Robert Lloyd


 

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The latest Clay Shaw Butler 'Looking after business' column from the pages of the Carmarthen Journal -
By Ann Thomas, senior consultant with Clay Shaw Butler, chartered accountants and business consultants of Carmarthen
Wednesday (today) is traditionally market day in Carmarthen the day when farmers and businesspeople arrive from all over Carmarthenshire to add an extra buzz to the town.
The conversations are usually dominated by the weather and about the state of the local economy, with many businesses still working their way out of the economic downturn.
If your business is feeling the pinch, its more important than ever to look at what you can do. Here are some ideas to get you started
1. Get paid sooner! Encourage your customers to pay more quickly, by giving small discounts or just by chasing them promptly. Send out invoices for completed work as soon as possible, and for long term projects ask for staged payments on account.
2. Promote best value products. If you have a range of products or services, look at giving more prominence to the best value items in your marketing.
3. Talk to your bank. Keep your bank informed, particularly if you are going to have a need to secure extra funding or even renew existing arrangements. If fees are being increased it may pay to shop around.
4. Take advantage of the crunch. If you are cash positive, turn the crunch to your advantage. Some businesses may be keener to make a sale, so those with cash may be able to negotiate some great bargains, particularly for early payment!
5. Staffing needs and working hours. Consider asking staff to change their working hours to part-time or flexi-time, with an appropriate drop in total pay. Or ask them to take their holidays now if business is slow. If a skilled member of staff is about to retire ask them to stay on part time, as this may be cheaper than recruiting.
6. Office rent. Ask your landlord if you can change the rent from quarterly in advance to monthly. Or with improvements in technology, perhaps now is the time to consider if you could run your business from home.
7. Dont forget the marketing. While cutting back on costs can be necessary, it may be tempting to cut the marketing budget. But, it may prove a false economy if sales suffer. While others cut back on their marketing, you may be able to use this to your advantage and keep on marketing to get a larger share of the present market.
8. Renegotiate with suppliers. Review the agreements you have with suppliers for continuing services, such as energy or cleaning. Can you renegotiate any of these contracts to get a better deal?
9. Reduce tax payments on account. Review the projected tax payments for your business. Payments on account for unincorporated businesses can be reduced and reclaimed if you are confident of the taxable profit figure. This is a good reason for getting the accounts completed quickly after the year end.
10. Carry back losses. If your business is likely to make a loss for the current year, quantify that loss as soon as possible and submit a claim to carry back to loss to get a refund from HMRC.
If you would like to meet up to discuss these and other ideas as to what your business should be doing in the credit crunch, please contact us.
For small businesses, it is also worth bearing in mind that we are full business partners for the Sage accounting software.
For further details on the software, whether it be for purchase, upgrade or training, you can give us a call at Clay Shaw Butler.
It is also worth bearing in mind that we have team members here who are specialists in Quick Books software and other accounting packages. They can help with training and hand-holding for inexperienced computer operators.
The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500 or through the website at www.clayshawbutler.com
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The latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-05-02
The latest Iechyd Da beer column written by Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Llandeilo-based Evan-Evans brewery, for the Carmarthen Journal . . .
On your marks, ale drinkers of Wales!
Its official: Your taste buds are going to be challenged over the next few months.
Get ready for a range of new beers, new tastes and styles of beer not tasted in Wales for a very long time.
In total, there will be seven new ales for you to try - and a very special summer stout.
Each year, I review the brands we brew, look at the events of the coming year and see how we can then build a beer that will celebrate the great art of brewing and the event in question.
By the end of November, the job is done and I have my plan for the following year.
This year, we have launched our Archers Guest Ale brand and this summer will see us launch a new range of organic beers for the export market.
Its no easy task, but I believe we have come up with a range of beers that will challenge every ale drinker in Wales to get down to their local pub.
So what goes into this process of creating new brands?
The project is always long and involved, with the cross matching of beers to hops to malt to water.
Then, the trick is, to make sure that they are all distinctly different.
After hours on my iPad looking for new hop varieties (and then finding where I can get them in the UK), the job is finally done.
Then we cost them carefully and price them so that our loyal followers can enjoy the very best of Welsh Ales at a price they can afford.
So what have we come up with?
The answer is, something for everyone - a Jubilee ale, an Olympics ale and a clutch of new summer ales, as well as the tried and tested.
For example, theres Prince of Wales Ale, first brewed in 1910.
Then, to continue our celebration of 245 years of family brewing, Colonel Bills IPA, named after the famous WH Bill Buckley.
Finally, there will be a new summer stout, to be drunk colder than normal.
Each of these brands has its own place in our history and will be a memorable new beer to try.
In late June, we will be brewing our Olympics Ale called Victory.
Then, there will be four new beers for the summer - Archers Golden, Owzatt and Lazy days, followed by an exciting new Evan-Evans beer called Bombay Bitter.
So where do you find these new beers?
Well, I am pleased to report they will be found in a good real ale pub near you, and in our own pubs starting with a Jubilee Ale Fest in early June to celebrate the Art of Welsh Brewing.
So, beer drinkers of Wales, whatever the weather does, you have a summer ahead of trying some great Welsh Ales.
If you dont like the Royal connection, then fine, close your eyes and see the beer as a celebration of 245 years of a great West Wales tradition.
Then, of course, you can have a second to drink to the next 50 years of the same!
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In the news today . . .


