New Milton Advertiser 29th Jan 2021

Friday 29th January 2021 · 17

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Business

Business park plan for revamp of ex-airfield site

site were put forward in August. HamdonGate has now sub- mitted a full proposal to build a terrace of nine industrial units alongside one café with a drive- through and one fast food res- taurant. No details of would-be occu- piers of the new buildings have been provided. “The proposal represents a rare opportunity to bring forward a beneficial regen - eration opportunity within Christchurch’s commercial heartland,” said the plans. “[It will deliver] a significant increase in job opportunities compared to the extant use, together with two restaurant/ drive-through opportunities to enhance the employee and vis- itor experience when visiting

the Somerford Road, Wilverley Road and Meteor retail park.” The statement added the new development would make “more efficient use” of the land andwold “contribute to the eco- nomic, social and environmen- tal wellbeing of Christchurch”. None of the trees bordering the site would need to be re- moved, it said, except for one “poor quality” tree to facilitate a pedestrian access requested by the council during prelimi- nary discussions. The application proposed the business units be given plan- ning-use classes allowing them to be for either industrial or re- tail and office purposes. Council planning officers will consider the application in the coming weeks.

Eateries included in proposals described as ‘rare opportunity’

Sandy Balls celebrating bronze in the 2019 awards

BY JOSH WRIGHT

Forest tourism sites shortlisted for awards

PLANS have been revealed to redevelop part of the former Christchurch airfield site into a business park with two drive- through restaurants. Southampton-based devel- oper HamdonGate has applied to BCP Council for permission to build on the Somerford Road site next to the Meteor retail park, writes Josh Wright of the Local Democracy Reporting Service . It said the scheme was a “rare

opportunity to bring forward beneficial regeneration” in the town. Previously housing an Office for National Statistics storage facility, the land was once the site of Christchurch Airport and a major part of the aircraft The site on Somerford Road

industry in the town. The airfield was an RAF base during the Second World War but that use ended in 1966 fol- lowing the closure of its control tower. Some of the factory units re- mained but plans to clear the

said organisers felt strongly the event should go ahead despite the pandemic. “Recognising and celebrat- ing the quality and excellence of our tourism business in the face of adversity is really im- portant to us,” she said. “Tourism in the South East demonstrates national and world class offerings, and the entry standards to our awards are always high. This year was exceptionally chal- lenging for our businesses and we are pleased to be able to deliver some well needed positivity and rewards.” Andrew Mosley, from headline sponsor The Grand Brighton, will join Tourism South East to recognise the companies along with repre- sentatives from fellow spon- sors Visit Brighton, Quality in Tourism, Jarrang, Worldpay, Hotel Perfect and Hoogly Tea. Andrew said he was thrilled to be a part of the awards for the third year running “even if hosting this year’s event might be a little different”. He added: “These awards are now more important than ever, as they support our in- dustry and highlight the re- silient and inspirational hos- pitality businesses we have on our doorstep in the south- east area. “We are very much looking forward to this year’s event and a much-needed dose of positivity and celebration.”

IN a challenging year for the local tourism industry, a handful of New Forest sites have made the finals of the prestigious 2020/21 Beautiful South Awards. More than 60 firms from an area stretching from Hamp- shire up to Oxfordshire and across to Kent and the Isle of Wight have been selected as finalists in 18 categories, with another 12 commended. The Forest is well repre - sented in the Camping &Hol- iday Park of the Year award, with Sandy Balls in Fording - bridge and Shorefield County Park in Milford making the fi - nal. Sandy Balls took bronze at the last awards in 2019, while Shorefield won silver in the Dog Friendly Business of the Year. Hoburne Holiday Parks’ sites at Bashley and Naish were also commended in the category – replicating their feat from 2019. And among those contest- ing the Self Catering Accom- modation of the Year gong is Short Stay Homes’ Riverside Lodge accommodation, on the banks of the River Avon, near Fordingbridge. Run by Tourism South East, the Beautiful South Awards hand out gold, silver and bronze prizes in its annu- al ceremony, which this year will be held in an online bash on 4th March Fran Downton, chief exec - utive of Tourism South East,

Firm’s soaring new brand and strategy

A NEW Milton manufactur- ing firm is celebrating its 60th birthday with a fresh look and new strategy. RHH Franks, based on the Gore Road industrial estate, engineers parts for global aero- space, defence, nuclear and ma- rine industries. Now, as part of its anniversary, MD Elsa Hogan has plans to “revolutionise” the business. She said: “As we enter our 60th year, it was important to build on our long-standing his- tory of success and sustainable growth by revolutionising our strategy with reignited ambi- tion. “This rebrand marks a sig- nificant turning point for the business, which is now focused on reinvesting in our people, software, machinery and facil- ities, along with improving ef- ficiency to meet the increasing demands of the supply chains we serve. “RHH Franks strives to be at the forefront of manufacturing innovation, constantly improv- ing our processes and capabili-

McDonald Elmers Court Hotel and Resorts

Resort’s crowning glory in customer satisfaction

Managing director Elsa Hogan, front centre, with staff a t RHH Franks

ties with the aim of passing the benefits onto our customers. “It was therefore fitting to take the opportunity this year to announce our revised strat- egy and unveil a new look that our employees can be proud to work for and our clients can be proud to work with.” Founded in 1961 by Ronald Henry Herman Franks and Bas - il James, RHH Franks start - ed by manufacturing parts for short-haul jet airlines under construction at Bournemouth Airport. Over the decades, it has de-

livered parts, components and assemblies for some of the world’s most advanced aircraft of the time, including the Tor- nado GR4, Concorde, Augusta Westland 159, Hawk, Eurofight - er Typhoon and Apache AH64. Clients include Leonardo Helicopters, Eton Aerospace, Cobham, SEA Ltd, QinetiQ and Honeywell Aerospace. It has a team of over 40 engi- neers manufacturing more than 13,000 components each year. Elsa added: “We are thrilled to be celebrating 60 years in business.

A LYMINGTON hotel has grabbed a top customer satis- faction award. Macdonald Elmers Court Ho- tel & Resort has been given an RCI Gold Crown for hospitality. Holiday exchange company RCI sends out questionnaires to members asking them to rate their holidays, and honours are handed out based on those scores. The gold award is RCI’s highest prize.

In a statement, the hotel’s management said: “It’s a tes- timony to the hard work and dedication of the Elmers Court Hotel and Resort team that we have been able to achieve this prestigious accolade. “2020 has been a challenging time, as we all know, but I’m ex- cited for the year ahead as we plan to develop and get ready to reopen as soon as we are al- lowed.”