Latest News

Stroll Ons new audio download site is now complete, allowing visitors to London and Paris to take a guided tour of some of the famous streets and sites around the cities.

Stroll Ons informative, easy-on-the-ear Audio Guides download straight to your iPod or any other MP3 player, and include a clear map of your route. Explore the worlds greatest cities at your own pace. No queues, no hassle - just you and your Stroll On Audio Guide.

http://www.strollon.co.uk

Urban Element launch Traci Gibbon-Groves and branch into interior design

Traci Gibbon-Groves is a reputable interior designer and has been featured in a number of publications expressing her latest work in interior design. Urban element had to make certain the design carried her professional status.

Traci wanted a website that was clean cut and expressed her message which is to help people sell or improve them home. The site was created in a professional thematic layout which shows off her exquisite portfolio.

http://www.traci-gibbon-groves-interiors.co.uk

We are pleased to announce the completion of The Daffodil Restaurant website, re-designed to coincide with the new refurbishment

The Daffodil is situated in Cheltenham's Montpellier area and is Gloucestershire's most stylish restaurant. The Art Deco building was originally built as a cinema and has been converted into a restaurant of unique style with the design of Laurence Llewellyn Bowen and his team.

Work began in Early January, and Urban Element was asked to create a site to coincide with the new refurbishment, ready for the launch party on March 3rd. We are now pleased to announce the completion of The Daffodil's site, re-designed with the restaurant's styling, history and visitors in mind.

http://www.thedaffodil.com

It is a big year for Urban Element with three new staff starting, our 5th anniversary rapidly approaching (September) and a move to brand new offices.

New offices:

Unit 1E Witney Office Village Network Point Range Road Windrush Park Witney OX29 0YN

Phone: 01993 776999

E-mail: info@urbanelement.com

Tim Vaines, who founded the business (2003) in his Cheltenham house basement, was soon joined by Malcolm Maclean and Jon Ellard.

In 2004, the decision was made to move to rented accommodation in Witney, where the business could service both its London and Gloucestershire clients. Since then the company’s client portfolio has increased both nationally and internationally leading to the company taking on seven full time members of staff.

Due to growth and expansion, Urban Element has outgrown its current office and the Directors took the decision to buy Unit 1E Witney Office Village.

The new high tech office will give Urban Element three times the space it had with the ability to entertain clients in a private meeting room and provide on-site training for clients systems.

Urban Element will be holding a launch party at the end of March beginning April and Tim, Malcolm and Jon will be sending you an invitation soon.

February has seen Urban Element pick up a variety of new clients including magician James Bryan.

February has seen Urban Element pick up a variety of new clients including magician James Bryan.

The month of February has seen Urban Element pick up 12 new clients and never before has there been such a variety. The month kicked of with Jon Ellard signing a contract with Witney based magician James Bryan who runs Ace Productions.

Other new clients included:

Archives for Creativity, Consultancy focused on Moving Image Content in

Digital Communications

The Beehive, Cheltenham based Public House

Oxford Carriers, Oxford based Distribution Services

Chargrove Business Services, Financial Outsourcing

The Highway Inn, Burford based Inn

Urban Element look forward to launching these sites over the coming months.

The first new recruit was Andrew Stewart who has joined the development team bringing with him a mature approach and over 12 years programming experience.

Andrew Stewart

Andrew is a keen .NET developer with strong C# skills and an engineering background.

Previous work includes several .NET driven websites and a Content Management System for the UK's largest independent tyre wholesaler ‘Mitcheldever’.

He has also worked on an online 360° performance management platform for a firm of business consultants specialising in Leadership Coaching, and has supplied technical support to a leading producer of training materials for the pharmaceutical industry.

Andrew moved into web development after several years in the electronics industry (including Siemens and Oxford Instruments).

Andrew’s primary role is to provide maintenance and support to one of Urban Element’s largest clients.

Chris Avery is the most recent addition to Urban Element and was recruited to extend the design and search engine optimisation services Urban Element provide.

He has been working in Web Design and Search Engine Optimisation for over 4 years. Since studying an HND at Brighton University he has worked on a number of freelance projects for a number of different clients.