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-05-02

Smashing picture story in the Carmarthen Journal today about the opening of the new woodland at Aberglasney House and Gardens.
Eye-catching advert in the Carmarthen Journal puts the spotlight on the renamed QualitySolicitors Redkite law firm @QSRedkite
Good to see the latest gardening column from Aberglasney's Joseph Atkin in the Carmarthen Journal today.
Nice plug for the Dyfed Order of Merit junior golf event at The Ashburnham Golf Club in the Carmarthen Journal today.
The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
The latest 'Looking After Business' column by Ann Thomas, of Clay Shaw Butler, accountants, is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
The latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column from Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley (Evan-Evans Brewery) is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
Check out the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star today for the new adverts offering great membership deals at The Ashburnham Golf Club.
Big picture story splash in Carmarthen Journal today about the Mayor's Fun Run races (Bank Holiday Monday, May 7). Come and join the fun!
Nice story in the Carmarthen Journal today about the forthcoming South and West Wales Caravan and Motorhome Show in Carmarthen (May 11-13).
Smashing picture story in the Carmarthen Journal today showing the donation of 5,000 to the Sports Aid Wales fund from Carmarthen members.
Nice spotlight on the latest news and results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in the Llanelli Star sports pages today.
Splendid story in the Llanelli Star today about next week's Carmarthen Bay Film Festival - the first festival of its kind in Llanelli.
Smashing story in the Llanelli Star today about Melin Consultants @melinconsult moving into The Beacon business hub in Llanelli.
Jenkins the Bakers in the spotlight in this week's Llanelli Star - stories on planned East Gate shop in Llanelli and the Pasty Tax protest.
Best bit of last night's Grand Slam showing at Parc y Scarlets: 'Dewi Pws' recalling working with Oscar winner Hugh Griffith.
Just 10 days to the start of the South & West Wales Caravan & Motorhome Show (May 11-13). Check out our website - http://daffodilevents.co.uk/caravan-motorhome-show/
Lovely story in the Western Mail today about Melin Consultants @melinconsult finding a new home in Llanelli's The Beacon business hub.
Smashing story in the Western Mail today about the Jenkins Bakery plan to take a retail unit in the new East Gate development in Llanelli.
Nice piece in the Western Mail today about Three Crosses Christmas tree grower Rob Morgan and the arrival of a reindeer calf on the farm.
Splendid evening last night for the screening of the classic Grand Slam film at the launch of the first Carmarthen Bay Flm Festival.

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Jenkins Bakery boss joins Pasty Tax march


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-04-28

One of the bosses from popular South Wales bakery Jenkins the Bakers joined a march on No10 Downing Street in protest at the Pasty Tax.

