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enews feedback: please email your news to: enews@mediacentre.org before the 25th of the month for the chance to be in the following month's newsletter.
A message from Don Elwick - MD of The Brighton Media Centre
"The festive season is now past, leaving memories of fun, merriment and belonging that lasts, we hope!
We are expecting to continue the improvements in our services and facilities to you, our clients, in several ways over the coming year, which will go some way towards keeping the happiness factor at the forefront:
- The new Front Entrance in Friese-Greene House is now up and running, and the adjacent Reception Point is very nearly ready for our staff to move in and provide that much more immediate welcome to clients and visitors.
- The Friese-Greene building now has CCTV to increase the level of security, for everyone's benefit. This is activated by movement and relayed to a server and stored on hard disc, with regular archiving onto CD-Rom. This has also been installed in the Old Steyne House already. 68 Middle Street will be added shortly, so that there will be a record of all comings and goings in all the BMC buildings - this would be a further major deterrent to anyone with villainous intentions from bothering us.
- We are negotiating a deal with Fastnet, our Internet Provider, to raise the level of bandwidth available on each of the shared services we provide for no increase in cost to clients. This will be a useful improvement to the existing already competitive arrangement.
- Once the weather gets better, the BMC Garden at the rear of Friese-Greene House will continue to be smartened up, to give everyone here a place to go off the street for a rest, have lunch in the open air, have a smoke without needing to hover round the front door, and potentially take visitors and guests, There is still plenty of work to do, but the facility is available now for anyone in BMC to enjoy.
There are some other intriguing ideas in the pipeline to continue upgrading the BMC environment and services, which we
will be letting you know about once they are firmed up. Naturally, there is the usual continuous programme of repairs
and redecoration to the buildings that goes on all year round - we welcome observations from our clients of items that
need repair or attention, as we can then put these on our list of priorities for action!
Our aim is to make BMC a
pleasant place to work, that supports all our clients to concentrate on running the creativity and the businesses
without which Brighton, and indeed Britain, would be a less exciting and wonderful place to live!"
BMC Xmas Party
Thank-you to all that attended the BMC Xmas party at Sumo's. The evening went off without any hitches and all that attended seemed to enjoy all aspects of the night.
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The evening kicked off with bubbly stuff on arrival and food was supplied by Lewes
based company "Chaula's" specialising in Indian Cuisine. Downstairs "The Cadillac's" kicked off the night with a rocking two and half
hour set which left the groupies begging for more.
The charity raffle was also a success and we managed to raise several hundreds of pounds for the "DEC Asia Quake Appeal"which was sent off prior to Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses who made this possible by kindly Sponsoring the event Find out more about the sponsors below. |
THE COACH HOUSE
Coach House is ideally situated right in the heart of Brighton's Laines, a short walk from vibrant shopping areas and the beach and opposite Brighton Media Centre.
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The Observer said that it "has everything. As well as a nice range of beers, they do trendy yet well-priced food, occasional live music, great cocktails and an octagonal fire in the centre of the room for when it gets colder." (2003). |
The Coach House donated a £50 dinner for two voucher.
www.coachhousebrighton.com
BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC
The Brighton store has now been open for over six years and as well as Books and Music they also sell DVDs, Magazines and a whole host of other products, plus they have a Starbucks in the store so you can relax with a coffee while you browse.
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To make shopping easier, they are open from 9am until 10pm all year round (10am - 5pm on Sundays). |
If they do not have the book you want they can order it for you, including books from the USA, and if their UK supplier has the book you want in stock they can have it for you within two working days - and that's a promise!
Why not open a business account with them and receive 10% off your purchases, please phone on 01273 731122 or call in at Borders in Churchill Square for an application form.
Borders donated a £10 gift voucher.
www.borders.co.uk
FOOD FOR FRIENDS
Food inspired by the world at a time when the world needs to be inspired by food.
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Food For Friends offers a wholesome experience in the heart of the Laines, with innovative vegetarian food, organic wine and freshly made cocktails. |
They have also started doing lunchtime gourmet filled tortilla wraps and sandwiches with a choice of salad or soup to takeaway for just £4.95.
They have also provided flyers which intitle BMC clients to a 20% discount with this deal, these will be posted in your pigeon holes and can be found at reception points.
Food For Friends donated a £30 dinner voucher.
www.foodforfriends.com
SUKHOTHAI PALACE RESTAURANT
Sukhothai Palace is an authentic Thai restaurant serving delicious food from an extensive menu for lunch and evening meal.
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Based on Middle Street, it is conveniently next door to two of Brighton Media Centre's buildings.
They do a special two course lunch for £4.95. A takeaway and free delivery service is available from 6pm. They are open from 11:00am - 11:00pm Mon-Sat and 11:00am - 10:30pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. |
Phone to book a table on 01273 748448 or email on info@spalace.co.uk.
Sukhothai Palace donated a £20 dinner voucher.
www.spalace.co.uk
SIMULTANE
The Simultané signature sums up a flawless notion of femininity, the result a highly covetable design-led collection which is distinctive yet ultimately wearable.
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Simultané is situated in a listed town house in the heart of Brighton's historic Lanes. |
The enticing interior colours are influenced by the Autumn Winter 04 collection and the original prints that adorn the walls and windows are created by Sarah Arnett.
The Simultané collection is complemented by an assortment of delicious labels, trinkets and scents including pieces from Tocca, Cardigan, Butler & Wilson, VV Rouleaux and Creed. On the first floor the Simultané studio is a hive of activity, linking the store to the entire creative process of design through to manufacture. This keeps Sarah Arnett in touch with her customer and allows an instinctive design reponse to their needs.
Simultane donated a £50 gift voucher.
www.simultane.co.uk
SAKS HAIR & BEAUTY
Brighton Saks Hair & Beauty is part of the UK's leading High Street salon group, with salons throughout the British Isles.
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A comprehensive range of treatments and services for men and women is offered throughout Saks salons nationwide, including hairdressing, massage and body treatments, non surgical lifts, nail care, complementary therapies, pampering packages, permanent hair reduction, teeth whitening and botox. Saks has its own brand of professional styling tools, named Saksessories and these, plus Saks gift vouchers are available in salons nationwide. |
www.saks.co.uk
WAITROSE
Waitrose combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop.
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Bread is baked throughout the day on the premises. They seek out fresh fruit and vegetables all year round. And their fresh poultry and meat selection is always of the highest quality. |
Above all they take pride in the freshness and quality of their food.
Waitrose donated a bottle of Vintage Champagne.
www.waitrose.com
CROWNS
Crowns Brighton is situated in the heart of the lanes. With a team of creative and experienced hair stylists together with dedicated trainees they have the joint expertise to create the look you want.
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They also offer a full beauty service. The salon is called Beauty Within, offering a calm and relaxing environment where personal services and customer care are as important as the first class beauty treatments they provide. Using Jessica nail products, Guinot body and skin care and Tisserand Aromatherpy. |
Crowns dontated a wash, cut and blowdry.
BROWNS
In 1973 when the very first Browns restaurant opened its doors on Duke Street in Brighton, it did so with the simple belief that classic food, well delivered in a stylish environment would be a recipe for success.
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Thirty years on, Browns is Britain's longest serving family of restaurants, and is continuing to open in new landmark locations using exactly the same recipe for success. |
Browns donated a lunch voucher for 2 people.
www.browns-restaurants.com
Exhibition Space
FG Basement Gallery
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The Friese Greene House Gallery is an industrial-style basement space with flexible lighting options at 15-17 Middle Street. It has attracted innovative shows over the last 12 months from local artists and students as well as exhibitors from further afield. The gallery is listed in many local publications partly due to the successful run of shows during the Brighton Fringe Festival which in turn has increased the profile of the space. |
If you would like to find out more about exhibiting in our Gallery, please contact Helene Taylor on 01273 201371, or gallery@mediacentre.org.
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SmallBizPod the UK’s first small business podcast
If Santa should bring you an iPod, or if you just fancy a change of computer-listening from the BBC’s excellent listen again service, here’s a website that might interest you: www.smallbizpod.co.uk
As its name suggests, it’s aimed at small and medium-size businesses offering them news, interviews and practical advice. A sort of audio business magazine available at the click of your mouse. If you haven’t yet tried them, podcasts are audio files that can be streamed or downloaded to your computer.
The files can then be played on your PC or laptop using software most machines will already have (or freeware you can readily download), or loaded onto your MP3 player.
Podcasts cater for a bewildering range of interests and tastes, from the more serious to the downright bizarre.
SmallBizPod could be a good place to start exploring the range of online listening available.
Landmark tax ruling could be good news for family businesses
The long running case involving husband and wife business, Arctic Systems, has resulted in a landmark victory for Geoff and Diana Jones. The Court of Appeal overturned previous rulings in favour of HM Revenue & Customs, in a decision that could mean good news for thousands of similar family businesses.
In the original case, HMRC had used the
controversial Settlements legislation, which covers the transfer of income from one person to another, to question the
couple's use of salaries and dividend payments to reduce their tax bill.
The company had a turnover of £91,000 for the
year in dispute, derived from Mr Jones's business activities. He drew a salary of £7,000 and his wife drew a salary of
£4,000 for administrative work. After expenses and corporation tax the couple shared the remaining £60,000 in dividends.
They paid less tax and national insurance because they took dividends rather than bigger salaries, and a greater
portion went to Mrs Jones to use up her lower tax rates.
Similar arrangements have benefited thousands of family
businesses, but the HMRC ruled that income from company dividends, received by a non-earning or low-earning spouse who
is co-owner of the business, should be taxed at the same rate as the main earner's income.
The ruling would have meant
a retrospective tax bill of £42,000 for Mr and Mrs Jones and, perhaps, millions for family businesses across the UK.
The Joneses disputed the case, but lost in both a HMRC tribunal and, subsequently, in the High Court. The new ruling in their favour by the Court of Appeal could be a great relief for husband and wife businesses. However, experts are advising that HMRC could still appeal to the House of Lords, and the Government was last night considering changes to the tax law in response to the ruling.
E-News items courtesy of BusinessHeads - contact on www.businessheads.co.uk
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JANUARY SALE FOR ALL YOU SUSHI LOVERS!
YO Sushi is having a January sale with 50% of all food with a voucher. Print off the voucher here and claim one half of your meal for free!
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Please send in any weird, wonderful, or funny web links you come across to info@mediacentre.org, so we can share them with everyone.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY - SOUND STUDIO TO RENT @ Brighton Media Centre
View of office space through to sound studio - see details below for further information
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Professionally designed sound studio in basement, with inner sound-proof booth approx.130 sq.ft, office area approx.150
sq.ft and separate machine room approx. 60 sq.ft. The Sound Booth has approx. 35dB sound reduction, all surfaces angled
to reduce standing waves, having baffled ventilation and cable access to machine room. Space considered suitable for post-production, acoustic sound recording, voice-overs, digital editing etc. (The existing internal sound absorbing fittings may be available by negotiation with the previous user.) Please contact Carla Avery on 01273 201374 or carla@mediacentre.org for more information or to arrange a viewing. |
BMC clients always receive priority on new space. For details about some of the current availability, click here.
Alternatively, contact sales@mediacentre.org or call Carla Avery on 201374
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