Chamber News

In October 2016 the Government announced the expansion of Heathrow Airport.   An expanded Heathrow will double the airport’s cargo capacity and increase the number of domestic connections, boosting Britain’s exporters and ensuring every region and nation of the UK can get to global markets. With up to 40 more long haul destinations, the project will make Britain the best-connected country in the world. 

Heathrow has committed to maximising opportunities for British businesses, including those in Norfolk, of all sizes who could benefit from being involved in the building one of the largest privately-funded infrastructure projects in Europe.  

They are inviting local business communities to showcase why their area is suitable to host one of four new logistics hubs. Suitable locations will have good connectivity, access to a relevant supply chain and strong local skills.  Heathrow has produced a document explaining what they want to achieve and how businesses can get involved.

 Interested applicants should visit https://procurement.heathrow.com to register their interest and complete an Expression of Interest questionnaire before 31st July 2017. All applications will be considered by Heathrow and a list of potential sites is expected to be announced later this year.

If you have any questions, please contact: [email protected]

A1151 Wroxham Road

Drivers are warned to expect delays on the A1151 Wroxham Road, with temporary signals at the site of the new Green Lane West junction tomorrow (Thurs) and Friday, and a longer stretch under 24-hour traffic lights from Tuesday (2 May).

Tomorrow (27 April) and Friday the traffic lights will be in use after the morning peak, and will be removed as early as possible in the evening. The road will be clear of signals through the bank holiday weekend.

From Tuesday (2 May) for up to two weeks, a long stretch of the A1151 close to the main NDR construction site will be reduced to one lane controlled by traffic lights. This is to allow Anglian Water to complete the diversion of a water main. The active work sites will be at either end of the coned-off carriageway, but too close to run two sets of temporary lights efficiently.

Salhouse Road closure

Temporary traffic lights will remain in use on Salhouse Road at the NDR roundabout construction site until the road is closed for up to two weeks from Monday 8 May to allow completion of the roundabout and tie-in to the existing carriageway.

Reepham Road closure

The current closure of Reepham Road during construction of the roundabout with Drayton Lane is scheduled to continue until Friday 5 May, when Drayton Lane between Reepham Road and Hall Lane (Drayton) will also be reopened. This will reduce pressure on Hall Lane and School Road, Drayton, which are being used as unofficial diversion routes.

Buxton Road closure – new dates

The closure of Buxton Road, Spixworth, originally scheduled for May, has been put back until Monday 5 June and reduced from three to two weeks. This is for the completion and tie-in of the bridge over the NDR. Pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained.

The Norfolk Chamber Board has appointed successful Norfolk entrepreneur Chris Sargisson as the new Chief Executive to succeed Caroline Williams, who is stepping down after 17 years in the role.

Commenting on the changeover of Chief Executive, Jonathan Cage, Norfolk Chamber President said: “We wish our current Chief Executive Caroline all the best in her new career. She has played a key role in the success of the Norfolk Chamber since 2000 so it’s been an extremely important exercise to select the right candidate both to build on Caroline’s many achievements and take this important organisation forward.”

Chris Sargisson will head Norfolk’s premier biggest business membership organisation starting in June. “He strikes the right balance of proven business experience and successful entrepreneurial behaviour” said Jonathan Cage.

Chris was educated and lives in Norwich with his wife and two children. He worked in the 1990s shaping Norwich Union Direct before leaving to set up and launch its4me plc, one of the UK’s most successful online car insurance brokers and major Norwich employer. Chris also created House Revolution, one of the UK’s first online estate agencies, alongside running his own business consultancy practice which has helped organisations of all sizes across the UK.

Two meetings to be held in London in May will focus on the trade opportunities offered by countries in Africa.

Organised by the Business Council for Africa and British Expertise International, the meetings will bring together British diplomats stationed in both East and West Africa.

Both meetings will take place on 10 May. In the morning, a panel discussion at the Business Council for Africa (Lavington Street, London) will feature three Heads of Mission from East Africa: Susanna Moorehead, Nic Hailey and Sarah Cooke.

Susanna Moorehead, British Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti, is the Permanent Representative to the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa. She has also served as the Director for Southern and West Africa at the Department for International Development (DFID).

Nic Hailey has been British High Commissioner to Kenya since December 2015. Prior to taking up his current position, he was Director for Africa at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), where he had responsibility for all UK policy towards, and operations in, 48 countries across Africa.

The High Commissioner to Tanzania, Sarah Cooke, was previously representative for DFID in Bangladesh.

Starting at 17.00 on 10 May, the second meeting will be held at the premises of Addleshaw Goddard (Chiswell Street, London) and will include five Heads of Mission from West Africa.

Among them will be the UK’s current High Commissioner to Cameroon, Brian Olley, who has previously served in Cyprus, Afghanistan and Finland.

George Hodgson, Ambassador to Senegal and non-resident Ambassador to Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau, will also participate in the panel discussion, as will the High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin.

In addition to the panel discussions, both events will also provide opportunities for networking. Further information can be found at www.britishexpertise.org.

