Chamber News

As part of efforts by the Borough Council to make the central area of Great Yarmouth more attractive to shoppers, residents and investors, businesses in the town centre are able to apply for grants to improve their frontages.

Under the Town Centre Shopfront Improvement Scheme, eligible applicants can ask for grants of up to £3,000 each to help fund shopfront renovation, decoration, new signage and/or replacement of historic features including lighting. Businesses must cover 25% of the total cost themselves.  At present there is a funding pot of £60,000.

If an application is approved, the business will have six months to complete the works and submit a claim form, with payments made only once works are complete. Before starting work, applications must have obtained the relevant permissions, including any planning permission and landlord permission required.

All applicants, whether successful or not, will be offered free business guidance, and advice on marketing, branding and visual merchandising, via enterpriseGY, the borough council’s business support service.

The shopfront scheme aims to:

• Improve business frontages, including shops, commercial businesses and social enterprises.
• Enhance the appearance and appeal of the town centre to visitors, customers and local residents.
• Preserve and enhance the special character of the conservation area, its listed buildings and other buildings of public importance.
• Assist towards encouraging further inward investment and stimulate business and consumer confidence.
• Completed applications are assessed on their individual merits by the Town Centre Shop Front Sub Committee, a cross-party sub-committee of the Economic Development Committee.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has already approved its first grants to help businesses improve their town centre frontages, with a total of £8,500 agreed in relation to five successful applicants. The successful applicants are: Gentleman’s Headquarters and the Sock Shop in Regent Street; and Woodcraft, Branded Toys and Wallis’ Wonders in the Victoria Arcade.

Commenting on the town centre improvement scheme, Neil Orford, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber council said:

“We want to see a thriving town centre and these grants will help deliver real change whilst encouraging local businesses to invest in our town and help drive further economic growth for Great Yarmouth.”  

Cllr Barry Coleman, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, said:

“”These first successful applications cover a real diversity of businesses and premises in different parts of the town centre, including some historic premises – and it is particularly great that the borough council is able to further help some of the businesses which were affected by last summer’s fire in Regent Road.

“There is, however, still money in the pot and we would like to hand out more grants in the coming months, so if you are an eligible business or social enterprise then please do follow suit and submit a well thought out application, because now is an ideal time to invest.”

Application forms, guidance and a map showing the area covered by the scheme, are available by visiting https://www.enterprisegy.co.uk/shop-front, emailing [email protected] or by calling enterpriseGY on 0800 458 0146.

Applications close on 31 March 2018, or sooner if funding is spent before this date.

(Based on March 2017 data releases)

Monthly headlines:

• BCC upgrades its UK economic growth forecast for 2017, but downgrades outlook for 2018.
• Inflation breaches the Bank of England’s 2% target as earnings growth continues to slow.
• Federal Reserve raises US interest rates and more rises are expected this year.

The third official estimate for Q4 2016 UK economic growth (GDP) stood at 0.7%, which was unrevised from the previous estimate.  Household disposable income fell by 0.4%, however consumer spending continues to be a key driver for UK growth.

CPI inflation in the UK stood at 2.3% in February 2017 – up from 1.8% in January.  This is the first time since November 2013 that inflation has been above the Bank of England’s 2% inflation target.

The Federal Reserve has increased US interest rates by 0.25 percentage points to a target range of between 0.75% and 1%.  This is the second time in three months that the US central bank has raised rates.  If the US monetary policy continues to tighten, this will increase the downward pressure on sterling, which is likely to push UK inflation higher.

For full details of this month’s economic review click here.

Right now the world wants quality Norfolk goods and services. There are millions of people across the world looking for the right skills, expertise, goods and services. The demand is out there and your business should be too.

The Department for International Trade’s Export Hub is coming to Norfolk this April.

Scottow Enterprise Park

Date: Wednesday 12 April 2017                                                                   

Time: 10:00 – 13:00 Hrs                                                        

Venue: On-board The Export Hub, Scottow Enterprise Park, Lamas Road,

Baddersfield, Scottow, NR10 5FB

Hethel Engineering Centre

Date: Thursday 13 April 2017

Time: 11:00 – 14:00 Hrs

Venue: On-board The Export Hub, Hethel Engineering Centre, Chapman Way, Hethel, Norwich, NR14 8FB

Trading abroad can boost your company’s profile, credibility and bottom line. And operating in new markets will mean you are more likely to be aware of the emerging needs of that market and the new opportunities that may arise for your business.

This exposure will ensure Norfolk businesses are better able to maintain a competitive position in this sector. Exporting will also enhance your businesses profile, whether for new clients at home or abroad.

