I have been manufacturing GRP products in Kent for eight years now, and in that time I have seen great changes in the sector. When I first started, some of the modern manufacturing tools and techniques were being drip-fed down from the big boys (Toyota, Ford...) to be adapted and adopted by the SME community. That is where MAS has been - encouraging us, sharing best practice, bringing in experts from different industries to show how these theoretical pieces fit into their operations.

MAS recently underwent changes but its message is still very relevant to smaller manufacturers. Best practice, being shared between organisations that aren't competing, makes for an all-round stronger and better sector. To get the country out of this crazy financial situation we need to be working effectively and efficiently, making profits, employing people, improving their skills and adding value to the materials we work. If we can reduce waste in all its forms as part of our processes that is a good start towards improvement.

We at Medway Fibreglass have been pleased to work with MAS in the past and look forward to continuing this relationship into the future. Our business has benefitted, our staff have improved and our wastes have been reduced. More importantly, we are working in a culture of continuous improvement - not just for today but for the future of our business and those around us.

Visit Canterbury Curry Club for more details.

The Sandwich Celebration in Sandwich Kent

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May 2012

The Sandwich Celebration is a two day event to mark the 250th anniversary of the legend of the sandwich and the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu.

The celebration will coincide with the British Sandwich Week organised by the British Sandwich Association.

There will be Food, Music,Tipis, Renactments, a teddy bears picnic, a 18th Century Concert and much more.

see for more details

http://www.sandwichevents.org.uk/Sandwich-Celebration-sandwich-events.shtml#programme

• PET TATTOOS — AIRBRUSHED DESIGNS MOST COMMONLY CREATED WITH A STENCIL AND NON-TOXIC DYE ESPECIALLY MADE FOR ANIMALS — ARE A GROWING TREND, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE GROOMERS (NAPCG). THE PRACTICE IS AN OFF-SHOOT OF SPECIALTY OR CREATIVE GROOMING, SUCH AS TRANSFORMING A PET INTO A PANDA OR OTHER EXOTIC CREATURE, THAT EMERGED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, SAYS THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT, AMY BROWN.

By Davis Turner, for USA TODAY

Techno shows off her new cut and color at The Dog Salon in Charlotte, N.C.

Opportunity losses increase as we do more

How many times do you here business people say – “I don’t have enough time to do what I should be doing because of all the paper work” or “I’m not going to delegate that task because no one else does it as well as I can” or “I can’t afford to hire additional help”?

These are all common business issues and ones that managers grapple with daily, but in doing so they are all ignoring the economic theory of comparative advantage which talks about focusing on doing what brings the highest returns rather than what you are good at.

You may be extremely good at sales and very good at office admin, but are you maximising your business potential by doing both? In general the answer is no; if you’re not out selling you’re not building revenues and if your out selling the organisation will start to creek. So decide which activity you should be doing to maximise returns and bring in someone to do the other task.

I used to travel to India a lot on business and was always intrigued to see this theory adopted to the nth degree; irrespective of social standing or wealth everyone seemed to have some form of helper. The theory behind this was very simple; by spending time generating income individuals could afford to hire someone to do those tasks that if they did them would stop them maximising their potential to earn money.

This is such a simple theory yet it is so often ignored.

The knock on effect of ignoring this theory is people work long hours trying to do everything, and because time is limited, performance suffers, errors creep in and everything grinds to a halt.

The first reaction to the suggestion that someone should be hired to fill a particular role is “we can’t afford it” rather than what opportunities will an extra hire create. By seeing the possibilities the decision making criteria becomes revenue versus cost rather than just cost. The opportunity loss may be greater not hiring someone than making the hire.

Businesses don’t have to hire additional staff to be in line with this theory; they can outsource tasks to specialists in those areas so they can focus on core competencies and maximising returns. Business consultants such as ourselves can help by working with the business to understand the business drivers that will lead to increased returns and assist in identifying and implementing solutions to meet this objective.

The important piece is to recognise the trade off between managed costs, opportunity losses and growth.

Businesses will not grow without resources growing. We can’t do everything, so focus on the best course of action to increase returns, trust in others and see both sides of the P&L equation.

Hello Everyone

I wanted to let you know about the offers that The Kent County Show are making on ticket sales for this years show.

If you buy your tickets in advance from the website you can make huge savings and have a great day out for far less. For instance, a family ticket (2 adults and 4 children) would normally pay £80 on the gate on Friday and £60 on the Saturday or Sunday - but pre-paid family tickets are just £35. Makes sense to think ahead, doesn't it?

