Currency for Cancer Care

Scotland’s best loved currency provider, No1 Currency has raised a phenomenal £10,000 after running the Edinburgh 10k for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

No1 Currency’s 20 strong team, including Managing Director Mark McElney, took part in the annual Bupa Great Edinburgh Run 2009 in May covering 10 kilometres in and around Scotland’s capital city.

No1 Currency took part in the event to raise funds and awareness for the charity Marie Curie Cancer Care. Each runner was asked to nominate their favourite charity and all names were put into a hat with the lucky charity, Marie Curie, being chosen at random.

Team No1 raised a staggering £5,000 of external sponsorship from friends, families and other businesses which was then matched by No1 Currency to give a grand total of £10,000.

Today the cheque for £10,000 was presented to Marie Curies’ Emily Hogg by Mark McElney, Managing Director of No1 Currency. Mark commented “This has been brilliant and exceeded our expectations. I’m very proud of my team they have all worked very hard to raise this money for such a worthwhile cause. I would also like to thank all of Team No1’s sponsors who have made this fantastic achievement possible with all their generous donations.”

Emily commented “This is really tremendous amount of money and we are very grateful for the fundraising efforts everyone has made and the matched funds from No1 Currency. The money will help us to continue our valuable services, free of charge to the terminally ill in Edinburgh & the Lothians”

296th Outlet, 6 New Jobs, No1 for Currency

Nothing seems to hamper the rapid growth of Scotland’s and the UK’s fastest growing foreign currency provider, No1 Currency, as they celebrated the opening of their latest Bureau de Change outlet in Edinburgh yesterday.

As the UK economy continues to spiral deeper into recession and Scottish unemployment hits an all time high of 137,000, Edinburgh-based No1 Currency shows no sign of slowing down.

The first three months of 2009 have seen an unprecedented growth with the opening of 24 new outlets. No1 Currency is predicting growth of more than 60% over this year, which will see the number of its Bureaus expand to an impressive 426 outlets by December 2009.

The latest Bureau de Change outlet located at 34-35 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh, brings the total number of branches in the No1 Currency network to 296, creates 6 new jobs and stocks 14 currencies for immediate exchange.

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the new store, Managing Director of No1 Currency, Mark McElney said, “We are very excited about the launch of this new city centre branch. Not only will 6 new jobs be created but the outlet is ideally located to offer both surrounding businesses and private individuals a convenient exchange service with unbeatable rates.”

“The downturn in the economy has not stopped business travel to and from Scotland’s capital or private individuals from booking weekend breaks and short getaways,” Mark McElney commented, “however consumers have become far more price savvy and value for money has never been so imperative,”

As Mark McElney points out, “The current lack of trust among the UK’s banking sector has stimulated an increasing number of individuals and businesses to look for alternatives when they buy their foreign currency.”

“Although people are shopping around more than ever before, convenience is still fundamental,” explained Mark McElney. “Our unique business model ensures that we can offer the best rate of exchange every time and with a rapidly expanding network of Bureau de Change outlets we can be found on nearly every high street in the UK.”

“This latest branch opening on Queensferry Street is testament to the continuing expansion and market demand for our cost effective and convenient currency exchange services,” concluded Mark McElney.

http://www.no1currency.com/

http://no1currencypresscentre.blogspot.com/

http://no1currencycomment.wordpress.com/

Navigating the Best Deal on Easter Travel Money

Determined to escape the weather and take respite from the credit crunch, UK travellers are still planning short Easter vacations despite the current economic downturn.

Destinations such as Turkey, Egypt and even the USA have become target locations for British holidaymakers who are looking to avoid eurozone countries as the pound hovers around the €1 mark.

When it comes to organising and purchasing travel money, there seems to be numerous options, each with their own set of the advantages and drawbacks. Navigating the best use of each option can make a huge difference to the overall cost of the holiday.

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of each option:

Credit and Debit Cards
Pros:
This is the only option that requires no preplanning and is the most convenient and hassle free method of shopping abroad. For expensive purchases, £100 or more, using a credit card is the safest option as your purchase will be protected against faults by the Consumer Credit Act.

