Wokingham Borough Connect
 Last chance to help shape Town Centre Strategy
Don’t miss your chance to share your views on how Twyford, Wokingham and Woodley town/village centres perform as places to do business. The survey is closing this Friday 4 October.
Your feedback will help shape the new Town Centre Strategy, which we are working on to support these town/village centres to grow and thrive.
The strategy will also form an integral part of our wider work to drive the economic growth of the borough.
Join our engagement sessions
We are inviting retailers and hospitality providers in the three town/village centres to join a dedicated session in each area, where we will share key survey results and our draft vision for your area.
Follow the links below to sign up for the session in your area:
Woodley session: Tuesday 8 October, from 7.45am to 9am, at The Oakwood Centre (RG5 4JZ)
Wokingham session: Wednesday 9 October, from 7.45am to 9am, at Council Offices (RG40 1BN)
Twyford session: Thursday 10 October, from 7.45am to 9am, at Twyford Library (RG10 9AD)
 Bringing top-class physio treatment to town
A new physiotherapy clinic has opened at Broad Street in Wokingham, co-founded by England rugby captain Jamie George and experienced physiotherapist Rhys Carter.
Long-time friends and now business partners, they founded The Carter & George Practice with one goal in mind - to make top-quality medical treatment accessible to everyone.
Managing Director Rhys Carter said: "We’re really excited to open Carter & George in Wokingham. It’s such a thriving town with a fantastic community and has so many great sports clubs in and around it. We’re looking forward to bringing elite-level care, typically reserved for professional athletes, to the local residents.
"From your first assessment to a tailored treatment plan, we’ll support you every step of the way to help you reach your health goals. We look forward to welcoming you to the practice and talking more about how we can help."
 New laws to protect guests at venues and events
The new legislation, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute to Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will make sure venues across the UK must consider the security of the public, and take steps to protect them from harm.
Under the changes, a new duty will be placed on those responsible for premises and public events, requiring them to take appropriate action to strengthen public safety, with requirements reflecting the size of the venue and the activity taking place.
Premises can include shops, restaurants and pubs, nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, museums, visitor attractions, hotels, places of worship and more.
Events can include exhibition halls, public conference venues, and other venues for hire that may host 800 or more people.
Visit the Protect UK website or download the app for more information, guidance and training, if you run a venue or put on large events.
 Drive more business with roundabout sponsorship
Have you considered sponsoring a roundabout in Wokingham Borough? This year-round opportunity is now available in a range of high-traffic locations.
It’s a great opportunity to get your brand in front of potential customers, including those who may not be looking for your product or service online.
Companies from lots of different sectors have already taken advantage of this - and they say it has delivered the results they wanted. To start an enquiry, click the blue button below:
 Business support boosts care company profile
Acacia Homecare Berkshire, which opened in November 2019 and is headquartered in Winnersh, is a domiciliary care franchise offering home care services across the county.
It has been facing challenges in marketing and recruitment. As the company's priority is looking after their customers, marketing often had to take second place. At the same time, like most operators in the care sector, it was experiencing difficulties in recruiting new team members quickly enough to meet the demand.
Acacia has benefited from the support of the Berkshire Growth Hub, which has provided valuable assistance to foster employment opportunities and brought positive impact to the Berkshire community. This was made possible through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Vicky Kondal, Director of Acacia Homecare, said: "I knew I wanted to increase our private customer base, but needed a bit of guidance. We registered onto the high growth programme of Berkshire Growth Hub, and were allocated a business advisor.
"She helped me to be far more targeted in my approach. We worked together on defining our ideal customer and becoming laser-focused on who to approach and with what resources."
 Grounds to celebrate for award-winning coffee shop
An independent coffee shop in Twyford has recently won a prestigious national award.
Ola Coffee Co has won the coveted 'Grounds of Innovation Award 2024', recognising its dedication to innovation, sustainability, and community impact in the coffee industry across the UK.
The award celebrates forward-thinking coffee shops that not only craft excellent coffee but also prioritise responsible practices.
Owners Stacey and Martin said: “We’re beyond excited to have won this award. It’s a testament to our incredible team and loyal customers who’ve supported us from day one.
"Our goal has always been to offer a unique and memorable experience for our customers, and this award is a testament to that."
 Wokingham Positive Difference+
Date and Time: 25 October, 8am
Hosted by: WPD+
FORE Business Wokingham - Golf & Networking
Date and Time: 11 October, 8.30am
Hosted by: Fore Business
Wokingham Speakers
Date and Time: first and third Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm
Hosted by: Wokingham Speakers (Toastmasters)
Woodley Business Club (networking)
Date and Time: 8 October, 8am
Hosted by: Woodley Business Club
Wokingham - People, Planet, Pint
Date and Time: 3 October, 6pm
Hosted by: Small99
Wokingham WIBN - Women's Business Networking
Date and Time: Thursday afternoon group: 12pm to 2pm, second Thursday of the month; Friday morning group: 9.30am to 11.30am, second Friday of the month
Hosted by: Wokingham Women in Business Network
Other events you may be interested in
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