Heathrow Airport has confirmed that China Southern Airlines will be operating a second daily departure between the UK hub and the Chinese port of Guangzhou with effect from 1 June this year.

It said that the airline’s twice-daily service, the only direct connection between the UK and the southern Chinese city, is strategically important for “a global, outward-looking Britain”.

Using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the new service will lower transfer times to China Southern Airlines’ network of over 120 destinations in China, Japan and Korea, southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Located just 75 miles up the Pearl River bay from Hong Kong, Guangzhou is described as one of China’s most vibrant business markets as well as being its biggest port.

The addition of the new daily service will boost trade capacity to this booming city, by doubling the space for British exports to up to 8760 metric tonnes a year, Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye said.

Welcoming the addition of the second service, he highlighted the benefits of increased connectivity to Guangzhou for Heathrow passengers and for British business generally.

“Direct connections to thriving markets like these are essential to keeping our country a global, outward looking, trading nation,” Mr Holland-Kaye concluded.

In 2016, more than 1.1 million passengers used Heathrow to fly to and from Chinese destinations, an increase of 7.3% over the previous year.

Global Village is a one-of-a-kind, multi-cultural festival park that operates seasonally, showcasing different cultures from around the world, in a lively, outdoor atmosphere. Global Village is renowned for it’s shopping experience showcasing authentic products from around the world. Total transactions at Global Village exceeded € 590 million (AED 2.3 billion) last season. This will be Global Villages 22nd Season and is proud to have attracted 5.6 million visitors last season and been voted the No 1 Leisure attraction in the Middle East (You Gov). Our Vision is to be one of the top ten international brands for family entertainment and cultural experiences by 2020.

We are looking for new and exciting product s and retailers to fill our European Pavilion

We believe the following products sell extremely well:

• HANDICRAFTS
• WELLNESS PRODUCTS
• FOOD & BEVERAGE
• FASHION
• GIFTS
• ACCESSORIES

But open to all products especially in new in the market. Global Village is excited about working with European Exhibitors and looks forward to them showcasing and retailing unique and authentic products during the next season. Global Village will work closely with exhibitors on all logistic elements from shipping, storage, to accommodation and visa’s to ensure an easy process for our exhibitors.

To express you interest please email [email protected] and we will pass your details on. 

Pre April position

The Flat Rate VAT Scheme (FRS) was set up by HMRC as a means to simplify and reduce the costs of compliance for small businesses. This meant that such businesses could apply a fixed percentage dependent upon the specific trade or profession they were involved in.

Under the FRS the business would charge full VAT rates to their clients when invoicing and therefore receive VAT at 20%. The business would then only pay the fixed percentage to HMRC i.e. if they fell within management consultancy they would pay only 14% of their invoiced value to HMRC.

The scheme does not permit recovery of input VAT other than in specific circumstances normally in relation to purchases of capital equipment with a value of more than £2,000.

Legislation

HMRC issued draft legislation in early December 2016 which introduced a new rate of 16.5% for ‘Limited Cost Traders’ (LCT) to take affect from 1st April 2017.  A LCT is one whose VAT inclusive expenditure on goods is either:-

• less than 2% of their VAT inclusive turnover in a prescribed accounting period
• greater than 2% of their VAT inclusive turnover but less than £1,000 per annum if the prescribed accounting period is one year (if it is not one year, the figure is the relevant proportion of £1,000

Goods, for the purpose of LCT, must be used exclusively for the purposes of the business but exclude the following items:-

• capital expenditure
• food or drink for consumption by the FRS business or its employees
• vehicles, vehicle parts and fuel (except where the business is one that carries out transport services -eg. a taxi business, and uses its own or a leased vehicle to carry out these services).

An additional downside to this test is that if you have goods that are used part for business and part private use should be totally excluded and not apportioned between business and private.

April onwards

From 1st April 2017 a LCT will have a choice to either remain as part of FRS and pay VAT to HMRC based on 16.5% or to be part of standard treatment VAT i.e. pay net VAT to HMRC having taken into account  VAT on outputs at 20% and recover VAT on inputs where charged.

Under the anti-forestalling provisions HMRC have restricted any possibility of a LCT continuing to use any lower FRS rates from 1st April 2017 therefore action if not already taken should be taken now to avoid potential penalties.

If you are still within the first 12 months of VAT registration you will be able to continue with the 1% first year discount so would pay only 15.5% for the remainder of the 12 month period.

If under the legislation you are a LCT then you need to go through the numbers and consider which is the best direction for you. The potential impact on a small business may not be significant and the additional costs involved in fully accounting for VAT under the standard rate may well be more than the VAT involved especially as you will need to provide evidence of any expenditure on which you make a reclaim.

All such businesses will have their own unique situation and we would recommend you speak with your accountant or call the VAT advice line should you need help making a decision.

On Thursday 20th April, over 65 members joined us for a Business Breakfast at the Great Yarmouth racecourse. The Victory and Trafalgar suites provided a spacious setting where delegates could network over coffee upon arrival and speak to Great Yarmouth Borough Council who had a stand promoting Beacon Park.