Before he started with Urban Element he was working for a company called AEI Security and was heading up Search Engine Optimisation and the company’s Internet presence as well as working alongside the graphic designer.

He achieved many top rankings for a number of different websites while working with AEI Security and helped to increase Search Engine popularity and their internet presence.

One of Chris’s first roles was to support Jon Ellard at a client training day on the subject of ‘Onsite Search Engine Optimisation’.

Over the next few months Urban Element will be running other training and seminar days.

Regular newsletters will also be sent providing useful tips on how to increase your search engine ranking.

Urban Element sign a contract with The Highway Inn to re-develop their website. The Highway Hotel is a family owned and run cosy Inn.

The Highway Hotel is a family owned and run cosy Inn, right in the heart of Burford, inbetween Oxford and Cheltenham.

As one of the few Free houses left in the area we pride ourselves on the largest range of local beers which goes hand in hand with our local producers and suppliers for our food.

The Highway has recently reopened a year and a half ago, having been refurbished back to its former glory, with modern subtle touches such as wireless internet access. The open fires, great food and cosy bedrooms will help you relax whether on business or pleasure.

http://www.thehighwayhotel.co.uk/

On 17th November 2007, Richard Howe joined Urban Element as part of the Web Design Team.

Since attending Oxford Brookes in 2005, Richard has worked as a web developer at Sparks Computer Solutions, heading their design activities and building sites for clients such as Elsevier Science and Oxford Orthopaedic Biomedical Engineering.

More recently he has been in an I.T. development role at Tex Automotive, a Witney based company which manufactures classic car parts.

Richard has joined Urban Element to assist Creative Director Malcolm Maclean in a web design role.

When The Daffodil contracted Urban Element to re-design their website they weren’t expecting to hear that Laurence Llewelyn Bowen would be re-designing the restaurant. For more details visit their holding site www.thedaffodil.com

The Daffodil will be undergoing some major refurbishments during January 2008 with an exciting new look and image under new owner Mark Stephens.

Laurence Llewelyn Bowen will be taking charge of the new look and design of the Daffodil which is very exciting news.

The Daffodil is a classic combination of simple but mouth-watering cuisine, with great atmosphere and waiter service that makes you feel treated every time. It's also a great place to party, uniquely blending the intimacy of each table with the panoramic vista of a classic cinema.

http://www.thedaffodil.com/

This is the third project that Urban Element has won through the Web Group. The Web Group also known as the West E-Business Group was set up as a trade association to help businesses find qualified and reliable web design companies.

Gloucestershire First is the countywide economic partnership. The executive arm of the partnership is Gloucestershire Development Agency, which is a company limited by guarantee.

Gloucestershire First approached The Web Group with their tendering opportunity which was subsequently sent to 20 members. Urban Element were one of five companies to get short listed and present to the panel.

Urban Element was delighted to win the contract to develop a new brand image and website for The Inward Investment Team.

http://www.investinglos.co.uk/

Urban Element have designed a new site for Oxford based Alternative Communications

Alternative Communication Systems is based in Oxfordshire, providing professional supply and installation of telephony solutions. They offer consultancy, planning and design services to suit clients requirements and budgets with the aim of saving valuable time and expense.

http://www.altcomms.com/

Urban Element have recently developed a new website for the Conservative European Party.

Urban Element have recently developed a new website for the Conservative European Party. By way of 27 members, the Conservatives in Europe currently form the largest political group in Britain and therefore wanted to stand aside from the Conservative Party, with whom they shared their previous website.

The new website had to inform users of current European parliamentary news and promote any current campaigns.

The new website had to be designed with three user groups in mind; Journalists, Conservative Party Members, and individual Constituents wanting to find out what their local Conservative MEP is actively engaged in.

http://www.conservativeeurope.com/

Urban Element win first Web Group project for Gloucestershire based artist Kelly Higgs

Since joining the Web Group (an organisation of accredited web designer in the south west) Urban Element have won both projects that went out for tender. The first of these was Monarch Art Gallery the source of signed and numbered, limited edition prints by acclaimed artist Kelly Higgs. The project won was for UK National Building Suppliers ‘Moore Scott’ whose new site will be live in New Year.

http://www.monarchartgallery.com/

The client approached Urban Element in May 2007 with the brief to re-design their corporate website.

