‘Big idea’ now a reality
for market traders
by Gary Skentelbery
TRADERS on Warrington Market are proving they have the ‘big idea’ thanks to a new business support programme.
The Borough Council, in partnership with Warrington Business Venture, launched an exciting new business support programme last January aimed at helping budding entrepreneurs turn their ‘big idea’ in to a reality.
Similar to recent television shows, applicants for the programme had to go through a ‘Dragons Den’ and ‘The Big Idea’ style interviews before they were accepted on to the programme. Once accepted, they received a whole range of support from rental subsidies and financial support for fitting out their stalls to free business training and also a personal business mentor.
Market Manager Steve Pickering said: “Twelve months on, the programme has proved to be a great success. All of the businesses have brought something new and unique to the market and we are proud of what they have achieved during the last 12 months. I look forward to watching their businesses grow in the future”.
Director of Warrington Business Venture, Sandra Brusby OBE is extremely happy with the success of the programme and said: “It has been a great pleasure to work on the enterprise project in partnership with the Council, and to the see the benefits and sustainability of the new businesses involved”.
Following the success of the business support scheme, the Council has recently created a limited number of additional spaces to launch a second programme. Applications are being invited from for anyone who thinks they have what it takes to run their own business.
For further information contact Warrington Market office on 01925 632571 or email [email protected]
Hospital kitchen given
clean bill of health
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Hospital’s kitchen is officially one of the cleanest in the borough after being given a clean bill of health by environmental health chiefs.
Patients can rest assured the food they receive is stored, prepared and cooked in line with the highest possible hygiene standards after the Hospital was awarded five stars by Warrington Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department.
The kitchen is one of 87 establishments to receive full marks from a field of 1,077 venues which serve food in Warrington, including pubs, restaurants, cafes and takeaways.
For the first time ever Warrington Borough Council has published the results of its findings at www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk
Steve Miller, Catering Manager at Warrington Hospital, enthused: “We have had a comprehensive hazard analysis system in place for years which focuses on how food is stored and cooked and all of our staff are committed to making this system work.
“Patients are central to everything we do in this kitchen and ensuring their health and safety is maintained at all times is paramount.”
Roy Smith, Executive Board Member for Community Services at Warrington Borough Council, said: “The Scores on the Doors website is an ideal way for the public to make choices about where they eat and to check if they are actually benefiting from good standards in hygiene.
“The inspections are also an opportunity for caterers to measure how well they are doing, helping them to raise their standards.”
The scores on the doors website, gives every catering business across Warrington a star rating from zero to five, based on hygiene, confidence in management and the standard of premises.
Officers from Trading Standards, Food Safety and the Health and Safety Unit at Warrington Borough Council conducted impromptu inspections of the majority of pubs, restaurants, cafes and takeaways in the town.
Drivers ignore warnings
by Gary Skentelbery
MOTORISTS across Warrington and Cheshire are continuing to flout the drink driving laws with more than ever failing the breath test during the festive period.
Police who actively stepped up their anti-drink driving campaign in the build up to Christmas admit to being “disappointed” by the statistics which involved 273 drivers being over the limit or unfit to drive.
The operation “ArcAngel” results indicate that drivers are not heeding the warnings from the police that drinking or taking drugs and driving is not acceptable. In a zero tolerance approach local information was used to mount road side checks on specific roads.
To address the rising trend more checks were conducted than ever before with officers stopping an additional 1684 drivers compared to the campaign period in the previous year. More than 6000 breathalyser tests were administered either at road side checks or following road traffic collisions throughout the campaign period. Out of the 6000 tests 4% of drivers tested had more than the legal limit of alcohol in their breath.
The tough stance taken by Cheshire Police is part of their new radical approach to tackling all alcohol related crime. ArcAngel is aimed at changing attitudes and opinions, making it clear that alcohol fuelled crime and violence are not socially acceptable.
Government figures for last year show that 560 people were killed and 2100 were seriously injured in crashes last year where the driver was over the legal drink drive limit. Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal drink or drug drive limit.
The message to drivers in Cheshire is clear, the figures highlight that drinking any amount of alcohol affects the ability to drive and there is no guaranteed guide as to the amount of alcohol an individual can consume and still drive safely. The safest option is not to drink at all if you intend to drive.
During the campaign the increased testing lead to an increase of 48 arrests on lasts year?s festive campaign figures.
Brian Rogers, Inspector of Road Policing in Cheshire, commented that this increase is ?disappointing?.
He added: ?The statistics show that the message concerning the dangers of drink driving is still not being driven home and there is still a significant problem in Cheshire. The public need to be aware that ArcAngel is not only a Christmas and New Year operation but is in place all year round?.
MP welcomes United Nations
Resolution on Diabetes
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON South MP Helen Southworth has welcomed the United Nations for its recognition of diabetes as a serious condition needing urgent action.
The landmark Resolution passed by the UN?s General Assembly recognises the global threat posed by the diabetes epidemic, the first non-infectious disease to be acknowledged in these terms.
Ms Southworth, the Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes and a supporter of Diabetes UK, said: ?I have long campaigned to raise awareness of diabetes and the steps we can all take to protect ourselves, through healthy lifestyles, against this disease.
“I am really pleased that the UN has recognised the seriousness of diabetes and hope that this will encourage further action to fight the epidemic around the world?.
Anyone wishing to find out further information should visit: www.unitefordiabetes.org
Girls allowed!
by Lesley Wilkinson
INTERNATIONAL Women?s Day takes place on March 8 and Warrington Youth Club and the NSPCC will be joining millions worldwide in celebrating the achievements of women.
The two charities deliver a special project for young women at the Warrington Peace Centre, and are inviting young women to come to an evening event just for them.
There will be a variety of fun activities to take part in, as well as a chance to sample holistic therapies, try different foods and meet other young women.
Catherine Holligan, Senior Manager of the Youth Club said: ?Every year, thousands of e
vents throughout the world are held to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. We want to offer young women in Warrington a special night and particularly encourage anyone interested in joining our Girls? Group to come along and see what we do?.
The event will run from 6.30pm on Thursday March 8 and anyone wanting more information can contact Catherine on 01925 581226 or email [email protected]
Dancers welcome
by John Hendon
CULCHETH based Daten Scottish Country Society which holds weekly classes at the Culcheth Sports club, is looking to recruit new members.
The evening usually starts off with beginners learning the basic movements which they can then put into practice.
Even though it is a Scottish Country Dance club, all are welcome to come along and enjoy some good old-fashioned Scottish hospitality. The Scots folks are renowned for their kindness and generosity and this club has plenty of that on offer. New members always feel at ease as soon as they walk through the door, and are amazed at how quickly they are up and dancing.
Anyone willing to give it a try on Wednesday evenings, from 7.30 to 10.30pm contact Betty Memmott (01925 763364) or Louise Telfer (01925 817647) you will receive a very warm welcome.
