Biz Bites: Solent Partners’ new Cultural Plan; Laings open Westquay store; Complete Fertility move site

Solent Partners champion region’s arts and heritage with new Cultural Plan

Solent Partners – a group comprising industry, academic and civic leaders – are teaming up with Arts Council England to develop the Solent Cultural Plan.

Starting with workshops this December in Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, they’re looking to celebrate the region’s distinctive character and help stimulate its cultural economy.

Rachael Randall, Chair of Solent Partners and Solent LEP, has called on local arts, culture and heritage-related groups and businesses to get involved and ‘uncover the story’ the Solent has to tell.

“There’s already a vibrant cultural presence in the Solent region”, said Rachael.

“The development of a Solent Cultural Plan will play an important role in place-making, allowing the region’s specialisms, culture and heritage to enrich the tapestry of the UK’s Creative Industries sector.

“Your input is invaluable in shaping activity for the area’s cultural growth and prosperity.”

The aims of the Solent Cultural Plan are threefold – to inform and drive development, investment, and best practice; to shine a spotlight on assets which define the Solent’s identity; and to tell the region’s story through a clear vision to grow the cultural economy.

The Quay Arts Centre in Newport

Solent Partners will build upon the region’s recognised status as a Creative Industries Cluster with a growing digital sector – things like software development and web design.

Right now there’s also a fast-emerging cluster around games and interactive entertainment, sound design, and film.

The Intelligence Agency and CTConsults have been appointed to support the plan and reach out to local communities and partners throughout its development.

• To sign up for the upcoming workshops on 7th and 8th December, visit the Solent LEP website.

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Laings open 9,000 sq ft showroom in Westquay following £3m investment

Family jewellers Laings have officially opened their new luxury showroom in Southampton’s Westquay shopping centre.

The 9,000 sq ft outlet represents a £3 million investment from the business and will be led by Store Manager Andy Andreou, who is set to oversee a team of both new and existing staff.

Cllr Dave Shields, the Sheriff of Southampton, joined the team on Thursday 2^nd November to officially launch the new facility, which is more than triple the size of Laings’ former store in the city.

Laings MD Stuart McDowell said: “We’re excited to be opening our new enhanced showroom in Southampton and investing in the Southampton community with our increased team and space.

“Our new and bigger unit is designed to enhance our clients’ shopping experience, giving them access to some of the most exclusive and luxury brands in the jewellery market.”

Those include Patek Philippe, Rolex and Faberge – all exclusive to the Southampton store.

• west-quay.co.uk
• laingsuk.com

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Complete Fertility celebrates grand opening of new £3m Chandler’s Ford site

Complete Fertility welcomed more than 100 visitors last month for the launch of their latest purpose-built facility in Chandler’s Ford.

Patients, their babies and children all came together for a tea party, featuring face painting and balloon modelling as well as appearances from Mary Poppins and Burt.

Georgina Collins, Clinic Director, said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of our new clinic with this fun party for our special Complete family.

“Our investment in this state-of-the-art facility demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest quality fertility treatment and support to our patients.

“We look forward to continuing to expand our services and help even more individuals and couples on their fertility journey.”

The Virtus Health-owned business has strong ties to the University of Southampton and provides fertility treatment both privately and through the NHS.

They’ve now relocated from their former location in Southampton’s Princess Anne Hospital to the new site on Templars Way, Chandler’s Ford.

The clinic has been designed with the ‘patient journey in mind’, providing easy parking, state-of-the-art IVF theatres, and an advanced embryology laboratory with cryostorage facilities.

• completefertility.co.uk

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