Beverley Lyons APPRENTICE Star Thomas Skinner has become such a fan favourite that he now has his own Showbiz manager and publicist. Pillow company boss Thomas, 28, who has impressed with his wheeling and dealing and hands-on cheeky chappy attitude thoughout the show with Lord Alan Sugar is now just weeks away from a potential victory. He has currently made the final eight following Ryan-Mark Parsons departure last week and he is high up on the bookies list to win alongside Lewis Ellis, Pamela Laird, Marianne Rawlins, Carina Lenore, Lottie Lion, Scarlett Allen-Horton, and Dean Ahmad. Last week, fans raved that Thomas was noble and chivalrous following his demands to be brought back into the boardroom to save his teammate. We can now reveal that Thomas, who had a paper round at 12 and used to work on market stalls from the age of 16, has been snapped up by Showbiz agency CAN who represent celebrities including Peter Andre, Rachel Hunter, Amy Childs, Dan Osbourne and Gary Lucy. A spokesperson for CAN confirmed: “The CAN Group are now representing Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner. The 28 year old is part of the current 2019 series of the hit BBC TV show and is also owner of his own business, The Fluffy Pillow Company. Tom’s hobbies include boxing, golf and fitness, has a passion for fashion and relishes the challenge of being an entrepreneur. He is now available for opportunities.”Thomas is currently keeping tight lipped about the future of his role in the programme. The businessman who claims that he like boxing, rugby, beer and West Ham in his Twitter profile, was spotted enjoying a special anniversary interview with Frank McAvennie at the weekend in the famous grounds in East London. Thomas didn’t demand any special treatment as he turned up to support Frank, who turned sixty, at the interview ahead of the match. Singer Debi Ronain who was a guest of Franks at the stadium said: “We couldn’t believe it when we saw Thomas at the match. He was like a normal punter mingling with everyone. He told us he absolutely loves Frank. We kept asking him about Snotty Lotty but he just laughed off our comments. He couldn’t tell is if he’d won or not but was very polite and took time to have his photos taken. He’s also shared on his socials the song we wrote starring Frank McAvennie called Funtime Frankie. I think he was driving so he wasn’t even drinking at the match. He was such a nice guy.”
Beverley Lyons
GLASGOW’S Crowne Plaza hotel is celebrating its thirtieth birthday by offering one Glasgow punter the chance to set up a brand new business in its foyer for free.
The acclaimed hotel on Glasgow’s Clydeside will be celebrating 30 years since being erected in September 1989 and wanted to give something back to the community that has supported it throughout the years.
As well as marking the occasion with a big party next month, management wanted to make a more long lasting commitment to one hardworking Scot.
Manager Jason Dombrower, who took over running the hotel ten months ago, said the new business will take pride of place beside the hotel’s reception desk in the former gift shop.
And he’s looking for budding entrepreneurs to come up with an interesting idea for the space measuring 7.25m x 4m in exchange for the chance to make it a reality, rent free for twelve months.
Jason, 48, who is originally from Canada explained: “It’s important to celebrate our 30th birthday and reflect the creative thinking we have at the hotel. Since I came here ten months ago we’ve put an emphasis on service and teamwork to ensure our customer comes first.
“We have a small shop which is leaving us at the end of this month (August) and we want to give away the space and utilities to a fledgling entrepreneur who may have an idea for a business and may not yet be able to pay rent.
“In the States in the 1920s, I read that landlords used to give space away to help support the local community.
“We’re looking for ideas of what people would like to do with the shop and we will select the winner through a Dragons Den style scenario at the end of next month. “Maybe someone wants to run a cool barber shop or sell glorious Glasgow cupcakes or some other trendy or funky shop idea. Our overall goal is to take care of guests and team members and help a new entrepreneur to build a business for success.
If the individual then wants to stay on after twelve months we can make an arrangement from that point.”
The shop space will be a blank canvas and Jason and his staff only require potential operators to submit a helicopter view of the business idea and what it might look like.
The new business will be selected by a panel after September with a view to opening at the start of January.
Jason said: “Turning thirty is a real milestone for the hotel and the building has witnessed a huge amount of events and moments over the years. We have hosted everyone from royalty and rockstars to regular customers who appreciate our special atmosphere and accommodation.
Jason added: “The hotel changed physically since it was built as The Forum following the Glasgow Garden Festival and also since it was run as The Moat House. We have recently refurbished some rooms as well as our leisure facilities and are constantly upgrading with plans to update our ballroom in 2020. Work is ongoing.”
Our location means we are a centrepiece of the Glasgow music scene and a hub of activity by Finnieston and the Clydeside.
Our anniversary plans will also include a special 80’s theme party to thank some of the people who have helped us over the years.”
Submissions of business ideas should be sent to CrownePlazaGlasgowShop@gmail.com by September 21 2019.
ENDS