The company provide Marine Transport and Towage Worldwide 'We provide services worldwide to companies working in the energy sector, the offshore construction industry, dredging and logistics, crane manufacturing, cable laying, and civil engineering. Our extensive experience and wide range of skills enable us to provide innovative solutions to even the most complex marine transportation problems'.

http://www.amtbarges.com/

Telcommunications company gets new online presence.

Cablestream are a new Telecommunications company that offer a one stop solution for your business Telecommunication needs. Urban Element built a site around there existing branding and produced a clean and modern site to appeal there target audience while promoting the key elements of Cablestream's business.

http://www.cablestream.co.uk/

Urban Element launch Adept Access website

Adept Access have expertise in supplying Powered Access and Aluminium Platform solutions to customers in the UK, Europe and Worldwide. Urban Element delivered an easy to use Content Managed website so that Adept Access staff can update all aspects of there website including key areas such as details of upcoming courses and industry news.

http://www.adeptaccess.co.uk

Urban Element announces ongoing working relationship with the Tennis and Rackets Association.

"Even though many of our members are over 50, we are asking Urban to organise a website for 2 minority sports played by only 6000 people in 4 countries - the power of the web. We already have a global web based online handicapping, streets ahead of golf and polo! We’re so pleased with their work we’ve even retained them as advisors, because some of them speak English as well as Techish!! The tie-up with Freeman Christie gave us a fantastic new image for the sports; their brief was - do something memorable, relevant, smart, and not in blue, and we’re delighted with the work so far. Good luck Urban - another English success story in the making" Mr James Walton, Hon Treasurer

http://www.tennisandrackets.com/

The UE team is growing month by month with Dave Johnston joining as a full time Graphic Designer.

Dave is a graphic designer at Urban Element Design Solutions Limited. He spent the last four years working in the apparel and luggage industry specialising in the merchandising and promotional sector. Dave is well versed in PhotoShop, Illustrator, having produced vector illustrations and artwork for the likes of Umbro, Storm London, PortAventura, Universal Studios (Florida) and Center Parcs.

Urban Element launch Netherend Farm Dairy website.

"Betwixt the Severn and the Wye, the richest dairy pastures lie”. This is where you will find Netherend Farm Dairy, home to the finest traditionally churned Gloucestershire farmhouse butter. The dairy is situated in the grass rich pastures of the Severn Vale bordering the Royal Forest of Dean.

http://www.netherendfarmbutter.co.uk/

Nick Haynes of Relationship Counseling 4 U contracted Urban Element in April 2007 to design and build a website for his professional counseling services. The site went live today.

Nick Haynes, Relate CC cert. is a qualified relationship counsellor who works in private practice in Oxford/London seeing couples and individuals as well as doing counselling work with clients over the phone. In addition he runs educational seminars for the public specifically on relationships and how to heal and prevent relationship difficulties.

http://www.relationshipcounselling4u.co.uk/

The May bank holiday saw the launch of Farmhouse Cooked Meats online shop.

Farmhouse Deli foods was established in 1969 and is a traditional English Delicatessen specialising in high quality home cooked hams, home cured bacon and a delicious range of their very own sausages made on the premises from both traditional and unique recipes.

http://www.farmhousedeli.co.uk/

Mark Pedersen approached UE in March to re-design and optimise his current website.

Pixel Thermographics Ltd are experts in the use of Infrared Thermography for your business. Mark wanted his new site to have a clean, crisp and professional design. Meeting Web Standards and Accessibility guideline was also a priority. The new site was launched at the end of April and has been optimised for search engines.

http://www.pixelthermographics.co.uk/

Urban Element have been developing bespoke e-commerce sites for the last two years but this has been the first online toy shop.

