Chamber News

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is changing and it is vital that the Great Yarmouth business community have their say as well – this is your chance to get involved in this important undertaking right from the very start.

The consultation allows you the opportunity to have your say on the vision and priorities for the borough and how it should be shaped moving forward. It includes how the borough council will work in the future and the proposed income and savings options for 2015/16.

The Great Yarmouth business community need to take part in the consultation to ensure your opinions on the proposals being made on future spends and visions are taken into account. You will also be able to share your own priorities, aspirations, views and ideas before any decisions are made.

Everyone is urged to take part by completing this official consultation survey. The last day for completion is Monday, October 20, 2014.

Click here to have your say now.

• Annual CPI inflation in August 2014 was 1.5%, down from 1.6% in July
• The largest contributions to the fall in inflation came from motor fuels, food and non alcoholic drinks
• These were partly offset by upward contributions from clothing, transport services and alcohol
• Goods price inflation in August 2014 was 0.6%, while services inflation was 2.7%

Commenting on the CPI inflation figures for August 2014, published today by the ONS, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:

“These figures highlight that inflationary pressures in the economy are easing and remain well below the 2% target. The drop in inflation alongside the recent stagnation in wage growth will relieve pressure on the Bank of England. While the UK recovery remains on track, this is clearly not the time to put the recovery at risk with premature interest rate rises.

“The main priority for the MPC must be to nurture business confidence by offering the stability of working in a low interest rate environment. To secure a lasting recovery the government should continue to provide further measures in key areas such as improving access to finance for growing firms, and supporting UK exporters.”

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is currently drafting a ‘Norfolk Business Plan’. The Plan will highlight what the Norfolk business community feel they need to ensure their businesses thrive and the Norfolk economy grows. West Norfolk businesses are the first to be surveyed and the results will be highlighted and debated at the West Norfolk Business Breakfast on 03 October 2014, which will be attended by Henry Bellingham, MP for West Norfolk.

The results of all the business surveys will be incorporated into the finalised Norfolk Business Plan. If you are based in West Norfolk and want to take part in the survey, click here.

On a Thursday 11 September over 70 members from across Norfolk joined us at the beautiful venue of Great Yarmouth Town Hall for a breakfast on the topic of sell responsibly, get results.

There was a really positive atmosphere in the room from the delegates networking and making new connections. This followed throughout the morning during the networking icebreaker, breakfast & safari move.

Host, John Morse, president of the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council started the morning off and introduced the sponsor Business in the Community who said a few words about their mentoring scheme for new business and entrepreneurs.

This followed through to breakfast and networking and delegates got to meet a whole new table of contacts through our safari move.

It was then time to hear from Nicola Badley, Environment and Procurement Officer of Blue Sky Leisure who told the delegates how Blue Sky Leisure ensured they used only local suppliers and gave back to the community. This has lead to them winning a multitude of awards including EDP Business of the Year Award 2013.

To conclude the event we heard from NBC Bird & Pest Solutions Managing Director, John Dickson who used his business as a case study of how being a responsible business and community support can help to build strong successful businesses.

To view more photo’s from this event visit ourFacebookorGoogle+page.

Sponsored by: Event Featured Charity:

The BCC is receiving numerous requests, from both national broadcast and print media, for businesses with operations in Scotland who are willing to speak on-the-record about the impending referendum. (We have two outstanding requests from the Sunday Times and BBC national news).

The BCC continues to maintain a strictly neutral stance in the debate, but recognises that some businesspeople may want to give voice to their views on the issues that are under the media spotlight – including:

• Whether companies have moved domicile from Scotland to elsewhere in the UK;
• Whether any have moved funds or capital
• Whether any have purchased or leased alternative premises
• How have company boards revised their assessments of risk around the Scottish independence referendum

If you are a businesses who feel very strongly about any of the above issues and who would want to speak on the record, please contact the press office at:

Lisa Morrison –[email protected] Nick White –[email protected]

It is essential to justify every decision to invest in promotional or marketing activity based on potential return or coverage (ROI). You may be reluctant to spend on marketing activity, but cutting back on this will have an effect on your business. Exhibitions can be seen as a large investment, particularly by small and medium-sized businesses, but by investing in the short term, you can reap the benefits in the long term, turning the leads collected at an exhibition into loyal customers.