David Jenkins, commercial director and company secretary with Jenkins the Bakers, joined hundreds of bakers in presenting a petition objecting to Pasty Tax to No10.
Mr Jenkins said: It is grossly unfair to ask the consumer to pay an extra 20 per cent on the product simply because it is either hot or warm.
We live in a very difficult economic climate and a lot of our customers are on very tight budgets and they cannot be expected to pay the extra amount.
Its an unfair tax
The Jenkins Bakery currently sells more than 50,000 corned beef pasties every week in South West Wales.
Mr Jenkins said the proposed 20 per cent VAT would obviously hit sales of the bakerys products.
Todays march was organised by the National Association of Master Bakers (NAMB) and started from Pudding Lane.
Up to this morning, nearly 500,000 signatures had been collected for the petition to No10.
Last week a move by Labour to block the Pasty Tax was defeated despite a revolt by 14 coalition backbenchers - nine Tories and five Liberal Democrats.
Jenkins the Bakers, a third generation family business based in Llanelli and with shops across South West Wales, is in the vanguard of a campaign to halt the tax proposal.
The tax is unmanageable, unpalatable and unfair, said the Jenkins Bakerys operations director Russell Jenkins.
The Government is out of order in introducing VAT on some of the nations favourite and most affordable foods.
We know how popular our products are and many appeal to families who are already suffering severe budget restraints in these difficult economic times.
Our customers will feel the damage of this unwelcome tax in their pockets and that is bad news all around.
The Chancellor, George Osborne, has angered craft bakers across the country with his Budget plan to change the VAT rules on freshly baked, hot pies, pasties and other savouries.
Mr Jenkins said: It is anticipated that the VAT will increase by 20% the cost of some of the nations favourite and most affordable foods.
The move has angered craft bakers across the country who fear for the resulting loss of sales and the effects on their businesses.
The National Association of Master Bakers (NAMB) is mounting a campaign to ensure that this proposal is dropped from ministerial plans before it can become law in October.
We have until May 4 to make the Government see how this price increase will effect ordinary people and how unmanageable the implementation of the tax will be; concentrating as it does on the relative hotness of the product in comparison to the ambient temperature in the bakers shop!
The Association believe the proposal is ill conceived and poorly thought through, making it open to mis-interpretation. It will be confusing for both bakery staff and consumers who will see it as an unfair tax.
An online public petition has been set up on the following internet link
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32044
Picture: Russell and David Jenkins.
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The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have been reappointed consultant architects to Llanelli Town Council.
The Llanelli-based firm has accepted a five-year role with the local authority.
We are delighted to be chosen by Llanelli Town Council for the role, said managing director Philip Lewis.
The Lewis Partnership is a firm with a strong commitment to the community in Llanelli.
We have a strong track record of working with the town council (and with other local authorities in South Wales) and we look forward to a successful relationship with the Llanelli authority.
As consultant architects, we will be responsible for the design of future town council projects. We will work closely with the council to ensure that the authority gets the best possible value for money in any new work.
Mr Lewis added: We are a strong team at the Lewis Partnership using the very latest high-tech Autocad computer-aided design to complete projects.
We believe passionately in Llanelli and work hard to design buildings which are practical, sustainable and pleasing to the eye buildings which engage the public.
We are based in Llanelli (at Park Crescent), but our work takes us all over South Wales, from Bridgend to Pembroke Dock and northwards to Lampeter.
As a business, we have RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Chartered status, so we are right up there with the best in Wales. We are a progressive business with the highest level of professional standards.
Community projects carried out by the Lewis Partnership include -
Glenalla Civic Hall and Community Centre (Prince of Wales Award) and alterations and an extension to Lakefield Hall, Llanelli (both for Llanelli Town Council), Community Facilities and Library, Llangennech ( for Llangennech Community Council), New Community Hall, Furnace (Llanelli Rural Council) and the Missionary Training Centre, South Llanelli (F.I.M. International).
Recent education projects carried out include -
Educational and Community Facilities, Gwendraeth School, Alterations and Extensions to Schools at Bynea and Stebonheath, Alterations at Pibwrlwyd and Ammanford Campuses for Coleg Sir Gar, Alterations and Extensions to Trinity University, Carmarthen, New Primary School, Ysgol Brynteg, Llwynhendy (Built in Quality award), Alterations and Extensions to Morfa Primary School (Built in Quality award), New Primary School, Peniel, Carmarthen (Built in Quality award)
Conservation projects -
Refurbishment of the Old Vicarage, Llanelli (Prince of Wales Award) for Llanelli Town Council, Refurbishment works at Holy Trinity, Felinfoel, Remedial works at Llansaint Church, Extension to Presbyterian Church, Llanelli, Works at Pembrey Church and Vicarage, Alterations and Restoration works at Aberglasney Mansion, Development Works at Welsh Woollen Museum, Drefach Velindre, Refurbishment of Llanelly House (Grade One Listed).
Recreation projects -
Selwyn Samuel Indoor Bowling Stadium, Llanelli, Grandstand , Athletic and Football Facilities, Stebonheath Park (both Llanelli Town Council), Indoor Horse Riding Arena, Pibwrlywd, Carmarthen, Sporting Facilities, Pwll (Built in Quality award), Football changing Rooms, Penyfan Park, Bowling Pavilion, Llangennech.