Also, did you know, that if you are a carer for someone that you bring to the show - you can get in free!

Have a look at at the site for the full details.

KENT COUNTY SHOW TICKETS

As a special thank you to all of our Facebook friends. We will be holding a prize-draw next Saturday 20th May. Three lucky winners will be able to choose one free item from our Cool Britannia Collection. Just in time to celebrate The Diamond Jubilee in style!

All you need to do is visit our Facebook Page below and add it to your liked pages by clicking the "like" button. Good-luck! x

www.facebook.com/pages/Hollybunks-by.../106204282784909

All opportunities require action

When ever you read a business plan the business opportunities available are always set out to justify the reason for establishing the business or taking a particular course of action. However, after a conversation recently with a client about a lost opportunity, I started to question how often business opportunities are challenged to ensure they are achievable and, more importantly, to make sure they are complete.

In this particular case the client was bemoaning the fact that they had been approached by a national retailer to provide a large quantity of tulips, something for which they had an extremely good reputation but in this case the volumes where just too much for them. Not only couldn’t they supply the volume, if they had tried other customers would have suffered. The problem was more acute because of the seasonal nature of production and the fact that you can not just increase or decrease production of tulips. Also, the risk of over production on the off chance of a large order was too great.

What does this lost opportunity tell us? In the first instance it was the right decision not to take the order as the knock on effect to existing customers would have been detrimental to future business; but on the other side of the coin the prospective customer is now unlikely to make further enquiries as they will perceive that our client can not deal with large orders.

This lost opportunity highlights the challenges businesses have in identifying business opportunities and managing limited resources to achieve those opportunities and grow the business. In my client’s situation the opportunity of supplying a large national retailer had not even occurred to them; they were content to work within the local area supplying high quality product to local retailers.

But would they have acted differently if this opportunity had been identified? The answer would have been; it depends. It depends on what the objectives of the business are and whether following this opportunity would have been in line with those objectives.

If the objective is to remain a local supplier of high quality tulips with no desire to expand outside that remit then even if the national retailer made the approach my client could turn them down happy in the knowledge that they had recognised the opportunity but made an informed decision not to enter that sector of the market.

However, if the objective is to expand the business outside the local area and the opportunity to supply a national retailer was identified a strategy is required to reduce the risk of over production yet be able to fulfil the order should it come. My client could not have afforded to run the risk of increasing production without a firm order, but they had no other strategy to fill the order if it materialised.

They could have approached other growers to see if they could help fill the order if it came. This way they could have satisfied the order, started to build a relationship with the buyer and share the revenue with other suppliers. Next year they could increase production and share less with other and therefore start to meet the objective of growing the business.

Capture all opportunities as they arise irrespective of where you are in the business cycle or development plan. If following the opportunity is in line with business objectives plan the next stage. If following the opportunity detracts from business goals either challenge and restate the goals, or set aside the opportunity. It is only a lost opportunity if no action is taken.

Recognise all risks so your focus is on the right ones.

We are all exposed to risk 24/7, asleep or awake. Risk can be internal or external. Some risks can be managed, some can’t. Risk is about danger; the possibility of suffering harm, actual loss or lost opportunities and businesses face all sorts of differing risks, but

1. Do they recognise them?
2. Have they a strategy for reducing exposure and / or
3. Have they a strategy for mitigating losses?

For businesses, risk is about the financial implications of reducing exposure or mitigating losses versus the loss when risk event occur or the opportunities are lost. Businesses need to understand the different risks faced, the probabilities of events occurring and their resulting impacts, and the strategies for reducing or preventing exposure and for mitigating losses.

Fire insurance mitigates the losses of a fire but it does not, in itself, prevent or reduce exposure to fire. Other actions are required to reduce the probability of fire occurring or reducing the damage done. Prevention and mitigation are different aspects of the same discussion but they are not mutually exclusive. You can have more or less of each one depending on the type of risk and the extent to which it can be managed.

Businesses have to consider the knock on effects of an event occurring, not just the immediate loss or opportunity loss. If a business is dependent on a single supplier for a key product or component and that supplier closes there would not just be lost sales but the very real possibility of reputational loss brought about by not being able to fulfil orders, not being able to service new orders and the perception of bad management relying on a single supplier; the heinous crime of dependency on a single point of failure.

