News - April 2008

Brian Holt expands its healthy happy kids programme

24/04/2008 21:23:42

Philanthropic Kenilworth estate agency Brian Holt is expanding its healthy happy kids campaign by becoming the major sponsor of a countywide football festival.

The sponsorship is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at encouraging the town’s youngsters to take part in healthy, educational and charitable activities.

The latest chapter sees it funding the souvenir programme for The Junior Football Festival, to be hosted at Kenilworth Wardens Football Club on Bank Holiday Monday May 5th.

The annual day long event will see around 500 youngsters from more than 50 clubs across Warwickshire take part. Trophies will be presented by Coventry City footballers and professional clubs will be scouting for local sporting talent.

Brian Holt’s expanding portfolio of healthy happy kids schemes has also seen it sponsor a year long schools rugby programme with Leamington Rugby Club and it is currently moving closer to its £2,000 target for library books for Priors Field School.

It funded a six DJ disco at Kenilworth Youth Club at Christmas and its Leamington office sponsored two teenage schoolgirls who spent a month helping orphans in Thailand and Cambodia last summer.

Kenilworth manager Julie Philpot explained: “Our key aim with all these schemes is to enable children to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. We are keen to make life more enjoyable for young people living in Kenilworth and the surrounding area. One particular focus is on encouraging children to take part in healthy activities and we believe that supporting our young footballers and giving them a real sense of purpose, belonging and camaraderie will go a long way towards helping maintain the town’s community spirit.”

Kenilworth Wardens chairman Paul Baigent added: “This Football Festival is recognised as being one of the premier events in the region and we’re delighted that Brian Holt has agreed to sponsor the event. With all players’ names, action photos and lots of information the programme is a great souvenir for all the young players and without the help and assistance of Brian Holt we would not be able to offer such an extensive publication.”

Interest rate cut may spur home hunters into action, says Brian Holt

11/04/2008 10:52:22

This week’s predicted Bank of England interest rate cut may well stir would-be homebuyers into action, says Leamington/Kenilworth/Coventry/Earlsdon estate agent Brian Holt.

But he says the reduction needs to be echoed by mortgage lenders to enable homeowners to benefit from the cut.

Thursday’s widely predicted reduction of the base rate by a quarter per cent to five per cent is a much needed move in shoring up confidence in the property market according to the estate agency’s MD Brian Holt.

“What we have now is a situation where many people are, understandably, sitting on the fence and waiting to see what to do. This week’s interest rate cut, while not being in any way a magic wand designed to reignite the economy, is certainly a step in the right direction.

“The fact is that the Bank of England is taking steps to calm the economy and the latest reduction may give buyers a little more confidence.

“There are still many people out there wanting to move – the desire to buy houses has not gone away – and in fact there is an element of pent up demand as fewer people are putting their homes up for sale.

“The current situation does mean that many buyers will be able to shop around and negotiate a realistic price for a suitable property. Although those selling are having to be more realistic about the price their home will achieve they will gain that perceived loss at the other end by getting a proportionately better deal on the property they are buying.

“And of course the recent fall in prices is making first time buyer properties more accessible for those waiting to step onto the housing ladder.

“But the situation – although being portrayed as doom and gloom - is not the same as it was in the 1990s. Employment is still high and interest rates are comparatively low – not like the 15 per cent we had early in the last decade. Things are undeniably unsettled at the moment, but the economic fundamentals are strong and we expect equilibrium to return sooner rather than later.

“So for the shrewd home hunter this could be a good time to buy. And for sellers – sensible pricing is crucial.”

Brian Holt’s judo club initiative will encourage healthy, happy living for youngsters

08/04/2008 21:26:28

Coventry estate agency Brian Holt is helping youngsters lead healthier and happier lives by teaming up with the city judo club to encourage more children to take part in the sport.

Former judo participant and manager of Brian Holt’s city centre branch David Hives has sponsored ten new judo suits for youngsters keen to try out the sport without the expense of having to pay for their own kit.

He hopes the move will encourage more of the city’s young people to give something a try which will keep them fit, enable them to meet new friends and give them a healthy focus.

The Coventry Judo Club sponsorship is the latest in a series of initiatives being undertaken by Brian Holt across Coventry and Warwickshire to promote healthy minds and bodies by providing children in the district with entertaining, enjoyable and worthwhile activities in sport, leisure and education.

Chris Page, welfare officer for the club which meets at Woodlands School in Tile Hill, said: “Brian Holt’s sponsorship will be such a help in enabling us to attract new young members to the club. It means they can come along and try out the sport without having to spend money up front on new suits.

“Our patron is former Olympic silver medallist Neil Adams, now an MBE, who trained at Coventry Judo Club for many years as a child and a teenager. He serves as an inspiration for our members. If he can get to the top in his chosen sport – so can they.”

David Hives added: “Although my judo days are a little behind me now I did really enjoy it. As a company we wanted to do something to support the community in which we work, something which might help children get out and do something worthwhile and good for them which they’d also enjoy.”

Brian Holt’s other community initiatives include a campaign to raise money for new play equipment for Allesley Primary School and library books for Priors Field School in Kenilworth, a schools training programme for Leamington rugby club and funding building materials for a group of teenagers carrying out improvement work at an orphanage in Cambodia.

For more information on the judo club visit www.coventryjudo.co.uk.