News

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is delighted to announce that international construction company Swietelsky has committed its support to the Staffordshire business community by becoming Chamber Patrons.

The Swietelsky Group is a leading construction company operating in Central and Eastern Europe with around 12,000 employees. The firm is proud to have a ‘big family’ philosophy, nurturing a supportive and collaborative environment to help drive toward a common economic future. They offer a full range of construction services and are known for their high quality, flexibility and adherence to deadlines.

As a patron of Staffordshire Chambers, Swietelsky will be joining a vibrant community of businesses who are dedicated to promoting economic growth and supporting the development of local enterprises.

Sara Williams OBE, Staffordshire Chambers CEO, said: “Through our extensive network of events, services and resources, we aim to provide our patrons with the support and opportunities they need to thrive and succeed.

“We are confident that Swietelsky will be a valuable addition to network of Patrons, and we look forward to working together to promote the interests of businesses in Staffordshire and beyond.”

Becoming a Patron of the Chambers identifies businesses as leading and strategic players in the Staffordshire economy. Providing regular access to key influencers and decision-makers in government and other agencies, Patronage ensures that you are well-placed to shape the optimum business environment for you and your customers.

Through the Chambers’ extensive networks and communication channels, you can raise the visibility of your brand, products and services.

Find out more.

Stafford-based Medi-Spa 28 has been named a finalist for The Best Clinic of The Year – Midlands Award 2023 at the International Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards.

The Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards, which is celebrating its 10th year this year, aim to recognise outstanding professionals, services, and brands in the beauty, aesthetics, and personal care industry who have positively transformed and empowered lives through their unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.

Medi-Spa 28, which was featured in Daily Focus in June for its impressive extension plans, has been named as a finalist for demonstrating excellence in providing safe, top-notch treatments to its valued clients.

Daily Focus readers can cast their vote by visiting the Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards website

The Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards is a unique event in the industry, as it aims to honor those who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to safety, excellence, and innovation. This year, Medi-Spa 28 has stood out among its peers, earning a spot as a finalist for The Best Clinic of The Year – Midlands Award 2023.

You can vote for Medi-Spa 28, here.

In a speech on Tuesday, Michael Gove MP, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced that The Office for Place will be based in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Office for Place has been brought into being to develop housing strategy for the UK’s towns and cities with a vision to catalyse change across government and communities to support the creation and stewardship of popular, healthy, beautiful and sustainable places by helping neighbourhoods to ask for and deliver new places. The Office for Place will support public sector planners and the British design and development industries to be the best place makers in the world  and improve the data on happiness, health, popularity and sustainability for everyone.

Civil servants as well as Government ministers are expected to be based at here, developing plans for housing projects in 20 UK towns and cities as part of a major revamp. Although the precise location of the office and timings for the project have yet to be announced, this is great news for Stoke and for Staffordshire.

Nicholas Boys Smith, interim chair of The Office for Place said: “Nowhere could be more appropriate for the Office for Place’s hometown as the name means place.  And Stoke has both a proud past as home to the English pottery industry and every chance for a marvellous and prosperous future.”

I could not agree more! We embrace the past, but we are not stuck there. Our ceramics sector is a fine example of an industry that has lived through tumultuous change, has adapted and is forward facing – and a material that is vital to the new green industries developing everywhere. Yes, we still make plates, mugs and cups but we also manufacture ceramics for additive manufacturing, microbiology, fuel cells, batteries and nuclear power.

We are a city whose goods have been based on home creation forever – every new home needs tiles, crockery and building materials – having The Office of Place based here is very fitting.

And we can offer real examples of what works in communities and what needs to change. I hope that we are also one of the 20 places that will be supercharged and benefit from the expertise – and I suspect that those working here will also have new demands on our housing provision too.

It is quite interesting for me as I worked, once upon a long time ago, for the Association of Community Technical Aid Centres. Community Technical Aid was about getting local people making the decisions about the design of their built and natural environments, making sure they got what they wanted. It would be fantastic if the Office of Place can reinstates some of these principles across the country.

You can read the full statement from Nicholas Boyd Smith: Office for Place – A Statement from the Chair – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Looking to continue networking through the summer?

The school holidays have started and let’s hope the weather picks up soon for anyone holidaying or having days out in the UK.

However, for many people without children of school age its business as usual.

Quieter offices and less meetings mean that the summer is a great time to work ‘on’ your business and perhaps do some networking to build your business contacts.

Our event calendar cools down a little in the summer, but we still have some great events like our Teapot Boat Ride on 10^th August.

With an exciting journey by narrowboat through the 1.6-mile Harecastle Tunnel on the Trent and Mersey Canal, followed by a two mile walk back to the start point finishing at The Blue Bell Inn for drinks and nibbles, you will have a great opportunity to network and learn a little of our local history from host Simon Davies from King’s Award-winning business ProtectaPet.

Book your place here: Teapot Boat Ride – Staffordshire Chambers

And don’t forget our Members’ Lounge at Commerce House is open 9am – to 5pm on weekdays. It’s a great place for members to work, meet and network with free Wi-Fi and hot drinks.

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

Staffordshire businesses have until this Friday, 28 July to secure their discounted stand bookings for the county’s biggest business show.

Taking place at Uttoxeter Racecourse on 12 October, Let’s Do Business is expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates for a comprehensive day of networking and business insights.

Booking a stand will allow you to spotlight your services to over 1,000 new customers, clients and suppliers. It’s the perfect opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, spotlight your services and ultimately, do business!

The event, sponsored by Business Lodge, Michelin and Lexus Stoke, will also feature an interactive gaming lounge where people will be able to connect with fellow attendees, network and have some fun with a suite of VR and games provided by industry-leading businesses based in Staffordshire.

To book a stand, click here. Discounts are automatically applied at checkout.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is thrilled to announce the addition of a new strategic partner, TopCashback.

The UK’s leading cashback site, who are based in Stafford, will now unlock a range of exclusive perks including an increased company profile and direct support from the Chambers’ senior leadership team.

Chris Plant, Deputy CEO of Staffordshire Chambers, said: “I am thrilled to have TopCashback join our Strategic Partnership at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.

“We are excited about the possibilities this partnership will bring and look forward to working closely with the company to drive success and prosperity in our region.

“The strategic partnerships are an extension of our current membership offer and it’s great to see so many leading local businesses taking up the partnership.”

Businesses interested in exploring the strategic partnership opportunity are encouraged to obtain further information by emailing karena.pawlak@staffordshirechambers.co.uk. Staffordshire Chambers looks forward to welcoming new strategic partners and continuing to champion business excellence in the region.

Stafford Chamber of Commerce hosted its President’s Charity Luncheon at Stafford Rugby Club last Friday, 21 July, raising thousands of pounds in support of local sports initiatives.

Highlighting the event’s success were the esteemed guest speakers who captivated the audience with their insights and experiences. The Chamber would like to thank Tim Stimpson, former British and Irish Lion, Mike Hogan, the organiser of the 2023 Rugby League World Cup, and Nathan Hines, the former British and Irish Lion from Gallagher Insurance, for joining us on the day.

The event, which was kindly sponsored by Ansons Solicitors and Samurai, and organised in partnership with LR Partnership Events, included an auction of four tickets to a Premiership match and a Leicester signed shirt, as well as a Four Ball Golf experience at Nottingham Golf Club with none other than Tim Stimpson.