Law firm supports Bournemouth Foodbank

Law firm Trethowans has supported Bournemouth Foodbank by completing all legal work on its new five-year leasehold agreement on a free of charge basis.

The charity, which provides nutritious emergency food and assistance to people in crisis referred to it by support agencies, needed to renew the lease on its premises at St. George’s Methodist Church in Haviland Road, Boscombe.

However, the recent food, energy and fuel price rises, combined with the pressures of the ongoing pandemic, has led to increased demand for the foodbank, leaving it short of resources.

Trethowans stepped in and reviewed the landlord’s draft leasehold agreement to check it was fit for purpose.

It also negotiated, where necessary, and made sure Bournemouth Foodbank understood the contents of the agreement.

The lease is now agreed, signed and in force.

Franziska Prosch de Escate, Senior Associate in Trethowans’ commercial property team, who undertook the work, said: “We know just how hard the Bournemouth Foodbank works and the vital work that it does, so we were delighted to be able to help them.”

Trethowans also made a collection of food items in its Bournemouth office and donated it to the charity.

Debbie Coombes, Project Director at Bournemouth Foodbank, said: “We want to thank Trethowans for providing its services free of charge.

“The team helped us navigate the long process of agreeing our new lease and we are thrilled to announce it has now been finalised.

“St. George’s Methodist Church will be instrumental to our future growth and new projects.

“We strive to work with local businesses that want to support our work, helping to bring the community together towards a future where food banks are no longer needed.”

• bournemouth.foodbank.org.uk

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Key appointment at The CRUMBS Project

The CRUMBS Project has appointed Janet Miller to the newly created position of Digital PATHS Trainer.

Having previously worked with the Bournemouth-based disability training charity through her role with BCP Skills & Learning supporting IT literacy, Janet, pictured left, will be a key part of the team designing and delivering new digital training units.

The specific focus will be on employment and independent living, helping more adults into employment and improved financial health.

Investment in Digital PATHS training is part of the Power Up 2.0 initiative, run by the Good Things Foundation with financial support from JP Morgan.

Janet said: “I am hugely excited about joining the team at CRUMBS, combining my two passions of food and helping people explore their capabilities.

“Eight years ago, I retired from hotel & catering and retrained as a tutor – it’s one of the best decisions I have made. I love it!

“Having a role in someone’s confidence growing as they learn is hugely rewarding and often wonderfully surprising.”

Ursula Boardman, Head of Centre at CRUMBS, pictured right, said: “Janet brings enthusiasm and expertise in digital skills to the team of professional trainers at CRUMBS.

“She is already a popular face amongst the community of past and present trainees.

“We are all looking forward to working with Janet to make Digital PATHS a successful route for our trainees to better employment, financial opportunities, and independence.”

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Antony Batty & Company marks 25th anniversary

An insolvency practitioner and turnaround specialist with an office in Bournemouth has celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Antony Batty & Company has grown to five offices with five insolvency practitioners and over 40 staff.

It has been appointed to more than 2,500 insolvency cases since Founder and Senior Partner Antony Batty, a chartered accountant, started the business in 1997.

Clive Fortis, Director and Head of Bournemouth and South West, said: “Having developed good local contacts, and advised hundreds of businesses and individuals with financial difficulties for almost ten years, we took the decision to open a permanent office in Bournemouth in 2017.

“A decision heavily supported by our existing clients.

“Just before the first lockdown, in March 2020, Elaine Wilkins, pictured left, who was well-established in Bournemouth and Dorset, was employed as a Business Development Manager with Alison Gates heading up our customer Service and administration team

“Hitting 25 years is a great achievement for Antony Batty & Company.

“We are proud to have contributed to that success in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas.”

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Oliver welcomed to Goadsby’s property management team

Adrian Carter, Director of Goadsby’s Property Management Department, has welcomed Oliver Collier to the team as Property Management Assistant.

Based at Goadsby’s Holdenhurst Road office in Bournemouth, he joins the department after studying Business Management at the University of Surrey.

Oliver, pictured left, has practical experience having previously worked in the property industry on construction sites.

He’s now looking forward to putting both his practical and academic knowledge to good use.

Oliver’s role will initially involve dealing with a mixed portfolio of property.