Woking Business

Olympic legacy is rejuvenation of West Byfleet

By:
Published June 22, 2012, in Woking Business

CHAIRMAN – Pauline Hedges

CHAIRMAN – Pauline Hedges

THE SPIRIT of the Olympics should live on in West Byfleet following the rejuvenation of the village’s business networking group.

West Byfleet Business Association chairman Pauline Hedges admitted the group had been ‘virtually moribund’ last year before news broke that the Olympic cycle races would be passing through the village.

Since then WBBA has been thriving, so much so that it is co-hosting a special Olympics Fair with the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games on the recreation green behind St John’s Church next month.

Pauline said: “The recreation ground is next to the cycle race and we’ll have a funfair, kids’ rides, a crafts and farmers’ market and displays.

“We’ll be screening the races live on a giant screen as well as the film Grease. I’m a John Travolta fan and it’s a family film.

“People can bring a picnic, sing along, get up and dance. It will be something to remember.”

West Byfleet is expecting around 6,000 visitors over the Olympics weekend of July 27/28 and 29.

Pauline said: “They’ll be coming from the railway. It is a fantastic opportunity for retailers to attract customers into their shops with special offers.

“It is a unique opportunity, the rest of the country must be so jealous.”

But Pauline, 66, of Hollies Avenue, admitted the real legacy of the Olympics was the rejuvenation of WBBA.

She said: “It was virtually moribund before we heard about the cycle races – a few people
going to lunches.

“The Olympics has given us a focus – it gave us that kick-start we needed.

“We thought, let’s turn what could have been a negative into a positive, make a downtime into an opportunity.”

Back then, retailers and local business people met up with the Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford Residents’ Association.

Pauline, who had worked for Surrey Chambers and now organises farmers’ markets, volunteered as WBBA’s chairman.

Pauline, a grandmother who has a regular breakfast slot on BBC Surrey, said West Byfleet was home to around 90 businesses.

She said: “It’s a real community. We have breakfast meetings, and tea and coffee at Corker’s wine bar. We have retailers, office workers, solicitors, accountants.

“Our local councillors, Gary Elson and Richard Wilson are very supportive and sometimes bring along council officials to talk to us. It’s really helpful.”

“If you get to talk to other people, you don’t feel so isolated. Although I have lived in West Byfleet for 22 years, I think I’ve got to know more people in the past year than I’ve ever done before.”

To find out more about the West Byfleet Business Association visit http://www.wbba.org.uk

Decade of cuts and Valerie’s still on top

By:
Published February 17, 2012, in Woking Business

CUTTING CREW - left to right, stylists at Valerie French, Casey Pugh, Lisa Worsfold, Tracy Foreman, Lizzi Field, Kerry Winn and owner Valerie French

A HORSELL hairdresser’s is celebrating 10 successful years in business.

Named after the owner Valerie French, the salon is a cut above the rest, which is why it is still thriving despite the economic downturn.

Valerie said: “I put our success down to our loyal customers and staff.

“Our team of experts are always on top of the latest trends and products – and, more importantly, clients are always treated well by our staff in a caring atmosphere when they arrive, and they leave feeling relaxed and renewed and, of course, looking and feeling great.”

Having been in hairdressing for 40 years, Valerie, 56, knows that if you keep your staff happy, they in turn will keep the clients happy.

We all pull together as a team, which creates a good atmosphere for both customers and staff She’s proud of her loyal staff of five and said: “Lisa Worsfold, 38, is a senior stylist and has been with me for nine years. Stylist Tracy Foreman, 23, has been at the salon for seven years, while stylist Kerry Winn, 23, has been here for six.

“My junior stylist Lizzi Field, 21, has been here for two years and junior Casey Pugh,17, the most recent member, joined us at Christmas.

“We all pull together as a team, which creates a good atmosphere for both customers and staff.

“Clients range from babies and their first, free hair cut and teenagers who like to keep up with the fashion trends to the more sophisticated and elderly clientele. Best of all, they keep coming back for more”

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Valerie will be throwing a party at the High Street salon in the next couple of months for staff and loyal clients.