Hub hub hooray!

HUMBERSIDE Airport's master plan for the future seems soundly structured.
Growth is going to happen, and while air carriers will come and go, flights will be won and lost, the numbers wanting to fly - be it for leisure or business - will get larger and larger.
But it was reassuring to hear how the Kirmington base is going for a very measured approach, looking to increase passengers to across the board, rather than chase one particular part of the the market.
There will no single focus on low-cost, holiday charter or increased scheduling, just considerably more of the same allied to the demand, up to an amazing 1-million by 2016.
It fits in with what Humberside is all about, and what has been the strength of it. With 1.5-million people within a short drive and major petro-chemical industry close by, it has the best of both worlds as a regional airport.
There will be no bigger runway for long-haul. Instead it will continiue to push the staus as a hub feeder, opening the globe from our doorstep. The thrice-daily hops to Amsterdam is a gem for those not wanting to travel to Manchester or London, yet have the choice of anywhere in the world as a destination.
The system ties in brilliantly with Government policy to get people on planes as close to home as possible too. As I've said before, a good airport is a good part of a good economy, so let's look forward to seeing Humberside thrive.

Say sausages - and smile!

JOHN Pettit is certainly a local food hero - but could the family company be Britain's ultimate?
That is the question being posed by UK TV Food after customers nominated the Grimsby butchers for a telly award.
Personally, I think everyone in the town who has no doubt tasted the fabulous offerings of this traditional family favourite, should get online and vote for it.
It is an independent star in Grimsby, with a reputation second-to-none, and should inspire others in the food business.
Having enjoyed the wonderful produce at a weekend barbecue it came as no surprise to see the nomination, and I wish them well.
It is a truly traditional place, and if it wasn't for the fleet of modern delivery vans , John Pettit and Sons certainly wouldn't look out of place in the time warp that is Beamish. Ajnd with a strong customer base it also does well in a town centre that now has an overwhelming supermarket offering.
Being a keen cricketer I'm also grateful to them for keeping the costs down with the long-standing sponsorship of the local leagues, and that sort of community involvement leaves a nice taste in the mouth too.
To vote for John Pettit and Sons visit www.uktvfood.co.uk

Flight plan looked forward to

PASSENGER numbers are increasing at quite a rate at Humberside Airport, great news when you think how only a year ago people were sounding the death knell as Robin Hood Airport opened up.
There's no doubting that bringing Ryanair to Kirmington is a major factor, the daily Dublin flight is a huge boost to the scheduled services, with the Amsterdam hop also going strong.
And with aholiday prices dipping and fuel prices rising, it is hardly surprising to see that even more of the 1-million people who live within a 30-minute drive of Humberside Airport are using it.
With a strong list of sumer destinations being served and Egypt and Corfu to look forward to, there's every reason to be chipper about the airport.
Later this week long term-plans for Humberside Aiport are being unveiled, and if they include higher volumes then not only could we see expansion there, the ancillary businesses that take-off alongside major airports may seriously look at what opportunities there are in northern Lincolnshire.
Business needs good transport links, and as we see with fish from Iceland, it is not just the sea ports, road and rail infrastructure that Grimsby-area companies care about.

Lapping up another leisure pursuit

LAPDANCING is gyrating its way to Grimsby.
Leisure entrepreneur Paul Weeks, the man behind several bars in the area, is bringing the titilating form of entertainment to top town.
By no means a new phenomenon, such clubs can be found in most towns and cities, and several have been around for many years.
But there are still many people appalled by the prospect- and mostly because of the image they conjour up. Yet often, clubs such as these are some of the most discreet, smartest, cleanest and well managed venues around.
When done correctly they prove to be popular and profitable enterprises, and trouble is often the last thing that is associated with them.
As legitimate businesses they can attract high-spending parties to town, hen and stag nights have been known to frequent, and they will no doubt be welcomed by all the other licensed venues.
Celebrity tales of visits to such places have brought them in vogue, with women often visiting too.
Several places open up in the daytime providing an ultra-modern fitness option, with tuition and lessons very popular.
But the emphasis really needs to be on making sure the places are running right, with the safety and security of those working in them at the fore.
Strict door policies, clear codes of conduct and vigilant staff are what is required, and if that happens then Grimsby should have another dimension to a strong nightscene, that cuases the authorities no problems, and strengthens the economy a little more.

