chair,

Keep Llangollen Special.

Railway gets two new engineering apprentices

* New apprentices Luke Denoven, left, and Harry Jones.

Llangollen Railway has two new apprentices on its books following a recruitment scheme in association with Coleg Cambria in Wrexham.

The offer of two engineering apprenticeships produced applications for the posts from students undertaking the mechanical engineering course at Coleg Cambria.

Five students were called for interview and two have been selected.

After completing a two-week ‘no commitment’ trial period at the railway’s workshop in Llangollen,
the two successful candidates have now begun a four year engineering skills programme.

This provides for part time day release to continue their studies at Coleg Cambria whilst gaining experience in the maintenance, restoration and building of locomotives at the heritage railway.

Dave Owen, Head of Engineering at Llangollen Railway, said: “Llangollen Railway is pleased to be able to offer two engineering apprentice positions this year.

"Since 2001 we have provided 12 apprenticeships to aspiring engineers and, whilst some have moved on to positions elsewhere in the railway industry, others have stayed with us as long term employees.
They are now experienced engineers who have played a major part in the challenging locomotive restoration projects we have completed in recent years.

“Our two new apprentices will receive an apprenticeship in traditional engineering, in conjunction with day release to an engineering course at Coleg Cambria. They will be involved in work on the three exciting schemes being undertaken here to build new examples of steam locomotives with the
Betton Grange, Patriot and Night Owl projects.

“If the railway heritage business is to continue to prosper, it is essential we have young engineers joining the ranks of the Llangollen Railway work force, skilled in traditional methods which allow steam locomotives to be maintained and restored.”

The two successful engineering apprentices are both from Wrexham.

Luke Denoven, aged 19, a former pupil at St Joseph’s High School, studied Mechanical Engineering at Coleg Cambria, said: “I am really thrilled to have got the apprenticeship at Llangollen Railway and look forward to a career in engineering.”

Harry Jones, aged 17, a former pupil at Rhosnesni High School, has also studied Mechanical Engineering at Coleg Cambria, said: “ I look forward to gaining practical hands-on experience in a real industry with good career prospects.”

During their first week at Llangollen Railway both have helped with the preparation of the LMS ‘Patriot’ locomotive project which is due to go on show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham during the Warley Model Railway Show to be held November 23/24.

Councillor urges people to move their business away from HSBC

A Llangollen county councillor has taken his business away from HSBC in protest at the bank's decision to close its branch in the town.

Stuart Davies, who was at yesterday's protest outside the bank in Bridge Street, has just written to senior bank bosses to complain about their "intransigence", through its regional manager Rachel Thomas, in refusing to discuss the closure, due in February next year, with local representatives such as himself.

Cllr Davies (pictured right) tells them he has already transferred his savings to a rival bank and has urged other local people to do the same.

In an email to HSBC, Cllr Davies says he was elected on his promise to help safeguard jobs and generate more and suggests the closure of a major bank branch in Llangollen does nothing to help that pledge.

He says: "I urge fellow politicians to join him in putting pressure on the higher ups in HSBC to reverse the decision.
"I also call on the public to vote with their feet.

"Today I initiated the process of transferring all my savings and accounts to Barclays from HSBC, a process made easier by the recent changes to help make transfers easier.

"By doing this, not only do we make our point to HSBC, we actually help to strengthen the remaining banks in Llangollen by increasing their business.

"Perhaps when HSBC senior managers see the amount of savings flowing out of their coffers to their rivals then market forces might start to apply to them."

One of the recipents of Cllr Davies's message is HSBC chief executive officer lan Keir from whom he requests the "courtesy of a reply".

KLS asks bankers' group for statement on HSBC closure

The chairman of Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) has fired the latest salvo in the battle to save the town's HSBC bank.

He has written to a bankers' organisation seeking its views on HSBC's refusal to discuss the axing of the Bridge Street branch next February.

Led by officials of Llangolen Chamber of Trade and Tourism, a group of around 25 protesters gathered outside the bank to demonstrate against the closure.

Now, Martin Crumpton, who chairs KLS, has referred the matter to the British Bankers' Association, the UK’s leading association for the banking and financial services sector, representing the interests of more than 240 member organisations with a worldwide presence in 180 countries.

In his email, he says: "I seek a Statement from the BBA, on behalf of my Community Group and many other interested parties, regarding the intractable refusal of HSBC to negotiate their programme of withdrawing branch services from rural communities in Wales, a matter raised in the Welsh Assembly this week due to its widespread detrimental effect on small communities.

 

"This programme, which we see mirrored by announcements of cuts by other major banks, is widely regarded as a cynical manoeuvre to cuts costs and increase profits, perhaps in response to threats of caps and levies by the Labour Party.

 

"That HSBC, to be followed by the other banks, previously known as the high street banks, is offloading customers onto the Post Office and the Internet is indisputable, whether by intent or not. That HSBC, a profitable business, will increase its profits by branch closures is also indisputable. We believe that the BBA shares a responsibility along with HSBC and other banks to act in a socially-responsible manner, and a Statement from you is eagerly anticipated."