Commenting the Export Hubs coming to our county, Julie Austin, International Trade Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:

“With Brexit negotiations now under way, it is important for Norfolk’s innovative firms to consider the opportunities that international trade can offer. With lots of existing and new emerging markets, exporting has never been easier. The Export Hubs offer a unique opportunity to find out how you can profile your business’ skills and services to the rest of the world.”

You do not need to pre-register, please just stop by on the above dates and times to talk about how you can improve or start exporting.

For more information email: [email protected]

The latest Bank of England Agents’ Summary for Quarter One 2017 has been published.  Key highlights are:

• Overall moderate rates of growth activity have continued
• Investment intentions have picked up with points to modest growth ahead
• The fall in sterling has resulted in higher manufacturing output

Moderate rates of activity growth has continued overall. Retail sales volumes growth had eased. It was expected to slow further during the year ahead as the fall in sterling fed through to higher prices, reducing households’ purchasing power. In contrast, export volume growth had picked up. That was due to the fall in sterling and stronger world growth.

Investment intentions had picked up, pointing to modest growth in spending in the year ahead. That reflected continued moderate demand growth and less uncertainty about economic prospects, particularly in the near term. But a lack of visibility of the United Kingdom’s future trading arrangements was weighing on longer-term plans for some contacts.

The fall in sterling was being passed through into higher manufacturing output and consumer goods price inflation. Business and consumer services price inflation had edged higher.

To read the full report click here.

With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) changes coming May 2018, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce are set to deliver a new event to help Norfolk businesses stay cyber safe. The Cyber Security Conference on Thursday 18 May 2017 will be a key event for the business calendar this year. With news headlines filled with the latest cyber-attack on corporate giants, organisations small and large need to be aware of the danger to their data. In May 2018 a new European regulation will come into effect meaning that businesses will have to completely re-think their data protection regimes. High standards are to be set on the accountability of how data is recorded, kept and processed. One of the biggest threats is the increase in fines from €500,000 to a maximum of €20m or 4% of global turnover. To visit the event webpage and book your place click here Norfolk Chamber’s Chief Executive, Caroline Williams said: “We live in a fast-paced, global economy that relies more and more on data and information carried through cyberspace.  Just as it is important for businesses to protect their physical property from intruders and potential theft, it is as important to guard against cybercrime. “The necessity of strong cybersecurity measures is self-evident and business needs to respond to this increased threat by adopting strict cybersecurity measures to ensure their continued economic growth. This event will give you the tools to help protect your organisation.” Hosted by Paul Maskall, Cybercrime Security Advisor and Coordinator for Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies, this event is set to help your business avoid the €20m fine by bringing together speakers from a range of businesses and backgrounds; with the event featuring talks and live demonstrations.  Speakers for the event are being sent from both local and national businesses including Birketts, FreeClix and PwC. Talks will cover topics such as the GDPR, inside threats, the Internet of Things, preventing attacks and more. Question and answer, networking opportunities and an exhibition will also feature on this half day conference agenda.  The event is open to all businesses of all sizes and industries to attend to gain vital knowledge on cyber practise. If you’re a business owner, work in IT, Security or Tech, you’ll want to be there. Event sponsorship and stands are available now, as well as event tickets. Full details can be found online here Speakers Include: • Paul Maskall, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies  • Kitty Rosser, Birketts LLP  • Peter Freeman, FreeClix Ltd  • Rahul Colaco, PwC Media Invitation Date: Thursday 18 May 2017, 9am – 12:30pm Venue: The Space, Norwich Members of press and media are invited to attend the event. An official photographer will be at the event and a selection of photographs will be available for use on request the following working day.  If you would like to attend or arrange an interview with a speaker please email [email protected] or phone 01603 729708.

On Tuesday 28th March, over 30 delegates joined us to learn more about the business opportunities in Japan at the Holiday Inn, Norwich. The event proved to be an informative and relaxed introduction to the cultural norms of doing business in Japan as well as the allures of the Japanese market as part of our international event series. The venue provided the attendees with plenty of tea and coffee as well as spacious and comfortable setting on this sunny afternoon.

Norfolk Chamber’s International Trade Manager, Julie Austin, welcomed delegates to the event, introducing our four expert presenters from companies: Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Integro Languages and Barclays. First up to speak was Daisaku Yukita, Deputy Director-General of JEtro, who highlighted the draws of the Japanese market and an overall impression of the challenges and solutions to doing Business in Japan.

