7pm for 7.30pm start

The purpose of the meeting is to put local Job Seekers and Employers in touch with one another. Candidates can receive guidance on the experience or qualifications needed to meet the requirements of the positions available. It is hoped, where relevant, local education establishments will be able to assist by adjusting their subjects to obtain the knowledge or experience that employers require.

Especially invited:

• Those currently, or, within the next year seeking work in or around Alresford
• Current and potential local employers in all business sectors including Accountancy, Retail, Estate Agents, Motor, Building and Construction Trades, Agriculture and Farming. Service industries e.g. Doctors, Dentists etc. and many more
• Local Employment Agencies and Job Centres
• Local Senior Schools, Colleges and Universities.
• Those that have provided mentoring services to School leavers in Alresford over the past few years (i.e. Rotary and the Alresford Pigs)

For further details please contact:

Vicky Othen on 07703 436996 or alresforddp@yahoo.co.uk

Arranged by ALRESFORD & DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP
(A Community Forum allowing local people to express how they would like Alresford and District to progress and develop over the coming 20 years)

Please click the link below and fill in the questionnaire, as soon as you get this email, it takes just a couple of minutes.

Your views are very important and will shape the outcome, thank you.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CDYVHCS

The News

Caracoli have something special to shout about – they have reached the short list in the food category of the prestigious national competition: the Telegraph’s Best Small Shops in Britain Awards. Customer votes were counted and the independent shops with the most were shortlisted to the final three in each category. The winners are then selected by a panel of expert judges from the Telegraph, and the results announced in late February.

The Caracoli team work hard to make exceptional food and drinks and it is fantastic to have received recognition in the form of votes, from those who are most important to us – our customers. We should like to thank everyone who voted for us.

The Background

The Telegraph Magazine’s Best Small Shops in Britain Awards have been running for six years but in 2011 they were endorsed by Mary Portas (of ‘Secret Shopper’ fame).  She champions small independent retailers and all that they have to offer in terms of top quality products and exceptional, personalised service.

The awards have 10 categories:
womens fashion, mens fashion, children, books, interiors, food, wine, gardening, health and beauty, best corner shop.

This coveted Award is presented each year to a Alresford Chamber Business that has demonstrated customer service over and above the norm.

“The very helpful staff in the Co-op helped source a product that they didn’t list for a very important event. I thought they went out of their way to get what I needed, keeping it to one side for me until i could get there “ Says Mrs Read of Alresford, whose vote for the Co-operative was the chosen as the winning entry.

A bumper year for entries, the Over & Above Award is the award to win in the Alresford business community. The Co-operative were presented with the Shield by Simon Evans, Chairman of the Alresford Chamber of Commerce.

If you think your business could be deserving of next years’ award, why not become a member of the Alresford Chamber of Commerce to be eligible to enter? To find out about the full benefits of membership, contact the Alresford Chamber of Commerce Chamber Secretary on 07769 722985.

For further information please contact: Liz at Alresford Chamber of Commerce on info@alresfordchamber.co.uk or 07769 722985

Photograph shows Derek Hawkins (Southern Co operative, Alresford) Kayla Mulligan (Southern Co operative, Alresford) , Clare Read (Nominator) and Simon Evans (Alresford Chamber of Commerce) outside the Southern Co operative, Alresford.

Christmas is a busy time of year for everyone, including the criminal. Most break-ins are opportunistic burglaries and Christmas is the time when many thieves are looking at the insecure home or vehicle.

• Keep your presents under wraps this Christmas by following these simple steps:
• Do not leave your presents under the tree, especially if it is by the window.  Keep your presents from prying eyes.
• Hide any boxes before and after Christmas.  Empty boxes for the rubbish collection, shows thieves what’s new.
• Be on the lookout for purse snatchers in crowded shopping areas.
• If you are away over the Christmas period, use automatic switches to turn on lights, or a radio to give the illusion that someone’s home.

Developed because its customers like to take home some of the delicious foods that they have enjoyed in Caracoli stores, the ‘Caracoli Kitchen’ brand is going from strength to strength.

2009 saw the first gold award for their Chocolate Fondant cake, 2010 saw two gold awards for their Cereal bar and Mincemeat – this year its a hat-trick with three gold awards.

Now they have a more extensive range of foods under the ‘Caracoli Kitchen’ banner and they are over the moon to announce that these three products have won gold awards at the 2011 Great Taste Awards.

They are delighted to have ‘Caracoli Kitchen’ foods endorsed by the rigorous judging procedures of the Great Taste Awards which is organised annually by The Guild of Fine Food.

This years gold star winners for Caracoli are:

Passionfruit and Orange Cake

Passionfruit and Orange Cake made with almond and polenta then drizzled with passionfruit glaze.

Sweet and Spicy Nuts

Moreish mixed nuts and seeds with tiers of salty, honey, chilli flavour.

We require the completed booking form, a non refundable deposit of £50 & then the balance paid in full by the 1st August 2012

Download the Alresford Show Booking Form here.

The meeting, which will also focus on the recent decision to move the Alresford Police Station, will give residents the chance to put questions directly to Chief Inspector James Fulton. It will take place on Wednesday 5th October between 7:30-9:00pm, in the upstairs room at the Community Centre on West Street, Alresford.

More information can be found on Steve Brine’s website.

The much anticipated, inaugural South Coast Business Awards was held recently at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton. Established to celebrate the very best of local business talent and their contribution to the district economy of the south coast region, the awards attracted over 100 entrants and a 350-strong audience at the award ceremony.

Unsurprisingly for a county brimming with small rural businesses, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year received the most entries and was won by CHOCOLATE CRAFT, the artisan chocolate company based in Old Alresford.

Upon proudly receiving the award from the Guest of Honour John Sergeant, Debbie Carter, business founder & owner commented, “we are thrilled to receive such county-wide recognition and feel that this is an award to dedicate to all of our loyal team and customers who have helped to make the CHOCOLATE CRAFT the well established brand that it is today. Without doubt the award will now give us the impetus to drive the business to even greater heights”.

Summarising the keys to CHOCOLATE CRAFT’s success, Maureen Frost of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and sponsor of the Small Business of the Year Award said:

“This business was established in 2004 and has grown steadily over the past seven years, however this award is about small business of the year. The last 12 months have seen this business make a step change, with turnover increasing by approximately 50 per cent, and an impressive client list including Fortnum and Mason and Harvey Nichols. The strategic route to market was one of one-step distribution, so by choosing key retailers and dealing directly, this has built their brand in a sustainable and organic way.

Collaborating with key groups and corporate local hotels, and specialist food shops they have developed their products and re-branded to appeal to both the individual and the corporate market. A clear marketing strategy has reaped dividends, and a clear plan for growth is in place to build upon their product at home as a new distribution model. Constant innovation is evident and the company demonstrates commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility by using sustainable packaging, local ingredients and by supporting local charities.

A small business that truly stands out in a competitive market place.”

A range of CHOCOLATE CRAFT products can be found in fine food stores across the county, along with Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason. An even broader range of chocolate delights can be bought via home parties delivered by a growing team of CHOCOLATE CRAFT at home consultants.

It was especially good to see some new faces at our Chamber Chat, and great to mingle and talk to some new business members. Keep an eye out for your next chance to drop in at an Alresford Chamber of Commerce Chamber Chat and connect with other local business owners.

Lastly…First Option tested us all on their business with Ann Brown winning the free Amazon Kindle given by First Option…what a great prize and well done Ann!

Simon Evans