Connect PR hit the headlines!

It’s not an easy task to generate headlines up and down England’s green and pleasant land when everyone has an incisive article to print about our nation’s whimpering football team.

Naturally, we have been achieving our goals at Connect PR all week, even if Fabio wasn’t so successful in Bloemfontein.

What’s more, we continue to see great potential in our clients which we will celebrate in the weeks and months to come.

We have already hit the back of the net with a long range effort, gaining the UK’s leading pen manufacturer a spot on GMTVs website.

A competition to promote the Signo Scents range on one of the best read websites in the UK has yielded more than 150,000 entries. That’s about the same amount of England football fans who have remortgaged their houses to get home from South Africa.

The simple, effective method of communication has been a big hit with the client, and something that we will look to replicate in the coming months, to supplement the existing PR work that we carry out on a daily basis.

We have also helped to launch Goodyear’s national campaign to find the UK’s unsung safety heroes this week.We are calling on pupils, parents and teachers to make the nominations in a bid to recognise those who make schools a safer environment to teach, learn and play.

Lollipop ladies who turn out rain or shine to cross children safely or school governors who work tirelessly to introduce playground safety equipment; whoever the person, Goodyear wants to know your reason to award them this prestigious accolade.

If you have a nomination, then send it our way to safety@connect-group.com
Other clients are also going to benefit from some long term planning from Connect PR, a point that the FA could take note of.

Our young and hungry team are already plotting some big national media successes for Baxi in the months ahead.

We are also bending the boundaries for Uponor, the leading underfloor heating and plumbing experts.

We are with Bob Hoskins and BT here. It’s good to talk! We’ve been talking to dozens of trade titles and are already looking forward to some big features to remember.

While we always look at getting as much instant, immediate PR as possible, we do look at the bigger picture too, and put as many plans in place for future gains as well.
With that in mind, have a look at our England football team below.

You see…We are great at forward planning at Connect PR!

Hart
Micah Richards
Lescott
Rodwell (pictured above, versatile young man)
Gibbs
Milner
Parker ©
Jones (Blackburn)
A Johnson
Walcott
Rooney

Have a great weekend, and no more mentions of football on here. (well, for a while)

Connect PR

Landlords' legal disputes resolved in law firm's seminar series

A Leading West Midlands legal firm has announced two more workshops to help managing agents and commercial property landlords and tenants to protect themselves in these difficult economic times.

Higgs & Sons says the new events – September 22 and November 17 – are being held following a high demand for a recent workshop.

The Tenancies in Troubled Times workshops are designed to assist agents, landlords and tenants through the legal minefield that leasing a property can involve.

Nyree Applegarth, of Higgs & Sons’ dispute resolution team, said the workshops had been organised in response to the issues landlords and tenants face in the current difficult economic climate.

Nyree said: “Landlord and tenant law is a constantly shifting area and we recognised the need to keep people involved in property up to date on the latest practical information, legal judgments and case law. These events are aimed at property managers, developers, leasing agents, landlords and tenants and anyone working within real estate.

“The workshops are addressing a range of common concerns that regularly come to the attention of our dispute resolution team,” she added.

The September 22nd workshop will focus on disclaimers of leases and rent deposits, taking into account who can disclaim a lease and what limits and procedures are necessary, the effect of such action on third parties, how a rent deposit can be held and when a landlord can keep a deposit as a result of the tenant becoming insolvent.

In November, the focus will be on a case study looking at assignments of leases and dilapidations claims when a tenant has become insolvent, and will take into account whether claims can be pursued and whether the landlord has to agree to the assignment of a lease.

Each session runs from 8.15am until 9.45am and is free of charge and includes refreshments.

To reserve a place, email clare.smith@higgsandsons.co.uk or call 01384 327260.

ON THE BUSES FOR CITYGATE CUSTOMERS

A Ruislip car retailer is going the extra mile for its customers by laying on a free shuttle bus for them while their vehicle is being serviced.

Citygate Volkswagen has launched the courtesy bus service to minimise disruption to its customers while they’re without a car.

Chris Deefholts, brand manager at the Victoria Road site, said the move was part of Citygate’s ongoing commitment to customer service.

“We’re well aware that when people bring their car in to be serviced they either have to wait around until the work is done, order taxis, or rely on family, friends or colleagues to arrange their day around them so they have lifts to wherever they need to be.

“Customer service is vital to us as we know it’s what sets us apart from our competitors. We decided that the service would provide peace of mind and reduce the disruption to our customers.

“The bus service will take customers to the station, the supermarket, shopping centres and so on, and collect them and bring them back for their vehicle so that they are able to get on with their day as usual while the work is completed,” he added.

YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL! GILBERT LAWTON VOLKSWAGEN BACKS FUNDRAISING EVENT

Macclesfield’s car retailer Gilbert Lawton has pledged its ongoing support to sensory play centre JJ’s by sponsoring its annual fundraising black-tie ball.