Next up were Tom Bool and Shohei Yamaguchi from Integro Languages. Tom spoke about how crucial gaining linguistic support was in growing your business internationally. He then introduced Shohei, a Japanese national and head of Integro’s Asian languages division, who provided a crash course on what to expect from interactions with Japanese business community and the pitfalls to avoid.

The delegates were then provided with a delicious range of cakes and refreshments, allowing the opportunity to network with one another and discuss some of the subject matter introduced by our speakers.

Cake and tea consumed, Phil Ball, Director of Trade Sales at Barclays, then took to the podium to indicate some financial tips and issues when trading with Japan.

Julie also gave a short presentation on how the chamber can help your business to expand overseas. If you would like any more information on how we can help, please visit our international page or contact the team: 

T: 01603 729715 E: [email protected]

We closed the event with a Q&A session, after which, many delegates took the chance to talk further with the speakers and get in some final networking to make those all-important contacts. 

Doing Business in Japan Slideshow from Naomi Holmes

Commenting on the Great Repeal Bill White Paper, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“Norfolk’s business community want certainty from day-one on the rules and regulations they will face when the UK leaves the EU. For that reason, we welcome the premise of stability and continuity at the heart of the Great Repeal Bill.

“A legislative transition of this size and scope has never before been implemented, and Norfolk Chamber and our Westminster office, the British Chambers of Commerce, will be working closely with senior civil servants and Ministers to ensure there are no unintended consequences for individual firms, for sectors or for business communities as a whole.”

Also commenting, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The government must be exceedingly careful in its use of proposed fast-track powers, or risk blighting businesses with additional costs and burdens. As we have seen in the past, it takes only takes one poorly-drafted regulation to spark expensive court cases with wide-reaching consequences – and we are talking here about re-drafting thousands of pieces of the rule-book.

“In the fullness of time, businesses want to work with government to determine areas where maintaining equivalence with EU law is in our national economic interest, and areas where some divergence and change may be required. This will be a complex endeavor – better done right than done quickly.”

Commenting on the triggering of Article 50 by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“Now that Brexit negotiations are set to begin, businesses across Norfolk and the UK and their trading partners in Europe want answers to practical questions.  A down to earth and sensible dialogue on the real-world issues, rather than verbal volleys between London and Brussels, would give Norfolk firms greater confidence over the next two years.

Mrs Williams outlined five key asks that Norfolk Chamber, in consultation with its members, would like to see as part of the Brexit negotiations:

1.       Business Voice: The Government appear to be making incorrect assumptions in some areas – there is a need to ensure that businesses have a clear input into negotiations, to explain the potential impact of Government decisions.

2.       Labour: Existing EU workers should have the right to stay in the UK.  Going forward, there should be a bureaucratic-free system for seasonal workers and key staff.  A simplified system which will help key Norfolk sectors such as tourism, food producers and agriculture continue to grow.

3.       International Trade: Tariffs need to be kept to a minimum, with simplified customs procedures to make exporting as easy as possible.  To grow our export capacity, swift trade agreements with countries should be reached and trade missions should be expanded.

4.       Standards: Product standards should be aligned and recognised by the EU, to ensure that Norfolk products remain competitive.

5.       Funding: UK funding levels for business and people development need to be maintained in Norfolk to the levels that were formally funded from the EU.

“Norfolk’s business voice needs to be loud and clear over the coming months.  If any business has particular concerns or worries, do pass them on to us.  The British Chambers of Commerce, our Westminster office, is meeting with Ministers and senior civil servants daily and need to know how you feel.”

The Norfolk Chamber events team helped coordinate another successful and lively Your Future Careers event at Flegg High on Wednesday 22nd March. The event was attended by over 300 students from years 9 and 10 who all congregated at the main school hall to engage with local businesses about the careers available in a variety of sectors. Amongst the 16 businesses and higher education providers who donated some of their type to educate the students were Barclays, East Norfolk Sixth Form, UEA and Army Careers.

As well as the careers exhibition which took place, there were also a number of workshops which allowed the students to gain a more in depth insight into careers within healthcare and engineering. Workshop providers included Ian Robertson from SeaJacks, Paul Martin an NHS ambassador and David Sedgwick from KLM.

Overall, the event provided a valuable platform for businesses to enthuse and educate students about the work they do and the career paths students could potentially aim for when they reach school leaving age. Many students displayed a keen curiosity for the work the company’s do, with businesses commenting on how many insightful questions they all had. It also incited the students to consider what they may potentially like their futures to include, whether that be becoming an offshore engineer at SeaJacks, an apprentice at the NHS or attending one of the many colleges in their local area.

If you are interested in representing your business and enthusing young people about a career in your sector, please click here to register your interest.