All businesses need to have risk management but, as with all things, make the process appropriate to the size of the organisation. The most important thing is to identify each and every risk, asses its significance to the business, the probability of a risk event occurring, the approach to managing the risk and the approach to mitigating losses.

This can be set out in a simple matrix with a traffic light system highlighting significance to the business and probability of occurrence; green for low, red for high. Where significance and probability are both green little effort or attention is required; when they are both red this means the business has to be proactive in managing the exposure and mitigating losses.

Risk is about asset protection, minimising operational failure, reducing the effect of external events and maintaining a financially viable business. It’s not just about having adequate insurance cover; it’s about taking appropriate cost effective action to reduce or prevent exposure and reduce possible losses. Here are just a few areas businesses need to consider that aren’t on the balance sheet.

• People – employees, customers
• Supply chains – production processes, suppliers
• Products, the brand and market position
• Management – key man risk, ethics, culture, corporate governance
• Finance – banks, insurers, shareholders, other lenders, liquidity
• Legal, regulatory, political and economics
• Competitors
• Technology
• Acts of God, social unrest and terrorism
• Utilities and support services

Not all risks need proactive management or mitigation, but unless you have a clear view of the risks that affect your business, you will not know which ones to focus on.

Are you missing a good old trick? 

We are often asked by employers to explain the benefits of taking on an Apprentice. Within this short blog I'll try and offer a flavour of how they work, who benefits and how, and who is an ideal candidate:

There are currently 958,000 unemployed people aged 16 - 24 years old in the UK - so many in fact that the Government has come up with a tidy little acronym (as they often do when a problem is too big to say in real words) called NEET's. This stands for Young people not in Education, Employment, or Training - there I've said it.

Some of these young people don't want any help. They don't want to engage at all and they are unhappy with the endless burdens of youth, good health and excellent prospects. Poor them. No really. They will wake up one morning aged 35 - still living with mum, and realise that life has passed them by - it's the same within every generation there has ever been and there ever will be.

There are however a huge amount of promising, bright, talented young people out there who are itching for an opportunity to work in a particular sector or industry - these are the diamonds that we try and extract.

These bright young things (and importantly their parents) are faced with a massive dilemma. University fees have sprung up with little warning to the tune of £9,000 per year and have you seen the price of fuel, food, and all of the other things you don't get paid for whilst on a college course???

What does an Apprentice cost?

Our FREE recruitment, training and exit process is described in points below - nothing we do costs you a penny. The Apprentice on the other hand will:

·     Work full time 40 hours per week

·     Take a training allowance of £2.60 per hour

·     stay with you for 6 - 8 months (depending on the length of their programme)

·     Either stay with you at the end or take their new experience and skills into the jobs market 100% better off for having ben given the opportunity to work for you.

If its good enough for Rolls Royce:

We meet business owners every day and it's amazing how often these self motivated, sophisticated and highly skilled inividuals (you know who you are) didn't learn their skills at college or University - myself included.

Many entrepreneurs started out by taking the small jobs, learning fast and embracing all of the skills, experiences and opportunities that came their way. For me it was washing dishes and making novelty desserts in a local restaurant whilst I resat my GCSE's.

In other words it was down to an opportunity that we were given at a young age that had us walk or fall into our future lives be that a strategic decision or a happy accident. We just had an enormous amount of energy and drive to see it through as the years went on.

We are all aware of some HUGE companies who embrace Apprenticeships as a major source of finding young talent. I've mentioned Rolls Royce to grab your attention. I attach the following link so that you can see both the amazing work and the amazing results that they are getting from Apprenticeships: http://www.rolls-royce.com/careers/what_can_do/graduates/apprenticeships/index.jsp

What do you get:

If you have ever worked with a recruitment agency (and had a really positive experience) then you are on the right track regarding the process of taking an Apprentice. The only difference is that we WON'T sting you for payment at the end. The recruitment service is entirely FREE.

FREE SERVICE:

1. A face to face meeting to discuss your needs and requirements

2. A comprehensive job specification and personality match

3. Your post advertised on all of the major Apprenticeship jobs boards + circulation to all career services

4. Full, comprehensive Candidate vetting - including candidate interviews (by us)

5. Top 3 - 5 CV's per post sent to your inbox

6. Interviews to suit you and your diary

7. Enrolment onto an Apprenticeship

8. Full Apprenticeship delivery, certification and FREE workshops for your staff (menu on request)100% on your premises

9. Employer support at the end of the programme to employ or exit the learner from your business

10. Full service review at the end of the programme

The training:

In short you can take an apprentice full time for 6 - 8 months for just £2.60 per hour and they will contribute to your business like any new member of staff.

