insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 139

BUSINESSNEWS

WORK GETS UNDER WAY AT BEWL WATER
Work has begun to put Bewl Water
Country Park back on the map
following the arrival on site of
Markerstudy Leisure, its new
owners.

long path around the reservoir more
accessible to people through a new
water taxi service enabling walkers
and cyclists to tailor the length of
their tours of the lake.

Immediately after completing the
deal to acquire the lease to operate
Bewl Water Country Park in
January, Markerstudy Leisure
began the first phase of a
refurbishment and improvement
programme.

Fish stocks will be improved along
with upgrading the current fleet of
fishing boats, with future plans to
re-establish the on-site fish rearing
to maintain the higher levels of stock
to satisfy what Markerstudy believes
will be growing numbers of
fishermen returning to Bewl Water.

The country park’s existing visitor
centre and nearby sailing clubhouse
have closed for major
refurbishment, and are timetabled
to reopen by April.
The first thing visitors will notice will
be the reduction in parking charges
from £8 to £2, which has happened
with immediate effect. Plans are
also in place to make the 13-mile

Announcing the first phase of the
investment, Andrew Daniells, chief
operating officer of Markerstudy
Leisure, said: “Bewl Water is a true
jewel in the crown for the local
community and its tourism industry,
and we have ambitious plans to
give it the love and attention it
deserves.

“The feedback from existing users, such as the sailors, rowers and fishing
fraternity, is that they all want to see it returned to its former glory, and are
keen to work with us to make this happen.”
Bewl Water Country Park joins Markerstudy Leisure’s portfolio of Salomons
Estate, One Warwick Park Hotel (formerly The Brew House Hotel), Next
Dimension Gymnastics Academy, ‘So’ Magazine Tunbridge Wells and Times
of Tunbridge Wells.

LOCAL GYM STARTING 2016
WITH TOP ACCOLADE

FURLEY PAGE
FURTHER
STRENGTHENS
MARKET-LEADING
DISPUTE
RESOLUTION TEAM
Furley Page has appointed one of its most
talented newly qualified solicitors to its
Dispute Resolution Team, which is regarded
as one of the best in the business and is
ranked alongside some of the biggest law
firms in the South East.

The Strength and Co nditioning Institute (The
SCI) have started the year with the title of Functional
Training Gym of the Year under their belts. The
business scooped the award at the National Fitness
Awards in December, and will hold the UK-wide title
for 12 months. The business was also a finalist for
Regional Gym of the Year, a tough category which
included London.
The SCI went through a rigorous assessment
process, which involved being visited by judges who
explored the facility, chatted to members and staff
and examined all areas of the business from member
retention to customer service. Reports were then
passed on to an expert panel, which decided the
winners in each category from a shortlist of up to
seven finalists.
Director and head coach at The SCI, Alex
Shoebridge, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be

named Functional Training Gym of the Year. We have
had a massive year, having doubled the size of the
gym, extended our coaching team and supported
the Tonbridge Half Marathon. 2015 saw the business
spread its wings, and this award confirms that all
the hard work, long hours and planning has paid
off!"
Fellow director and head coach at The SCI, Martin
Shyvers, said: “The SCI has just turned three years
old. We started life in an old office building, where
the attached garage formed our conditioning room
and we couldn't really comfortably accommodate
more than a handful of people training. But the idea
and the quality was absolutely sound. Three years
later we're in a world-class facility, and have been
named Functional Training Gym of the Year, and
finalist for Regional Gym of the Year. It's a dream
come true."

139

Lucy Waldron, aged 25, has excelled during
her two years spent training with the firm,
which is recognised by independent legal
guides Chambers UK and The Legal
500. She now specialises in dealing with
a range of commercial disputes including
contract, company and partnership
disputes, intellectual property and
construction. Lucy also deals with matters
concerning disputed Wills, Trusts and
Probate.
Chambers UK recently described Furley
Page’s Dispute Resolution Team as “highly
respected” and “a regional firm that really
punches above its weight”. It is now ranked
among the top national and regional
heavyweights in the South East,
covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex.