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  Brighton Media Centre ENews - September 2008
contents:   >>>bmc news  >>>services for bmc clients  >>>other news  >>>other events  >>>notices  >>>otherstuff.com  >>>office space

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BMC News
 
BMC Post!


As you may be aware our Royal Mail post delivery has been arriving at odd hours and one day not at all!

We have lodged a complaint with Royal Mail and made them aware that this is not acceptable as many of our Clients rely on the post arriving in the morning to 'start' their working day! This has also had a knock on effect with our own staff, which has been adjusted accordingly to ensure staff do not go to lunch until the post has been sorted which can be disruptive within our business too.

We were asked by Royal Mail to keep a log of the times the post was coming in each day and report back, which we did. Below is the reply we got back - which you will see when you read it,it isn't very helpful!

Royal Mail rep: 'Under the conditions of our postal delivery licence, delivery will be made to each delivery point, six days a week if there is mail to be delivered. Delivery completion time is not specified in our licence. There is no specific time scale in which Royal Mail is obliged to deliver mail, whether it be First or Second Class, other than the Special Delivery service.

I fully appreciate how convenient it would be to receive your mail at a particular time each day. What is the best time for one customer however is often too late or even too early for another. It is not practical for a Delivery Officer to retrace the route in order to meet varying individual requirements. Therefore, each round is carefully planned in a way that provides the earliest possible delivery to the greatest number of our customers. This, in turn, helps us to ensure that all of our customers receive their mail in line with our standards.

If customers are unhappy with the delivery times there are two other options available to them. The first is to arrange a Mail Collect service whereby your mail can be collected form the office after 8.30a.m. each day. The second alternative is to arrange a Timed Delivery service, which is available to all customers and costs £3000 per annum. Both of these services can be set up in person at your local Delivery Office. Please take along some identification and proof of your residence at your current address.

I hope that you will accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused as a result of this issue.'

Since we lodged the complaint the post has started to arrive before Midday but this is more than likely unrelated and there is no gurantee this will always be the case.

If anyone has any suggestions or would like to personally file their own complaints then you can do so by email: contactus@royalmail.com and quote reference number: RM0325-7096

On behalf of the BMC we would like to offer our own apologies for the inconvienence caused to your Business, however as you can see the matter is out of our hands.


Yoga classes taking place in the BMC Friese Greene Gallery.



Drop in classes are on Monday and Friday mornings at 8am.

Also, a 6 week beginners' course that's perfect for those struggling with RSI, stress and the other various ailments that affect those who spend all day staring at their computer screens!

The one hour class will cost £5 and the 6 week course is £36.

If there are any other days or times that would suit you more please get in touch.

You can find out more on Jenny's website: www.yogajenny.com

Meeting Room Promotion at the Brighton Media Centre



Don't forget our ‘summer promotion’ that we've been running since Monday 18th August ends on 18th October. All 3 meeting rooms in each site are discounted to a special rate.
 
meetingroom New promotional prices are:

Suite 4 @ 68 Middle Street = £8 per hour

Suit GO4 @ 15-17 Middle Street = £6 per hour

Old Steine Meeting Room = £6 per hour.


This promotion only applies to internal clients based at any of our 3 sites.

All bookings can be made by either emailing admin@mediacentre.org or calling 201100 for Middle Street bookings or 648300 for Old Steine bookings.

www.mediacentre.org


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Services for BMC Clients
 

Free support for Brighton and Hove digital businesses!

The Enterprise Hub Network is the lynchpin between entrepreneurial ideas and commercial success, helping to create new (as well as develop existing), innovative and prosperous businesses that can contribute to the economic growth and development of the South East.

eseh Recently embarking on a project to support companies working in the digital media sector in Brighton and Hove, they can offer a range of government funded services to new and established businesses.

If you have a new product or service that you are looking to take to market or are hoping to grow your existing business, the Enterprise Hub may be able to help.

Their services:

  • Access to finance (grants, loans, investment)
  • Business Plan preparation
  • Mentoring Scheme
  • Market Research with the British Library
  • IP and Trademark advice
  • Regular Training and Networking events
  • Product Development

The East Sussex Enterprise Hub is a government funded business initiative of SEEDA (South East of England Development Agency) and all their services are FREE to their clients.