The Apprenticeship training that is on offer is work based, delivered 100% on your premises - no day release, night school, evenings or weekends.

The training is tailored to suit your businesses needs at that time. They are evidence based - not academic but based on the work you set them.

Your Apprentice will need approximately an hour and a half per week to contribute to their qualification plus two to three hours with their assessor per month (one visit a month) to set work, sit exams and translate their work experiences and skills into nationally recognised qualifications worth between 5 GCSE's and 2 A' levels.

Are they for you?

Perhaps your business is hoping to recruit young talent but the cost is putting you off, or you know someone who you would really like to see in an Apprenticeship role. If so we are working with Candidates and employers all the time and we would be delighted to work with you.

Call direct on 077654 08 523 today or visit: http://www.wmctraining.co.uk/contact-us-2/ and register your details and request a call back for a no obligation chat.

Many thanks for reading this blog - I hope that you have found it useful, informative and a call to action for your business. We are delighted to take all enquiries so please get in touch and we'll hope to introduce you to some pretty smart young cookies FREE of charge.

Kindest regards,

Paul Rees

Managing Director

WMC Training

077654 08 523

Whatever your skills, no matter how much or little time you have to spare.  Fort Amherst is currently looking for volunteers for all areas of the Fort.  Meet new friends whilst helping this Napoleonic fort of International importance.

For more details contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01634 847 747

Work experience opportunities to enhance your future

Responding to the growing number of talented young graduates looking to secure employment; we are offering unpaid internship placements of between 3-6 months with local businesses and employers.

Successful applicants will be trained and supported in their placement, offered on-the-job training and mentoring opportunities with senior managers. Experience can be gained working within the voluntary and community sector, a private company or with a public sector agency.

ARE YOU ?

• A graduate living in the Sevenoaks district? If you live outside Sevenoaks, you can still apply as long as you are prepared to work for an organisation in the Sevenoaks district.
• Wanting to improve your employability and career prospects?
• Wanting to gain new skills and access training?

Getting an internship is one way of building on the skills you gained at university. It can also give you real life work experience, let you try your hand at a possible career, and prove yourself to a potential employer.

We are working with local businesses and employers to identify and develop internships that represent genuine work experience opportunities to enhance your future prospects.

For full details contact Liz James, Development Officer on: 01732 454785 / 01892 530330 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Original Article

New Store Opportunities

Is putting customers first in your nature? Do you thrive on being part of a successful team? Do you flourish in a busy, fast paced environment? Do you want to be part of our exciting new development in Gillingham, Kent, due to open early Spring 2012? If you answered yes, then we want to hear from you.

Stock Controller – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include maintaining the Mercatus stock system, highlighting key issues to relevant staff and management, monitor and maintaining scanning issues, processing stock transactions such as transfers, wastage and goods receipts, reviewing the customer order system, participating in store stock takes and any other duties associated with a retail environment. Previous experience in a retail environment would be an advantage.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Aquatics Supervisor - Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include being responsible for the general up keep of the Aquatics department, providing the correct husbandry for our Pond, Coldwater, Tropical and Marine fish. You will need to have a good understanding of water quality, fish compatibility and health being able to diagnose the correct treatment for different fish ailments, whilst at the same time having good people skills both supervisory and with our customers. You must be forward thinking, motivated and a good team leader adhering to set procedures whilst maintaining a clean well merchandised retail environment.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Shopfloor Supervisor - Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include being responsible for the general upkeep of your designated department, ordering and merchandising stock, adhering to company pricing and POS checks, maintaining the department standards throughout the day whilst at the same time having good people skills, both supervisory and with our customers. You must be forward thinking, motivated and a good team leader adhering to set procedures whilst maintaining an inspiring, well merchandised retail environment. Previous supervisory experience in a retail environment would be an advantage.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Plant Supervisor - Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

To succeed in this position you will consistently demonstrate the effective supervision of a busy plant area associated with an established garden centre. You will be key in assisting the manager in the day to day running of the plant area, from maintaining the standards in the department to presenting the skills required to manage the plant team. Previous supervisory experience and holding a relevant horticultural qualification would be an advantage.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Bakery Supervisor – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

