Business owners reach for the stars at space centre event

3rd June 2015

Ambitious Midlands business owners were recently given an all-access pass to the National Space Centre as part of Yorkshire Bank’s Business Week.

Yorkshire Bank business customers were invited to explore the Space Centre, which has been a customer of the Bank for 10 years.

The Centre has been open since 2001 and hosts around 250,000 visitors per year. Housing six different interactive galleries, two real rockets and a space simulator, attendees were given an astronomical choice of unique activities to participate in.

A group of 25 customers attended the exclusive event which was held as a thank you for their ongoing relationship with the Bank. Business owners from a range of industries attended including retail, engineering, distribution, printing, accountancy, software development, transport, recycling and the third sector.

Carl Dickinson, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Nottingham, welcomed guests whilst they enjoyed lunch. Chas Bishop, CEO of the National Space Centre, then delivered a presentation on the history of the Centre, including its origins as an idea from Leicester University, its status as a registered charity and visits from legendary astronauts like Buzz Aldrin. Chas also spoke about the Centre’s exciting plans for the future.

Chas Bishop said: “We have an extremely positive relationship with Yorkshire Bank which presents the opportunity for us to work together to host events like this which connect the local business community.”

Cathy Horner, relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank, who works closely with the Centre to help it reach its growth ambitions, also attended the event.

Attendee Louise Horne, Director of Ross Handling Ltd, was given a congratulatory bottle of champagne from Yorkshire Bank for receiving the Leicester Mercury Small Business Award.

Carl Dickinson said: “The National Space Centre is a fascinating environment to invite our customers to, so we can thank them for their ongoing work with us and to congratulate them on their businesses’ growth.

“Business Week allows us to not only reward our customers with unique experiences but also gives us a chance to discuss their needs and ambitions to determine how we can work together to achieve them.”

Business Week ran from 11th–15th May and saw more than 250 customer-focused events staged at the Bank’s UK-wide network of Business and Private Banking Centres, including a number of high profile events in the East Midlands area.

As growth and confidence continue to emerge in the UK economy, Business Week aims to help businesses build for the future.