Business Centre celebrates "grand" award
A Barry company is stepping up a gear in helping boost the
fitness of its own employees and those from neighbouring
businesses.
The Business Centre has set up a 10-station gym within its
complex at the Priority Enterprise Park, off Cardiff Road, and has
now won a £1,000 Community Chest award to purchase equipment.
The award scheme is run in partnership by the Sports Council for
Wales and the Vale of Glamorgan Council sports, arts and play
development team who meet on a regular basis to distribute grants
aimed at getting "more people, more active, more often."
The Business Centre's maximum award of £1,000 was part of the
latest package of £14,625 for 17 organisations.
The centre has purchased two bikes, a bike stand, helmets, ball
tree, fitness mats and core stability safety balls, and aims to
help its own employees, and those with businesses within their
complex and neighbouring commercial colleagues.
Fitness instructor Martin Hayley, from Physical Solutions, one
of the firms who rent space on site, has been employed to provide
free lunchtime taster sessions.
Manager Lynnette Knight, who submitted the funding bid, is
seeking to increase the Business Centre’s "community feel" as well
as helping motivate employees.
Lynnette said: “I think the Community Chest scheme is superb.
It’s surprising what a difference a thousand pounds can make. Our
on site gym, along with the new shared use bikes and fitness
classes, are all ways to encourage employees to take a vital break
from their desks.”
Open since January, the Business Centre is already more than
threequarters full, providing serviced accommodation to 52 small
businesses with two to 12 employees.
Vale sports, arts and play development manager Karen Davies
said: “We consider applications from clubs, voluntary organisations
and workplaces who wish to encourage and increase fitness
activities."
The deadline for the submission of applications for the November
meeting is 22 October, and Karen added: “The good news is that we
have around £24,000 available to be claimed before the end of this
financial year. And anyone can contact me to discuss a potential
proposal or eligibility.”
Telephone Karen on (01446) 704614 or email kjdavies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
for more details. Vale sports development opportunities can be
found at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/sportsdevelopment.
To contact the Business Centre, telephone (01446) 739911 or
visit their website at www.thebusinesscentreonline.co.uk.
Caption: Celebrating a £1,000 Community Chest
award to the Business Centre, Barry, are back row, from left:
Steven Paul, from car leasing firm Purple Contracts, fitness
instructor Martin Hayley, sales and marketing trainee James Mason
and Dave Robinson, Purple Contracts. Front: Vale of Glamorgan
Council sports, arts and play development manager Karen Davies and
centre manager Lynnette Knight.