To be successful a successful Bakery Supervisor you will have proven capability as an effective team leader as well as experience of working in a retail bakery. Main duties include preparing cakes, breads and pastries supplying the restaurant and bakery to go areas on a daily basis, using production plans to ensure maximum sales whilst keeping costs and wastage to a minimum, to ensure all health and safety, and food hygiene procedures and guidelines are followed and documented as per company policy, ensuring the bakery team are trained using the company training programme, to deliver efficient rotas and to effectively deploy staff to the needs of the business.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Visual Merchandising Advisor – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

To be successful in this role you will champion the visual merchandising standards through the effective implementation of the visual calendar, supporting the store to maintain the VM standards throughout the site and consistently deliver on in store representation. You will take responsibility for the “look” of the store; promoting products in order to maximise sales with the aim of inspiring, educating and entertaining our customers. You will competently and consistently demonstrate a balance between strong commercial presence as well as visually appealing displays across the site. Naturally you will need to have proven capability in visual merchandising and a portfolio that speaks volumes.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Foodhall Supervisor - Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

To be successful in this role you will have proven capability as an effective team leader as well as successful delivery of budgetary controls and management. You also ensure full compliance to food safety requirement and have significant specialist food knowledge. Creating opportunities to grow the foodhall business will sow the seeds of success for you.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Restaurant Supervisor – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

To be successful in this role you will have proven capability of supervising a team in a busy fast paced restaurant environment and preferably hold a relevant food hygiene qualification. You will assist the Restaurant Manager in all aspects of the day to day running of the restaurant from working in the kitchen, preparing food to ensuring the smooth running of the front of house operation.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Closing date 24th November 2011

Events Coordinator – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

To be successful in this role you will have proven experience of planning and coordinating community and charity activities. Duties will include developing a network of contacts in the local community: i.e. with local schools, charities, community centres, community groups (scouts, OAP groups), hospitals or care centres. Work with management to agree a programme of community activities, follow briefs from Head Office regarding community and event activity, manage the Here We Grow community budget, organise all community events and charitable collections, be present at all community events and presentations (especially when involving the media), oversee all community seasonal initiative issued by Head Office, eg Christmas tree donations, draft regular press releases about my store’s community activity and send to Head Office and any other activities associated within a retail environment.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing date 24th November 2011

Aquatics Customer Advisors – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include delivering excellent customer service including providing advice and guidance in relation to aquatics & reptile husbandry, general maintenance of the aquatics area including cleaning live stock enclosures, feeding, completing daily checks and any other tasks associated with a general assistant role. Previous retail experience would be an advantage.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Plant Area Customer Advisors – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties include delivering excellent customer service including providing advice and guidance in relation to plant care and maintenance, maintaining the plant area and general grounds on a daily basis as per company standards and any other duties associated with a garden centre role. Previous experience in a garden centre retail environment would be an advantage.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Furniture/Seasonal Sales Customer Advisors – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties include delivering excellent customer service, using proven selling skills to drive sales within our furniture, outdoor living and seasonal area, processing a variety of customer transactions and handling various payment methods, organising home delivery and after sales support when required, visual merchandising, maintaining the general housekeeping of the sales area and any other duties associated with a retail garden centre operation. Previous selling experience in a retail environment would be an advantage.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Replenishment Assistants – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include delivering excellent customer service, merchandising stock across the store throughout the day, maintaining the general housekeeping of the department and any other duties associated with a retail replenishment role. Previous retail experience would be an advantage however not essential as full training will be given.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Checkouts/Customer Service Desk Assistant – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties include delivering excellent customer service, processing various transactions including different payments types, ‘buy no pay later’ and customer orders, dealing with customer queries, processing exchanges & refunds, answering calls and directing visitors, maintaining the housekeeping of the departing and any other duties associated with a customer advisor role. Previous experience would be an advantage.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Warehouse/stock control Assistants – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include booking in and receiving deliveries, use of the hand held computer terminals, maintaining the warehouse standards and general housekeeping, merchandising stock, delivering excellent customer service and any other duties associated with a retail warehouse operation. Previous retail experience and holding a relevant forklift truck license would be an advantage.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Foodhall Customer Advisor - Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include delivering excellent customer service, cash handling, deli counter operations, merchandising stock, adhering to our food safety regulations, general housekeeping of the foodhall and any other duties associated with a food retail operation. Specialist food knowledge and experience in a retail environment would be an advantage but not essential as full training will be given.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Cash Office Assistant – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

