Staffordshire Chambers shortlisted for 2023 Chamber of the Year Award
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is proud to announce that we have been named a finalist for the 2023 Chamber of the Year Award by the British Chambers of Commerce.
The Chamber of the Year award, which Staffordshire Chambers proudly won in 2021, acknowledges and celebrates the remarkable achievements and contributions made by Chambers of Commerce in their communities and regions over the past year.
Staffordshire Chambers, Dorset Chamber, Cumbria Chamber, Glasgow Chamber and the North East England Chamber of Commerce make up the five finalists – having been selected from the 53 accredited Chambers across the UK.
The winners of the Chamber of the Year Award will be unveiled during the British Chambers of Commerce Chamber’s AGM on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of becoming a member of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, please contact us at 01782 202222 or via email membership@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.
- Published in News
Declan’s Blog: Stafford Chamber LAAB meet to discuss town improvements
A group of our Stafford Chamber Local Area Advisory Board (LAAB) members recently joined the Deputy CEO of Stafford Borough Council, Gregg Stott, to have a look at the centre of our County Town and identify some key discussion points on how to boost footfall and improve access.
In the space of an hour, we identified a number of areas which, if addressed, could help to significantly improve the appearance of the County Town. Commercial waste bins are an eyesore and moving these to the back of premises helps to increase space for pedestrians. Many commercial premises are blighted by graffiti, which creates a negative image.
During the previous week, it was announced that Stafford Borough Council had agreed to buy the town’s old Co-op department store as part of major transformation plans for the area. We welcome this news and see it as a very positive step in addressing the decline in both footfall and trade in the north end of Stafford Town Centre. The acquisition of the former Co-op Department store will bring empty commercial premises back into use.
Like many towns across the country, Stafford has seen a drop in footfall, largely driven by changes in shopping patterns/habits and changes in working patterns following the pandemic, with many workers opting to work from home for part, or even all of the week. Aspirations to fill empty commercial premises with retail continues to be a challenge and we acknowledge that one option is to look at conversion from retail into residential. A growing town centre population will use town centre retailers and spend money in the many leisure and hospitality venues across the centre of Stafford and we very much recognise the positive benefits that this can bring.
However, we continue make the call for more public services to be brought into the centre of Stafford. We really believe that this will drive footfall into the County Town. One example could be the transfer of certain outpatient services. At present, service users are travelling to County Hospital, which either involves a journey of two buses or driving around and looking for a car park space. Having outpatient services in the centre of Stafford would bring users into town by bus or train or using some of the town’s car parks.
Once in town, service users are likely to support other retailers, whether in the form of grabbing a coffee, collecting some dry cleaning or doing a food shop. It supports our hard-pressed town centre retailers and can make a real difference. Having a retail option at the former Co-op store is a good thing but we would really welcome the scope to bring in more service provision for businesses, with office space and even business hubs for start-up entrepreneurs, as well as hot-desking space for those wanting to work for part of the week.
If you have any suggestions about how we can drive footfall into our County Town, our Stafford Chamber LAAB would be delighted to hear from you. Your suggestions can be forwarded to: declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in Influence & Network
Staffordshire entrepreneurs’ new venture to promote sustainable living and support veterans
Two Staffordshire entrepreneurs have teamed up to launch a new business that offers a fresh approach to trading goods and services.
Mackenzie’s Swap Shop, which officially launched on 1 October, allows users to trade goods and services through an online platform – with a percentage of proceeds being split between two charities that support veterans.
Founders Tony Burn and Rich Hill believe that the initiative will not only support two good causes but help to boost sustainability efforts in Staffordshire and beyond.
Tony, who is keen to support two armed forces charities after serving in the forces himself, said: “The idea started when my daughter Mackenzie was asking for things over the summer holidays, and was already bored of things that we had brought for her the previous summer.
“Owning a renewable energy company, I thought, why don’t we look at swapping things we don’t want for things we do want. With that, the idea for the shop was born.
“From the site subscription fees, a percentage is paid to our two chosen charities, Walking with the Wounded, who have Royal Patronage, and Tough Enough to Care, which supports people with mental health issues.”
Swaps currently available on the site include anything from swimming lessons and TV’s to hypnosis therapy treatments and a fully-installed solar PV system.
Rich, who founded the business alongside Tony, explained: “When Tony had the idea of Mackenzie’s Swap Shop, it made perfect sense that everyone could simply swap things that they no longer want or need, for something that otherwise they may not have had the opportunity to own.
“I have also been as sustainable as possible, but with three children and my beautiful granddaughter, it made me fully realise the impact that the disposable economy that we now seem to be part of, is making. This initiative will hopefully help to combat this.”
Find out more via the website, here.