Cons:
Most bank and card companies typically charge two types of fees for the use of plastic abroad. Firstly a loading fee, this is similar to a currency conversion fee, typically at 2.75% and a second charge is added for the transaction itself.

Using a credit card to make a withdrawal from an ATM should be avoided, as it is the most expensive option for obtaining cash, and interest will be charged from the date of withdrawal. Poorer exchange rates than bureaus also mean you actually pay more for the goods.

Another risk is the card skimming scams which are prevalent in Europe and North Africa. You also need to remember to pay your card off as soon as you get back or you risk costly APR % charges.

Prepaid Currency Cards
Pros:
The prepaid cards combines the safety of travellers cheques with the convenience of a bank card, these cards allow you to preload currency onto them at a fixed exchange rate, so if the pound devalues while you’re travelling you won’t be affected.

Cons:
Only available in Euro and US$ currencies, the market in prepaid cards is relatively new and there are discrepancies between vendors. Watch out for: card issuing charges, preloading, reloading and card replacement fees, expiry dates and transactions levies which can be either fixed per use or as percentage of the transaction.

For those on a tight budget, the prepaid card might end up being an expensive option despite its low risk and high convenience appeal. But it’s important to always check the small print.

Cash
Pros:
Cash is an essential item on your holiday check list because it’s always handy to have a bit of local currency when you arrive. Even for an all inclusive holiday package it’s worthwhile having a bit of spending money for drinks, excursions and gifts. Using cash avoids surplus charges incurred by credit, debit, and prepaid cards.

Shopping around to find the best deal on your local high street is by far the best option when it comes to buying foreign currency. This can be done by comparing exchange rates, commission charges and the option of a buy-back service.

Cons:
If lost, cash can not be replaced, and getting the best exchange rate requires a preholiday shopping around to find the cheapest and most convenient deal before you get to the airport. Check that your holiday insurance protects against loss or stolen cash.

Navigating the best combination
Managing Director of No1 Currency, Mark McElney navigates the minefield of options available when it comes to choosing how to pay for your travel money:

“When it comes to spending money on holiday I would advise people to avoid using their banks cards as much as possible. Credit cards are ideal for large purchases to protect against product faults; however for everyday spending using bank cards should be avoided.”

“Prepaid cards can also be useful for larger purchases and you are already protected against currency fluctuations but beware of transaction levies and reloading fees, the prepaid card can be expensive so always check the small print. For those people who are avoiding eurozone countries this year, prepaid cards are, of course, not an option.”

“For everyday purchases on holiday, taking cash before you go will not only save time and hassle when you get there but it will actually save you money in the long run. These days every hotel, apartment and villa has a security box to keep your money and passports safe, so the risk of carrying cash is greatly reduced.”

“To ensure the best rate of exchange it’s important to shop around to find the best deal before you get to the airport. A foreign currency specialist tends to offer significantly better rates than banks, tour operators and airport bureaux which all helps to save you money.”

“At No1 Currency we pride ourselves on not only offering the best exchange rates but with nearly 300 outlets nationwide we can be found on nearly every high street in the UK, making No1 Currency the most convenient choice, offering the best rates every time.”

http://www.no1currency.com/

http://no1currencypresscentre.blogspot.com/

http://no1currencycomment.wordpress.com/

Letting agent to offer….No1 Currency?

Edinburgh Letting agent, EH Letting has become the very first property management company to offer a currency exchange service in its Southside office located at 22-24 Newington Road.

The new service which was launched at the beginning of this week is running in partnership with Edinburgh-based foreign currency specialists, No1 Currency and will stock all major currencies for immediate exchange.

This development comes shortly after a report by the FDS (Franchise Development Service) claimed that the franchising industry is set to boom in 2009 as an increasing number of small businesses are looking to diversify and more people are becoming self employed.

No1 Currency already operates licensed Bureau de Change outlets in partnership with Scotland’s leading travel agents, Barrhead Travel and a number of alternative financial services such as Cheque Centre and Cash Generator. EH Letting, however will be the first of its kind, a letting agent, to incorporate the currency exchange service.

