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As a Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) board member I am particularly excited to welcome to our city centre this brand new, family-friendly, and free festival celebrating our wonderful world, and which seeks to ask and address those questions about how we can all start making sustainable choices today for a better world tomorrow.
The festival is particularly relevant after the past year where mental health and wellbeing has affected so many and accelerated what we as employers need to do to address this. We are delighted to be sponsoring wellbeing activities during the festival.
From Friday 6th August to Sunday 8th August, Better World Festival will bring together speakers, activists, pioneers, charities, community groups and everyone with an interest in creating positive change in this weekend event which will see an extensive line-up spanning world music, workshops, group exercise classes, panel discussions, meditation sessions, family activities and much more.
Speakers throughout the festival will include Greenpeace, the National Farmers’ Union, Harper Adams University and Amnesty International as well as motivational individuals and organisations a little closer to home too, including Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, YMCA, B Arts, Feasted and Wavemaker.
Other highlights include The World Music Stage on Piccadilly featuring bands from all corners of the world as many local musicians. There is also a folk and acoustic stage near Hanley Indoor Market.
The Health & Mindfulness Retreat is taking over Albion Square, with activities including family yoga Pilates, dance, and nutrition coaching.
The Kidzone located in Bethesda Gardens will feature circus skills workshop and demonstrations with Circus In A Box; spoken word and poetry workshops; arts and crafts workshops; drum making and face-painting.
I would urge everyone to support this brilliant festival to make the first of hopefully many more in the future, a great success for the city. More information can be found here – Better World Festival 2021 – Stoke BID (stokeontrentcitycentre.co.uk)
The past year has seen many big changes for businesses across Great Britain and around the world. While the impact of the pandemic is still being felt, business owners and managers have embraced the changes and adapted to new ways of working to protect their clients, their staff, their business and their bottom line.
Anyone who manages a business knows the importance of embracing changes, both big and small. A small change like switching to a smart meter could make a big difference to your business. While some changes may be short-term, smart meters are here to stay and will help your business, in the long-term.
Now more than ever, it is important for business owners to know how much they are spending to keep track of unnecessary energy waste or additional costs. Energy is a key expense, in particular for hairdressers, beauty salons and other close contact services, which makes it a crucial area for these businesses to save money and take control of their finances.
A smart meter could give businesses additional visibility over energy use and costs to make it easier to identify where changes and savings can be made.
If your firm has 10 employees or less, your business could be eligible. To see whether smart metering can work for your business, contact your energy supplier. To find out more please click here info@staffordsirechambers.co.uk To find out more visit: Smart Meters for Small Businesses | Smart Energy GB
You can also contact your energy supplier or broker. It could be one of the best calls you make this week.
If you want to talk to us about any other business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Having already had one false start last month I am delighted to be able to invite you to The Chambers Summer Open Day on Friday 30th July from 1pm to 4pm.
The Chambers team are all getting excited about inviting you all back to Commerce House, whether you are attending an event, training course, processing export documentation, or using our Members’ Lounge to work or meet – we have missed you!
So, on Friday 30th July, we will be opening the doors of Commerce House so that our members can discover our new services, reconnect with new and existing members, build connections through networking, and speak to our specialist advisors and business mentors about current business challenges you are facing or opportunities you are looking to exploit.
Complimentary food and drink will be available, which I am sure will add to the celebratory atmosphere – we are all just getting used to eating together again!.
As I write this, we have limited tickets available for this event so I would urge you to book your place as soon as possible by clicking this link – https://bit.ly/3zuar4d
And if you are reading this and tickets are sold out, we will look forward to meeting you anytime you wish to call in to see us.
Last week I announced the launch of the 2021 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards. This week in the same vein I want to talk about another business competition which the Chambers support specifically for businesses up to three years old in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
The Dyer’s Den competition, which first took place in 2019, rewards a deserving business or entrepreneur, trading for three years or less, with a first prize worth £6500 and a runner-up prize worth over £2500 in cash and business services including a new website, photography, legal and financial assistance, mentoring and PR.
The 2021 competition is now open to entries with an enhanced prize package including a free year’s Chamber membership for the winner.
The competition is the idea of Jed Eatough, Chambers Council member and director of Leek based LSGK Accountants Ltd. As well as the Chambers the competition is sponsored by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, and several other Moorlands based businesses.