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Chris’ Blog: Unlocking the planning system to boost investment
Planning is always a hot topic of discussion at the Chambers’ board, council and forums, so it was heartening this week to see the British Chambers of Commerce calling for a series of urgent improvements to unlock the planning system across the UK. The proposals aim to create a more effective and efficient system that boosts business investment. The BCC’s immediate priorities are:
- Improved resources for council planning teams and more use of digitisation for applications.
- Political stability on planning reform so the system can operate unhindered for a lengthy period.
- More priority for business’ needs in the development management and plan-making process.
- Co-ordination between local and national infrastructure must be a key part of long-term planning.
- Planning system to make grid connectivity easier for infrastructure projects and new building developments.
The proposals are outlined in a new report: Planning for Business – 2023 and beyond. The report was put together by the BCC’s Planning Expert Panel, made up of industry specialists who are all chamber members including Carl Copestake from solicitors Knights who chairs Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Planning & Infrastructure Forum.
The policy document also highlights how the planning system must support the transition to net-zero and calls for a more robust appeals system.
Since the Covid 19 pandemic, most SMEs have not increased investment. In the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 2023, which includes input from around 200 Staffordshire firms, the number of firms who said they planned to increase investment dropped to 23%, compared to 25% in Q1.
The planning system has a major role to play in helping to unleash the potential of British business. But all too often firms are left frustrated by a slow and complex process.
We urgently need more resources for local planning authority teams, greater stability of planning policy and more focus on the supply of land for business use.
BCC research shows that as companies continue to face an unprecedented set of economic challenges, investment is suffering. An improved planning system would help unlock investment.
Co-ordination between local and national infrastructure projects must be a key part of the long-term planning strategy. Recent speculation about the HS2 project is deeply concerning. It highlights why businesses and local authorities need certainty from government. That will give them confidence to plan and invest.
Successful businesses are at the heart of local communities. The planning system most focus more on economic growth and achieving the right balance of land for jobs and homes.
The next meeting of our Planning and Infrastructure Forum takes place on 2nd November, and it would be great to see you there and hear your input and views. You can book your free place here: Planning and Infrastructure Forum – Staffordshire Chambers
In the meantime, if you have any issues around planning, please contact our policy advisor Declan Riddell: declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
To view Planning for Business – 2023 and beyond click here: www.britishchambers.org.uk/news/2023/09/unlocking-the-planning-system-to-boost-investment
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222, call the Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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Staffordshire Chambers introduces innovative Responsible Business Accelerator programme
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is proud to unveil an exciting and groundbreaking initiative aimed at driving ethical business practices, enhancing sustainability outcomes and fostering positive regional impact – the Responsible Business Accelerator.
We are now looking for forward-thinking businesses in Stoke-on-Trent to participate in the pilot phase of this exciting new programme, spanning a period of nine months. By becoming a trial participant, you’ll gain exclusive access to this innovative service and have the unique opportunity to shape its future development.
Key Highlights of the Responsible Business Accelerator:
The Responsible Business Accelerator is designed to empower businesses across Stoke-on-Trent to enhance and measure their economic, societal, and environmental impact. It gives businesses the opportunity to:
- Assess Your Starting Point: Evaluate your company’s current responsible business practices across five priority areas.
- Explore Our Comprehensive Action Library: Gain access to a diverse range of actions aligned with local priorities and global sustainable development goals.
- Action Pledges: Commit to delivering specific actions from the action library. The platform will recommend actions tailored to your business’s needs based on your initial assessment. You’ll receive guidance, resources, and templates to aid in the development, implementation, and measurement of your pledges.
- Earn Accreditation: Successfully fulfill your action pledges within the specified timeframe to become eligible for a Responsible Business accreditation.
Interested businesses are asked to join us at Commerce House, Festival Park on 4 October from 9:00am-12:00pm.
This scheme is available to both Chamber members and non-members.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for businesses in Stoke-on-Trent.
For more details and to register your interest, please email josh.dennis@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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Staffordshire Chambers raise flag to support anniversary of SDG formation
Staffordshire Chambers today joins hundreds of UK organisations as we raise a flag to show support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This September marks eight years since the world embraced the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, reflect a shared objective and ambition across all countries to end poverty and hunger everywhere, to combat inequalities within and among countries, to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, to protect human rights and promote gender equality of women and girls, and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources by 2030.
The 17 Goals are supported by 169 targets and 232 indicators, enabling progress to be prioritised and tracked.
On 25 September Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is joining hundreds of businesses, government departments, and civil society organisations in a global movement to fly an SDG flag to spread awareness of the SDGs and mobilise stakeholders for the 2030 agenda.