To be successful in this role you will have previous cash office experience in a retail environment and a working knowledge of Microsoft office. Duties will include reconciliation of tills and safe, completing and checking cash banking, investigating and escalating overs/shorts, maintaining records and reporting cash figures via company computer system, maintain the housekeeping of the office and any other duties associated with a retail assistant role.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Chef – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

You will be responsible for preparing hot and cold food throughout the day, including daily specials for our customer's. Along with general kitchen duties such as housekeeping, ordering stock, controlling stock levels and wastage, you should be well organised and have excellent food hygiene and presentation standards. Experience of working in a kitchen or retail environment would be preferred along with holding a relevant food hygiene certificate.

This is a full time role and will include weekend working on a rotational basis

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Baker – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties include being responsible for preparing and providing a range of Breads, rolls, pastries and cakes throughout the day, maintaining our high housekeeping standards and ensuring compliance with our food safety regulations. Holding a relevant food safety qualification would be an advantage.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Kitchen Porter – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties include being responsible for maintaining our high housekeeping standards, ensuring the back of house areas are maintained throughout the day including loading and emptying the dishwasher and replenishing cutlery and crockery throughout the day, assisting the head chef and kitchen team as required and any other duties as associated with a retail catering role.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Restaurant Assistants – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include operating the till, clearing tables, replenishing fridge cabinets throughout the day, delivering excellent customer service, general housekeeping and any other activities associated with a retail catering operation. Previous experience would be preferred but not essential as full training will be given.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Servery Assistants – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include preparing sandwiches, panini’s and baked potatoes to order, providing hot meals, coffees, crepes and smoothies from the servery, replenishing the counters and cabinets throughout the day, delivering excellent customer service, general housekeeping and any other activities associated with a retail catering operation. Previous experience would be preferred but not essential as full training will be given.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Maitre D’ – Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham, Kent

Duties will include delivering excellent customer service, meeting and greeting customers, communicating with the restaurant team to ensure service is maintained and managed during peak trade, providing information to customers regarding promotional items and daily specials, general maintenance of the restaurant area and any other duties associated with a retail catering operation. Previous restaurant experience is preferred.

Full and part time hours are available and will include weekend working on a rotational basis.

Interested? Please send your CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively you can pick up an application form at the local job centre.

Closing Date 2nd December 2011

Proposed Dobbies Garden World

Gillingham

Work is now underway on our new Dobbies Garden World in Gillingham. With an expected opening date in Spring 2012.

The new Dobbies Garden World is located on the 6 acre brownfield site is next to Tesco on Courtney Road, Gillingham, opposite Gillingham Business Park. It's approximately 2.5 miles from Gillingham town centre.

A new garden leisure experience for the 21st century

An £8 million environmentally-friendly garden leisure destination for all the family.

Attractive internal and outdoor horticultural display areas, demonstration gardens and a specialist aquatics department set in an eyecatching landscaped environment on an 6 acre site. The centre will sell a variety of plants, shrubs and trees from local nurseries and more exotic varieties specially selected by our horticultural experts.

The centre will also boast a contemporary restaurant and Farm Foodhall selling locally-grown fresh farm produce.

Since 1865 the Dobbies name has symbolised quality horticulture, providing expert advice and inspiration to gardeners for over 140 years. Discover an inspiring programme of in-store events including gardening demostrations, ‘grow your own’ workshops, and talks by visiting horticultural experts.

The benefits

120 new full and part-time jobs, aimed specifically at local people.

Further job opportunities during construction phases.

Working with local colleges to provide extra job opportunities, work experience and training.

Comprehensive horticultural training to enable new staff to provide top-quality advice and expertise.

Major boost to the Medway economy through working with local suppliers to support our product ranges.

A key vacant site will be transformed with a new high quality designed building and comprehensive landscaping scheme.

A greener world

Sustainable timber and other natural materials incorporated into the construction of the development.

The centre will include a range of environmentally-friendly features including energy efficient lighting systems and extensive rainwater recycling.

Sustainable resources used for environmentally-friendly 21st century living.

Our community

Dobbies works in partnership with the communities we support – local residents, schools and organisations.

We have a range of local initiatives led by our store Community Champions, including the Dobbies Little Seedlings Club which encourages children to take an interest in gardening with free monthly hands-on workshops.

Our ‘Here We Grow’ community programme provides the expertise, time and resources to encourage local communities to enjoy planting and growing in their garden.