Buster offer money back guarentee for Plughole Unblockers

Buster, the plughole care brand is so confident about its products it has launched a 30 day money back guarantee on its two unblocking products.

The new money back guarantee on packs of Buster Kitchen Plughole Unblocker and Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker is available in stores now. It comes hot on the heels of National Plughole Week (20-27 July), which was supported by the brand.

Louise Perry, Buster brand manager says: “Times are tight and we are simply saying that if you are not happy with the performance of our products, you can have your money back!”

Buster has become synonymous with plughole care and is the only brand of plughole treatments and unblockers individually formulated for kitchens and bathrooms.

Buster Kitchen Plughole Unblocker works by blasting food and fat waste out of kitchen drains whilst Buster Bathroom Unblocker dissolves hair and soap blockages in showers and baths.

The two unblockers are complemented by two treatment products Buster Kitchen Plughole & Sink Treatment and Buster Bathroom Plughole & Sink Treatment, which kill germs and smells, remove stains and leave plugholes fresh.

Priced at £3.29 (RRP) for 300gm, Buster is stocked in Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Wilkinson, Tesco, Morrisons and independent hardware stores. Visit www.plugholesneedlovetoo.com

‘Doctors’ stars officially unveil new learning centre for Birmingham

Press invite & Photo-call


‘Doctors’ stars officially unveil new learning centre for Birmingham

date Friday 4th September 2009
time 2.30pm – 5.30pmvenue TBG Learning, George Nott House, 119 Holloway Head, Birmingham, B1 1QP
media rsvp Helen Sharkey, Tel 01473 326405 (07521 318127) helen.sharkey@projectpr.biz

Selina Chilton (Ruth Pearce) and Donnaleigh Bailey (Michelle Corrigan), stars of the BBC One drama series ‘Doctors’, will be officially opening a new learning centre for Birmingham, with help from local MP Claire Short.

TBG Learning, which used to be based in Great Charles Street, has moved into a new centre in George Nott house in order to provide more space and better facilities for learners on programmes such as entry to employment (e2e), Flexible Routeways, and the Government’s Flexible New Deal programme, which starts on 5th October and aims to assist people back into employment.

The event will include the opportunity to have a tour of the new centre and find out about courses on offer. Successful ex-learners who have since gained employment following participation on a programme at TBG Learning will be returning for the event to talk about their experiences. E2e students who have progressed onto college will also be attending to tell their story. TBG Learning’s regional manager for the West Midlands, Lawrence Thirlaway, will address guests.

The event will include a prize draw to raise money for TBG Learning Birmingham’s chosen charity, the Stroke Association.

Other guests will include representatives from TBG Learning’s partners, including Connexions, the Jobcentre, Matthew Bolton College, A1 training, the Shaw Trust, Platinum Training, City College, Zenos Training Academy, and the Learning and Skills Council.

If you would like to attend, or would like to receive photographs and a write-up post event, please contact Helen Sharkey on the details below.

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088 Birmingham
For further information please contact:
Helen Sharkey, Project PR – 01473 326405 (07521 318127) or helen.sharkey@projectpr.biz

70% of NEET’s in Tendring finding work, apprenticeships or further training in 2009

Government figures released this morning have shown that one in six 18 to 24-year-olds are now ‘NEET’ - not in education, employment or training. According to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, 835,000 are now ‘NEET’, up from 730,000.

However, in Tendring, Essex, local training provider TBG Learning’s NEET programme has achieved outstanding success so far in 2009, with 70% of all young people who enrol on courses with them progressing on to further training, apprenticeships or employment.

TBG Learning centres have been at the forefront in delivering the Government programme aimed at helping the NEET group. Tutors help them improve skills in English, Maths and IT, as well as giving them individual support to develop their confidence. Advice on further training and careers are also given to progress each young person onto something positive. Many learners join the entry to employment (e2e) programme as a ‘NEET’, but in a short period of time are able to gain skills to help them into apprenticeships or employment.

