Monthly Archives: 05:44 PM

Alien invasion helps firm to grow

Nathan Billington of Greengrass Services with Richard Seller

A ground maintenance firm is flourishing after going into battle to combat the threat of “alien invaders”.

As in other parts of the UK, invasive species like Himalayan Balsom and Japanese Knotweed are wreaking havoc across North Wales.

But Greengrass Services Ltd, based in Dyserth, near Prestatyn, are coming to the rescue of customers throughout the region.

Their work in destroying the imported horticultural menaces is part of a growing portfolio of services by the company founded by local entrepreneur Nathan Billington, 39, some 14 years ago.

In addition, they have secured valuable long-term contracts with the likes of North Wales Police, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the housing association, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd

According to Mr Billington, the advice and practical help they had received from Welsh Assembly Government’s Regional Centre Service had been a crucial element in the company’s growth.

Mr Billington said: “The assistance has been coordinated by Business Support Manager Richard Seller who has been absolutely fantastic.

“We want to be sure that we are doing everything properly so it has been immensely helpful in terms of business advice and navigating the potential minefield of employment law.

“Most small and medium enterprises don’t have that kind of expertise on tap and the assistance provided by the Regional Centre Service is free of charge.

“As a result we have also been able to design bespoke health and safety, environmental and equality policies.”

Richard Seller added: “They want to do things the right way, the staff are loyal and they want to develop team leaders.

“I have enjoyed working with them and it is extremely satisfying to see the company flourish and grow in what has been a difficult period for the economy.

“We are currently helping them apply for a Local Investment Fund Grant of £10,000 towards new machinery which will allow them to secure even bigger contracts and improve productivity.”

Established in 1997, Greengrass employs six permanent staff and will be taking on several seasonal workers in the Spring.

They are on course to reach a target set in 2007 to double the size of the business by the end of this financial year.

Nathan recalled: “When I started it was basically mowing people’s lawns, doing gardens and ground maintenance in and around Rhyl and Prestatyn.

“We now specialise in a number of areas – domestic and commercial grounds maintenance, tree work and dealing with invasive species like Himalayan Balsom and Japanese Knotweed.

“Since 2009 we are responsible for the entire Tai Clwyd Housing Association estate which includes 79 sites which we visit every two weeks for nine months of the year.

“We’ve also got a contract with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and we do all 48 of their sites. In addition, we do around 20 of North Wales Police’s sites.

“In the main, they are three year contracts so that gives you confidence to invest in new machinery which in turn has enabled us to have a period of three years of continuous growth.

“We have to keep looking for more grounds maintenance contracts, for more customers to serve because that’s the only way we can plan the growth of the company.

“So far, so good. We get recommended by our clients all the time and we have just grown and grown. Customers appreciate the quality of the work that we do and our aim is to build on this momentum.”

Small businesses requiring assistance should contact the Welsh Assembly Government Regional Centre Service on 03000 6 03000 or visit www.business.wales.gov.uk.  For more information about Greengrass Services go to www.greengrassservices.co.uk or ring 01745 571712. 

Friday May 6th, 2011

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News

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More dough for children’s hospice

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One of the UK’s oldest bakeries has risen to a new challenge – raising money for a children’s hospice charity.

The Wrexham-based Gerrards bakery is a supporter of the Hope House and Ty Gobaith hospices.

The family-run firm presented a cheque for £726 to fundraiser Rachel Jones after selling more than 2,900 specially baked gingerbread biscuits in their 15 shops.

Established in 1838, Gerrards is run by husband and wife, Dirk and Dawn van Rensburg, who were inspired to help the hospice charity after going on a visit to see what they do at first hand.

Dirk said: “A children’s hospice certainly puts everything else into perspective – we really don’t know how lucky we are. 

“It is really important that people continue to give money to them because we must make sure that these children are made to feel comfortable, by creating an environment that is as pleasant as possible.

“There are many good causes but few are better than Hope House and Ty Gobaith and we were delighted to be able help once again.

“Many people might be surprised to learn that the hospice is a very happy place and a wonderful caring environment with brilliant staff.

“It is a much-needed facility. It is really important for parents that the right support and facilities are available if their children become ill.”

According to hospice fundraiser Rachel Jones, the support of companies like Gerrards was vital – especially in the current economic climate.

She said: “It costs us over £4 million to keep our doors open and run all the services in the hospices and the families’ own homes.

“Of that, we get 30 days’ funding from the Government, the NHS and other statutory bodies which means that over 95 per cent of our funding comes from voluntary income.

“Touch wood we are doing very well but it is thanks to companies like Gerrards who are backing us that we are able to keep going.

“For the past couple of years, Gerrards have taken part in our Corporate Challenge.

“We give £50 each to companies and we challenge them to see what they can do with that investment.

 “This year Gerrards have raised £726 which is a phenomenal return on the £50 – the customers got a tasty treat while supporting their local children’s hospice.

“We cover the whole of North and Mid Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire.

“We have 400 families on our books and 270 of them have a child using one of our two hospices, Hope House, near Oswestry, or Ty Gobaith, near Conwy.

“The other 130 are bereaved families who are using our counselling and support services.

 “We provide respite for terminally ill children and their families and we do a lot of work with the extended families. brothers and sisters, and we provide a lot of counselling support for mums and dads as well.

“We have now become so expert at speaking to families over the years that we now actually get referrals from the NHS, Social Services and the emergency services to care for families who have lost a child in any circumstance – be it a cot death, a fire, a suicide or road traffic accident.

“We can take that family on our books and give them bereavement support for as long as they need us after the death of the child.

“There isn’t another service in the area that can provide the long-term care plans that we can.

“We are open 24/7 on 365 days a year and we don’t charge a penny for our services.”

Friday May 6th, 2011

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News, PR

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Trendy fashion chain creates new jobs in Swansea

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One of the trendiest and fastest growing international fashion brands has chosen Swansea to open its newest store.

Superdry, which has seen an explosion in sales and profits over the last 12 months, is converting two units in the Quadrant Shopping Centre to open what will be only its second outlet in Wales.

Allan Wallace, Quadrant centre manager, said: “This is a very big chain, growing all the time, and we’re very pleased to have secured them as our latest tenants.”

With at least 16 million people a year pouring through the Quadrant centre, Superdry Swansea expects to make a significant contribution for owners SuperGroup plc who posted a staggering 86.9% jump in total sales to £81.7m for its third quarter to January 30, driven by strong underlying revenues and new store openings.

Mr Wallace says the company is converting the former Oasis and Fusion stores into one to give it a 2,700 sqft ground floor sales area, with upstairs for storage and staff facilities. About 10 new jobs will be created.

UK fashion retailer SuperGroup was founded in 1985 and has since been developed to design and sell a wide range of premium clothing under its flagship brand, Superdry, together with other own brands and a number of third-party products which are sold in its Cult stores.

Among its current 59 stand-alone Cult and Superdry stores, there is a Cult store in Cardiff. Many of its outlets are in university cities.

There are 69 concessions and a growing wholesale operation. Its products are sold in over 70 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas via a network of distributors, licensees, agents and franchisees.

The fast-growing group floated on the Stock Exchange in March 2010. The Quadrant will be only their second store in Wales, the Cult store in St David’s Centre Cardiff, is one of their star performers which broke all records when it opened over a year ago.

Superdry says its clothing is “inspired by Japanese design influences with vintage Americana style”. Its other own brands are 77Breed and SurfCo California, although Superdry brand now dominates the Group’s retail sales.

Julian Dunkerton, CEO of Supergroup Plc said: “This is an exciting time for us and it is great to be opening another store in Wales. Swansea is a cool city and The Quadrant a busy and attractive retail centre.

“A lot of hard work and creativity have gone into the store’s design and fitting out and I hope that it will be as successful as our others.”

With the arrival of Superdry, The Quadrant’s 36 shopping units will all be full, with just two units temporarily in possession of the city council while work is completed on the city centre bus station revamp.

“There tends to be some gloomy pictures painted of retailing and whether or not the public are coping with things like rising fuel costs, but we never have units empty for long,” said Mr Wallace.

“The two units which will be returned to us by the council after the bus station work is complete will undoubtedly be more attractive and we have had a number of enquiries and I believe they will be let in a reasonably short time.”

Quadrant will also benefit hugely by the arrival in April of market-leaders Experian, who will be responsible for collecting and analysing data on how many visit the centre – so-called footfall figures.

City Centre Manager Lisa Wells added: “The opening of a Superdry store in the Quadrant Shopping Centre is exciting news for Swansea City Centre.

“Superdry is an extremely popular brand and the news has been met with much local excitement.

“The new opening will complement the range and quality of shops that are already available in the City Centre and this together with the recent completion of the new Swansea City Bus Station will provide another reason to shop and visit Swansea.”

Friday May 6th, 2011

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News

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