The format is quite a contrast to traditional exhibitions. Senior buyers from organisations such as Carillion, Hampshire County Council, BAA Southhampton, Lakehouse Contract and New Forest District Council have already committed to take part. They will all be given a buying office at the event, allowing them each to meet around 40 small and medium sized businesses - all during the course of one day!  It is the buyers who will occupy the stands and this is where local suppliers will conduct their private meetings with them. A unique appointment system allows suppliers to conduct sales meetings with the buyers of their choice, all in one day.

The business to business event is funded by the South Hampshire ‘Meet the Buyers’ partnership which includes Eastleigh Borough Council, PUSH, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City Council.

The South Hampshire Meet the Buyers will be held on Wednesday 24th March at the East Horton Golf Club, Fair Oak, Hampshire. SO50 7EA. For more information or to reserve your place visit contact Victoria Weaver on 0207 7000008, or email victoria@business-business.co.uk.

Local residents and businesses have been commenting on a draft economic strategy for the District, which has been drawn together after months of discussion, analysis and evidence-gathering. The document, spanning ten years from 2010 to 2020, is being reviewed following public input, and will go to the Council’s Cabinet meeting in March for final approval.

The strategy describes the current state of Winchester’s economy, splitting the district into three geographical areas of Winchester town, the southern urban areas and the rural district. Five key industry sectors are identified and given special consideration - tourism, retail, knowledge & creative industries, public administration & services and land based industries. One of the big issues addressed by the strategy is need to work towards a low carbon economy, both to provide new jobs for tomorrow’s workforce but also to protect the very District in which we live and work.

Cllr George Beckett, Leader of Winchester City Council with responsibility for economy and tourism, is pleased with the developing document:
“The strategy paints a helpful picture of our economic landscape, but more  importantly it contains a comprehensive action plan setting out how we will achieve  the targets we have set for ourselves and our partner organisations.”

Winchester City Council’s Head of Economic and Cultural Services, Eloise Appleby, added:
 “After months of wall-to-wall media coverage of the recession, the economy can seem a dry topic. But the economy affects us all. Among other things, this strategy is about the jobs we have now and that our children will do in the future; the shops  and businesses we use every day; the traffic jams we sit in during rush hour; our environmental impact; the quality of life we enjoy; and the visitors we welcome to  the district each year.” 

The document will be available to view at www.winchester.gov.uk/economicstrategy or telephone Economic Development Manager Kate Crawford on 01962 848 563 or email kcrawford@winchester.gov.uk

Subsidised Graduate Intern Scheme

The universities of Southampton Solent, Southampton and Winchester are working with Graduate Jobs South www.graduatejobsouth.co.uk on a graduate internship scheme, funded by HEFCE. We are looking for employers based in Hampshire who are interested in taking on a graduate for a 12 week internship. The employer receives £1,350 per intern and the remainder of the salary must be paid by the employer.