Judging will be in front of the panel in the style of BBC’s ever popular Dragon’s Den and judges will be looking for innovative and original businesses and ways in which a business may have ‘pivoted’ to adapt to the new business landscape.
Previous winners who took advantage of a free Chamber membership as part of the prize were:
2019 – Flying High Outdoor Nursery, Kirsty Nelson and Debbie Wood
The Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards are a high point of our year.
They are all about celebrating success and achievements. After the last year, it might seem that it will be trickier to find outstanding businesses – but not so! It has been another extraordinary year in which Staffordshire businesses, charities and education providers – and the people who work for them – have done extraordinary things.
The quality of entries last year was extremely high, and I am expecting the same again, if not even higher this year. In spite of many still being so adversely affected by Covid, Staffordshire businesses have once again been up to the challenge to work through these tough conditions.
Award categories cover every size and sector of businesses – from brand new start-ups to large, established companies – and there are also awards for individuals who have excelled.
The overall winner from the 15 categories will take home the coveted Business of The Year Award, sponsored by HSBC.
The awards celebrate positive news and mutual support, and we could not stage the competition without the generosity of our sponsors and judges, who I personally thank for their engagement and support.
Entries open from Monday 19th July and close on 24th September and are open to any business based in Staffordshire. Shortlisted entrants will be notified following the judging and a special gala award event – both live and streamed – will take place in November.
Award categories in full
Business of the year – sponsored by HSBC – chosen by the sponsors from all other entries.
Employer of the year – Sponsored by West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadet Association (WMRFCA)
Employee of the year/charity employee of the year – sponsored by Ornua
Young employee / apprentice of the year – sponsored by Trentham Estates
Most promising start-up business – Sponsored by Access Covers
Small business of the year (1-50) – Sponsored by Infinity IT
Medium / large business of the year (50+ FTEs) – Sponsored by Dains
Sustainability and environment – Sponsored by Keele University
On-line business of the year: Retail, leisure, culture & tourism – Sponsored by LilaConnect
Science, technology and innovation – Sponsored by Wolverhampton University
Entrepreneur of the year – Sponsored by Staffordshire University
Professional services of the year – Sponsored by Finest
Manufacturer of the year – Sponsored by Michelin
International trade – Sponsored by Department for International Trade (DiT)
Digital transformation – Sponsored by Synectics Solutions
Student of the year – Sponsored by South Stafford College
More information on the awards and entry details: www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk/awards
Next week is Net Zero Week, a focal point for generating awareness and momentum for businesses and consumers who are starting out on the journey to decarbonise.
It is less than four months to the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow and the UK has a real opportunity to show we mean business by our actions rather than hollow words.
The Government is promising innovative solutions and aggressive policies to help the UK achieve carbon neutrality with a target of cutting emissions by 78 percent by 2035 to 1990 levels and being three quarters of the way to net zero by 2050.
It is our role as business leaders to hold the government to account on its ambitious targets and to lead by example showing that we can provide the solutions that will help to achieve, and hopefully exceed, their targets.
West Midlands Combined Authorities are hosting a useful webinar on Thursday 22nd July entitled: Demystifying net zero – Support for West Midlands businesses.
The webinar will set out the basics of starting to address carbon emissions and will signpost support. You can register here: Net Zero Week: Demystifying Net Zero – Support for West Midlands businesses (wmca.org.uk)
As part of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) national research programme they are conducting a Net Zero Survey, currently underway until 23 July. This looks at: measures firms are taking to reduce carbon consumption, barriers, and preferred support, as well as other issues relating to the Coronavirus reopening process. You can fill in the survey here: https://bit.ly/3hEwqz4 You can get more information on Net Zero Week at: https://bit.ly/3hDvafB
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
By Rob Lawley, head of International Trade at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
The Chambers’ Rural Business Forum is one of 10 specialist interest forums and it exists to promote the interests of the rural business sector in Staffordshire. Rural business includes agriculture, forestry & fishing, rural tourism & leisure, agri-tech as well as any other business in a rural area.
The forum is chaired by Marcus Roberts; director at South Staffordshire College and it champions and lobbies for specific strategies and policies that will benefit members and ensure the rural sector has a stronger voice in our community.
Staffordshire is a largely rural area which is relatively affluent but with a few notable pockets of high deprivation and poor access to services.
There is quite a list of challenges facing rural businesses at present including access to funding; rural and cyber-crime; broadband; networking and links to the curriculum.