In the UK, there have been some significant milestones towards the SDGs. In 2022, the UN Global Compact Network UK released Measuring Up 2.0, a multi-stakeholder report assessing the UK’s performance against the SDGs and their Targets to understand how and where businesses, government, and other organisations should focus efforts for the remainder of this decade of action.
The report found of the 132 Targets relevant to the domestic delivery of the SDGs, the UK is only performing well on 17% of them. It highlighted how persistent inequalities within and between communities in the UK mean that we continue to leave people and places behind. It is because of this. that the 2030 Agenda is more important than ever, and worldwide collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society organisations essential.
With only 1 in 10 people in Britain familiar with the SDGs, raising the SDG flag this September is key to raising awareness and mobilising stakeholders for action.
Join the global movement in championing the SDGs so together the 2030 Agenda can be achieved.
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Declan’s Blog: SDG anniversary
I’ll start this week’s blog by turning the clock back to 25th September 2015. David Cameron was the Prime Minister. Barack Obama was the US President. The United Kingdom was a member of the European Union and Marko Arnautović was tearing up Premier League defences in a Stoke City shirt.
25th September 2015 also marked the date when the world adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG are a set of 17 goals which have been agreed by global leaders, in order to build a greener, fairer, better world by 2030 and every one of us has a role in achieving the SDG.
The SDG were agreed in 2015 and we’re now just over halfway to the target end date of 2030. As a global community, we face huge challenges in todays’ world. There is a need to reflect a shared aim across all countries to end poverty and hunger everywhere, to combat inequalities within and among countries, to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, to protect human rights and promote gender equality of women and girls and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.
Huge challenges need bold action if we are to succeed and this is where the SDG play a part in achieving this, calling for worldwide collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society to deliver a powerful vision for improving our world by 2030.
Staffordshire Chambers’ of Commerce is proud to be a UN SDG Ambassador and we hope that more Staffordshire businesses will join us in showing their commitment to the Global Goals and the action that they’re already taking to combat major global challenges including climate change, decent work, gender inequality and poverty.
UN SDG are discussed across all of our Chamber policy forums to raise awareness of how we can collectively play our part in helping to overcome the global challenges and make a difference to the life experiences of people everywhere.
• Do you have sustainability pioneers on your organisation? Why not give them a platform! Encourage them to publish their stories and ideas on your company website and social media channels.
• Encourage your colleagues to commit to both personal and professional pledges towards achieving SDG.
• Encourage your company’s suppliers and customers to embrace your pledges towards achieving SDG.
All the information you need can be found here.
On Monday 25th September 2023, we’re hoisting the SDG flag to show our support for the SDG and to mobilise support in looking ahead to the next seven years. Whilst notable progress has been made across some of the 17 SDG, further effort is needed if we are to achieve the SDG by the start of the next decade. We hope you’ll join us and play your part in shaping a better world for all.
- Published in Influence & Network
Chris’ Blog: Sara’s legacy, interest rates, Net Zero targets & the BCC Business Council
Last week it was announced that we will bid farewell to Staffordshire Chambers’ remarkable leader Sara Williams OBE at the end of the year as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement.
I have worked closely with Sara for the better part of a decade, in which she has been an unwavering source of support, an inspiration and a true trailblazer for the Chamber team and wider business community.
Under Sara’s guidance, we have achieved things that I am immensely proud of, including the Chamber of the Year Award and the King’s Award more recently, both of which underscore Sara’s commitment to excellence.
As Sara embarks on this new chapter, I extend my heartfelt wishes for all the happiness and fulfilment retirement can bring.
Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire us for many years to come.
All the best in retirement and thank you, Sara.
Sara is now taking a well-earned break for the next two weeks, so she has asked me to step in with the blog in the meantime.
This week the news has been dominated by the slowing of inflation, the Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates, having raised it for 14 months in a row, and the PM’s announcement of an overhaul of the government’s green commitments.
With clear signs that inflation, including core inflation is slowing down, the decision to pause, and possibly bring to end the current interest rate hike cycle, makes sense.
The sharp increase in the cost of borrowing over the past year and a half has already left many SMEs in real difficulty.
Research published earlier this week by the British Chambers of Commerce’s BCC Insight’s Unit showed that 46% of companies said that the current interest regime was having a negative impact on their business, particularly among the smaller and consumer facing businesses, such as hospitality and retail.
On Wednesday Rishi Sunak made his Net Zero announcement and insisted this would push the “long-term interests of our country” before “short-term political needs”. No surprise then that the plans received a mixed response from both within and outside his party.
The headliners were that the ban on buying petrol and diesel cars will be pushed back to 2035 and plans to force landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of properties have been scrapped
Grants to help families replace boilers will go up by 50% to £7,500 and there will be an exemption for the homes which will most struggle to switch to heat pumps.
