521. Food chain research boost for farming

Would-be farmers could do worse than head to Reading and ‘milk’ the local university for all it is worth.

On Thursday, May 1, The University of Reading officially opened its new multi-million pound Animal Science and Nutrition Research facilities at the Centre for Dairy Research.

522. GreenPark guru quits

The man responsible for the construction of nearly 1.5 million sq ft of flexible office space at GreenPark is to leave to pursue other opportunities.

Owner of the 180-acre business park PRUPIM has announced that its development director Tim Davis will vacate his post in July.

523. Asda first quarter sales up 5 per cent

Supermarket Asda pledged to protect shoppers from inflationary pressures after it revealed a five per cent hike in underlying first quarter sales.

The UK’s second biggest grocer – part of the Wal-Mart group – said the like-for-like sales increase came as it strove to cut prices for consumers. Asda has stores at Honey End Lane, Tilehurst, and Chalftont Way, Lower Earley.

524. Why business is BOOMING

525. Views wanted on Dinton Park plans

Businesses can share their views on plans to upgrade Hurst’s Dinton Pastures.

Wokingham Borough Council is asking theBusinesses can share their views on plans to upgrade Hurst’s Dinton Pastures.

526. ‘Stunning images without hard sell’

By refreshing its look in time for its third birthday, Citrus photographic studio hopes to bring a touch of colour to Winnersh Triangle. Sharp-thinking boss Anna Rogers told PAUL ROBINS about the studio’s unique ap-‘peel’

527. Massive rise in firms offloading pensions

The number of companies offloading their pension schemes to insurers has accelerated sharply in the past six months and looks set to continue to grow, a report said today.

Actuarial consultants Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP) is predicting the pension buy-out market will exceed £10 billion this year, up from £2.9 billion in 2007, while volumes will soar four-fold compared with last year.

528. IT company launches a free communications ‘open day’

Calcot-based IT company Unified Group is holding an open day for local businesses looking to improve their in-house communications.

The group, which specialises in communication integration, will be advising companies on the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ in developing unified technologies.

529. John Lewis dips

Department store chain John Lewis, which has a branch in Reading, has said that changeable trading patterns pushed sales growth below recent trends.

530. We want to be your firm’s ‘rock’

At Your Convenience (AYC) offers Reading businesses the luxury of time by taking care of all their secretarial and accountancy needs.

The Gulliver family told Paul Robins about their virtual PA service