Business Surgeries in Rural Areas

Our Business Surgeries across the County are now underway with our team of Advisors meeting up with new and established businesses in a variety of locations.  For example Alan Doyle is one of our experienced Advisors and he attends weekly Business Surgeries in Seven Sisters.  Any local business or anyone who is considering self employment is encouraged to make an appointment for a Thursday afternoon to see Alan for free, confidential advice. 

Alan Doyle, Business Advisor

The Surgeries are held in the Dulais Valley Partnership centre in the Old Telephone Exchange in Brynhyfryd Terrace.   Other Surgeries are being held across the region include in Margam, Ystalyfera and Glynneath.  Other venues will be announced shortly.  If you would prefer to see an Advisor at one of these local venues then please ask.  For an appointment please ring our main office in Llandarcy on 01792 817575 or visit www.bcnpt.co.uk

Andrew Nisbet leaves Business Connect

After 7 years Andrew Nisbet left Business Connect today to work for Energy & Power who are an independent technical management consultancy with offices around the world.  Andrew has worked as an IT Advisor helping hundreds of local firms across Neath Port Talbot with computer issues.  He has also undertaken many other responsibilites for Business Connect including ensuring that we meet the stringent requirements for Investors In People and ISO900.  In addition he has presented IT talks on our monthly Start Up Course for many years. 

Greg Kaminaris of Business Connect said,
“Andrew will be sorely missed and we thank him for all his help and support over the years.  He has helped us all with a lot more than just our computer problems and we are very grateful to him.”

Some of Business Connect’s team

(l-r) Jayne Lewis, Sarah Jones, Greg Kaminaris, Andrew Nisbet,
Bill Cuttiford, Joan Richards, Alan Doyle and Eryl Evans 

Business Connect bids farewell to one of the team

A lunch was held today for Amanda Morris Hughes who is leaving Business Connect.  Amanda has worked as Administration Officer for over 8 years.  She will be starting a new job next week as an IT Lecturer for Neath Port Talbot College.

Amanda with Greg Kaminaris of Business Connect

We would like to thank Amanda for all her work for Business Connect and wish her every success in her new role.

Wales Air Ambulance Charity Campaign

Business Connect are support the Wales Air Ambulance’s “The £ Campaign” to help raise the funds to upgrade their helicopters.  This upgrade is required by law and they need to upgrade 3 helicopters and to keep the service running at a cost of £4 million per year.  Our Chairman Bob Palmer is also the Chairman of Wales Air Ambulance and he explained,
“This appeal is of vital importance if we are to sustain the excellent service we currently provide to the people of Wales. “

Swansea Air Ambulance

From Sept 22nd the charity is promoting a Bring a Pound to Work day.  Business Connect’s three offices will be supporting this worthwhile campaign. We hope other companies will also get involved.

Port Talbot Office on the move

Our Port Talbot office moved today from the Addison Road Workshops in Aberavon to Sandfields Young Business Centre in Purcell Avenue. 

The Youth Enterprise team (Joan Richards and Eryl Evans) are now located in offices within the Centre near the main entrance.  The Centre provides office and workshop accommodation for young people in the County who wish to set up in business.  It is an ideal location for new businesses.   Our Youth Enterprise team specialise in helping youngsters to start up in business and they also help them to grow and prosper.  This service is provided free of charge and is available to anyone in Neath Port Talbot under the age of 31 years who is considering self employment or already self employed.   For more information please ring Joan or Eryl on 01639 895173 or email Eryl on eevans@bcnpt.co.uk

 For more information about Sandfields Young Business Centre please visit the Council’s website

Sandfields Young Business Centre

Farewell to one of the team

Business Connect held a farewell lunch today for Leanne Daniel who has worked as a Business Advisor for nearly 8 years.  Leanne has helped many companies over the years by writing business plans to secure funding.  Earlier this year Leanne succeeded in passing her ACCA accountancy exams and she has now secured a new position with the Wales Audit Office in Swansea. 

Greg Kaminaris with Leanne Daniel

Business Connect would like to thank Leanne for all her hard work over the years and to wish her every success in her new job.  We would also like to congratulate her on her forthcoming wedding too!

Business Connect bids farewell to Advisor

Yesterday Business Connect hosted a leaving lunch to bid farewell to David Edenborough who has worked for the organisation for six years as a Business Advisor.  David joined Business Connect as a new graduate from Cardiff University in 2002.   His work involved the preparation of business plans and he was also responsible for helping individuals who are starting up in business.   Dave will shortly be starting work for Finance Wales who provide funding to Welsh businesses.  Business Connect wish him every success in his future career.

 Photo: Greg Kaminaris (left), General Manager at Business Connect with David Edenborough (right)

Good news for Pontardawe

Major regeneration plans for Pontardawe have been announced by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.   This is good news for the residents and local businesses.   Pontardawe is already a thriving town with many small shops and businesses.  A Commercial Property Grant will be made available to improve and upgrade shop fronts and improved car parking facilities are all part of the plan.  The local Authority will be consulting local residents and businesses regarding this scheme.

Come and meet us!

We will be holding an informal FREE business lunch for local businesses on Tuesday 12th February 2008.  The lunch will be held at Grandma’s Cafe & Coffee Lounge in the Melyn near Neath. The event starts at 12.30pm and all local businesses are welcome.  Please let us know if you will be attending as we need to know numbers for catering. 

It will be an ideal opportunity to meet some of our team and have a friendly chat to find out more about the ways that we can help your business.  Everyone is welcome! To confirm a place please ring Rachel Case on 01639 895173 or email rcase@bcnpt.co.uk. 

We hope to see you there!

FREE 1 Day Workshops in November

The Assembly are funding a series of workshops as part of Enterprise Week with the aim of encouraging people to consider self employment.  The workshops are friendly, relaxed and informal and there is no obligation whatsoever.   There is no cost and lunch will be provided.  It is a great way to meet likeminded people.  It doesnt matter if you have no idea what type of business you could do or if you are not sure if you want to go ahead.  Just come along and find out more!  Travel assistance is available and the costs of a registered childminder will be provided upon prior request.

 Choose from the following workshops:-

Over 50 years old - 14th November

Under 30 years old - 12th November

Lone Parent & Women - 13th November

Welsh speakers - 15th November

All workshops run from 10am til 2pm and a buffet lunch is provided.

There are no catches, no obligations and this will not affect any benefits that you claim.

Venue: Business Connect, Britannic Way, Llandarcy

For more information and to book a place please ring Sam on 01792 817272 or email us at admin@bcnpt.co.uk