Rural communities do not share the luxury of connectivity and networks as their counterparts in urban areas and this situation has been exacerbated throughout the pandemic by the lack of physical social contact, for example a conversation at the local pub or Young Farmers meeting simply has not been happening.
Jeremy Lowe from the NFU is an active member of the Rural Business Forum. In his role as county advisor for Staffordshire he can listen to rural businesses and employ resources to effectively work on their behalf across all sectors.
Jeremy is currently doing a lot of work with schools and colleges in the county to make sure that farming and rural business is on the curricular and extra-curricular radar, so that we are not only increasing awareness, but bringing on the next generation of the workforce with the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet the demands of a changing rural business landscape.
Rural crime has also sadly increased with the pandemic as increased poverty has led to an increase in thefts of equipment and livestock.
Staffordshire Police are invited to the forum so that we can work towards raising awareness and preventative measures to curb this upward trend of criminal activity.
The next online meeting of the Rural Business Forum is on Wednesday 13th July at 0900 and so if you are a business in a rural area and would like to come along you can click here to book your place: https://bit.ly/3wwrWyZ
If you are interested in finding out more about the Rural Business Forum, please contact Vicky Frost at the Chamber: vicky.frost@staffordshirchambers.co.uk
Trading with the EU post Brexit
It is now just over six months since the UK left the EU Customs Union and it has been a challenging period for many businesses.
Navigating the new rules and regulations required to move goods into and out of the EU has become part of trading internationally.
Perhaps the most significant change is that Customs Declarations are now required. At the Chamber we invested significant amounts of time and resource as part of a three-year plan so that we can act as a Customs Broker for local businesses.
I am proud to say that since 1st January 2021 we have processed over 1,500 Customs Declarations which makes us the second busiest Chamber across the whole Chamber network. We have been highlighted as a model for best practice and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) use our team to pilot initiatives such as Transit Documents, Northern Ireland Declarations, and new software.
If any business reading this would like to know how we can support them with trading in this new regime, please call our International Trade Team on 01782 224405
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
If you are looking for a great way to share experiences and meet like-minded business colleagues, then our Peer Networks programme could be for you.
It is part of a national scheme, delivered locally by the Chambers in partnership with the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub. The programme is fully funded so there is no cost to join Peer Networks other than a few hours of your time each month. You can join virtual sessions from the comfort of your home or office.
This is the second Peer Networks programme following on from the success of our first programme which concluded earlier this year. After what we have endured over the past year and a half there has never been a more important time to invest in the future of your business by working with people who understand business.
Peer Networks focusses on key issues:
Participants meet up in cohorts, of between eight and 11, with a fully trained facilitator. Together, participants discuss strategic and operational challenges and work together to find practical solutions – it is your issues that are discussed, and solutions found by sharing experiences and ideas. The programme is fully funded with a commitment of 21.5 hours from participants, including three and a half hours of one-to-one coaching.
This is our second Peer Network and we have had great feedback on the quality of the sessions and the value of connections made from the initial programme. I am confident that this latest programme will prove to be just as engaging and beneficial.
Networking takes place virtually in structured, small-group sessions, led by professional facilitators to make sure you see real results in return for the investment of your time.
You will also benefit from 1:1 mentoring, coaching and advice from trained professionals.
Participant on the first Peer Networks programme, Martyn Lomax, MD of Stafford based video production company, Humanoid Productions Ltd said: “I joined the Peer Networking with no real expectations. As the program went forward the group’s wealth of experience and knowledge became apparent. This allowed for valuable shared business discussions around common challenges we all face, backed up by some great anecdotal experiences, and tangible advice and solutions. It acted as a great sounding board which has informed some of our own business decisions. I will definitely have contact down the line with my cohort peers which will I suspect develop into long term business relationships.”
You can register your interest for the Peer Networks programme here: Peer to Peer registration form Survey (surveymonkey.co.uk)
If you would like more information on Peer Networks programme, please contact Richard Brace richard.brace@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
A select small group of business owners from across Staffordshire had a special treat when they were invited to an audience with former Olympic ski-jumper, Michael ‘Eddie the Eagle’ Edwards.
Edwards shot to fame in 1988 at the Calgary Winter Olympics, where he represented Great Britain in the 70M and 90m events, becoming the first person to do so since 1928.
He came last in both events but became a global phenomenon due to his tenacity and ‘have a go’ spirit.