Philippa Bindley events manager at Norfolk Chamber kicked off proceedings by welcoming guests. Guests then went straight into some Speed Networking which is designed to get guests talking to as many other people as possible.

When guests had finished their networking they tucked into a delicious breakfast served by the racecourse. Members then heard from John Vingoe operations manager for Seajacks spoke about the plans for East Anglia One the new wind farm in the East.

After John’s presentation about their vessels and how they are used members had the chance to ask some questions back such as do they work with oil and gas companies. Members found it interesting to know that they will be placing foundations for 66 new wind turbines in the local area.

Caroline Williams MBE finished off the morning by saying a thank you and farewell for her 17 years working for the chamber.

To learn about any upcoming events, please visit: norfolkchamber.co.uk/events

Gnaw Chocolate are offering all fellow Norfolk Chamber members a Gnawfully good deal on your first corporate order!

Spend £500 and above on their delicious chocolate treats for your loyal clients and lovely staff and receive a FREE Gnawish Hamper! Quote CORPORATEGNAW when placing your first order!

Head to www.gnawchocolate.co.uk/collections/corporate-gifts for further info.

They are also offering you and your staff a 15% discount on your first online order, spread the news around the office and let everyone know to quote STAFFGNAW .

Both promotions will be running until 1st July, 2017!

For more info contact Gnaw on 01603 501546 or email [email protected]

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) to help airlines and cargo handlers work together more effectively while improving safety and efficiency in air cargo operations across the world.

The Manual’s table of contents, and details of how it can be purchased, can be found at www.iata.org.

Developed in consultation with air carriers and cargo handlers, and based on industry best practices, the Cargo-iQ Master Operating Plan (MOP) and international regulations and standards, the ICHM is the first complete set of standards covering the operational activities of all stakeholders in the cargo handling supply chain.

Glyn Hughes, Global Head of Cargo at IATA, said: “Cargo operations are performed at thousands of airports, by hundreds of handlers. With that number of parties involved, ensuring that global standards and best practices are being observed at all times is a constant challenge.”

The ICHM is a single reference source that will help promote global consistency and harmonisation of cargo handling procedures, he went on, thereby facilitating the movement of goods safely, securely and efficiently while contributing to a reduction in air freight logistic costs.

IATA has calculated that the ICHM brings together 90% of the information that is common to individual carrier cargo handling manuals. The manual develops and completes this information, Mr Hughes explained, bringing it up to current IATA standards.

A new UK-Israel Trade Working Group aims to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries.

Announced in February following a meeting between Prime Ministers Theresa May and Benjamin Netanyahu, the forum has been established not only to promote greater trade and investment, but also to prepare the ground for a post-Brexit trade agreement.

The UK is Israel’s second largest trading partner and its top destination for investment in Europe. More than 300 Israeli companies currently operate in the UK, with 28 having either set up or expanded their businesses since April 2016.

Meanwhile, over 30 British companies operate in Israel, with hundreds more represented there. Overall, bilateral trade between the UK and Israel was worth US$7.5 billion in 2015.

The Working Group’s inaugural meeting in late March 2017 saw officials start work on what the Government described as a smooth transition to the trading relationship as the UK leaves the EU.

Ahead of the meeting, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry, Eli Cohen, said: “As the UK is Israel’s first export destination in Europe, we see high importance in keeping and enhancing our trade relations when the UK ceases to be a member of the European Union.”

The two sides should, he added, make sure that the business communities in both countries will be able to continue trading with each other by providing them with the necessary trade platforms.

Changes to rules on food imports from non-EU countries could see Israeli farmers able to sell more fresh produce in the UK, while easing restrictions on travel and work permits could make it easier for Israelis to come to the UK.

Containers full of British goods are on their way to China after the departure of the first UK to China export train from DP World London Gateway.

The train will make the 7500 mile, three-week-long journey, from South Essex to Yiwu in the Zhejiang province in eastern China. Products on board include soft drinks, vitamins, pharmaceuticals and baby products.

Container operator OneTwoThree Logistics is overseeing the transportation and booking of cargo for the UK/China rail freight trains, in conjunction with Yiwu Timex Industrial Investment Co, which is running the service with China Railway Container.

The inaugural export train departed for Asia just under three months after the first ever import train from China arrived in the UK. The service is part of China’s One Belt, One Road programme – reviving the ancient Silk Road trading routes to the west.

The train service is cheaper and less restrictive than air freight and faster than going by sea.

Greg Hands, Minister of State in the Department for International Trade (DIT), said: “This shows the huge global demand for quality UK goods and is a great step for DP World’s £1.5 billion London Gateway Port as it also welcomes its first regular container ships from Asia.”

Xubin Feng, Chairman of Yiwu Timex Industrial Investment Co, said that this was just the start of a regular direct service between the UK and China. Expressing his faith in the UK as an export nation, he said that rail provides an excellent alternative for moving large volumes of goods over long distances faster.