In Tendring, Ellie McCarthy enrolled on the e2e programme, and in just two weeks was successful in securing an apprenticeship placement with Omega Estate Agents, and has now progressed into a full time job. Nathan Phillips, who has ADHA and difficulties in concentrating, took just 13 weeks to secure a full time position with Grantleys Electrical as a sales assistant.

Rob Fitt, TBG Learning Tendring centre manager commented: “In Tendring the amount of young people who are NEET is always higher than the national average, so to have a 70% positive progression rate is a huge success. The e2e programme is a great tool to get young people back on the right path.”

Iain Wright, the minister for 14-19 reform, said school leavers had been badly hit by the recession.

"Reducing the proportion of 18 year old Neets has proved challenging, and we know that the economic downturn is significantly affecting young people," he said.

The Government has said reducing the number in this age group is a priority, but the figures show they rose by more than 13,000 to 233,000.

ENDS

TBG Tendring 081

For further information please contact:
Helen Sharkey Project PR, Telephone 01473 326405 / 07521 318127

National Plughole Week raises £10,500 for Oxfam GB

Caring plughole experts Buster are delighted to announce that almost £10,500 has been raised for Oxfam GB, as a result of the activities undertaken during National Plughole Week (20-27th July).

The money, which totalled £10,458, was raised through a five pence donation on every product sold during the campaign, with generous consumers adding to the total by making their own contributions on the justgiving.com website.

The money will be given to support Oxfam GB’s water and sanitation work, providing people in developing countries with items such as rainwater harvesting systems, filters and essential hygiene kits. These will enable them to access clean, safe drinking water. It is estimated the donation will help provide clean water to more than 14,000 people.

Louise Perry, Buster brand manager said of the donation; “We are absolutely thrilled with the final total, it exceeded all of our expectations. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the campaign, either through making a donation or by buying a bottle of the product. Buster is a caring brand and the donation to Oxfam will provide clean, safe water to help thousands of people who don’t have access to the luxuries that we take for granted.”

Natalie Griffin in the corporate partnerships team at Oxfam GB added; “We are very grateful for the support shown by Buster and National Plughole Week. The money will help us to deliver essential clean water to some of the world’s poorest people.”

If you would like to make a contribution to the campaign, please visit www.justgiving.com/plugholeweekwithoxfam.

Alternatively, visit www.twitter.com/plugholeweek. Oxfam GB is a Registered Charity Number 202918.

TBG Learning’s Response to Redundancy programme can ease the strain of today’s rise in unemployment figures

Local independent training provider TBG Learning, which has centres in Derbyshire, Kent and London, is ready to help the rising numbers of unemployed people announced in new figures released today. Over 2.44 million people are now out of work – the highest level in nearly fifteen years.

TBG Learning provides the free ‘Response to Redundancy’ programme, which can help people get back into work. It is for people of all skill levels, from manual workers to those from professional and management roles. It gives individual, practical support on areas such as CV writing; identifying job vacancies and brushing up on interview techniques plus help with improving literacy and Numeracy skills if required.

Response to Redundancy is available to anyone who is under notice of redundancy, has been made redundant recently, or is unemployed and ready for work. The advice and training is tailored and can be as short or as long as is needed, dependent on the extent of help required.

The programme also offers support to employers who have had to make staff redundant, not only to help those under notice of redundancy, but also to upskill the remaining workforce to help make the future of the company more secure.

Abi Osho, Regional Manager for TBG Learning London said: “This is a distressing time for those people who are out of work or facing redundancy, but this programme is great because it is tailored to the needs of the individual, whether you have been made redundant from a financial job in the City or have come from a more practical background. Come along and see what it can do for you!”

To find out more about whether Response to Redundancy is for you visit www.tbglearning.com to find details of your nearest centre.

The course is free to anyone who enrols as it is being funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

ENDS

Trust factor key as mortgage applications soar

Confidence in the economy is low, but Ipswich Building Society is bucking the trend. It has reported a staggering increase of 80% in its mortgage applications (July 09 v July 08), whilst building societies overall have seen the number of applications reduced.

The dramatic increase in Ipswich Building Society’s mortgage lending is mirrored in its success at attracting new deposits in savings accounts. The industry as a whole has continued to see higher withdrawals than receipts from accounts, whereas Ipswich Building Society's half year results for 2009 show an increase of 55% in positive net receipts, compared to the same period in 2008.

Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society, said: “The current financial climate means people will be naturally nervous and as well as competitive products, they need reassurance. Unlike most lenders, we empower our employees so they can follow through each mortgage or new account request, giving customers the confidence of dealing with just one individual, as well as having prompt and efficient service.”

He added: “There is a return by the public generally to appreciating the benefits of locally based financial organisations who they can develop a relationship with and trust. Our own research backs this up.”

Ipswich Building Society undertook brand research with 400 customers and non-customers in April this year, which showed trust and quality of service as the two most important factors in choosing a financial institution.

For further information about Ipswich Building Society telephone 0845 230 8686 or visit the website at www.ibs.co.uk

EEI welcomes new head of Business Development

East of England International (EEI), the organisation that helps businesses export and assists foreign-owned companies to set up in the region, is delighted to announce that Brian Hayland has joined the organisation as Head of Business Development.

Brian’s new role will be as part of the inward investment function, and he will spearhead the team looking to secure foreign businesses to invest in the region, and to assist them when they arrive.

Prior to joining EEI, Brian built a career spanning over 20 years with Barclays Commercial Banking, where the latter half of his time there was spent focusing entirely on helping businesses expand and succeed outside their domestic territories.

More recently, in his role as Head of the Barclays Inward Investment team, Brian supported foreign businesses wishing to invest in the region. He will be bringing with him established, strong relationships with international and UK inward investment business communities which will benefit EEI and the businesses that it supports.

EEI chairman Sir Robin Young said: “I am delighted to welcome Brian to the team. His experience in helping foreign owned businesses set up in the UK will be a great asset to EEI, and as he was born and bred in the East of England he will be a great ambassador for the region.”

Brian is based in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, where he lives with his wife Claire and his two children. In his spare time, he is an avid spectator and player of rugby, football and cricket.


01/08/09


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Photo caption: Brian Hyland


Further press information from:
Helen Sharkey, Project PR,
Tel: 01473 326405
Email: Helen.sharkey@projectpr.biz


Note to Editors

East of England International (EEI) works with companies seeking to trade internationally and assists foreign-owned businesses looking to invest in the region. EEI is funded by and works in partnership with the UK Government, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and a wide range of businesses and partners in the region.

In the East of England, EEI’s Trade Team delivers UK Trade & Investment’s export services.

UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign businesses focused on the UK as an inward investment location. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency.

East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force behind sustainable economic regeneration in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Its vision is to create a leading economy, founded on a world-class knowledge base, creativity and enterprise to improve the quality of life for all who live and work here.

For further information on the above organisations visit:
www.eei-online.com
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
www.eeda.org.uk

Ref: EEI-C009

When washing your hair don't forget your plugholes!

Washing your hair can be one of the most relaxing parts of having a bath or shower. The gentle massage on your head as you rub in the shampoo can stimulate your mind and body, but if you’ve ever had to clear up your shower from clogs of unwanted hair you’ll know its not a relaxing time for your plugholes!

The average human head has 100,000 strands of hair, and it is estimated that we lose 100 strands of hair a day. Most of this falls out when we wash our hair, so combined with soap sludge and other bathroom deposits it is clear that it can cause havoc in your bathroom.

When left unattended, a build up of hair and soap sludge can not only cause blockages and slow running pipes, but it is a breeding ground for nasty germs such as salmonella which can lead to nasty smells and stains in your pipes and around your plughole.

However, this can easily be prevented with a dose of Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker. The solution will dissolve any blocked hair and sludge, leaving your plugholes hygienically clean and fresh and your showers flowing freely.

Complimenting the unblocker is Buster Bathroom Plughole& Sink Treatment, which will remove stains and smelly odours from your plugholes. The foaming granules will add a little luxury to your bathroom with the fresh fragrance of rose and camphor.

Priced at £3.29 (RRP) for 300gm, Buster is stocked in Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Wilkinson, Tesco, Morrisons and independent hardware stores. Visit www.plugholesneedlovetoo.com