Woolworths and Croydon

Woolworths may of been founded in Liverpool but how many of you know that it's biggest success is right here in Croydon. The site of the Woolworth store in North End, Croydon was chosen by Frank Woolworth and was opened 4th May 1912.



Croydon Woolworths is the oldest store which is still operating in it's current location. Croydon has changed dramatically around what was the original store as has the store itself by expanding into what was originally a cinema in 1929 and into the Whitgift centre in 1969.

Over the last few years Woolworths has been slowly suffering like a cancer. In the last 24 hours, it doesn't look to good and like a trip to the doctor which you are trying to put off as long as you can, it looks like it is about to get the news everyone dreads. Not good for the staff just before Christmas and for all those suppliers who may not get paid, but the signs have been there for some time and like it or not, it can't really blame the current slow down if it does go under.

Yes it would be a shame to see another original store disappear off our high street but at the same time, it could also cause havoc to other areas like Hamsey Green, New addington and Selsdon as Woolworths there pull in customers for all the community.

Picture - Croydon woolworths shop floor in Spring 1914 - visit Woolworth Museum

Is Microsoft's Bizsparks right for start up businesses

Microsoft have launched a new incentive to help start up businesses. According to the news item on BBC, Microsoft want to work with organisations and governments around the world to offer businesses with an income under $1 million to use their software without charge.

However, as your business grows and makes profit, once your business has been operating for three years, taken over of surpassed the revenue cut off, you will owe Microsoft a fee and then be charged the normal fee's.

Bizspark, is only available to start up businesses who are selected by venture capital group or one of Microsoft's champions. Ok, it will give you access to Microsoft's development software and cloud but we feel that many start ups can benefit from the wide range of FREE resources already available.

Openoffice3 is a free download and provides you with everything you need to operate your day to day business. It is more powerful and has more tools than any of the Microsoft office programs plus it is fully compatible. For instance, you can create a "write" document in openoffice3 - save it as a pdf at a click of a button, plus you can choose which other format to save it as so if you are e-mailing to someone using word, they too can open it without any issues.

Another major advantage is it can open documents from any Microsoft format both present and past. That's something not even Microsoft software can do. An example is you have office 2007 and you save a excel file. You send it to someone who has office2000. They will not be able to open it. In openoffice, that is not an issue.



To get the full enjoyment download openoffice3 at: Openoffice organisation website

Maximise your office environment

I spend a lot of time visiting clients at there offices and one thing that stands out is how many are taking the full advantage of their space. For example, a company I recently visited had around 12 staff and what I call a medium sized office but it was very cramped and busy due to the fact that most of the staff had full sized desks.

Having an office space which is welcoming and inviting is a must if you are expecting guests or potential clients. There are a number of things you can look at:

Desk usage - Do your staff need full sized desks or could they work at workstations? Do they really need to work from the office all of the time? Are the desks an extension to ones filing system.

Storage - Again, do all staff need pedestals under each desk, have you got the right filing cabinets or storage systems. In the day of technology, do you need to print everything off to keep in a file to collect dust.

A good office should be un-cluttered, clean and have space to let people get around without bumping into everything or other staff. A little thought to your office environment can go a long way and believe me, your staff will enjoy being their more as well.

Events for Croydon Businesses

November has lots of oppotunities for Businesses in Croydon, South london. Networking or face to face marketing as some prefer to call it is a powerful tool to market your business while keeping in contact with existing clients. Croydon has lots of groups meeting in November including BNI, BRE, Business for Breakfast, Venture Catalyst, Givers Gain, 4networking, Croydon Chambers of Commerce, Croydon Business to name a few.

November also see's the return of Croydon Enterprise week (Monday 17th to 23rd November) which includes workshops, seminars, talks and networking events. The week finishes off with the womans day conference with guest speaker Shάά Wasmund, a top entrepuner.

Many of the workshops are either free or a fairly priced and as a business can benefit from them in a wide range of ways. Prepare yourself as you WILL meet like minded people who you could end up doing business with. Carry lots of business cards and a pen to make notes.

For further information on networking events, workshops, exhibitions or just social events for business, visit All about Croydon Business Events