News

Giving birth to triplets in 2002 was life-changing for Nicki Kainth from Penkridge.

She had worked in banking for seven years but becoming a mum of three girls led her to quickly reassess her priorities.

Nicki said: “As soon as I became a mum and saw these three gorgeous girls, I knew that I wanted to be with them every step of their journey through life. The girls are now 19 and at university.

“When they were 10, I started making cakes. I knew the basics and I’m quite artistic, so I taught myself more advanced techniques with a lot of help of YouTube. This led to me setting up my own cake business.

“During the first lockdown in 2020 I had an idea to start my ‘East meets West’ afternoon teas with an Indian twist of adding samosas and pakoras. This really took off and people loved it as it was something different.

“Positive feedback and readiness for a new challenge led me to start a new Indian food home delivery business, ‘The Indian Foodiva’. This was during the second lockdown; it was an instant hit, and I was fully booked within the first week. I had to turn people away and politely ask them to book early for the following week.

“I tried to offer something a little different by adding a delicious dessert to my starter and main course options. The reviews were amazing, and I got so many comments about the quality, freshness and taste of the food and the addition of desserts with a takeaway.

“However, as lockdown ended and the restaurants reopened, I saw a tail off in business. This is when I got in touch with the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce for some help.

“I want to take my business to the next level and wasn’t entirely sure how to do this. I had great advice from start-up advisor Aly Davidson.  Her advice was invaluable, as not only had she provided me with insight and knowledge to take my business forward but also, her encouragement and faith in me was so positive it made me realise that if I’ve done it once, I can do it again!

“The next exciting stage in the development of my business is to add party and corporate lunches to my offer whilst still continuing with my regular deliveries and my cake business, Adoracake.

“Going forwards I will be attending lots of Chamber meetings I have signed up to their Boosting Women in Business course. I aim to take every bit of help that’s offered and utilise the networking to build up my circle of contacts.

“I am incredibly grateful to Aly and the Chambers for this opportunity and for helping me on my new journey. The help may be free, but its value is immense as I would have struggled to learn so much and make so many wonderful contacts in a relatively short time.”

Aly Davidson added: “Nicki has a fabulous business and a great work ethic. I was impressed that she has quickly recognised that circumstances change, and you can’t stand still. That’s what we are here for, to give people the knowledge and tools to develop and grow their business. It’s a pleasure working with Nicki, and I have no doubt she will continue to build on her success.”

If you are thinking of starting a business and would like to discuss your plans, contact start@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or call 01782 202222.

Earlier this week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released their latest latest labour market statistics.

The ONS Labour Force Survey estimates for February to April 2022 show that over the quarter there was an increase in the employment rate, while unemployment and economic inactivity rates decreased.

With an increasingly tight labour market, it has become much harder for employers to fill job vacancies. The knock-on effect is impacting on firms’ ability to operate normally and retain skills in the business.

The further rise in the employment rate coupled with a drop in the unemployment rate is good news, but they also reflect how little room for manoeuvre there is for unfilled vacancies on the ground.

With a new record set for the number of vacancies, and no easy way to fill them for many companies, labour shortages are likely to continue to damage the UK’s growth prospects.

Despite recruitment difficulties, the damage to firms’ finances from soaring inflation and rising national insurance will limit the extent to which wages can continue rising. A double-whammy as disposable income falls, and consumer spending decreases even further.

We need to find ways to bring people back into the UK labour market. Flexible working practices, rapid re-training opportunities and a focus on workplace health can support many economically inactive people to return to the workplace.

We will be directing much of our lobbying resource towards these crucial issues, not only for our area but through the British Chambers of Commerce who have a direct route to government ministers including the PM, the Chancellor and the Minister for Business, Innovation & Skills.

If these issues are affecting your business, we would like to hear from you. I would urge you to get in touch with our External Affairs and Communications Advisor, Rhouda Elalfy at the Chambers: rhouda.elalfy@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or 01782 202222.

You can view the full ONS report here: https://bit.ly/3mOJAeJ

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee raised interest rates to 1.25 percent this week – we now have the highest rate in 13 years.

Business and consumer confidence is likely to be further damaged, causing fewer firms to invest and grow their business, ultimately having a negative impact on the UK’s economic growth.

Despite the effect that this will have on UK companies, the Bank of England has stated that an increase in interest rates will help to stabilise exchanges rates and ease rampant inflation.

You can join our discussion about interest rates and its impact on business in our Virtual Member’s Lounge from Monday at: bit.ly/3mQqi8T

I am delighted to announce that Chamber members can now book a stand at Let’s Do Business, Staffordshire’s largest business show, set to take place at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Thursday 20^th October.

Let’s Do Business will see over 1,000 delegates and local businesses come together to network, make new connections, showcase their services and ultimately, do business.

Each year, the very best Staffordshire companies come together to promote their products and services to decision makers from across the region. Let’s do Business is also a fantastic way to meet new customers and suppliers to help move your business to the next level.

Members can take advantage of our early bird offer to receive £50 off the cost of their stands.

Networking is still one of the most effective ways to promote and build business, and this event is a must-attend for any business looking to connect and share information with new and existing contacts.

Stands are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the sooner you book, the bigger your choice of stands.

You can reserve your stand here: Let’s Do Business – Staffordshire Chambers

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

Earlier this week we witnessed the biggest ever daily rise in the price of petrol with a jump of over 2p per litre.