If we are to meet the challenge of making the UK Net Zero by 2050 then we must have pragmatic goals, that business can be confident they will be supported to reach.
Companies want to address climate change but cannot plan for future investment if the goal posts keep moving.
This means political consensus about the goals, combined with pragmatism on the solutions. Constant tinkering with Net Zero policies will only have further negative impacts on business confidence and investment plans.
Other countries and trading blocs are pouring billions into low-carbon technology, and we are getting left behind.
But if we get this right, and play to our country’s strengths then there is huge opportunity for UK Plc. It is vital we have a long-term Net Zero strategy which Government must demonstrate it can stick to.
If you have any issues arising from the PM’s announcement don’t hesitate to get in touch with our policy advisor, Declan Riddell: declan.ridell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
New national business council meets
Last week the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) held its inaugural meeting of its new Business Council alongside Cabinet Minister, the Rt Hon Michael Gove and Shadow Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves.
The new body, comprising some of the most prominent British businesses, has been brought together to work in partnership with politicians to drive the future of the economy at this crucial time.
The Business Council will focus on five key challenges and will develop policy proposals that will help transform the future of the UK economy. Its initial recommendations will feed into a business manifesto in the new year that will aim to influence political party manifestos ahead of the general election.
The Council will then work to develop follow-up papers – to help the next Government set a business-backed agenda from day one and establish a long-term strategy for growth.
Business Council members will focus on at least one of the challenges. The challenge themes will all be chaired by five experienced business leaders, working with commissions of businesses, experts, Chamber representatives and academics.
They will begin meeting in the coming weeks and will produce their first policy recommendations in early 2024.
BCC President and Business Council Chair, Baroness Martha Lane Fox commented that now more than ever, businesses must come together to tackle the challenges facing the UK economy.
In the face of economic disruption and with a general election looming the national Business Council will help the voice of business to be heard loud and clear by policymakers.
It is a partnership with politicians, which aims to find the answers to the key issues facing the UK economy and it was testament to the gravitas of the Business Council that Michael Gove and Rachel Reeves attended the inaugural event.
Chambers and businesses are realistic and understand the financial limitations that the Governments of both today and the next five years will be facing. But it’s through initiatives like these that Chambers including Staffordshire can work collectively to make a real difference for businesses on the frontline of the economy, and give them the tools they need to succeed.
Businesses in Staffordshire have a real chance to push issues they face to the agenda of the Business Council, and I would urge you to attend our member forums, take part in our quarterly economic survey or get in touch through the usual channels.
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222, call the Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News
Applications for the 2023 East Staffordshire & South Derbyshire Business Awards close TODAY!
Applications for the 2023 East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Business Awards close today, Friday 22 September.
Submitting a fast and free application can help your business to attract new clients, unlock new PR & marketing opportunities and ultimately boost your bottom line.
There are a total of 10 award categories that businesses and organisations can enter. Find a full list of award categories and sponsors, here.
Entries into multiple categories is also encouraged.
It was also announced that the winners of the Most Promising Start-Up category will receive 12 months free mentoring and a £3k matched-funded investment grant. Find out more, here.
Good luck with your application – and hopefully, we will see you at the Pirelli Stadium for the Gala Awards Evening on 9 November.
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Nominations for Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Council now open
Nominations are now open for 20 dynamic, influential and forward-thinking business people like you to join our Chamber Council. Joining our Council strengthens your business network, providing invaluable connections for growth and collaboration.
What does the Chambers’ Council do?
The Councils’ primary role is to develop and ratify the Chambers’ policy and lobbying role, to help the Board and the Chambers’ executives to be in touch with business issues and the membership. Council is a sounding board for policy matters and to receive reports of the various Forums to ensure that they too are representing the Staffordshire business community.
What are the time commitments?
Council Members are expected to attend up to five meetings per year. Meetings usually last for around two hours and aim to discuss a range of business issues affecting Staffordshire and usually include a guest speaker.
What is in it for you?
This provides a great opportunity for you to increase your local knowledge and to influence the local business landscape. Together with the Chambers, you will have the power to increase the prosperity of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and the local community by forging outstanding connections and lobbying local authorities and the Government for a better business environment.
Who is eligible?
If you are employed by a business who is a paid-up member of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, you are eligible for nomination.
How do I apply?
If you would like to nominate yourself, please email jade.holloway@staffordshirechambers.co.uk to receive your nomination form papers.
Click here to view the Current members of the Chambers’ Council.
Click here to view Process Information Sheet
Timeline
Open – Mon 18 September, 9am
Closed – Fri 20 October, 5pm
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