Llandysul Bypass Ruins Business? How?

Posted in Aberystwyth

I have just been reading an article on the Camrbrian News where local business owners feel that they are going to lose out on Business as a result for the Llandysul Bypass?

But I’m struggling to see why they think this.

A local business owner says in the article they feel that their customers who usually visit businesses are now just going to drive through instead of stopping, but I fail to see why.

You’d think that with improved road links to this area will attrack more visitors as now it’s easily accessible from lots of other places. People may drive through this area on the way to other areas but may very well stop and look around if it looks like an interesting place. Therefore increasing trade?

Business Owners have said they think that the town is to become a ‘toilet stop’ area, although this may not be an attractive prospect, if people stop they are likely to spend money on food/drinks, petrol etc. Is this such a damaging factor to businesses?

Improved transport links will mean that local businesses may find that suppliers are willing to deliver goods to those businesses that they may have not considered before? – or maybe even lower transport costs because of it taking less time and less distance to reach this area….

New businesses may now be attracked to the area and may very well setup in this area, creating more jobs and imroving the local economy…

Original Article here:

http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/i/2157/

My Year Out – Aberystwyth University

Posted in Aberystwyth University, Education

A couple of months ago I started applying to lots of different businesses about conducting a ‘Year Out’, this is sometimes called a yes placement, a sandwich place which is basically the year after 2nd year but before 3 year of university where you can go out and work for a business.

I’m doing Business and Management and so I’ve looked at Bank Placements and Retail Management, but I’m finding that the competition is so high for these placements that nowhere seems to want to employ me.

I personally think that my CV isn’t boring, It contains lots of different experiences but perhaps not enough ‘Work’ experience, but even so, I keep getting turned down everywhere.

• Toys ‘r’ us – Declined
• Tesco – Declined
• Sainsbury’s – Declined
• Lloyds TSB – Declined
• Bank of England – a long shot but they also declined.
• Marks and Spencers – Declined
• and a whole list of other businesses that have also declined!

Online Numerical Tests

I have taken a few numerical tests for businesses online but I’m having a few problems with them. The placements ask for a Minimum of GCSE Maths C grade, I have a B. I have completed the practice questions that they give fine but when I come to the real exam it appears to get more difficult. Someone from Marks and Spencers Said ”It’s more like A-Level – University Maths” – Great, I didn’t take Maths any further than GCSE!

I guess it’s another way of picking the best of the best…

Other Options?

Now I really still want a year out, doing some interesting etc. I think it’s more about the placement than the salary but if I am to move else where then I’m going to need a salary good enough to pay living costs.

Now do I do something different? – Do I tailor make my year out, not doing a bog standard placement but say a mixture of Go Wales work placements…. work tasters… or even applying to a local business for an assistant manager job? – I have noticed in my area ‘Aberystwyth’ they seem to be struggling with filling these Vacancies…. hmm

I have also been involved in coming up with Marketing Plans for a local business called Re-Ply designs etc, perhaps more of this nature? – but I have been doing a lot of work for free and ideally I’ll need a paid job otherwise I won’t be able to afford to live… as I don’t get a student loan in a year out…

It is a difficult one….

Crack Pots Pottery – Wales

Posted in Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth University, Business Review, Innovation

In amongst the recession It’s great to look at local businesses, however small or large they are they play a key importance in the communities that they’re established and this why I’ve been looking into them.

I found about Crack Pots Pottery through my contact in the Visualisation Centre based at Aberystwyth University. Tony Orme has been able to setup this business as well as holding down a full-time job which I think is incredible. It just goes to show that if you don’t want to give up your job to run a business then you don’t have to.

You may have guessed but the business specialises in pottery and they can go around to fetes, clubs and birthday parties and allow children (and even adults) to participate in painting and creating pottery pieces. They then take away the items, glaze and kiln them and return them to you.

Although a small business they do get around and I think it’s important for businesses like these to exist in our community.

http://www.crackpotsonline.co.uk

Re-ply Designs – West Wales Furniture Designer

Posted in Aberystwyth, Business Review, Innovation, Power & Money

Re-ply Designs – Deborah Elsaesser

I have been doing some research into different/unique business start-ups in Wales and I have come across a brilliant example of combing your skills and what you love doing into a business format.

I have always that if you want to start up your own business then it’s worth doing something that you know a lot about and I think this is the case with re-ply designs.

Re-ply designs has been setup by Deborah Elsaesser who graduated from Plymouth University in 2007 and now has returned to Wales to run her business.

Deborah hand makes all of her eco furniture in her workshop in Cardigan and mainly uses off cuts from carpenters, boat makers and kitchen fitters. This use of recycling has helped to produce some unusual sustainable art pieces.

Check out her website for more information regarding her products and exhibition locations.

http://www.re-plydesigns.co.uk/