Managing Director of EH Letting, David Klan said, “We have a large office at EH Letting, and there was space going spare. I needed to identify a business opportunity that could operate and co-exist with my current business. A Bureau de Change partnership with No1 Currency presented the perfect opportunity to utilise this space effectively.”

“The new currency exchange service creates an additional income stream to the business,” explained Gordon Allan, who will be managing the operation of the bureau, “the whole package is ideal because it’s low risk and can be set up with minimal outlays and it’s a great way to increase the client base.”

“I personally used the No1 Currency Bureau de Change located in Edinburgh whenever I needed foreign currency because they seemed to consistently offer the best rates,” Mr Allan continued, “When I enquired about a bureau opportunity with EH Letting, No1 Currency sent one of their team over to the office and the rest, as they say, is history,”

Managing Director of No1 Currency, Mark McElney, said,
“The downturn in the economy has not stopped people from travelling and taking holidays overseas, however as consumers become far more price savvy, value for money has never been so imperative.”

“This latest opening is testament to the continuing expansion and market demand for our cost effective currency exchange services.”

“By using this new currency exchange service at EH Letting our customers are able to make their holiday money and currency transfers stretch that little bit further.” Mark McElney concluded.

When asked if the operation of this new Bureau de Change service coupled with his existing property letting business would pave the way for a business expansion into overseas lettings, David Klan commented, “never say never, if there is a business opportunity there then it is always worth reviewing and considering.”

http://www.no1currency.com/

http://no1currencypresscentre.blogspot.com/

http://no1currencycomment.wordpress.com/

Escape Unemployment, Recession and the Weather

As the Bank of England warns of a deepening of the recession, research from the Office of National Statistics revealed that UK unemployment has reached an all time high of nearly 2million.

Along with the rapidly changing face of the high streets, loss of a number of the UK’s best loved retailers, coupled with the dismal weather so far this year, its hardly surprising that some 200,000 Brits emigrate each year.

Last weekend the UK’s most comprehensive Emigrate Show returned to Edinburgh to entice Scots away from the clutches of the UK’s recession to a new and exciting life in abroad. Emigrate Edinburgh is the only dedicated emigration event of its kind under one roof to visit Scotland.

This year, Emigrate Edinburgh was held at The Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston. The show exhibited a range of migration experts who were on hand to provide detailed information on starting a new life in New Zealand, Australia, Candia and America.

Being ex-pats themselves the experts had first hand experience of the pleasures and pitfalls encountered when moving your life abroad. Emigrate Edinburgh catered for all, from those who were just looking to see if they could escape Britain and the credit crunch right through to those who had their visas and who were almost set to start their new life abroad.

No matter what stage of emigration planning, the show provided a range of information on how to sort out visas, employment, relocation, removals, and currency exchange.

Many people tend to forget about organising the transfer of their money in the excitement of emigration planning and often leave it up to the banks to transfer it for them. This oversight can mean loosing £1000s in currency transfers.

Scotland’s leading foreign currency specialist, No1 Currency, who help hundreds of Scots emigrate each year, were in attendance and on hand to provide free and specialist guidance on the best way to move finances abroad.

When it comes to moving your savings, banks invariably provide poor exchange rates, why? Because they can! They hold your money and know you’re probably too busy or stressed to shop around for a better deal. Coupled with their high transaction fees, you can lose up to an extra 4% on your savings when transferring via your bank

MD of No1 Currency, Mark McElney said, “To maximize your transfer it is vital to shop around to find the best rate of exchange. If you are transferring a large sum of money then your best bet is to seek free advice from a specialist currency broker from the outset.”

Not only can No1 Currency offer competitive exchange rates without the hefty transactions fees, they can also offer other services such as fixing your exchange rate up to 24 months in advance. This avoids loss of savings through adverse currency fluctuations, so you know exactly how much you will have when you start your new life abroad.

A Healthier Job Down Under with No1 Currency and Elmvia

Unemployment among newly-qualified healthcare professionals nurses and midwives soared by more than 80% in 2008 according to a government survey revealed by the Nursing Times Magazine.

With UK employment levels at an all time low, No1 Currency, Scotland’s leading foreign currency specialist and Elmvia, an Australian health and medical recruitment firm will certainly not feel out of place at Glasgow’s Novotel this Friday (20th Feb) as part of their recruitment drive seminar aimed at Scotland’s healthcare professionals.