If you are interested in finding out more about what support may be available to you please give them a call on 07887 823500 or send an email to rhodrialexander@seeda.co.uk

To register for Enterprise Hub membership and to find out more about their services and upcoming events please go to: www.eastsussexhub.co.uk

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Other News
 
Credit Crunch Caused by The Super-Rich


Article by Claire West, courtesy of 'Fresh Business Thinking'

The recent growth of the super-rich has overturned a century of progress towards greater equality between rich and poor - causing immense harm to the rest of the economy and society, according to a new pamphlet published by the TUC.

In an economic statement published on the eve of the 140th Congress in Brighton, the TUC called for all those earning more than £100,000 a year to pay new minimum tax rates.

The TUC say that a minimum rate of tax - which should start at 32 per cent for those earning between £100,000 and £150,000 and rise to 40 per cent on salaries of more than £200,000 - would not increase any tax rates, but would limit the tax reliefs and tax avoidance measures open to the well-off and could raise £5 billion.

The pamphlet lists the richest person to die in each decade from the 1850s onwards and finds that none is richer than the wealthiest person in Britain today, Lakshmi Mittel, estimated to be worth more than £27 billion. The richest person to die in the latter half of the nineteenth century - the Duke of Westminster in 1899 - was worth the equivalent of £10.6 billion in 2008 (after adjusting for economic growth and inflation).

New analysis in the pamphlet shows that individuals needed to be worth £50 million to be among the UK's 200 wealthiest people in 1990, but today they need to be worth more than £400 million - an eightfold increase.

This might be less objectionable, says the TUC, if the increase came from the creation of new wealth and the rise to the top of talented risk-takers in a meritocratic economy, but the pamphlet shows that:

  • The main source of the new wealth has been the growing power of 'financialisation'. The most obvious example of this is the huge profits made from selling sub-prime mortgages wrapped up in exotic financial instruments. These turned out to be near worthless and led, not just to many losing their homes, but to the credit crunch which is now causing world economic slowdown.

  • Soaring corporate pay has not secured any significant improvement in the nation's productivity and innovation record. Today's new rich tend not to have made their money by building firms and products but to be those who have taken 'advantage of today's more pro-rich culture to grab a larger slice of the cake by taking giant risks with other people's money and ensuring someone else pays when they call it wrong'.

  • If the celebrity rich are excluded, most of today's super-rich come from relatively privileged backgrounds.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The evidence assembled here is conclusive proof that the growth of the super-rich is not just socially divisive and morally objectionable, but deeply damaging for the rest of the economy. The super-rich have not created much in the way of extra wealth - they have mostly taken it from the rest of us. It's Robin Hood in reverse.

'Those suffering from the impact of the credit crunch should know that it was caused by the super-rich taking risks with other people's money, pocketing the profits and passing on the inevitable losses.

'And any would-be first-time buyers should know who to blame for first the house price bubble and now the difficulties in getting a mortgage.

'It is time that the super-rich started to pay a fair rate of tax. There is no point in putting up tax rates that they can avoid. The 54 billionaires living in Britain paid £14.7m in tax on their £126bn combined fortunes in 2006 - an average rate of a little over 0.1 per cent. Our modest proposal for a minimum rate of tax will simplify the tax system and raise £5 billion.'

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Other Events
 
'Wish you were here...' Exhibiting at the Brighton Media Centre Gallery


'A recipe to cure nostalgia'

:man
'Man'
dandelion
'Dandelion'

Created as a living, breathing experience; the opening of exhibition 'wish you were here' was such a success that it will be extended to having a closing night for anyone who didn't get a chance to make it to the opening.

Laura Krikke- a Brighton based Australian multi-media artist, whose career has led her to exhibit in New York, Canada, Czech Republic, Italy and Australia, from making award winning political animations to touring group toy art exhibitions- has curated a mix of creativity to cure nostalgia. The result is a diverse musical and visual art event that puts to rest the ghosts from a happy past.

For the closing exhibition, Laura has kept the best performers from the original night as well as inviting an even greater selection of new talent from Brighton's independent music scene.

So for a chance to catch some of Laura's beautiful vinyl creations, Claire Griffiths intimate photography or the endearing illustrations of Chinese artist Man Cheung; pop into the Brighton Media Centre reception at 15-17 Middle Street before the 1st October.