The Volkswagen site has worked alongside JJ’s for the past two years to raise funds and awareness of the play centre, which relies solely on donations to operate, and has committed to sponsor the 2010 ball; a major source of vital funds.

The event will take place at Tytherington Golf Club in Dorchester Way on Saturday September 18th.

JJ’s, on Hurdsfield Industrial Estate, is a soft padded multi-sensory facility that provides relaxation and stimulation for children and adults with special needs, and hopes to raise £10,000 at the ball.

Joanne Griffiths, co-founder of JJ’s, said: “Gilbert Lawton has been a huge supporter of JJ’s over the past two years and we’re delighted that the retailer has chosen to continue its support for the centre.

“The ball is always well attended and it’s the highlight of all the events we work on. The funds raised during the course of the night will help us continue to provide vital support and stimulation to the hundreds of children and adults who use the centre.”

Nick Ashton, brand manager at Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen, said: “We’ve worked closely with JJ’s over the past couple of years and we’ve seen first hand what a fantastic resource the centre is. We’re delighted to continue our support and we’re thoroughly looking forward to the ball, which is always a superb occasion.

Joanne added: “I’m pleased to announce all tickets have now been sold but we’re hoping for further prizes from local businesses.”

To donate a prize call 01625 667 872.

AMTICO REPLICATES A TRADITIONAL FINISH

When the University of Greenwich required a robust floor, in keeping with the period style of some of its buildings, it turned to Amtico International for an authentic wood finish.

The university campus at Avery Hill, located in a 86-acre park in Eltham, combines the style and grace of a listed Victorian mansion with the best of modern teaching, living and sporting facilities.

Amtico’s English Oak was selected for the refurbishment of the student common room area. The 120-metre square project saw the removal of carpet for a more durable and hard wearing floor that reduced maintenance costs and echoed the era of the 19th century building.

The Amtico floor was laid in a Herringbone Pleat format complementing the building’s existing interior wood paneling.

Enhancing the students’ environment with a more durable covering was an essential requirement in the floor refurbishment project as the University’s Head of Campus Services, Lee Devlin, explained:

“We required a floor that could withstand the high volume of traffic that the common room receives.”

“As the area houses refreshment facilities, the carpet had become completely impractical. Cleaning was an issue as the marks and stains were becoming increasing difficult to remove.”

“When we came across Amtico, we saw that the range was very flexible and could comfortably cater for all our needs. Cleaning has been reduced and the flooring looks as good as the day it was installed.”

Sian Lewis, UK Marketing Manager at Amtico International, said: “Our comprehensive range can be installed in a range of configurations from a standard block formation through to a more complex pattern. We have 18 different design formats in addition to a custom design service where we work with the customer to create a bespoke design reflecting their business environment and needs.”

For further information, please contact Sue Foster or Lizzie Furnell on 01902 714957 or email sue@connect-group.com / lizzie@connect-group.com.

THE EARL OF BRADFORD OPENS NEW RESTAURANT

Weston Park welcomed The Earl of Bradford to officially open its Granary Grill Bar and Restaurant.

The lavish event, which was attended by over 100 guests, completes an intensive restoration programme which saw the disused Granary building been transformed into a vibrant Farm Shop, Art Gallery and now Bar and Restaurant.

The 70-seater Granary Grill features split level seating with views over the estate’s pools and cottages. The newly built state-of-the-art kitchen and grill takes centre stage and is located next to the old slaughterhouses, which are now a preparation area.

The restaurant provides a relaxed setting for lunch and dinner seven days a week and features a seasonal menu promoting some of the regions finest producers.

For further information please contact Sue foster at connect PR on 01902 714957 or email sue@connect-group.com

YALE announces intention to appoint BRIGGS EQUIPMENT UK Ltd as exclusive distributor in the UK

Yale Europe is pleased to announce its intention to appoint Briggs Equipment UK Ltd, a leading national independent service provider and materials handling equipment specialist, as its exclusive distributor in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland).

As part of the pending agreement, NACCO Materials Handling Group intends to also sell the Yale UK business to Briggs Equipment UK Limited.

Briggs International is part of the Sammons Enterprises Inc. equipment distribution division. Companies within the equipment distribution division include Briggs Equipment US, who is already a major distributor of Yale Forklift Truck products.

The extension of the strategic partnership between Yale and Briggs Equipment is consistent with the ambitious growth strategy of Yale, enabling a dramatic increase in market coverage in the UK.

Yale Europe will continue to support all of its customers throughout any period of change and looks forward to delivering outstanding levels of service under this new partnership.

It is expected that Forkway Limited and Lloyd Limited will continue their valuable contribution to the success of Yale and the satisfaction of their customers, working closely together with Briggs Equipment UK Ltd.