NEWSLETTER 8Date added:29/06/2009

Hello, this is our latest e-news which represents our reflections on a number of topics since the Spring.

The economic climate remains challenging and it is at a time like this that all businesses need to keep themselves motivated and focussed. The following ‘sayings’ represent a number of quotations that keep us thinking and keep us on our toes!

• When the going gets tough, the tough get going – not known

• Pain is temporary, quitting is forever – Lance Armstrong

• In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity – Albert Einstein

• Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant – Robert Louis Stevenson

More than ever now, it is important to have a strategy around having positive attitudes, building relationships and maintaining good communication – hence this e-letter.

Examples of Recent Successes

These are some of our most recent successes over the last few months:

• BP Barry: since our appointment in August 2007 – and as part of a wider strategy - we have been maintaining a ‘watching brief’ in our estate management role for BP. This comes to an end shortly as it has now been made public that BP is selling the freehold of its’ Baglan and Barry estates to St Modwens. We are pleased to have played our part.

• Williams House, Pontyclun: We are delighted to have acquired Williams House in Pontyclun for our client Intervention Services, a utility focussed company covering the whole of South Wales and working for clients such as Wales & West (the Old British Gas), Amec and British Telecom. Prior to our involvement, Intervention had been trying to acquire a property for several months but without success. Our success in acquiring a property for them underscores once again the importance of taking property advice from a trusted Chartered Surveyor.

• Merthyr Industrial Estate: Merthyr Tydfil CBC were delighted when we concluded a rent review of an industrial unit on their behalf which had been dragging on over several months. Our timely involvement also led to a saving in excess of £20,000.• Offices at Moy Road, Taffs Well: Along with our joint agent and in a difficult market, we were pleased to have let 5,182 sq ft of offices to McGinleys Recruitment Ltd.

• Disposals: we were pleased to have provided advice leading to the freehold disposal of The Beeches, Bridgend and industrial premises & land in Treorchi on behalf of a private client.

Ongoing Projects

We are pleased to be working with Trichotech (Concatenno Plc); Fusion, Toast, Schoolhouse, Afon Vets, Qualtech and Venture Wales.

3 Credit Crunch Tips

(i) Property remains the ‘Cinderella’ of business strategy. It is strange that there are still business owners (CEO/MD/ FD) who do not take strategic advice on property issues, especially when the resolution of such issues can make a tangible difference to the bottom-line. Therefore, step back for a moment and when thinking about your business consider:

• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to get to?
• How are we going to get there?

…and how can property make a difference??

Reference to the following link (below) may assist you in your thoughts and assist you in developing a property audit.

http://www.rchapmanandco.com/maximising_investment.asp

(ii) Saving Money on your utility bills?

UES is a utility and environmental management company who work in partnership with clients to manage utility costs on a risk free basis.

Their unique independence and access to a wide range of utility suppliers, in addition to their extensive knowledge of the energy, water, waste and telecoms sectors, enables them to help you secure the best deals.

With a track record of implementing cost saving initiatives on a shared benefit basis, collectively they have saved their clients over £2.4 million on their utility bills!  Their development work is carried out at their own risk and if their solutions don’t save your business money, they don’t get paid! We know this through our experience of using EUS.

Energy prices are now at their lowest for over 18 months, so there is no better time than the present to review energy contracts and suppliers. So why not beat any potential rise in prices by taking advantage of a FREE audit of your energy costs and consumption.

For your FREE audit contact UES on 0845 0556311 or complete the Quick Enquiry form at www.uesolutions.co.uk and Quote: ‘Robert Chapman’.

(iii) Unoccupied Properties – Careful Management Required

Should one of your investment properties become unoccupied it is essential that you take immediate action:

• Notify your broker
• Understand the implications of your insurance policy

All property investor policies will include an ‘Unoccupancy Warranty’, terms can include:

• Turning off utilities and draining systems
• Securing the building
• Weekly internal and external inspections

Why is this so important? Failure to meet a warranty requirement will lead to insurers repudiating a claim. For further information please contact Gwenllian Davies on 029 2085 5234 and quote ‘Robert Chapman’.

Membership

We are pleased to announce that Robert Chapman takes over as Chairman of the South East Wales Local Association of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) from July 2009 onwards.

Sponsorship

(i) From a business standpoint, we were pleased to be given the opportunity once again to renew our sponsorship of the Andrew Walker Business Events Calender.

(ii) Earlier this year – it seems like an age ago now – some of you will recall that Robert Chapman ran in the Flora London Marathon on behalf of St Davids Foundation Hospice Care www.stdavidsfoundation.co.uk 
He achieved his 2 objectives: (a) complete the race in under 4 hours (actual time 3hrs 58 mins) and (b) raise at least £2,500 for the hospice charity. In actual fact, he raised £3,150. Thank you to everyone who provided support.

(iii) Robert Chapman & Company were one of the sponsors who sponsored the Rhondda Gala Concert on Sunday 17th May 2009 organised by Pontygwaith Regeneration Partnership and with appearances by John Owen Jones & Katy Treharne.

Training

Investment in training remains crucial in these challenging times. Robert Chapman is studying BURA’s (British Urban Regeneration Association) modular regeneration training programme: with 6 modules down, there are 4 to go.

Finally, if you like what we do and how we are helping to make a difference, then please get in touch with Robert Chapman on telephone number 02920 553108 or e-mail robert@rchapmanandco.com