David Palmer, Head of Sales at Green Duck and regular exhibitor at B2B agrees “Even when you factor in our time, as well as the cost of our stand, the return far outstripped our investment. Our Training and Recycling divisions came away with significant sales from B2B.”

So, do you have a sales plan for success at exhibitions? What are you looking to achieve by being there? Below are my top tips to make sure you’re sales savvy for your next exhibition.

1. Decide why you are exhibiting and what you want to achieve. Have some specific, measurable targets in mind. For example, get 30 qualified sales leads or conduct 50 research interviews.

2. On average 75% of visitors to an exhibition are there to buy or plan to buy in the future – use this to your advantage & have a post event follow up strategy. Get all the contact details and information you can from your prospect.

3. At the show, let people know you are there, advertise. Every exhibitor at B2B has the opportunity to advertise for free in a supplement in the Eastern Daily Press, printed 49,000 times and circulated digitally. Read more about the promotional package here.

4. Conduct a show debrief with the stand team and identify what went well and what didn’t. Be sure to learn from each experience and put this into place for your next exhibition.

Bob Prior, Sales and Marketing Director at Heritage Contract Services goes further ‘On our stand at B2B we had virtually no ‘down time’ because we were busy all the time. We trained and prepared for it, and it paid off. Because we had the opportunity to engage with them our visitors said they had a terrific experience. Being at B2B generated real business, and we still have active leads that came from it. Put simply, for us B2B meant business’.

If you’re exhibiting at our B2B Exhibition on 15 October, make sure you visit our Exhibitor Toolkit page. It is FULL of ways to help you promote your stand and maximise your promotion. 80% of stand success is down to staff, so train them. We are running a FREE Chamber Session on Exhibiting Success on 30 September, full details here

If you haven’t booked your stand at The B2B Exhibition 2014, there’s still time. We are now over half full so if you’re looking to be at B2B, complete your stand booking form today. For more information about The B2B Exhibition 2014 click here.

As the Great Eastern Rail Campaign gathers momentum, New Anglia LEP is writing to over 200 business leaders across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex asking for their personal support for greater investment in the Norwich to London main line.

More than 650 rail passengers and businesses have already signed up to the campaign at newanglia.co.uk/gerailcampaign and over 60 companies have posted comments on why a quality service is vital to them.

The LEP, the region’s MPs, business and rail leaders are heading a Taskforce calling for a faster, more reliable service. The Taskforce is due to report to Government in November making the strong economic case for investment in the line.

To ensure the case is as robust as possible, business leaders are being asked to provide their personal signatures in support of the campaign. The letters are being sent to all sectors from retail and tourism to manufacturing and financial services.

“We are grateful for the support we have already had for the campaign, but personal endorsements from those who suffer the real economic consequences of a poor train service is compelling and it gives us further solid evidence to take to Government in the Autumn,” said Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP.

The Chambers of Commerce from across the three counties have all endorsed the campaign and have received messages of support from many of their members.

Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “Results have shown that a strong business voice helps strengthen the case for investment to Government. The Norfolk Chamber and its partners have been lobbying for key rail improvements, but it is also important for individual businesses to be seen and heard. We would encourage business leaders to participate fully in this campaign as it make good businesses sense.”

To view the Norfolk Chamber’s campaign message click here

Today (Monday) the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is publishing its Business Manifesto – ‘A Business Plan for Britain’. The Manifesto reflects the expectations of business communities across the UK, and the measures they require from any incoming government in 2015 in order to help Britain fulfil its true economic potential.

The business group, which represents thousands of businesses of all sizes across the UK, has identified seven core themes that must be at the heart of any plan for government, to ensure Britain becomes ‘a more confident, more enterprising, and more skilled trading nation’. The BCC manifesto issues a clear call to all political parties to make these priorities for growth a reality.

Commenting, John Longworth BCC Director General said:

“The decisions taken during the term of the next Parliament will have a profound impact on the UK’s ability to grow. We need a business plan for Britain, with governments across the UK focusing their attention on creating the best possible environment for growth and enterprise.