In the words of the client: 'Are you looking for that special gift for a child or a great child’s party idea? If so you have come to the right place! Welcome to www.charactertoys.co.uk. Here you will find a fantastic selection of character toys, party supplies, children’s bedding ideas, school bags, children’s lunch boxes and lots more. With an express 1-2 day delivery service available, you and your child will soon be smiling!'

http://www.charactertoys.co.uk/

Following a recruitment drive Urban Element has been able to increase their capacity and have subsequently been in a position to take on addition work and increase their client base.

Sales for April and May have included two multi national companies but also a wide range of small to medium sized businesses including:

• Helen Blatchly Coaching Ltd, Business & Corporate Coaching
• Netherend Farm Dairy Ltd, Manufacturers of Butter
• Relationship Counselling 4 U Ltd, Professional Relationship Counselling
• Adept Access Ltd, Nationwide Suppliers and Trainers
for Personnel Access Equipment
• Altrix Consultants Ltd, Sales Training and Consulting
• Anchor Marine Transportation Ltd, Marine Transportation and Towage Worldwide
• FRP, Furniture Recycling Project
• Gee Fit, Importers of Exercise Equipment
• CableStream, Telecommunications Solutions
• Cannop Foundry, UK Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Casting Manufacturers

Urban Element started looking in January 2007 for a new .Net programmer. After several months of interviewing we recruited Robert Waggott.

Robert is a developer at Urban Element Design Solutions Limited. He is a graduate from Oxford Brookes University’s Information Systems course where he specialised in Information and E-Commerce Systems. Since graduating in 2005 he has worked for StoneShot Ltd. building bespoke marketing and event management systems for several large IT and Asset management companies including Fujitsu-Siemens-Computers, Oracle, Allianz-Dresdner and AXA. Robert joined Urban Element in the spring of 2007.

Winning projects with Smiths Group Plc and Deutsche Bank means April 07 has been Urban Element’s most successful month since establishing in Sept 2003.

Urban Element (UE) has been working hard over the last six months to secure two large contracts with Smiths Group PLC and Deutsche Bank (DB). Smiths Group is a world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies with DB being, one of the world's leading financial service providers. These contracts have further secured UE long term future and helped finance the recruitment of a new .Net Developer and a Graphic Designer. This is will be the fifth project we have worked on for Smiths Group since 2004.

http://learning.smiths-group.com/

The Conservatives in the European Parliament, EPP-ED Group have commissioned Urban Element to design an online media website for the party.

After a long tender process Urban Element were invited to the Parliamentary Offices in London to present to the Conservatives in the European Parliament party leader. The visuals we presented were warmly received and Urban Element was awarded the contract on Friday 13th April (a date associated with bad luck but not for Urban Element).

http://www.conservativeeurope.com/

Urban Element always enjoys working with start up businesses especially ones with new and innovative ideas. UE met with Pam Anson from PA 4 Pets back in March and today were happy to put the new site live.

'PA 4 Pets is a new service set up to provide a specialised personal assistant service for busy pet-owners. We know you want to provide the best for your pets but don’t always have the time to organise everything. PA 4 Pets was set up especially to help people like you.'

http://www.pa4pets.co.uk/

Urban Element teamed up with graphics company Freeman Christie to re-design the HRW Healthcare website

This was the fourth joint collaboration with Freeman Christie this year. In the next few weeks we will also be launching sites for Value Retail and The Tennis and Rackets Association.

http://www.hrwhealthcare.com

In March 07 we were commissioned by Freeman Christie to design an online 'ShopaHolics' flash brochure for their client 'Chic Deals'.

This was another joint collaboration with Freeman Christie for a client who provides an online guide to ‘Chic Outlet Shopping in Europe’. The flippy guide as we like to call it goes live on their site early May. For a sneak preview click on the link below:

http://www.chicoutletshopping.com

The last month of the financial year has been a busy one for Urban Element with 7 new clients signed and three new projects agreed with Smith Group PLC.