Photos attached: Philip Lewis, seated, managing director of the Lewis Partnership, and Wynford Lewis, chairman of the Lewis Partnership.
Weblinks
http://www.lewispartnership.co.uk
On Facebook, search Lewis Partnership Ltd. On Twitter, look for @Lewis_Architect
The Lewis Partnership of architects was founded in 1995 by partners of established architectural firms based in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Bridgend. The firm has a wide knowledge of the design and project management of a wide variety of building types, and draws on the experience of chartered architects and a complimentary technical and secretarial staff. Projects are prepared and completed using high-tech Autocad computer-aided design The company has gained accreditation to the International Quality Assurance Standard BS EN ISO 9001 : 2000. During 2007, the company gained RIBA Chartered status. The company is one of Carmarthenshire Councils preferred Architectural Practices in their Building Control Partnering Scheme. The company is based at No13 Park Crescent, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 3AE. Telephone 01554 777998.
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Melin Consultants is the latest firm to move into The Beacon, the landmark hub for innovative and enterprising businesses in Llanelli.
The consultants made the short hop from their previous home at Llys Aur, Dafen, this week. They now occupy a prime top floor, corner office at The Beacon.
Its a very impressive landmark building and the ideal fit for us as a business, said Melin director Jamie Best.
We watched the developments closely when Carmarthenshire Council took over the management of the former Technium building.
We are a go-ahead firm and this is a go-ahead building full of innovative and enterprising businesses, so we were glad to move in and join The Beacon family.
Melin Consultants is a company totally tuned in to the construction industry buzzwords of environment and sustainability.
The firm is building a Wales-wide reputation as one of the industry experts on sustainable construction. The business has also recently expanded into England with the opening of a office in Bristol.
The Beacon building was recently officially opened by the Welsh Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science Edwina Hart.
The Minister said at the opening that the Welsh Government and local authorities needed to work together to engineer economic recovery in Wales. Growth and sustainable jobs was the future, she said.
She said there was a need to build a more enterprising private sector and to increase the number of small firms being created in Wales, highlighting a number of recent initiatives to support entrepreneurs, new start ups and micro businesses.
She said the Beacon Centre for Enterprise would provide Carmarthenshire County Council with an opportunity to develop a vibrant and sustainable business hub for South West Wales.
Mr Best said he was delighted with the facilities at The Beacon.
We consider ourselves innovative and enterprising. We specialise in all the things which people value in the construction industry today getting environmental issues right and making sure buildings are as sustainable as possible, he said.
Its an exciting time for the building and construction industry with everyone appreciating the value of getting it right first time in terms of energy savings and sustainability.
We are right up there in the vanguard when it comes to technical expertise in this area. Were probably not on the radar as far as members of the public are concerned, but our name and reputation is growing day by day.
Today, the business has eight employees and our new location in Llanelli provides us with an impressive Carmarthenshire home in an iconic building with good links to the motorway.
Weblink:
http://www.melinconsultants.co.uk
Twitter: @melinconsult
Facebook: Melin Consultants Ltd
LinkedIn: Melin Consultants

Photos attached of Mel and Jamie Best, directors of Melin Consultants in their new office.
Top, Jamie Best outside The Beacon.