“Over the next five years, we can become a more confident, more enterprising, more skilled trading nation that is capable of standing on its own two feet – or retreat into slow but very real decline. A Britain built for growth is a Britain where government decisions are relentlessly pro-growth; business policies are fit for the long term; local business communities are empowered; and the machinery of national and local government works with and for business.

“Our Business Plan for Britain is practical, pragmatic and achievable. We call on the next UK government, the devolved administrations, and local authorities to work together and with us in a true partnership to make our plan a reality, and lead Britain into a more prosperous future.”

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:

“Norfolk Chamber members have had a significant input into this Business Manifesto and it does reflect many of their expectations. We are now working with our local partners on ‘A Business Plan for Norfolk’ which will highlight our needs and aspirations to local and national partners within the public and private sectors. Norfolk businesses will provide jobs and drive the economy forward but what th Plan will do is to highlight what barriers need to removed and what the opportunities are for the future”

RETAINING THE BEST UK TALENT AND DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION

Nurturing the business leaders of tomorrow, preparing young people for work and investing in the skills and prospects of those already in work are essential to the UK’s competitiveness.

This includes:

Introducing a Childcare Contribution Scheme that helps talented people stay in work – increased financial support for working parents to access childcare, thereby allowing more businesses to retain and develop staff while they start families.

• Soaring childcare costs mean that many parents are forced to drop out of the workforce to look after their children. If this is not addressed by the next government, together with measures to boost the number of childcare places available, the UK could lose out on future talent that will help to drive economic growth.
• All working parents with a child under school-age would be eligible, and would be given the funding upfront by government through a voucher scheme.
• The primary earner would start paying back the government contribution at six per cent of their gross income above the income tax personal allowance (£10,000 for 2014-15). An interest rate of three per cent above inflation would be applied.

GROWING BRITAIN’S GLOBAL TRADE POTENTIAL

Removing barriers to trade, building international networks and investing in our export skills base will support UK businesses to take on the world

This includes:

Calling for a more ‘pro-business’ Home Office that actively supports British firms by reducing bureaucracy, costs and delays for foreign business visitors, skilled individuals seeking to work in the UK, and British nationals seeking to renew passports from overseas – thereby attracting the best talent and investment from overseas and helping British firms link with customers, investors and business partners.

• Unless the next government adopts migration and visa policies that support business and economic needs, the UK will lose out on business deals and the ability to attract the best talent and investment from overseas.
• Introduce a ‘fast-track’ passport issuance scheme for British exporters and global traders overseas – enforcing a maximum turnaround of four weeks so Britain’s exporters can respond to business opportunities quickly.
• The BCC is also calling for a more pragmatic approach to visa issuance for foreign students and skilled workers – to ensure the visa system addresses economic need, rather than shut out individuals who can make a real contribution to growth.

STRENGTHEN BRITAIN’S INFRASTRUCTURE TO REACH A WORLD CLASS STANDARD

A world-class economy needs world-class infrastructure, and businesses need certainty that crucial improvements will actually be delivered.

This includes:

An irreversible decision to build new aviation capacity following the publication of the Airports Commission’s report – so UK businesses have the international connectivity for passengers and goods to compete on the world stage.

• Businesses across the UK need more aviation capacity and would like to see this delivered by expanding existing airports, rather than building entirely new ones. This is why we supported the Airports Commission’s recent decision to reject plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
• But additional capacity should not be limited to just one airport, and any viable expansion option should be allowed to proceed.
• However, if the Commission only gives the green light to one new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick, it is absolutely crucial that politicians then ensure it is delivered.
• An aviation strategy should involve the strengthening of regional airports as well as airports in the South East. This will boost economic growth in the regions, help to relieve capacity shortages during extreme weather and provide business and holiday travel for people locally.

DRIVE DOWN BUSINESS COSTS AND TAXES

Simplifying the UK tax system and reducing the taxes firms pay even before they generate a profit, will boost businesses competitiveness, investment and jobs.

This includes:

Freezing business rates for all companies until 2017’s planned full revaluation of premises – plus a thorough review and reform of the broken business rates system by 2022 – UK firms face the highest business property tax bills in Europe, and the current system is at odds with the government’s ambition to have one of the most competitive tax systems in the G20.