Wardrobe under the weather

WHAT not to wear has been a choice subject this week. I've opted for the tie and the jacket.
Yes, the hot weather arrives, and it is not just those on the beach that are stripping off.
And so the question arises.... what is deemed business-like yet at ease with the conditions? Remember, it all comes under health and safety at work now!
Women seem to get it slightly easier, the dress code has never really been set in stone anyway. Smart summer dresses easily replace skirt or trouser suits, and arms completely disappear from tops, yet an air of professionalism remains
For men there are short sleeves, but for me, a collar should stay. As too should trousers. Talk of smart shorts worries me - as it leaves a nasty question mark over footwear - and never in the office should a flip flop / open toe sandal be sighted!
Also, cotton shirts and trousers are often made from some of the lightest material you will find, far thinner than t-shirts.
Unfortunately it just means there's no let up from the dreaded iron - and that has to be the worst aspect of it all!
Ties have always been an issue, but with a smart shirt and jacket are they ever really necessary? They've been blamed for MRSA outbreaks, others feel they are down-right uncomfortable, yet they do pull a suit together.... but I may hold off while the sun beats down, just don't think I'm complaining.

Don't become the last resort...

DID you enjoy a day at the seaside this weekend?
If so, chief concerns were not letting your ice cream drip before you licked it, getting a car parking space and not having the sand spoil your pic-nic.
But there are more serious issues to address, and the UK's first National Coastal Symposium - to be held tomorrow in Skegness - will set out to tackle the real problems faced by coastal areas.
Experts believe a higher ratio of pensioners, low wages and a dependence on a single industry are key problems hitting Britain's coastal areas.
There is a call for help from Government, but private business surely can strike first and take advantage of the different dynamics these places have.
What is important is that resorts geared up for handling large volumes of people engage in activity that is not weather dependent. Casinos and indoor sports venues that offer bigger and better facilities than inland towns can help, and then there is the large conference market.
Cleethorpes is luckier than other resorts in that it has a large residential population (including that of Grimsby) to use the cafes, restaurants and bars that have sprung up, providing regular income from residents as well as visitors. But others don't have that to fall back on, and it certainly isn't enough to sustain it.
Part of me feels that resorts will always be seasonal and that should be accepted, the weather will rule the coastal communities. But that shouldn't be at the expense of those who need to live - and thrive - there to make such places a summer success.

Energy needed for DIY

ONE of Grimsby's newest, biggest and most controversial buildings will soon have a new owner.
B&Q owner Kingfisher Group is selling its Peaks Parkway store, though nothing will change, as it will be immediately leased back to them by buyers British Land.
The £20-million development, which opened to much fanfare and some consternation from neighbouring residents in 2002, has been hived off as Kingfisher looks to provide some stability and guaranteed cashflow for what has been described as an "ailing" DIY giant.
Six other stores are going the same way - representing roughly 7 per cent of the company's portfolio.
A great investment for British Land - a stready (though capped) rental income - and huge swathes of land in or near town centres that is unlikely to ever lose value.
But a clear sign of the continued consumer slow down it certainly is.
B&Q said in May that retail profits had slumped in the first quarter of the year to £21.9 million from £73.7 million a year earlier.
Competitors, including Homebase and Wickes, have also felt the pinch spending is slashed due to spiralling fuel costs in the home.
There's no wonder the energy issue has been such a focus. It is clear the need to produce it at a cost that sees a return to prices of two or three years ago is urgently required, to get us dipping into our pockets without fear once again.

Sir Digby's stand was a proud one.

SIR Digby Jones demonstrated exactly why he has been so highly regarded in his six-and-a-half year reign as director-general of the Confederation of British Industry yesterday.
At ease on stage opening the new Riverside Terminal for DFDS in Immingham, the charismatic, confident ambassador for business pulled no punches as he gave his views.
And he was quick to underline the importance of the Port of Immingham to UK plc - with its status as the number one port when it comes to tonnage handled.
Quick with a joke, and strong with a point, he has decided to bow out while "at the top of his game". A point he claims to have made well to Tony Blair at a meeting last week when he apparently told the PM "he didn't want to overstay his welcome".
He stepped down at the end of June, and was - I imagine - flattered to hear that Bo Lerenius, group chief executive of ABP, was an admirer.
He praised his passionate fighting spirit by presenting him with a silver bulldog statue, stating Sir Digby had emulated the canine that has become a figurehead for Britain - being determined, stubborn and dogged.
For the future of manufacturing I hope the new incumbent, Richard Lambert, gets his teeth into the job with the gusto of Sir Digby, who is not far away from sporting a Union Jack waistcoat when it comes to patriotism.
He will no doubt be missed by many, and have relieved several others, by making the decision to stand down.