“There is nothing I like better than proving people wrong.” said Edwards. “Growing up I had middle-child syndrome. My older brother, as first born, could do no wrong and my younger sister was the daughter my mother always wanted after two boys. This meant I had to fight to get noticed.
“I was always the daredevil in my group of friends. I was the one who would climb high into a tree or shimmy up on to a neighbour’s garage roof and jump off.”
“We had a ski-slope in Gloucester near to where I grew up. My love of skiing combined with my have-a-go attitude led to my ambitions to represent my country in the Winter Olympics. I remember my first ever ski jump, I ended up in someone’s garden. Rather than put me off this spurred me on. The more people said I didn’t have a chance, the more determined I became.”
Edwards has certainly lived his life to the full, touring the world recounting his escapades, releasing a single which got to number two in Finland, having a biopic made of his life starring Taron Egerton and starring in TV reality show, The Masked Dancer, as a rubber chicken!
The online event was the idea of Aly Davidson, start-up advisor at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.
Aly said: “I’m a positive, optimistic person and I feed off other positive people who follow their dreams, often through adversity. I have been in this job for a year, and I handpicked the 18 people who attended today because I knew they would all identify with Michael and draw further inspiration from his story, his determination, and his genuine love of life.
“Many are at an early stage in their new business ventures, and they are all drawing on previous life experience to follow their individual dreams.
“This was the first event of this type I have organised but it has also inspired me to put on similar events so that more of what I call my ‘dream makers’ can feed off positive role-models to help achieve their goals.”
If you are thinking of starting your own business or just want to talk over an idea you can call the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce on 01782 202222 or email: aly.davidson@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
At the Chambers’ Council meeting earlier this week we had a short presentation from Louisa Grocott, place brand manager at Staffordshire County Council.
Staffordshire County Council have created a new ‘place brand’ for the county, in other words a tool to help promote Staffordshire and attract business, talent, visitors and students. It is the story of our county, past, present and future – and the places and the people that make it special. It is hoped that the new place brand will engender local pride and confidence in our great county and help promote Staffordshire.
The presentation and subsequent discussion embodied just how well business, local government and quasi–governmental organisations are working with business, education and the third sector to ensure Staffordshire punches above its weight as we move into an exciting new era of sustainability and a carbon neutral economy. It is also vital that we work together with our MPs to ensure that Staffordshire fully benefits from the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda.
Working together as business leaders to grow Staffordshire’s economy and create more better paid jobs for our people, is more important than ever following the enormous shock from coronavirus to our economy and way of life.
Feedback from all stakeholders is essential to the process and they want to hear what makes you proud about Staffordshire, how you feel about the area, and how you might like it to develop in the future. They are hosting four ‘virtual’ workshops on the Zoom platform on the following dates:
If you would like to take part in one of these events, please register here: https://bit.ly/3wVI7Xq
Post pandemic, many businesses are looking for ways to save money and maintain a healthier bottom line. The good news is that getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference. A smart meter can help businesses take control of their energy bills as they enable accurate, not estimated billing. Meaning, they only pay for what they use – helping to take the stress out of budgeting.
It is also important to bear in mind that it is everyone’s responsibility to become more conscious of their environmental impact. Whether your business has three employees, or 3000, we all should be aware of how much energy we are using, and a smart meter is a simple way of doing this, a positive step in taking control of business outgoings and if your firm has 10 employees or less your business could be eligible.
To find out more please click email info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
You can also contact your energy supplier or broker. It could be one of the best calls you make this week.
If you want to talk to us about any other business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Cash is king – how businesses can take control of their outgoings
The impacts of the pandemic will be felt well into the future but for now, businesses are taking their first steps in gradually reopening.
Coffee shops and cafes are welcoming customers inside, hairdressers and beauty salons are switching on the lights and workers are starting to return to the office.
Despite these first steps, trading will continue to be difficult for some time, especially for small- and medium-sized firms. These are the ones who will have seen their cash flow significantly hit and are now looking for all the help they can in trying to budget and plan for the future.
How businesses can avoid spending more than they have to.
In these uncertain times, many businesses are looking for ways to save money and maintain a healthier bottom line. The good news is that getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference.
A smart meter can help businesses take control of their energy bills as they enable accurate, not estimated billing. Meaning, they only pay for what they use – helping to take the stress out of budgeting.
We all want to work smarter not harder. Smart meters send your gas and electricity readings directly to your energy supplier so you don’t have to!