• Abandon up-rating of business rates until the 2017 revaluation, with HM Treasury working with all three devolved governments to ensure the freeze is UK-wide.
• Commit to a thorough review of the broken business rates system to be completed in 2017 and implemented by 2022 that delivers an internationally competitive local tax system.

SUPPORT LONG-TERM BUSINESS INVESTMENT

Promoting access to finance and backing investors in dynamic businesses will support the rebalancing the UK economy so badly needs.

This includes:

Implementing the findings of the planned Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) market investigation into SME banking, and review restrictions for new SME finance providers – to promote competition in the sector and restore trust, transparency and relationships between lenders and businesses.

• The planned CMA investigation must be wide-ranging and should be used as an opportunity to tackle the many concerns businesses have raised around banking and growth finance. Customer service, switching, lending and other business banking services must be examined as part of the review.
• There must be a commitment to reviewing SME market restrictions for potential finance providers, such as easing capital limits for building societies and helping to reduce barriers for new crowd funders and providers of asset finance.

DELIVER A NEW SETTLEMENT FOR BRITAIN IN EUROPE

Making the economic opportunities of the European trading bloc work for business, and ensuring clear safeguards for Britain against unwanted further integration will be critical for our future success.

This includes:

Securing safeguards for the UK and other non-eurozone countries in future EU decision-making – so that as eurozone countries look to integrate further, a new architecture is put in place to ensure non-eurozone states are not disadvantaged in the future governance of the Single Market.

• The UK should work with other non-eurozone countries in seeking assurances that decisions relating to the single market will continue to be made by all member-states.
• The UK should lead efforts to complete the Single Market, in particular the single market in services. Compared to trade in goods, the internal market for services has barely got off the ground, much to the UK’s economic disadvantage.
• Existing EU legislation should be fit for purpose. New proposals must avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens for UK businesses and must add value to ensure the UK remains competitive.

PLACE BUSINESS AT THE HEART OF LOCAL GROWTH

Giving businesses a greater say in local decision-making will boost the economies of our cities, towns, and counties.

This includes:

Guaranteeing a Business Ratepayers’ Vote on local economic strategy and how it is funded – including a vote on any proposed changes to local business taxation – to ensure that plans for an area’s future have the support and input of the whole of the business community.

• Giving businesses a greater say in decision making at a local level would make local authorities more sensitive to business issues and costs, and ensure local economic plans are genuinely designed to boost business growth.

Commenting, John Longworth BCC Director General said:

“The decisions taken during the term of the next Parliament will have a profound impact on the UK’s ability to grow. We need a business plan for Britain, with governments across the UK focusing their attention on creating the best possible environment for growth and enterprise.

“Over the next five years, we can become a more confident, more enterprising, more skilled trading nation that is capable of standing on its own two feet – or retreat into slow but very real decline. A Britain built for growth is a Britain where government decisions are relentlessly pro-growth; business policies are fit for the long term; local business communities are empowered; and the machinery of national and local government works with and for business.

“Our Business Plan for Britain is practical, pragmatic and achievable. We call on the next UK government, the devolved administrations, and local authorities to work together and with us in a true partnership to make our plan a reality, and lead Britain into a more prosperous future.”

ASPIRATIONS FOR 2015-2020

In its Business Plan for Britain, the BCC suggests that by maintaining a relentless focus on policies that deliver prosperity, the next government should set bold and measurable aspirations for 2020:

GDP

The fastest GDP growth rate in the G7 over the life of the next Parliament

Business Investment

The highest level of business investment as a % of GDP in the G7 by 2020

Employment

The lowest rate of youth unemployment in Europe by 2020

Trade

Double the value of exports to £1 trillion by 2020

Budget

Elimination of the UK’s budget deficit and a return to surplus by 2018/19

Taxation

Maintain the lowest rate of corporation tax in the G20 and achieve the lowest

business input taxes and charges by 2020

Infrastructure

Rise from 28th to top fifteen in World Economic Forum infrastructure rankings by 2020

Housing

Support private-sector construction rates of at least 200,000 new homes per annum over the life of the next Parliament

Education and

Skills

A workforce with literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills that rank in the top ten in the OECD Adult Skills Survey by 2020

Competitiveness

Ranked first amongst European countries for overall competitiveness by the World Economic Forum by 2020 (currently tenth overall and sixth amongst European countries)

Pockets of rural Norfolk that struggle to get a mobile phone signal or use mobile broadband are being given the chance to get better connected through a national programme. If you are a business who would benefit from a better mobile signal you need to let your parish council know.