We have the following careers events coming up:

Thetford Academy Careers Event – Thursday, 11 May, 2017, 12:30 – 15:45

Wymondham High Careers Event – Monday, 3 July, 2017, 09:30 – 13:30

The A47 Alliance are hosting an ‘Infrastructure and Economic Growth’ business breakfast, with the right honourable Mr John Hayes, Minister of State at the Department for Transport.

Date:   Thursday 11 May 2017

Time:   8.30 am to 11.00 am

Venue:   King’s Lynn Innovation Centre, Innovation Way, King’s Lynn PE30 5BY

The A47 Alliance brings together stakeholders – including Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, the local enterprise partnerships, local authorities and other business representatives – along the entire length of the trunk road from Lowestoft to the A1 at Peterborough.

The Alliance was grateful to government for previously recognising the vital importance of the A47 in the trunk road programme from 2015 to 2020 (known as RIS1) as a nationally important strategic road, deserving of crucial funding to undertake key improvements along sections of the A47. 

Moving towards announcements for the 2020 to 2025 programme (RIS2), we are inviting key businesses along the route in Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire to a business breakfast. 

Jonathan Cage, President of the Norfolk Chamber confirmed his attendance at the breakfast and said:

“Norfolk Chamber and the A47 Alliance members want to hear first-hand business views on the A47 and how this relates to the successful economic growth in our region.”

Martin Wilby, the Chair of the A47 Alliance said:

“We will use this important opportunity to update Norfolk businesses on the RIS1 schemes’ progress and hear directly from businesses in the East on what essential infrastructure improvements they would like to see happen to secure the future success of their businesses.”

The A47 Alliance’s ultimate goal is the full dualling of the A47 with appropriate grade separation.  A fully dualled A47 will help to boost the economic prosperity of a large part of the East of England and make a significant contribution to the national economy.

The estimated cost of a fully dualled A47 is £1.4bn and through a combination of selected improvements, there could be up to 16,890 jobs created within 20 years, with an increase of £706m in economic output (GVA).  As well as over 10,500 new homes.

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.  To reserve your place please email: [email protected]

The Government’s stated target of agreeing a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU within two years is inherently ambitious, according to an influential House of Lords body.

If the UK and EU are unable to agree an FTA within the two years provided for in Article 50, then preferential terms for trade between the UK and the EU would cease, and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules would apply.

In order to avoid that outcome, the Government must try to agree a transitional arrangement with the EU members of the House of Lords External Affairs Sub-Committee.

The peers have urged the Government “to establish at the outset of negotiations a clear strategy for a future transitional agreement, with specific proposals to what form it should take”.

The report Brexit: Trade in Goods focuses in particular on the potential impact that Brexit might have on trade in six sectors: chemicals and pharmaceuticals; capital goods and machinery; food and beverages; oil and petroleum; automotive and aerospace; and defence.

Goods dominate UK trade and the EU is our largest trading partner, Committee Chairman Baroness Verma pointed out.

Trade in goods between the two is worth almost £357 billion each year, she added, and it is therefore imperative that a trade deal with the EU seeks to avoid the imposition of tariffs on trade in both directions.

Baroness Verma also pointed out that non-tariff barriers can pose as significant or even a greater barrier to trade than tariffs – and warned that they would be more difficult to resolve in an FTA.

“The Government will need to make a trade-off between mitigating barriers to trade, and the exercise of regulatory sovereignty,” she concluded.

The official publication by the European standardisation body CEN Standard of Customs Competency for Customs Representatives (EN 16992:2017) has been welcomed by leading trade bodies.

CONFIAD, the Pan European Network of Customs Brokers and Customs Representatives, and CLECAT, the European association of freight forwarders, transport and customs-related services, said that it would promote professionalism, skills and knowledge in the customs representation within the EU.

Both bodies have promoted and financed the development of the CEN Standard.

Under the management of AFNOR (the French National Standardisation Body), it was developed by CEN, taking the Customs competency framework for private sector published by the European Commission into consideration.

Jean-François Auzeau, Chairman of the Customs Institute in CLECAT, said: “Whereas investments made to develop interoperability between electronic systems for the exchange of information, single window, etc will support daily operations in customs, a high level of expertise of the customs representative to secure compliance in the supply chain will remain critical for professionalism and good service to our shipper clients.”

In line with the criteria of customs competency required by the Authorised Economic Operator – Customs (AEO(C)) status in the Union Customs Code, the new Standard will support customs representation services offered by any customs representative in an EU Member State where the customs representative is not established.

At national level, each National Standardisation Body will now need to prepare and finalise the national publication of the Standard.