News

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is thrilled to announce the addition of a new strategic partner, Afford Rent-a-Car.

The car and vehicle rental specialists 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 Afford Rent-a-Car 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.”

Afford have four branches spread across Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Crewe, and offer a minimum 5% discount for online quotes as well as special offer discounts of up to 20%. Find out more, here.

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.

ExtraMile Communications has rebranded to ‘Extramile Digital’ as part of an ambitious growth plan, which will see the Staffordshire-based agency grow by 20% over the next 12 months.

The new name, new website launch and brand identity are part of Extramile Digital’s ongoing expansion. In April and May the company has successfully recruited a new social media manager, content manager, and account manager, with a further three positions in web development, sales and software development currently advertised.

Managing Director Amanda Brooke said: “The change of name to Extramile Digital better reflects our focus as a digital marketing agency.

“The rebrand also supports our drive to attract additional talent in digital marketing to our team as we continue to grow. We have several vacancies currently being advertised. We are proud to offer the chance to work on global digital campaigns for high-profile consumer and business-to-business clients, in a fast-paced, creative and collaborative environment.

“In recent years we have seen growth across our digital services – in web development and digital design, search engine optimisation (SEO), paid search and social campaigns.”

Sales and Marketing Director James Roberts added: “Following our management buyout in August 2021, this feels like the right time to rebrand. It’s a great opportunity to better reflect us as a business, our positioning in the market, and our values as an employer and agency partner.”

The company attributes recent expansion to a combination of increased revenue from existing clients, and a greater national presence. Clients include Garmin, Continental, EV Cargo and Fuchs Lubricants.

Visit the new website at www.extramiledigital.com

Finalists for the 2023 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards are being announced in Daily Focus throughout the week.

Readers will be able to find out who has been shortlisted by visiting the website – www.daily-focus.co.uk or by subscribing to receive the news service’s morning mail-out, which is delivered directly to inboxes by 8am.

The finalists in three of the 15 categories will be revealed each day, from Monday to Friday, with supporting articles on a special section of the website and posts on social media platforms promoting the success stories. The results from the first three categories are ready to view online, here.

This is the 11^th year of the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards, which celebrate the outstanding achievements of local businesses who have demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation and contribution to the Staffordshire economy.

A record number of businesses and organisations entered this year, demonstrating the longevity and popularity of the event.

Winners will be announced at a glitzy award ceremony, taking place at DoubleTree by Hilton, Festival Park, in Stoke-on-Trent, on the evening of July 13.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is calling on members of the business community to join the fostering community and make a real difference to a child’s life. Being a foster carer is a life-changing experience that requires just a spare room and a little bit of spare time, even as little as one weekend a month.

There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. People of any age, gender, marital status, religious or cultural background, or sexual orientation are encouraged to join the fostering community. Stoke-on-Trent City Council is eager to hear from anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer.

When you choose to foster with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, you will receive professional allowance, exceptional training, and support, with ongoing development throughout. The friendly team is on hand to answer any questions you may have by calling 01782 234555 or visiting https://fostering.stoke.gov.uk/.

As part of their ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the fostering community in Stoke-on-Trent, several events have been planned in the coming weeks. On Tuesday, May 16th, an informal drop-in session will be held at Starbucks in Smallthorne from 3pm-4.30pm. On Wednesday, May 17th, there will be a foster carers celebration day at Grace Church Unit B in Hanley from 11am-1pm. Finally, on Wednesday, May 31st, there will be a foster carers meet up and picnic at Longton Park from 11am-1pm.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. Contact Stoke-on-Trent City Council today to find out more about fostering and how you can get involved.

Contact: Stoke-on-Trent City Council Phone: 01782 234555 Email: fostering@stoke.gov.uk Website: https://fostering.stoke.gov.uk/

Love Cheese Live, UK’s largest cheese, food & drink festival, is set to take place on 30 June – 1 July 2023 at the Staffordshire County Show Ground in Stafford. This festival promises to offer an unforgettable culinary experience for food lovers across the country.

With a fantastic line-up of the best chefs and experts cooking live, visitors will have the opportunity to learn from the best and be inspired to create their own delicious cheese-based dishes. The festival will also showcase the finest dairy brands, exciting new flavors, and the latest culinary trends, alongside carefully selected independent producers of the finest food, drink, and culinary products from across the UK.

Love Cheese Live will offer visitors the chance to shop and taste a vast array of cheese, food, and drink products from some of the country’s top culinary artisans and independent producers. With something to suit every taste and preference, this festival is the perfect destination for cheese and food enthusiasts alike.

As a special offer, Staffordshire Chambers members can receive a 50 percent discount on ticket prices by using the code “staffsbusiness” at the checkout.

Don’t miss out on this incredible culinary experience. Get your tickets now and join us at Love Cheese Live in Stafford on 30 June – 1 July 2023.

More info

The Cosy Direct Cycling Team is gearing up for a 100-mile ride to Skegness, all for the benefit of two fantastic causes.

Known as the SkegVegas 100, the ride will help raise funds for Derby Kids Camp and Derby Children’s Holiday Home, two organizations that gift nearly 1000 underprivileged children a week-long holiday each year. One in the country, one at the seaside.

