Spanish courses at Howbery Park, Wallingford

Over 20 tenants from a variety of businesses located at Howbery Business Park have been doing more than eating mince pies at lunchtimes as they prepare to complete a ten-week Spanish course delivered by Oxfordshire company, Languages at Lunch.

Subsidised by Howbery Business Park Sports and Social Association, the Spanish lessons have proved so popular that park lettings and marketing manager, Angela Andrews, is introducing French next year in addition to Level 2 Spanish.

Angela Andrews said: “This year, it’s most definitely ‘Feliz Navidad’ and ‘Happy New Year’ from Howbery Business Park! We pride ourselves in helping to ensure park tenants have a healthy work-life balance and think learning a language is a fantastic way to spend a lunch hour. The tenants have thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Languages at Lunch was founded eight years ago by Jo Saunders in Oxford and now runs foreign language courses in London, Reading, Berkshire, Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff.

Jo Saunders comments: “Languages at Lunch can be offered as a great employee benefit by forward-looking employers who recognise that creating a great place to work can motivate staff. Our courses give great results because they are convenient, relaxed and fun, making it easy to attend classes and make progress.”

Rob Wright, senior developer and Spanish student from major park occupier Group GTI said: “I’ve been wanting to learn Spanish for years, but was discouraged by the cost and hassle of night classes. Learning at lunch is the perfect solution – much more affordable and very convenient. It’s great team building too. Jo is a very talented, and patient, teacher who pitches the lesson just right to make sure we have fun whilst we learn. I will be enrolling for Level 2 next year.”

With a sustainable working environment set in beautiful grounds providing a stark contrast to many other business parks, Howbery Business Park has been able to attract and retain tenants to consistently achieve over 95 per cent occupancy and has development opportunities to expand.

For further information about Howbery Business Park facilities and office space visit www.howberypark.com

Photo caption: ‘Feliz Navidad’ from Howbery Business Park as tenants complete Level 1 Spanish with Jo Saunders (holding sign) of Languages at Lunch.