Elmvia Australia is coming to Scotland to join No1 Currency and recruit members of the UK health and medical profession promising them a new life Down Under. The recruitment drive is aimed at both newly qualified and highly experienced healthcare personal across all disciplines of the medical profession, including doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists and social workers.

Managing Director of Elmvia Australia, Iain Dalton said “Scotland and the UK has a long history of emigration to Australia and Elmvia Australia are really excited to be hosting this recruitment event with No1 Currency in Glasgow on Friday,”

“We believe that Scotland has a lot to offer the Australian economy as many of the skills and experiences found here mirror those which are in needed in back home.”

“We hope this recruitment drive will let people see that there are jobs and opportunities out there if you know where to look – and where better to relocate than in Sunny Australia.”

Emigrating to Australia for work or retirement is an exciting prospect, every year thousands of Brits leave the UK to start a new life abroad, however careful preparation is essential to make sure that the move runs as smoothly as possible. The Elmvia emigration seminar, which will take place at the Glasgow Novotel (181 Pitt Street) on Friday 20th Feb 2009 from 2pm till 7.3-pm, will provide a valuable source of information for anyone who is thinking of moving to Australia for a job in healthcare.

The seminar will be supported by Ferguson Cannon Lawyers, who will be attending the event to share their knowledge on other types of trade jobs that are currently in demand, and Scotland’s leading foreign currency specialist, No1 Currency, who help hundreds of Scots emigrate each year and will be on hand to provide free and specialist guidance on the best way to moving finances abroad.

MD of No1 Currency, Mark McElney said “Exchange rate fluctuations can have huge impact on the amount of money you transfer to Australia and fluctuations in £-aud tend to be far greater than many other currencies. This renders currency predications less reliable for those looking to transfer large sums of money to this country.”

“For example, a couple planning emigration to Australia needed to exchange £150,000 to Australian dollars. At the beginning of the process in August 07, their savings would have secured around A$382,500. By the time they were ready to make the move in May 08 the fall in the value of the pound had seen the equivalent value fall to A$307,500.” Mark McElney continued, “This equated to a loss of A$75,000 or, in sterling terms, £36,585.

“By seeking guidance from a Foreign Currency Specialist this type of exchange loss could have been avoided by fixing a predetermined rate of exchange up to 24 months in advance.” Mark McElney commented, “With savings protected from the uncertainties of the foreign exchange market, and health and medical recruiters Elmvia on hand, starting a new life in Australia has never been easier.”


http://www.no1currency.com/

http://no1currencypresscentre.blogspot.com

http://no1currencycomment.wordpress.com

Recession Sparks Franchise Boom for No1 Currency

Since the start of the economic slowdown at the beginning of last year, No1 Currency has seen increasing demand for its franchised bureau de change package, with a number of travel agents, financial services, and even letting agents keen to diversify their product range and add a new source of income to their existing business.

No1 Currency is the only Foreign Currency Specialist in the UK to offer a fully managed and branded Bureau de Change solution for retail chains and independents that are looking to diversify their product range.

The popular demand for this low risk - high profit business model, which can be incorporated into any existing retail outlet at a very low cost, is testament to the fact that during an economic slowdown low risk diversification is a highly favourable option.

In 2008 No1 Currency opened one new bureau de change outlet every week using this business model, growing their network of Bureau de Changes by 25% in just one year.

According to FranchiseInfo.co.uk a downturn in the economy actually encourages people to seriously consider their options and franchising is considered the safest route for business expansion.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” Managing Director of No1 Currency, Mark McElney commented, “our fully managed Bureau de Change franchise offers retail outlets the chance to expand and diversify their product range, widening their client base and grabbing a slice of this highly lucrative market, at a very low risk and cost to themselves.”

“Not only is this arrangement beneficial to our Bureau de Change partners but it’s also advantageous for our Bureau de Change customers,” Mr McElney continued, “by using this unique model to grow our Bureau de Change network we are able to save costs on start-ups and overheads, we put this saving directly into our customers pocket, which is why they get a better deal for their currency every time.”