Town Centre Development

In Rugby town centre yesterday for the annual pancake race I had a few minutes to spare to look at how the Asda development is coming on. Now that the groundwork is completed the building is quickly taking shape and should be ready for it's opening in the summer. I know that a supermarket isn't what many people in the town would have preferred on the site with many thinking that a department store would have been better. However that wasn't forthcoming and in the present climate particularly, the new store and additional shops respresent a much better alternative than the site remaining unused. I have no doubt about Asda's ability to find trade, but it may be more difficult for the newer shops and let's hope there isn't an adverse effect on other traders in the town. I'm looking forward to the opening.

Half Term

As it was half term last week, we spent a few days in Brighton, where Tracy grew up, visting old friends, taking the undercliff walk to Rottingdean through the Marina, seeing a show at the Theatre Royal, visiting the Pavillion, shopping in The Lanes and playing on The Pier. Good place Brighton!

Surviving the Recession Seminar

On Thursday our postponed seminar took place with about 25 people from various businesses in the town at the Conservative Party offices. I started with a short speech. (under the watchful eye of Sir Winston) covering our approach to the recession and the difference from the Governments handling over the past few months. I then spoke about my own experience guiding my own business through two recessions and the lessons I learnt, before opening up a general discussion. We covered the loss of manufacturing from Rugby; business rates and the BID levy to town centre retailers; the current attitude of the banks; the effect of the decline in sterling against the euro; the cost of regulation on business; the current state of the housing market & how it is integral to the current situation; the zero impact of the vat change;how businesses can support each other. I shall be preparing a summary document pulling together the thoughts and experiences of those present and got a great deal from the event. I hope those attending also did so.

Attention to detail helps!

A correspondent in today's Rugby Advertiser has drawn attention to, in a friendly & supportive way, my incorrect spelling in my posting about prostate cancer awareness. I have written "prostrate" in error. Typing and spelling have never been my strong points! I am now motivated to work harder on my typing course, where I have not been getting to college as often as I should, and it mightn't be a bad idea to use spellcheck from time to time as well. I'm pleased that despite my error, the message I was trying to pass on has been well received. Cancer isn't something to be taken laying down!

Football shirts to Rwanda

Last week we sent the first consignment of 350+ shirts to Kigali for the young footballers of the club we played against when I was there last summer. The shirts have come from individuals and groups, and have also been collected by local school children. There are several England shirts as well as Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, all of whom are well known throughout Africa. Quite what the kis there will make of the many Coventry City shirts in the bundle I dont know, but will maybe the Sky Blue will help put The City on the map! I an very grateful to local firm TNT for arranging the freight to Rwanda and their driver, Dave, was a real star when he came to our offices to collect them.

England v Italy

I was offered some tickets for Saturday's match at Twickenham but turned them down as I was anxious to crack on with our doorstep survey which in the event was postponed. However, despite the win, I was happy not to be there and I thought Brian Moore, the former England player & commentator (& Labour supporter!) hit the nail on the head when during yet another quiet passage of play asked despairingly how much a ticket costs. The answer is around £60 to £70 and that is too much for a mediocre performance, lacking in passion against an Italian side selected with no hope of winning. I watched on TV and then saw a great game between Ireland & France where the Irish finally came out on top. With a visit to Cardiff next weekend it's pretty likely that I will be needing to avoid my Welsh friends over the next few weeks unless Jonno can weave some magic on the training ground over the next few days.

It's snow joke

The weather has led to much disruption and uncertainty meaning that many events have been cancelled or postponed. One casualty is the seminar we organised for Rugby business people to get together to discuss how best to deal with recessionary times. It will now take place on Thursday 12 Feb. On Saturday we cancelled our regular session on the doorsteps with our monthly survey, which was scheduled for Bulkington, as the snow and heavy frost afterwards meant that conditions were treacherous. We will be be back in a couple of weeks time. On the brighter side, the children have enjoyed the snow immensely. I had a lot of sympathy with the commentators who spoke about how beneficial it has been for youngsters to learn about handling the risks of snow and ice and for families to spend time together having fun.