Over the last four years Urban Element has been building an extensive portfolio of clients across the majority of industry sectors including, manufacturing, retail, construction, hospitality and wholesale. New client’s won in March include:

• Pixel Thermographics Ltd, Experts in the use of Infrared Thermography
• Simply Saab, Saap Parts Supplier
• Essilor Ltd, World's Largest Manufacturer of Ophthalmic Lenses
• Ross Aviation Ltd, Wholesaler of Helicopter Spare Parts
• Character Toys Ltd, Online Wholesaler of Toys
• PA 4 Pets Ltd, Petcare Services

http://www.charactertoys.co.uk/

Signing a March contract with toy wholesaler Character Toys meant that Urban Element has now secured over £40k in grants for local businesses.

For the last 12 months Urban Element has helped 31 small to medium sized businesses secure government grants ranging from £500 to £2000. Some of the schemes are still running and Urban Element hopes to secure more grants in the near future. For more details on the availability of grants please visit the Funding Page.

http://www.charactertoys.co.uk/

Richard Harrison approached Urban Element late February requesting a website for his new consultancy business Paradigm Switch.

PSC helps organisations improve their performance by changing their approach to the design and management of work. By taking a systems thinking approach as opposed to a ‘command and control’ approach, improvements in customer service at reduced levels of cost with improvements in staff morale result.

http://www.paradigmswitch.com/

Urban Element has been active in securing new contracts with companies based in Berkshire, London, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

Once again the range of projects has been quite diverse and includes:

• First Point IT, Specialist IT Recruitment Agency
• Toby Fellows , London based Gardening Company
• Newspace Containers, Manufacture of Portable Storage and Accommodation Units
• HRW Healthcare, Specialist Research Company for the Healthcare Sector

http://www.freemanchristie.co.uk/

Rob Bowdery contracted Urban Element to design a simple website with a full content management system.

Urban Element has worked with Write Angle on a number of joint projects for Cheltenham based clients including The Fitness Team whose site we launched at the end of last year. Write Angle came to us with a very clear idea of what they were looking for with regards copy and design. This is the first of two projects to go live, so keep an eye out for Artemisia which will be live soon.

http://www.writeanglegroup.com/

Glamorgan Telecom is the second Welsh company we have worked with and as we build up our reputation we look forward to spreading our wings further.

'Glamorgan Telecom has been the leading provider of telecommunications solutions across Wales and the West Country for more than a decade, helping our clients choose and maintain their IT and telecom's systems that are so important to modern business. Our deserved reputation comes from our commitment to excellent customer service and support, quality installations and insistence on providing only the best future proof products from the world's leading manufacturers - Mitel, Samsung, LG Electronics, Avaya and OAK.'

http://www.glamorgantelecom.co.uk/

It has been an enjoyable experience re-developing the Tree Tops website which went live at the end of January complete with a full content management system.

'Treetops provides the ultimate care and education for your child. We offer full and part time places. Both our nurseries are Offsted registered and are inspected under the Children's Act and receive visits to ensure our practices and procedures are in accordance with National Day Care standards'

http://www.treetopsdaynurseries.co.uk/

RSVP Pro is used to organise your parties, corporate events, sports teams and virtually any event you can think of - all on-line.

Six months of hard work have produced a great looking site with an exciting future. Website owners why not visit the site and use it to organise you next event.

http://www.rsvppro.com

Bibury Court Country House Hotel is on the edge of picturesque Bibury in the Cotswolds.

Bibury Court asked us to re-design their site to reflect their new branding. We designed the site with a new image heavy look showing off this stunning hotel set in the heart of the Cotswolds.

http://www.biburycourt.co.uk

Client's new book gets voted Simon Mayo's book of the month.

Jeremy asked us to completely re-design his site into a modern Blog style and to reflect the quirky and individual style of his work. The site takes inspiration from many of Jeremy’s personal possessions and Jeremy is extremely pleased with the new look as are his publishers Timewell press (http://www.timewellpress.com) 'I am over the moon to learn that Taking Leave has been awarded Simon Mayo’s Book of the Month on Radio 5. It's wonderful to discover that you don't have to be famous to win this award nor be an expert on football!'

http://www.jeremythomas.co.uk

As part of our continued support Urban Element has developed and launched a free website for the Gloucestershire Consultants Network.

