StoryFutures, a project led by Royal Holloway, University of London, is part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council's unprecedented Creative Industries Clusters Programme. The initiative brings together world leading creative and technology companies with the region's SMEs to tackle the challenge of next-generation storytelling.

This month, the project launched its virtual immersive experience technology at both Heathrow Airport and The National Gallery.

At Heathrow Terminal 5, Cupsy is an immersive prototype that uses facial and object recognition technologies to identify visitors’ coffee cups, their facial expressions and encourage them to recycle. Cupsy uses Augmented Reality to show passengers how to correctly dispose of their coffee cup, and will even celebrate when you recycle.

SME, Surround Vision, won a competition to develop the operational prototype working closely with StoryFutures, after the Cupsy idea was born out of the StoryLab process, in collaboration with Heathrow Airport & Costa Coffee. Cupsy has finished up its testing period at Terminal 5, and early results show a notable increase in correctly recycled cups.

At The National Gallery, ‘Virtual Veronese’ is a first of its kind immersive prototype, created in partnership with Guildford based creative technology SME, Focal Point VR.

Visitors were invited to experience Veronese’s painting 'The Consecration of Saint Nicholas' as it would have been seen in 1562, when it was commissioned as an altarpiece, by using augmented and virtual reality headsets.

The project will enable its creators to understand how immersive storytelling can add depth of information, meaning and emotion to the National Gallery visitors’ experiences of their paintings.

Both projects are part of the StoryLab challenge programme that invites SMEs to collaborate with academic researchers in response to challenge briefs set by leading organisations such as The National Gallery and Heathrow.

StoryFutures Creative Cluster supports creative and digital businesses with under 250 employees. The next StoryLab call is due to open this month.

image: StoryFutures

A promotional film showcasing Runnymede’s unique offering for business has been produced by Business Runnymede.

The film highlights the advantages Runnymede has for business, including the excellent office space, transport connections and skilled population which make it home to some of the biggest brands in the world.

The production of the film will contribute to achieving Business Runnymede's objective of attracting new investment and businesses into the borough.

Over the coming weeks the film will be distributed to partners in the media, press and property industry as we promote the fantastic assets Runnymede has to offer business.

Watch the film for yourself here: www.businessrunnymede.com

Thorpe Lea Dental in Staines-upon-Thames is delighted to announce that its brilliant team was highly commended at the prestigious Dentistry Awards recently.

Principal dentist, Colin Houston said: “We are so happy to win the Highly Commended Best Team South East award. We are a great bunch of people and really passionate about working together to give our patients the best dental care possible.

"Additionally, we have just received Investors in People accreditation. This really emphasises our commitment to working together towards a common goal, delivering the highest standard of patient care.”

To find out more, visit www.thorpeleadental.com

image: Thorpe Lea Dental

The necessity of a Heathrow rail link within the area has been re-emphasised after it emerged a congestion charge could be imposed on cars at the airport.

Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, together with the Hampshire and Surrey chambers of commerce as champions of local business, have called on the next Government to bring forward the delivery of a proposed Southern Rail Link to Heathrow as soon as possible.

Businesses are strong supporters of southern rail access to Heathrow. Improved connectivity, coupled with enhanced aviation capacity will serve to enable local, regional and national economic growth, and market competitiveness. They are, however, frustrated by the speed of progress of the scheme.

A successful Heathrow Airport is crucial for the Enterprise M3 economy as a gateway to international markets and the LEP and local businesses fear that the new penalty system, which could be introduced when the third runway opens in 2026, will unfairly impact upon travellers, businesses and airport employees in Surrey and Hampshire.

Without a reasonable public transport link, they would have no choice but to travel by car and pay the charge, which could make £1.2 billion annually for the airport.

A new rail line, for which a number of different proposals are being actively pursued, would open up access to and through Heathrow from the south west and south east of England improving connectivity between Surrey, Hampshire and London.

image: Wikimedia Commons

Plans to regenerate Egham town centre will soon be underway, bringing more than 100 new homes, shops, restaurants and a cinema to the area.

Next week, hoardings will go up around buildings on Station Road North, Church Road and Grange Road, before the site is cleared ready for works to begin in the New Year.

Access to businesses along Station Road North will be unaffected and the short stay car park will remain open until January 2020.

Known as Egham Gateway West, the development is being managed by Places for People, one of the UK's leading placemakers, in partnership with Runnymede Borough Council, as part of the £200 million Runnymede Regeneration Programme.

The plans include 27 affordable for rent and 7 shared ownership homes, as well as 67 market sale and rent apartments and student accommodation.

This exciting development will also see a new four screen Everyman cinema open on the corner of Station Road North and Church Road. There will also be retail and restaurant units, a food convenience store and a new public square.

Rick Lawrence, Partnerships Director at Places for People said: "We are delighted that work is set to start on the next phase of the exciting Runnymede Regeneration Programme - in partnership with Runnymede Borough Council.

"The clearance of these buildings paves the way for construction of much needed affordable homes along with retail, office space and a new public realm that will revitalise the area and deliver something that the whole community can be proud of."

Cllr Nick Prescot, Leader of Runnymede Borough Council, said: "This is a heavyweight investment to create a busy and enjoyable focal point for Egham. The new cinema, shops and restaurants will create a step change in the life of the town centre which will also boost existing businesses through increased footfall.

"The mix of housing is key to the Council's aim of supporting local people; within a couple of years more residents will be able to put down roots in our Borough for the long term."

The main building works are set to complete in late summer 2021.

The Runnymede Regeneration Programme will see several sites redeveloped across the Borough over the next eight to 13 years. This includes the new Egham Orbit leisure centre that opened in February 2019 and the Addlestone One development housing Waitrose, Premier Inn, shops and restaurants.

image: Places for People

The Business Runnymede directory is a great way to boost the exposure of your business and help support the local economy.

Add your business now: www.businessrunnymede.com/directory/register

• Make connections with local businesses.

• Increase your exposure.

• Support local growth.

The RMT union has announced that industrial action lasting from 2 December to 2 January will go ahead after talks with the rail company broke down.

Talks had been held in an attempt to prevent strike action taking place, but a dispute over the role of guards on trains could not be resolved.

Travelling during the strikes

South Western Railway have produced a summary for Monday - Friday services between 2 and 23 December which is available to read here. They are currently working on weekend and Christmas service summaries. Detailed, downloadable timetables will be published early next week, which will be available to download here.

A route map has also been produced to make it easier to see how your route will be affected.

image: South Western Railway

The Enterprise M3 Growth Hub are offering bespoke, one-hour clinics for businesses in ICT and digital media, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, and professional and business services.

The Growth Hub is fully funded to help businesses located in Runnymede with their plans for growth.

These confidential business clinics focus on:

• exploration of new markets
• developing innovation
• increasing workforce
• sustainable growth

If you are interested in booking a clinic, please contact us at [email protected]. Eligibility rules apply.

image: Enterprise M3 Growth Hub