This project is co-financed by the LSC, SEEDA and the European Social Fund
LOCAL
NEWS
HAMPSHIRE-WIDE NEWS
Police Recruitment
A huge recruitment drive for Police Officers looks set to take place
within the county. Hampshire Police Authority's finance committee has
agreed a £9.8million budget boost to allow a massive injection
of lifeblood into the ranks and improve "protective services" to
tackle terrorism, organised crime and major incidents. Recruitment will
include 170 extra police officers, 514 police community support officers
(PCSOs) and 218 police staff. Allied to these developments the number
of community beat officers is about to treble on Portsmouth’s streets
from around 40 to over 140 from April. http://dailynewspaper.co.uk/uknewspapers/hampshire.htm
Success Rates
The LSC’s annual report has revealed that 69% of learners in Further
Education Colleges in Hampshire and IOW succeed in their courses. This
figure is the best success rate in England. www.lsc.gov.uk/hampshire-iow/media
Gaswork Development to Create 2,500 Jobs
The redevelopment of the former Gasworks in Hilsea will result in the
creation on 2,500 jobs. The currently derelict site will be turned into
a £40 million development with dozens of industrial units and warehouses
taking up 500,000 square feet of space. The building work is expected
to finish by the summer.
(Business Week, 31st January 2006)
Cosham Superhospital
An army of builders is set to descend on Cosham with the construction
of the new £205 million Queen Alexandra ‘superhospital’ At
the height of the building work, which is expected to last until 2010,
140 bricklayers, 90 plasterers, 120 carpenters and 350 electricians
will flock to the site. Although this will not lead to an increase
in construction jobs for the local labour force, as builders Carillion
are bringing in their own workforce, it will have implications in other
areas. An outside workforce will require accommodation and entertainment
resulting in hotels, guest houses, pubs, restaurants and shops in the
surrounding area benefiting.
(The News, January 2006)
Takeover secures 81 Jobs
81 jobs have been secured at the Cutprice discount store in Portsmouth
following a last minute takeover of the chain. Workers at stores in
Southsea, Portsmouth, Fratton, Portchester, Cosham and Waterlooville
have been saved following a deal with Poundstore Retail.
£69
million Deal Secures Jobs
A £69 million deal with Boeing
looks set to secure jobs for workers
at the helicopter repair base at Fleetlands
in Gosport. Last year bosses
had announced that 225 jobs would be lost in the engine department, but
due to the new deal workers have been told that they can retrain as helicopter
repairers.
(The News, 28th February 2006)
£13
million Development
A £13 million development is taking
place at the Solent Business Park, with
the construction of 2 new office blocks.
A 175 strong workforce
from Miller Construction will be used to develop the buildings for the
Prudential. It is estimated that the building of the two new office blocks
entitled Forums 5 and 6 will host up to 600 workers.
(The News, 28th February 2006)
Windsurfing Centre at Hayling Island
Early plans are afoot to turn Hayling Island into a world class windsurfing
centre. The consequences of Tourism Chiefs’ plans to inject £39
million worth of Lottery Funds into the scheme would be far reaching
for the local economy. In order to cater for the influx of surfers,
hotels, pubs and clubs would need to be built and staffed, along with
the Windsurfing Centre itself. http://www.thenews.co.uk, 27th February 2006
£100
million contract for BAe
130 jobs at BAe Systems have been secured
following the award of a £100m
contract to the company. BAe are set to deliver a new hi-tech training
programme called Maritime Composite Training System between their Portsmouth
and Surrey Sites.
(The News, Business Week, January 17th 2006)
Nightclub Demolition leading to Opportunities
Office and Retail job opportunities could be increased in Fareham if
plans to demolish the Prague Junction Nightclub in the town go ahead.
The new development will include a 5 storey development consisting
of shops and restaurants.See www.thenews.co.uk for
details.
Reservoir Plans Shelved
Plans by Portsmouth Water, which have been in the pipeline
since 1965, to build a £30million reservoir north of
Havant may have to be shelved depending on the findings of
an ecological report concerning
relocating wildlife. If the project does go ahead, work will be finished
in 2021. http://www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=459&ArticleID=1357658,
28th February 2006
Action for Business
Highbury College in Portsmouth is the first FE College in the area to
become an official Action for Business College. Action for Business
is an LSC kite mark which tells local employers that the College provides
services responsive to their needs. www.lsc.gov.uk/hampshire-iow/media
College wins Business and Community Awards for People with Disabilities
South Downs College has been awarded Best Website and Best Training and
Education Organisation in the 2nd Annual Disabled People’s Business
and Community Awards for Hampshire and Isle of Wight. The award ceremony
is organised by the Southampton Centre for Independent Living, an organisation
which is run and controlled by disabled people. Criteria judges were
looking for included areas such as ease of accessibility, ease of use,
customer service and communication.
Job Losses at Brewery
The local brewery industry has suffered a setback with the news that
Fullers are set to shut down 150 year old Gales Brewery and move production
to Chiswick, London. 21 members of staff will lose their jobs as a
result of the changes. http://www.thenews.co.uk,
27th February 2006
Job losses at Pharmaceutical Company
200 jobs are going to be cut at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Havant following
a management decision to transfer business abroad to Canada and Ireland.
The company which produces treatments for gastro-intestinal disease,
mental health and haemophilia currently employ 700 people. http://www.thenews.co.uk
600 Seater Cinema in Doubt
The planned New Cinema in Gosport has been thrown in doubt. In 2004,
Berkely Homes reported that they had agreed with Curzon Cinemas to
build a 600 all seater cinema at the Royal Clarence Yard, but the company
have yet to confirm that this development has got the go ahead. http://www.thenews.co.uk
Domino Pizza Developments
More job opportunities will be available at Dominos Pizza following their
announcement that they are looking to open more outlets in the Totton
and Southampton area. This move follows the company announcing record
profits of £11.2 million.
(Southern Daily Echo, 28th February 2006)
Service Provider Contract
Whiteley based Technical Recruitment Company Matchtech have been awarded
a three year contract as the service provider to Flagship Training.
Flagship Training are one of the UK’s leading military and maritime
training organisations.
(Southern Daily Echo, February, 2006)
Southampton International Expansion
Employment opportunities within the Travel, Tourism and Retail Industries
in the area could soar if the proposals to expand Southampton International
go ahead. Airport chiefs predict that passenger numbers could increase
to 6 million by 2030 if the plans to triple the amount of planes flying
in and out of the airport receive the green light.
(http://www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/hampshire/southampton/news/SOTON_NEWS_NEWS4.html,
28th February 2006)
Sports and Performance Facility in Eastleigh
A £3.2 million Sports and Performance Facility at the Crestwood
College for Business and Enterprise in Eastleigh will be opened in the
summer. Facilities will include a sports hall, an arts and performance
area, football pitches and a changing area and fitness suite.
(Daily Echo, 15th February 2006)
Lottery Fund Money Expands Youth Scheme
£ 159, 830 of Big Lottery Fund money has been awarded to Solent Youth Action.
Solent Youth Scheme currently runs community volunteering schemes for 16-24 year
olds in order to improve self esteem, motivation and increase engagement levels.
The new funding will allow the scheme to be offered to young people as young
as 11 in the Southampton area.
(Government News Network, 1st March 2006)
£2.3
Million Revamp of Marlands
Construction work is set to take place
at the Mall Marlands Shopping Centre
as it undergoes a £2.3 million
revamp
(Daily Echo, 27th February 2006)
Cowes Firm Win Top Award
Cowes based company Spinlock have recently won the UK Marine Product
of the Year Award for a new Lifejacket Harness they have developed.
The company, which has been in existence since 1976 and have recently
expanded their premises at the Three Gates Industrial Estate, received
the award at the inaugural IPC Media Marine Awards in London. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/newsfront.aspx?sectionid=1254
Export Industry
The export industry within the Isle of Wight is in a very healthy state
according to reports. The UK Trade and Investment Passport to Export
Scheme has helped more than 150 new or inexperienced exporters on the
island to target customers. Cowes based Radiation Watch Limited linked
in with the scheme and have secured a £2million contract with
a Japanese company. Newport based Enabling Technologies Consulting
Engineers Limited has also established itself in the aviation industry
both Germany and the States following support from the programme. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1254&ArticleID=1365506,
24th January 2006
£1.1m
Investment Loss
A local businessman has scrapped plans
to turn an old tailors shop into a restaurant
in Ryde due to problems with stairs.
The restaurant would
have seen a £1.1million investment on the Island and created
32 catering jobs http://www.iwcp.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1254&ArticleID=1365506,
24th January 2006)
Travel Costs Cut for Young People
Young People aged under 19 are about to benefit from a new travel scheme.
Bus and train fares will be charged a flat rate of 50p per journey,
allowing more young people to travel more freely and cheaply around
the Island
Aldershot rated 3rd in State of English
Cities Report
Aldershot has been placed 3rd in a list of 56 Towns and Cities analysed
in the State of the English Cities Report, an independent study made
to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Figures showed that the amount
the town contributed to the economy, known as Gross Value Added, improved
by nearly 70% between 1995 band 2002, far above the National Average
of over 40%. The report also illustrated that between 1995 and 2003 households
in Aldershot had more gross disposable income than in any other area
surveyed. http://www.aldershot.co.uk/news/
Hampshire Fare
The Locally Grown Produce Industry in the area is set to receive a boost
from a ‘Buyer Meets Supplier’ Event. A GOSE and DEFRA funded
project entitled Pathfinder is organising the Hampshire Fare. Public
sector buyers from schools, hospitals and prisons will be visiting
producers on the farm, in the packhouse or in the cutting room. http://www.gnn.gov.uk
Hospitality Industries
Work in the hospitality industry looks set to increase as Q Hotels intend
to spend £8.7 million on increasing the size of the new Norton
Manor Hotel in Sutton Scotney. The development will lead to the creation
of 148 new jobs, and according to reports, the contribution of £6million
a year to the local economy. (Daily Echo, 17th February 2006)
Business Park Redevelopment
Farnborough Business Park looks set to be redeveloped by Slough Estates.
The company hope to preserve the historic buildings on the site whilst
offering hi-tech office and research space. Allied to these developments
it is hoped that flats, town houses, restaurants and art facilities
will be built alongside the Business Park. Slough Estates Leasing Manager
Kate Dean told the Farnborough Business Network Lunch Club that, ‘the
development of the Farnborough Business Park should enhance the business
community, hopefully driving the local economy in the right direction.’ http://www.aldershot.co.uk/
Theatre Job Threats
Following a cut in funding by the Arts Council England, jobs are under
threat at Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre. http://www.thisishampshire.net/