Only 100 parishes across the UK will be selected to take part in Vodafone’s Open Sure Signal Programme, which will benefit those with a Vodafone contract. With competition likely to be fierce, Norfolk County Council is helping parishes to determine whether they will be in a strong position to be accepted onto the programme by creating a simple checklist which they can complete before deciding whether to go through the more lengthy formal application with Vodafone.

Those rural communities that are successful in being included onto the programme by Vodafone would have Open Sure Signal units installed in locations in and around the village which would provide an open 3G network. Any device in range that uses 3G – including mobile phones and tablets – would then automatically connect to it, meaning people would be able to make calls and get online where they couldn’t previously.

The deadline for applications to the Open Sure Signal Programme is 14 October and there can be only one application per community. Anyone interested in finding out more about the programme can visit www.vodafone.co.uk/rural or should speak to their parish council if you want to see your parish being put forward as part of this programme.

Think your company deserves recognition? If so why not enter the awards!

Now in its seventh year, the prestigious awards ceremony takes place on 21st November 2014 in the Assembly Rooms at the Town Hall.

Entries are welcome from the smallest start-ups to established and growing businesses located in, and trading from, the Great Yarmouth area.

By entering, your business will gain public recognition from leading figures in the business community and widespread promotion.

There are a number of new categories this year including the “Great International Growth” Award which is sponsored by Gardline.

This award will celebrate businesses who can demonstrate that finding and developing new growth opportunities abroad has improved their financial performance. This award includes all aspects of international growth including export, geographical expansion and acquisition.

The award is open to all sizes of businesses with an operating base in the Great Yarmouth Borough Council administrative area achieving export growth or an increase in revenue from overseas operations since April 2009.

Norfolk Chamber’s International Trade Team work with a high number of businesses in the Great Yarmouth area, on their export documents. We urge you all to take a few minutes to consider putting yourselves forward for the award.

Time is running out with the deadline being 12 September 2014.

Deadlines for the other categories vary so please have a look at them to ensure you don’t miss out.

The links below will provide further information:

Spirit of Enterprise Awards 2014

Award Categories

Application Form for the International Award

Good Luck!

Commenting on the decision by the Airports Commission to reject plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary, Adam Marshall, Executive Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Businesses across the UK have long said they want more aviation capacity. Nearly all tell us that they want this delivered by expanding existing airports, rather than building entirely new ones.

“For most firms, the idea of starting from scratch – and fundamentally shifting the economic geography of the UK – was filled with risk. Most companies will support the Airports Commission’s decision to focus its attention on the expansion plans put forward by existing airports, rather than the Thames Estuary.

“The interests of UK business would be best served if every airport with commercially viable expansion plans received permission to grow. Unfortunately, politics make that possibility remote. So if the Airports Commission only gives the green light to one new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick, it is absolutely crucial that Britain’s politicians then ensure it is delivered.

“But a future aviation strategy should not just focus on the South East and should involve the strengthening of regional airports throughout the UK. This is vital for economic growth in the regions, and will help to relieve capacity shortages during extreme weather and provide business and holiday travel for people locally.”

The Quarter 2, 2014 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) reported that manufacturing and service sector figures had continued their growth with sales and export statistics showing an upward trend.

Caroline Williams CEO of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “Business confidence in Norfolk and across the East of England continued to grow. The vitality of the Norwich retail sector continued; with John Lewis holding 2nd place in the UK John Lewis store rankings for sales. Unemployment figures across the Eastern region fell with, Great Yarmouth reporting JSA claimants at their lowest levels since 2005.”

The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is used by the Bank of England and the Chancellor to plan the future of the UK economy.

Fieldwork for the QES has already started! Your feedback is very important and the survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete, so please take the time to complete it. Your input and opinion will help ensure that Norfolk has a voice.

The completion deadline is: Monday 15th September 2014

Click here to complete the survey.