Manage your environmental footprint
It is also important to bear in mind that it’s everyone’s responsibility to become more conscious of their environmental impact. Regardless if your business has three employees, or three thousand, we all should be aware of how much energy we’re using and a smart meter is a simple way of doing this.
A smart meter is a positive step in taking control of business outgoings and if your firm has 10 employees or less your business could be eligible.
To find out more please click here. You can also contact your energy supplier or broker. It could be one of the best calls you make this week.
The impacts of the pandemic will be felt well into the future but for now, businesses are taking their first steps in gradually reopening. Coffee shops and cafes are welcoming customers inside, hairdressers and beauty salons are switching on their lights and workers are starting to return to the office.
Despite these first steps, trading will continue to be difficult for small and medium-sized businesses, who will have seen their cash flow significantly hit and who need to take a firm control on what they are spending.
Smart meters enable accurate billing, helping to take the stress out of budgeting and putting you back in control. Plus, smart meters send your gas and electricity readings directly to your energy supplier so you don’t have to.
Firms with 10 employees or less could be eligible and as a first step businesses should contact their energy supplier. To find out more please click here.
It is Armed Forces Week next week, an opportunity to celebrate our armed forces, military personnel, and the role they play protecting the UK both at home and overseas.
During the past year military personnel from the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy have been a key part of the UK’s COVID-19 response both at home and overseas with the armed forces currently engaged in the UKs world beating COVID-19 vaccine programme.
Two key days within Armed Forces Week are Reserves Day on Wednesday 23rd June and Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26th June.
The Armed Forces community includes regulars, reserves, veterans, spouses and both cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from our four cadet services – Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, RAF Air Cadets, and the Combined Cadet Forces.
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce have always had strong links with the armed forces, and we know that many local employers and employees play a vital role in their support of our reserve forces.
We have our very own Honorary Colonel of the British Army, in ex-Chamber President Mike Frewer, who represents the Armed Forces on the Chambers’ Council. We are also extremely proud to have West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadet Association (WMRFCA) as patrons and very pleased that The Chambers support to our armed forces has been recognised through our Silver Award and by being a signatory to, the Armed Forces Covenant.
WMRFCA are holding a special webinar entitled ‘A Rich Source of Talent’- Recruiting from the Armed Forces’ 1pm – 2.30pm Tuesday 22 June.
I understand recruiting well-trained, work-ready talent is a growing challenge for many businesses. With employers looking for skilled staff with the right attitude and attributes to support their growing businesses, every year in the West Midlands, veterans are leaving the Armed Forces with exactly this mix.
This webinar aimed at anyone recruiting staff will give a comprehensive overview of the free support available to employers who wish to recruit from the Armed Forces community. You will hear from the following organisations:
· Career Transition Partnership
· Forces Families Jobs
· RAJA REME
· Officers’ Association
· 37 Signals –Reserve Forces presentation
· The Poppy Factory
· Buildforce
There is also an opportunity to find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant.
You can register for this event by visiting the Eventbrite page: https://bit.ly/3wvIKH8 or by emailing John Dargavel at wm-ee@rfca.mod.uk.
Please do forward out to your colleagues and your external networks to help promote the value of employers signing the Armed Forces Covenant and working with defence.
If you are planning any social media or digital activity the hashtags are #ArmedForcesWeek and #SaluteOurForces and the twitter tag for WMRFCA is @WMRFCA.
Details of Armed Forces Week can be found at: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk and https://www.wmrfca.org
On Monday, the Prime Minister confirmed a four-week delay to lifting of all restrictions in England beyond the original date of 21st June. Current restrictions will remain the same across many areas including capacity limits for sporting events, pubs, and cinemas. Nightclubs will remain closed and event pilots such as Euro 2020 and some theatrical performances will continue.
You can be assured that we will be lobbying the government to provide further cash grants and delay the tapering of government payments into the furlough scheme, planned for the start of July. We are also asking that they ensure forbearance is in place for those who have used government lending schemes and already started to repay their loan without being able to open fully. An extension of the VAT deferral scheme and the 100% business rates relief should also be considered given the length of the delay and the impact on hospitality and leisure firms.
If you have any issues regarding the extension, please contact us by calling 01782 202222 emailing info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or ask a question in the new Virtual Members Lounge: https://bit.ly/3xrYf2Q
If you want to talk to us about any other business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
