Page 27 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 27

‘Renault building’ gets a playful new use

One of Swindon’s most iconic build- a Swindon College art
ings reopens as the 20,000 square gallery and most no-
foot Kidz About indoor play centre tably as a showroom
in July. and service centre for
Designed for Renault as a ve- Ford.
hicle parts distribution centre by The striking pillars
Sir Norman Foster and completed holding the building up
in 1983 on Mead Way, Westlea, al- continue to be painted
though now called Spectrum, most in ‘Renault yellow’
people still refer to it as the Renault and from Saturday 2
building. July, the atrium will
With shells of cars hanging from be filled with a huge
the roof of the large glass atrium at multi-coloured play
the southern end of the structure, frame rising to over
the floor was a showroom for Re- 6.5 metres, an astra-
nault products. The building won slide, a drop-slide and
the Financial Times architecture a spiral slide, an indoor
award in 1984 and featured in the football pitch, a toddler
1985 Bond movie A View to a Kill, play space, as well as
starring Roger Moore. a separate baby area,
Renault moved its parts distribu- specifically built for
tion operation out the town in 2001. children who are not
Since then the building has had a yet mobile.
number of temporary uses, such as There are also plans
The Renault building shortly before it closed in 2001
Getting reading to repurpose the Renault building, Clare Milton,
marketing manager, and Kidz About manager Alistair Burnett to offer an outdoor facility through- even more entertaining space for
out the warmer months of the year. children, parents and carers, and
Kidz About started at Blagrove in will include refreshment areas and
2005 and has built a good reputa- four rooms that can be hired for
tion for high standards by offering a parties and private functions.
clean, friendly, safe and fun facility Vehicle access will be off Mead
where adults can interact with their Way with a large overflow car park
children on the play equipment. off Rivermead Drive
The new location will provide an www.kidzabout.com

Ask Peter BAsk Peter BAsk Peter B

Small Business advice from Peter Bromiley ACA
Technical Director at AMS Accountancy Ltd.
Swindon CyCleS Q Q I’m starting my own business - is setting up as
Swindon CyCleS
Superstore a Sole Trader my best option?

A A Not necessarily. A Limited Company could
actually result in you paying less personal tax.
With 250 bikes on show
including electric bikes If profits are below £8,000 acting as a Sole Trader
makes good sense. Above that it could be better
the price is right
the parking is free to have a Limited Company because of National
Birthday club: deposit reserves Insurance savings. A Company can also avoid
The choice is yours paying 40% on profits above £42,475, whereas a
Sole Trader must pay the full 40%.
Parts, repairs, accessories, Also, by making your partner a shareholder and
back up stock splitting your taxable income, on profits of
Open:
Mon to Sat, 9am to 5.30pm £80,000 you could save about £7,500 income tax.
Closed Sundays
- riding our bikes! AMS Accountancy Ltd
Tel: (01793) 700105 60a Beechcroft Road, SN2 6QD Delta 606, Welton Road, Swindon SN5 7XF
Between Stratton Crossroads & Kingsdown T: 01793 818400 W: www.ams-accountancy.co.uk
www.swindoncycles.co.uk

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