Independents take on the multiple muscle

A LEVEL playing field, transparency and market share planning checks are top of the shopping list for independent retailers as they battle the might of the multiples.
Dudley Ramsden has made sure Austin Mitchell is well aware of the situation facing businesses like his when the Grimsby MP joined him down the aisles as part of a campaign by the Association of Convenience Stores.
There is no doubting the might the likes of Tesco and the other big supermakets have, and the clout it affords them. And this is why it is vital that protection and parity should be offered to all those who try to compete.
Not only is there a need to protect livelihoods and indentity, but also choice and freedom.
The likes of Ramsdens should at the very least know what they are competing against when they buy in produce, and at best be offered prices the major multiples can get because of the bulk purchasing power they have.
And should one supermarket be allowed to corner one town's market is another worthy question posed. The two Tesco Extras in North East Lincolnshire technically sit in different towns, but the take of the pound must be far greater than the one in eight figure given for the nation.
A two year inquiry has just been launched to assess the power of the big four - why it will take that long no-one is sure - but to preserve choice some limitations are needed, and quick.

Century-maker Immingham is top of the ports

THE official opening of three new roll-on roll-off berths at Immingham's outer harbour will be celebrated this week.
An official unveiling of the £35-million development has been planned to fall in line exactly with the 100 year anniversary of work beginning on the dock, at the deepest section of the River Humber.
When the first sod was cut by Lady Henderson, the wife of the owner of the railway company back in 1906, those involved clearly knew they were onto a good thing.
Now it is the top port in the country, handling more than 55 million tonnes of cargo a year, and has emerged as a jewel in ABP's crown.
With infrastructure on the docks constantly being improved to build on the success, now is the time - 100 years on - to pledge more to this area.
Planning permission and funding requests for the EastGate project - a multi-million pound scheme that would enlarge the dock estate towards Stallingborough, bringing more roads and unlocking more land for development - are on the table. These really should be given the thumbs up so the Humber - and Immingham especially - becomes the natural entrance to the UK for freight. It may not be a glamourous title, but it is a vital one for this area, and recognition raises awareness, and with it can come investment. People want to be associated with the best, so now is the time to put those eggs in the basket, and make Immingham the superport it is capable of being.
For too long the A180 has been described as the country's largest cul-de-sac. Let's make it the country's welcome mat.

Solidarity and strength shines through

A YEAR ago today 52 people lost their lives as they did what we all do every day without thinking - travel to work.
The attrocious attacks on those using the capital's public transport system was a horrid reminder of the world we now live in.
We all know people who could have been part of that number, friends and relatives who work in London, who use the tubes and the buses every day.
While we may be 200 miles away here in Grimsby, it was a chilling day that struck fear and echoed the uncertainty last felt in September 2001. It showed what a precarious world we live in.
But the spirit, steel and determination to not let terrorists win the battle has purveyed, and for that I am incredibly proud to be British.
I remember as if it was yesterday the crowds of people television cameras showed wallking home from work that night. While it was the only real option, the purpose and poise of those doing so almost sent a defiant message in itself.

Here's my Sunday morning call

SUNDAYS will stay the same - hurrah!
As if six hours weren't enough to squeeze a trip in to Tesco, a slide round Sainsbury's or a rove around Ramsdens, certain sections of the retail industry wanted more.
Personally I think it is a victory for the weekend. But others won't feel that way. I cannot argue that shoppoing is no longer just a necessity, sad though that is.
For many it is a leisure activity, persued with vigour, but what must never be forgotten is the team of staff that has to be in place to let that happen.
While many may moan that working hours during the week are preventative to such a hobby, leaving only Saturday and Sunday to shop, the status quo allows for the thousands working in retail to still have that vital time with families.
Sunday trading laws have worked fine now for several years - but with the big supermarkets now offering 24 hour shopping, it is easy to see why some feel inconvenienced come 5pm on the seventh day. My Sunday My Choice was one lobbying group set up by the mega retailers, but would that have applied to the staff?
One thing is for sure, the DTI's decision will be a huge boost to the corner shop, where convenience really counts. It will give something back to a sector already fighting a battle with the big boys.
This is bound to be a recurring issue though, but the fact that there was "no substantial demand for change" according to Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling, should send a resounding message back.

Take-off for Humberside

The importance of a successful airport to an aspiring business community is clear, so today's announcement about the additions of Eqypt and Corfu to Humberside's flight schedule was great news.
Both are very popular destinations, but for me it was more about the distances.
These are mid-haul flights, more than five hours away, and if successful - which I'm sure they will be - could well tempt the operator, or others, into offering even more from Kirmington.
Regularly loading up these planes will show the demand is here, and all being well, is sustainable.
Coming on the back of Ryanair's daily Dublin flight, it is a great boost for the one million regional residents, and should tempt those from further afield to head this way for a change, bringing their spending money to boost the service sector too.
It is a real shot in the arm for Humberside, with many fearing the impact Robin Hood Airport would have on the outskirts of Doncaster. But passenger numbers keep rising and these new flights all add up to a very impressive package.

Planning to succeed

GORDON Brown is planning a planning shake-up, and that can only be good news for the Grimsby-area.
A review into the problems faced by businesses when it comes to progression and development is now underway - and not before time will be the greeting along the Humber bank.
With the ports thriving, especially in Immingham with the massive riverside development by DFDS and ABP to expand roll-on/roll-off traffic, this area has the potential to attract major value-adding companies and key importers and exporters.
But to do so, speed is a necessity. Companies respond to market conditions, and while capital projects tend to be long-term investments, the decision is often dictated by the short-term situation.
Delays, deferrals and elongated time frames for plans to be passed simply do not help, and can only lead to companies looking elsewhere, even abroad.
Not the fault of the planners. They work to guidelines laid down to them. Criteria has to be met, all manner of environmental checks ticked and verified, to ensure England's green and pleasant land remains just that.
But the report into policy recommendations by Kate Barker, a leading economist with the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, will be fiercly welcomed here.
With the Eastgate Project between Immingham and Stallingborough carrying potential to open up vast swathes of land allowing for the enlarging the dock estate just entering the planning phase now, a careful eye will be kept on any changes by those involved in the ports partnerships here.
And any positive moves may help those like Auto-Trail in years to come.
The motorhome manufacturer on Eurparc is awaiting permission to expand on land adjacent to the current factory - surely something that would just require a rubber stamp?
It seems such a stamp no longer exists, but these are delicate matters, and the French money behind it should be seized while it can be. Otherwise the factories may well be built on the soon-to-be surplus vinyards that France is awash with after we changed our tastes to the new world wines!
We await with interest, but then developers are more than used to waiting.

World of despair - unless you sold flags

ONE bright spot for England fans on a morning of mourning - at least the fuel efficency will be back on track.
The thousands of mini-flags - flown from vehicles for the past month, and blamed for a slight rise in the amount of petrol it take to get from A to B - prematurely reached their use-by date at 6.30pm on Saturday.
While Sven is being made to take the blame for England's early exit, there is no doubting that the true success of the tournament has been those behind all merchandise red and white.
The simpest of designs, trademark-free, has been proudly and passionately displayed everywhere. And what a joy it is to see. The US love their stars and stripes, and for too long we seem to have been scared of associating ourselves with far-right extremists if we hoist the Cross of St George aloft.
On Saturday even my mum sported some red and white face paint to get behind the lads - though it was the smoke from the subsequent barbecue in her eyes rather than the result that made it run.
It was in the end, all rather predicatable, but at least we have identified a skill gap. Perhaps as an addition to the marvellous Centre for Assessment of Technical Competence – Humber (the CATCH chemical training centre to you and I at Stallingborough) we could set up a 12 yard stretch of land, a goal and a new degree in penalty taking.
Still, at least the home ground is coming on nicely - or not. Yet more delays for Wembley today in what has been a shambles of a project.
Across London Arsenal have their new stadium complete and ready for the new season, yet we will have seen four England managers in the time Wembley has hosted another game.
Maybe a lack of that feeling of homeliness was Sven's downfall!