Peter Ellse, Cosy Direct CEO, is taking on the challenge alongside colleagues Jake Beresford, Ben Riggott and Finlay Riggott.

Peter said: “With every mile, we’ll be one step closer to ensuring these deserving kids create cherished memories and enjoy a much-needed break.

“Your donations will contribute to their annual holiday experience, sparking a chain reaction of a thousand heartwarming smiles.

“Every penny helps us reach our goal and brightens these children’s lives. Join us in making a difference and let’s ride this journey together!”

Contributions can be made through their online fundraising page, here.

Good luck to the team!

RSM Tax Director Chris Alderman has called on Staffordshire businesses in the financial sector to join the next Money Matters Forum to help shape Staffordshire’s business landscape.

The event, available exclusively to Chamber members, will take place on Friday, 23 June, at Commerce House, offering a unique opportunity to engage in discussions surrounding finance and tax while actively shaping the Chamber’s policy decisions.

Chris said: “The Money Matters Forum serves as a premier platform for professionals in Staffordshire to exchange insights, collaborate, and broaden their network within the business community.

“Attendees will have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering valuable relationships that can pave the way for future growth and success.

“The meeting will commence promptly at 09:00 AM on June 23 and typically concludes by 10:30 AM. Following the event, attendees are welcome to utilise the Members’ Lounge, offering a conducive environment to continue their work.”

To secure a place at the Money Matters Forum, please click here.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Declan Riddell, the dedicated Policy Adviser for the Staffordshire Chambers, at declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk. Mr. Riddell will be delighted to assist with any questions or concerns.

Staffordshire already has a reputation as a logistics centre of choice afforded by our geography and advantageous transport connections. Our central location between the two motorways, good rail links and proximity of four airports has seen a huge amount of logistics activity develop in the last two decades. So, it was no surprise to read the news this week in our Daily Focus that logistics will play an ever-increasing part in Staffordshire’s growth.

The news comes after a roundtable event at Burton and South Derbyshire College between industry and education representatives and senior councillors.  Much of the discussion centred around how logistics can create opportunities for hi-tech development and – perhaps surprisingly to many – high-quality jobs.

Having seen how the development near Warrington is growing and the huge new Pets at Home logistics hub just north of Stafford and the vast and imposing PLP Stafford building at the southern edge of Stone, no one can be in any doubt that our consumerism needs the support of these centres. And developments along the A50/A500 corridor and the West Midlands Interchange are offering exciting new opportunities which can only bode well for our future.  At the round table event, there were calls for local authority planning committees to better understand the need for the large logistics buildings – despite their potential visual impact – and to understand the value of the whole logistics sector.

Simon Philips, Head of Distribution Development with Pets at Home, talked of the huge investment in the new Stafford site where the company is working through an 18-month transition from existing sites. The new centre will be employing more than 750 people, including jobs in fields such as robotics and data analytics.

Bringing businesses together with sector organisations, educational establishments and local decision makers enables us to have a constructive discussion on the future of the sector in the county and how we can make it a success for businesses and our community.

If you would like to have a say on how logistics and related development can be harnessed to our advantage why not get involved with the Chambers’ Transport Forum. For details of its work and future meeting dates contact Declan Riddell: declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Planned changes to the Government approach on EU regulation reform

Businesses will be relieved that the Government has ditched plans to allow thousands of EU-era laws to expire by the end of 2023. It is welcome that Government has listened, and the Bill will no longer apply a blanket sunset clause in this way, with the real risk of unintended but negative consequences including that this rush to the abrupt ending of vast swathes of EU legislation overnight would make it harder to compete internationally.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) will be carefully scrutinising the series of measures which are due to be amended or revoked through the revised Bill. If you have views on what elements of EU law you would like to see abolished, amended or adapted, please let me know and we can make sure that your views are heard by Government as it reviews this work.

Through the BCC we will be working with Government and other policy makers on crafting the appropriate regulatory balance – protecting certainty for business first and foremost but reforming rules in the overall economic and human rights interest.

Latest interest rate rise

The decision to raise the interest rate for the 12th consecutive time to the highest rate since 2008 shows the Bank of England is determined to keep up the pressure as the rate of inflation remains stubbornly high.

The unprecedented and prolonged spike in inflation has been devastating for many firms who have been struggling to absorb continued price rises.

Interest rate rises can also have serious negative effects too, particularly for firms looking to borrow to manage their cash flow problems. The most recent BCC quarterly economic survey (of which around 150 surveyed were Staffordshire firms) found that interest rates were a concern for 47% of hospitality firms. The combination of high interest rates and high inflation would mean the worst of both worlds for many small firms.

Government must consider further action to break this vicious cycle by boosting economic growth – through investment in infrastructure, skills training, and global trade.

Keep an eye out for our next quarterly economic survey by email and on our social media or visit: QES Survey – Staffordshire Chambers  or email declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk to ensure you contribute.

Eurovision

Finally, I hope you all have a fabulous Eurovision weekend. I’m at a party with friends in Liverpool and will be taking the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere in the city. I would also like to say to all our Ukrainian colleagues that we will be celebrating Unity Through Music and thinking about the reasons why this over-the-top event isn’t being held in your wonderful and brave country.

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