Melin Energy Consultants has been providing SAP & SBEM calculations for local authorities, architects, builders & developers over a number of years.
All Melin technicians have a wealth of experience in dealing with individual requirements.
The company motto is "10% calculation 90% solution".
As a building consultancy specialising in Part L of the Building Regulations and environmental assessing of new buildings, Melin technicians are qualified and accredited to issue certification in all the following fields BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes, EPC, SBEM, SAP, air-tightness testing.
Current Melin projects include working with WRW Construction and Carmarthenshire Council on the new Ysgol y Ffwrnes (Furnace Primary School) project in Llanelli.
The firm also works for other South Wales local authorities, including Swansea, Neath-Port Talbot, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
The company has licences to provide advice on sustainable construction. Melin Consultants are also members of the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers Low Carbon Consultants scheme.
Contact details: Melin, The Beacon, Llanelli Gate, Dafen, Llanelli, SA14 8LQ
t: 0845 094 1593
m: 07800 634804
e: jamie@melinconsultants.co.uk

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May Fly landing in a pub near you next week!


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-04-28

The new Evan-Evans Brewery guest ale will be out in the pubs of Wales next week.
Evan-Evans May Fly 4.2% ABV (Premium Bitter).
A refreshing Spring Ale with hints of apricot and a light floral aroma.
This is a great spring beer, and just right for this time of year.
Find out more on our Facebook page, we hope you like it.

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One of Llanellis best-established businesses has signed up to be part of the prestigious new East Gate development in the town.
Jenkins the Bakers will be taking a ground floor unit in the new development.
We are one of the most historic businesses in Llanelli and we wanted to be part of an exciting new development which will form a key pillar in the towns future, said Jenkins the Bakers operations director Russell Jenkins.
We already have three very well-established outlets in the town centre but we also wanted to be a part of the new East Gate scheme.
Our planned expansion to another shop will not affect the current Jenkins shops in Llanelli town centre. For them, it will be business as usual.
We view the East Gate development as another string to our bow. The familiarity of our current shops endures with both staff and shoppers and we dont plan to break that winning formula.
The East Gate development represents expansion on our part and a vote of confidence in the new part of our town centre.
As a third-generation family business, which has been in Llanelli for more than 90 years, we care very passionately about the future of the town and the success of the community.
We are very happy to be joining the new East Gate development and I know our staff members are very excited at the development.
The East Gate development was in the news last week when the Llanelli Scarlets rugby region announced they would be taking one of the feature units at the new development.
Mr Jenkins added: From all the visuals I have seen featuring the new theatre complex and the cinema, East Gate looks like being a very exciting project with the promise of reviving the fortunes of Llanelli town centre.
Our unit is about 1350 sq ft in its ground floor footprint. We are now in the process of drawing up plans to decide what will go into the new retail outlet. Our current expectation is that we would be open for business in East Gate by the autumn.
East Gate information
East Gate has been designed to become one of the main leisure destinations in the South West Wales region, drawing from a wide area.
The East Gate leisure development forms part of the Llanelli town centre regeneration programme. Construction work is continuing on the 20 million project and it is due to open in September 2012.
The scheme includes:

  • 6 screen digital multiplex cinema (Odeon Cinemas)
  • 53-bed Travelodge hotel
  • 6 restaurant units
  • 20,000 sq ft of office space
  • Retail units and cafes fronting onto attractive public areas.
  • 240 surface car parking spaces

The Llanelli 30-minute trade area contains a population of nearly 264,000 people with population growth expected to result in an additional 7,500 by 2014.
The new 550 seat theatre will draw people from beyond the 30 minute trade area.
The 21,000 sq ft office space will also bring significant footfall to the scheme.
The bus interchange will generate a projected 1 million user trips per annum.
The cinema is projected to generate 300,000 admissions per annum
Jenkins Bakery
The Jenkins bakery employs 300 people, full and part-time, across 25 different stores in South Wales.
The company has the Gold Standard Welsh Food Hygiene Award and the Investors in People award.
The business employs 70 people at its Trostre HQ, while the Jenkins shop network stretches from Carmarthen to Bridgend. There are 13 shops in Carmarthenshire and even one as far afield as Powys.
Weblinks
http://www.eastgatellanelli.co.uk
http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

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