Sales & Marketing Director, Jon Ellard has been a founder member with GCN since it formed in July 2005. Developing the Intranet and commercial website was Urban Element's long term contribution to the group. 'The Gloucestershire Consultants Network is a networking group focused on providing Gloucestershire businesses a range of consultancy, business advice and professional services.'

http://www.glosconsultantsnetwork.co.uk/

Second website launched for happy client!

This was the second project we completed for Draks following the successful launch of Draks Doors and Blinds in October. This time round the client required an e-commerce solution. About the client 'Our concept is simple: To provide the best range of wooden and Venetian blinds at the most affordable prices available in the UK. Our new Sunwood range offers a made to measure blind at incredibly low prices whilst retaining the highest quality wood available. Our Balmoral range offers a much wider choice of slats as well as a selection of tape colours which can either match the wood colour or offer a contrast to complement other fabrics in your room. The Balmoral is also available with standard cords.'

http://www.eblinds.co.uk

It's been a good month for new contracts won, including a number of hospitality projects to work on.

Life for Urban Element is never boring with our wide range of clients. As a company it is nice to work with many business sectors rather than specialising in one area. Contracts won with:

• Inlingua Cheltenham (language school)
• Bibury Court Hotel
• Glamorgan Telecom
• Winchcombe Wine & Sausage (restaurant)
• Essilor (manufacturing)

Oxford charity delighted with new website…

Relate Oxfordshire are a charity based in Oxford and Banbury. The client approached Urban Element asking for the most cost effective website solution. With budget in mind Urban Element advise Relate about a government grant that was available through Business Link. To keep monthly costs down a content management system (CMS) was integrated so that the client could manage and administer the site themselves. About the client 'All sorts of people come to Relate and find it helps them to understand what’s going on in their relationships and change things for the better. Relate is the UK’s largest provider of relationship counselling and sex therapy which delivers its services through a Federation of local, independent, charities. Relate Oxfordshire is a member of the Relate Federation and has provided services in the County for nearly 60 years.'

http://www.relate-oxfordshire.org/

Grant funded e-commerce site goes live with first week orders

The client had a brochure site which had been live for a number of years. The problem was they unaware of how many visitors the website was receiving. For this reason the thought of investing in a e-commerce solution was quite daunting. Urban Element developed the site using UEshop and when the site went live a search engine optimisation campaign was started. In the first week of the site launch two orders were received. About the client About the client 'Direct Import was started in 1984 by Charles and Gina Blomefield and it has remained a family business aiming to offer a personal service. Over the years it has become a leading supplier of hand-painted Italian ceramics specialising in commissioning fine quality earthenware from several factories and workshops in the Bassano del Grappa area in northern Italy.'

http://www.directimport.co.uk/

Clients keep coming to Urban Element for site re-designs

CKF approached Urban Element in the summer asking that we re-develop their current site and provide them with a content management system (CMS). Their current site was not designed to web standards and failed to meet accessibility guidelines. More importantly to them it was failing to rank with the main search engines. In addition to the re-design and CMS system we also integrated Urban Element's e-newsletter system E-Delivery. About the client 'CKF Systems Limited provides innovative solutions to our customer’s requirements meeting the highest standards of design and workmanship and at realistic cost. Systems range from basic stainless steel conveyors through to fully integrated turnkey operations utilising the latest robotic technology with high-volume high speed applications a speciality.'

http://www.ckf.co.uk/

Contracts won with large and medium businesses

This month Urban Element has had a mixture of new work from existing clients and new clients including:

• Farmhouse Cooked Meats (delicatessen)
• Smiths Group (engineering)
• Write Angle (copy writers)
• Lotus London (fashion)

Urban Element launch new website for Redrow Homes

Overlooking the tranquil waters of Cardiff Bay, and boasting the highest specification, it would seem that the Celestia apartments truly have been delivered from the heavens to rest upon the bay. What more of a serene setting could you ask for in which to rest your weary head?

http://www.celestia.redrow.co.uk/