To become part of the whole experience, rsvp for the closing event taking place on Friday 26th September by email to Laura at: laurakrikke@gmail.com

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Notices
 
Winesmith - Wine Tasting for Friends!


Advert placed on behalf of Christian Smith

No matter where in the world we travel to, wine brings people together.It's rich history extends to the Neolithic and the first glimmering of civilisation. Today we have thousands of varieties to choose from and very sophisticated production methods.

Some would say that wine, and in particular wine tasting, is shrouded in mystery. Allow us to de-mystify the world of wine with you through informal and informative wine tasting. Maybe you'd like to incorporate a 'blind tasting' or even a wine challenge? Whatever you choose, we ensure it is pitched at a level to ensure everyone learns something new.

Perfect for birthdays, house parties, dinner with friends, an employee thank you or entertaining clients!

Christian Smith trained at the world-famous Plumpton College, England.He is currently testing and tasting competition wines from all over the globe, and has previously worked in southern France, Napa Valley California, and spent three years making gold medal-winning sparkling wine in England. He also has a keen interest in organic and biodynamic wine-making,and wherever possible these wines will form part of any tasting you choose. You’ll find his passion, natural flair, and breadth of knowledge will keep you engaged throughout.

Which tasting would you like?

Introductory

A good starting point with a selection of 7-8 wines from around the world. Here you learn how to taste wine and spot quality.
£30 per person.

Americas

Explore the different grapes and regions with wines from North and South America including California, Chile, and Argentina.
£30 per person.

New World

This is a good follow-up to the Introductory tasting, focusing more on the structure and balance of wine and winemaking.
£30 per person

English

English wine is starting to receive world-wide recognition. We will enjoy a variety including some sparkling wine and delicious rosé.
£35 per person.

New Zealand

Discover why New Zealand wine is so good, from the classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to the less understood Pinot Noir.
£30 per person.

Spanish

There’s more than Rioja on offer! Try a range of different styles from the traditional to the up and coming.
£30 per person.

Tour The World

Choose one grape variety, for example Merlot or Pinot grigio, and discover it’s different expressions depending on where in the world it’s grown.
£30 per person.

Sherry

Spain’s best kept secret! Forget your grandmother’s warm sweet stuff, and discover the fantastically cold crisp dry styles through to sumptuous desert sherries. This tasting will be a revelation to you!
£35 per person.

How does it work?

The minimum booking is for 10 people (we can do a tasting with fewer but the minimum charge is for 10). Your winesmith will arrive at your home or venue half an hour before the start to set up, bringing 7-8 wines, glasses, and spittoons. The tasting will take about 2 hours. It’s a good idea to provide nibbles and/or cheese for the reds, and please supply water biscuits. We require £100 deposit with your booking and the balance is payable on the day of your tasting. There may be a charge for travel depending on location.

Call now to book your tasting on 07738 836 029 or email Christian at christiansmith99@hotmail.com

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otherstuff.com
 
Exhibitions at the Brighton Media Centre during the Brighton Photo Fringe 2008


Commencing the 3rd October up until November 14th the Brighton Media Centre will be hosting back to back exhibitions to coincide with the Photo Fringe Biennial 2008.

We have 5 exhibitions overall, 4 in our Gallery at 15-17 Middle Street and one running for 6 weeks in suite 2 at 68 Middle Street.

All exhibitions have been carefully planned and organised over the past year and are of a highly professional standard.

Details of individual shows will be coming up in October's enews with dates and times of private views, should anyone be interested in coming along.

For more information about Brighton Photo Fringe, go to: www.photofringe.org

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Office Space
 
Available space


BMC Clients always receive priority on new space!

Are you thinking of taking on some extra space, or simply changing one office for another of a different size or location? Here is a selection of what we have available, one of which could be what you are looking for.

Friese Greene House

  • Suite GO3 - 503 Sq.ft @ £1,677.00 + VAT pcm

Old Steine

  • Suite 102 - 140 Sq.ft @ £470.00 + VAT pcm
  • Suite 201 - 563 Sq.ft @ £2,000.00 + VAT pcm

To arrange a viewing or discuss alternative sized spaces please feel free to contact sales@mediacentre.org or call Christian Knight on 201306.



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