EMPIRE BUYING CENTRE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21024, 28 November 1933, Page 16

EMPIRE BUYING CENTRE

NEW LONDON VENTURE JHMTIKH INDUSTRIES HOUSE (rsuu t..i:a u»K CORRESF'JNtIBST.) LONDON, October if). Representatives of newspapers were to-day invited to meet the directors of British Industries House and to sec | over the building. The great building at Marble Arch was erected by Messrs Carnages (West End), Limited, at a cost of £1,000,000. The company went into liquidation, and the buildng was sold for £350,000 to a group of six insurance companies, who are now supporting the British Industries House scheme to the extent of £450,000. Eight floors of the building will be used for the new scheme. The 46 flats at the top of the building are all occupied, and are bringing in a rental of £23,000. The lease of the property is for 200 years, with a ground rent of £20,000 a year to the Duke of Westminster's estate. Already there is a staff of 35 engaged, though the scheme will not come into full working order until next May. Co-ordination of Efforts. Mr H. M. Trouncer, chairman of the board, addressing the guests, said that this buying centre in the heart of London would, they believed, prove of great benefit to British industry. In the face of tremendous competition with foreign nations and with the many difficulties which had to be met it was essential to co-ordinate the efforts of our manufacturers and our buyers. The fact that the Buyers' Association of Great Britain had already made its headquarters in the building was an indication that buyers in general were aware of the advantage of a central depot. They believed from, investigations made throughout the country that British manufacturers would find it to their advantage to associate themselves with the project. Trade organisations had been approached and invited to call meetings of their members to consider the scheme. It had also been decided to invite the co-r operation of chambers of commerce, and to ask them to put the scheme before their members. It was the firm belief of the board that the scheme was both sound and timely. It would play a large and very active part in promoting the interests of British' industries here and overseas. Lord Elgin spoke of the value of persona] contact between the buyers and manufacturers. The British Industries Fair had shown how useful that contact could be, but it was only for a brief period. The present scheme would make it possible to provide that personal contact all the year round. Sir Francis Goodenough said that British Industries House was intended to provide for the buyers of the world the same facilities as the great stores provided for the housewife. Here they would be able to find all their requirements in one centre and would be able to transact their business in comfort. Advantages of Membership. Various types of show windows and shop fronts are already in position as samples. For £4 a week a firm may have a small shop and an office. Small showcases are at the rate of £1 a week and by taking space the renter becomes a member of the organisation and has the following services:— (a) Rates and taxes, heating, normal (other than special) lighting, and cleaning. (b) Cost of erection of the showroom structure. (c) Use of the general information and enquiry office, and postal and poste restante services. (d) Telephone facilities. (e) The services of qualified floor managers specially selected in co-oper-ation with the industries concerned. (f) An opportunity to take part in special displays in the range of windows facing Oxford street and Park street. (g) The use of private interviewing rooms. (h) The services of a staff of competent interpreters. (i) Free membership of the club.