Debbie Fortune Estate Agents, based in Wrington, has won a free space at the North Somerset Business Show.

The company won the free exhibitor space at the next North Somerset Business Show by completing an on-line survey which asked respondents where in the region the business event should take place and, out of almost 100 respondents, Debbie Fortune were drawn out of the hat.

Principal Director of the firm Debbie Fortune said:“We could not be more pleased to attend this excellent event- particularly as prize winners. We are looking forward to meeting like-minded and proactive businesses in North Somerset and making lots of new friends and business contacts.”

A spokesperson for North Somerset Business show said:”We are delighted that a local company, that is still relatively new to North Somerset, has been given the opportunity to meet other, like-minded businesses.

“The event hosted 55 exhibitors in 2011 but, given the amount of interest already shown, we hope to double that number in 2012.

“The idea behind the survey was to ensure that we are catering for the needs of the North Somerset business community, and the results were interesting.

“The largest vote went to Weston-super-Mare and so that’s where we will be holding the event again in 2012. We had thought that Portishead would be second but, in fact, it was Clevedon and so we have committed to running the show there in 2013.”

The draw for the free exhibition space was made at the North Somerset Enterprise Agency. Area Manager Terry Gilbert said:”We are very pleased that the North Somerset Business Show 2012, and its location has been confirmed. It was a great success last year and is expected to double in size.

“It is very important for North Somerset businesses, both big and small, to showcase their products and meet new clients in this manner.

“We would also like to acknowledge the fact that the organisers have offered exhibition space to North Somerset Businesses at a very reduced rate.”

The event has been booked to take place on Wednesday 23rd May 2012 at The Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare.

Visitors to the show can get free entry by pre-registering on the web site: www.ns-bs.co.uk, where all the details for exhibitors can also be found.

Helping Hands team

A Weston-super-Mare business which was launched as a result of redundancy has entered its second year of business with a fast growing order book and an expanding list of popular services.

Helping Hands, run by husband and wife team Dominic and Ally Ife, frees up people’s time and makes their lives easier by taking over many of life’s chores. The business offers a huge range of services from gardening to spring cleaning, dog walking to errand running and form filling to accompanying people to hospital.

Having researched the business idea Dominic approached North Somerset Enterprise Agency, which supports start-up and businesses with free advice, information and low-cost training and soon found himself learning everything he needed to know to start his business from training courses and workshops. The agency also helped with networking, local advice and contacts and an open door for advice and help.

“Our services are only limited by our customers’ imagination – and of course legal, moral and ethical boundaries.” says Dominic. “If clients ask for a service that we don’t offer we will introduce it ourselves or find someone who can – there is very little that we can’t do. We even offer gift vouchers so that customers can treat their friends and family to the gift of some time off!”

Fees for services are charged either hourly or as a job rate, contract or package. Whilst having worked hard to make Helping Hands’ services affordable, Dominic admits that he’s been surprised by just how widespread the demand for the firms’ services has been.

“We originally thought that our services would appeal more to elderly people who needed help with practical jobs, but our customers come from all age groups, our youngest being a 13 year old who wanted us to hide her gift of a second-hand bike for her brother until Christmas Day! (Of course no charge was made for the service !)

“We might be watering a customer’s plants whilst they are on holiday and ensuring another customer receives their morning newspaper then an hour later we could be running a pet taxi service! There’s never a dull moment and although the business demands long hours and we have to be very flexible to fit around our customers’ needs, we love the variety.”

He credits the team at North Somerset Enterprise Agency with ensuring Helping Hands survived the early days. “We had access to all the help and support we needed and were always able to see an adviser when we wanted to. They also introduced us to a wealth of local contacts.” he says.

Terry Gilbert of the North Somerset Enterprise Agency says: “Helping Hands is a business that spotted a need and has worked hard to deliver a service that has something to offer almost everyone. It’s terrific to see them heading into their second year of enterprise with a growing reputation and demand.

“At a time when there is little job security, it’s inspiring to see how redundancy can be turned from a real blow into an opportunity for a new way of life. Running a business is hard work and isn’t for everyone, but as Dominic and Ally demonstrate it can be a life-changing and rewarding way forward.”

Helping Hands can be contacted on 01934 623068, mobile 07907 844078, via the website: www.helpinghandsweston.co.uk or by e-mailing info@helpinghandsweston.co.uk

For more information on the North Somerset Enterprise Agency visit: http://www.northsomersetenterpriseagency.co.uk/about-us/

It’s always great to hear good feedback from visitors to the town who heap praise on the new-look Pier and surrounding promenade. Next in line for praise is surely going to be Dr Fox’s restaurant on Knightstone Island and it’s not difficult to see why – the view is outstanding.

As you can see, I like to talk up this town because we are very lucky compared to other regions in the UK.

Of course, nowhere will fully avoid the effects of recession and undoubtedly some of us need to tighten our belts more than others but Weston and the surrounding area must remain positive about its future. Very large sums of money have been committed to the district, bringing contractors and skilled labour to the area – Hinckley Point for example with a demand for 7,000 staff.

And the numbers of new enterprises starting up in the region is above average, which along with our survival, signals we are bucking the trend.

And success is contagious. So don’t forget you live in a town which has the motto “forever forward,” a simple phrase that will put mind over matter and help you feel positive and project results that will benefit your business and life.

But if you are struggling through the recession don’t hesitate to call into our office and share your problem – maybe we can halve them.

So to my final thought – it’s very likely that, personally, you will not be able to affect the balance of payments, the exchange rate, the UK or European economy, so stop thinking about it and prove to one and all that your business can show the way out by leading the recovery.

Terry Gilbert – North Somerset Business Enterprise Agency

Quote of the week:

“Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out,”