We are already seeing the price of filling the average family car hit the £100 mark with no sign of a halt in the upward price trajectory.

Soaring fuel prices have been driven by the war in Ukraine and moves to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, and although fuel duty was cut by 5p per litre in March, it made little difference and sadly wasn’t even passed on by some garage owners. There is a plan for the government to ‘name and shame’ those who didn’t comply with the cut, but this won’t really help businesses and consumers in the short term.

One freight owner reported this week that the cost of operating a single lorry is up by a staggering £20,000 on this time last year. This is leading to unprecedented pressure on freight companies and the wider supply chain.

On the positive side, wholesale prices have dropped and there is usually around a two-week gap until this is reflected by pump prices.

Whilst we sadly can’t influence the war in Ukraine, the Chambers believe what the government can do is act again and immediately on the fuel duty and VAT. It is estimated that for each litre of fuel sold the government takes around £1 in VAT and duty. This rises with the wholesale price and so perhaps a cut or cap on the VAT would help to put the brakes on spiralling prices.

For those of you with an electric vehicle (EV) I am pleased to say that the two EV charge points at Commerce House, Festival Park have been replaced and are now fully operational. Why not spend some time in our members lounge, catching up on emails or having a meeting with hot free drinks and Wi-Fi for Chamber members, whilst your EV charges?

And my final motor themed posting is to remind you that the Chambers AA Roadside Assistance package offers breakdown assistance cover at around half the price you would pay by going to the AA direct.

It is available to employers and staff alike and as an example, a Chamber member business in the 1-10 employee category which took out breakdown cover on six vehicles could cover the cost of annual Chamber membership.

If you would like to find out more and be ready to switch to AA Roadside Assistance when your present cover expires, please contact membership@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or call the number below.

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

My blogs of late have been somewhat doom-laden, reporting on the latest sets of economic figures, soaring costs and global crises caused by the terrible situation in Ukraine.

So, this week I have decided to take a break from the bad news and celebrate a remarkable achievement from a remarkable woman.

As we head towards an extended Bank Holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, I wanted to pay the Chambers’ own tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the course of her reign, she has always been a gentle, thoughtful, and reassuring presence as the world around us has changed, and through the highs and lows we have experienced as a nation.

I cannot think of a head of state anywhere else in the world that commands the level of universal love and respect that the Queen does.

Throughout her life, and on her many travels around the world, she has always managed to negotiate the delicate art of being seen as a representative of the people of the United Kingdom rather than a representative of its government.

At the start of her reign, she was quick to recognise that the Commonwealth bore no resemblance to the Empire of the past and that our relationship with Commonwealth nations was one of friendship and cooperation for the common good of the people.

To some, the Commonwealth symbolised the decline of Britain’s influence in the world. Its early years also coincided with tensions over the arrival in the UK of immigrants from former colonies.

But the Queen’s enthusiasm remained undimmed. “To that new conception of an equal partnership of nations and races I shall give myself heart and soul every day of my life,” she promised in a 1953 speech.

Now we have our opportunity to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, the only monarch to have reached such a milestone. It is an extraordinary moment for her and the country.

To put it into perspective just how long 70 years is, only 8.5 million of the UK’s 68.5 million population were alive when she became Queen in 1952.

The Queen is patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, and I was especially delighted and honoured to receive an invitation, along with our president Kate Beardmore, to the Trooping of the Colour on 2^nd June.

The long weekend is a chance to celebrate the Jubilee, raising a toast to the Queen for the dignified and selfless service she has gifted all of us over the past 70 years.

And with hundreds of local events and parties to enjoy it just remains for me to wish everyone a happy and memorable Jubilee weekend.

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

Another week in politics when yet again we all feel frustrated, punch drunk and devoid of answers to the harsh issues facing consumers and business.

So, it was welcome news earlier today (26 May) that Rishi Sunak acknowledged the acute distress’ caused to millions by inflation and announced in his cost-of-living statement that households in England, Scotland and Wales are set to have £400 knocked off energy bills this winter as part of a £15bn support package. All households will now receive the minimum £400 payment towards bills replacing the proposed £200 loan. There will also be additional help for those with the lowest income.

The extra money to pay for this subsidy will be largely funded by a 25% windfall tax on oil and gas firms.

But it still begs the question of what help is available for business facing mounting costs, supply chain and labour problems – as there was precious little mentioned in the Chancellor’s statement?

Staffordshire Chambers and the British Chambers of Commerce will be continuing calls for an emergency budget and pressuring the government for answers as simply leaving firms to sink or swim is totally unacceptable. It will lead to untold damage to our already beleaguered economy.

It is important that you let us have your views and concerns so that we can represent you at the highest level on this crucial issue. Please get in touch by the methods below or post on our Virtual Members Lounge at www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk

In the meantime, businesses can check out what help is available from Ofgem

Getting help if your business can’t afford its energy bills | Ofgem

Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire

As part of the global effort to tackle climate change, we are committed to supporting businesses in our region in becoming world leaders in environment and sustainability. Due to the pandemic, new ways of working have grown to become a priority for most people who are now looking to join companies who share common interests. The Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire campaign provides businesses with key updates and changes they can make within their workplace to become world leaders in the race to Net Zero.

The campaign focuses on three main areas: clean air, carbon literacy and net zero. It provides a series of case studies and webinars to help support businesses in Staffordshire overcome the challenges of becoming carbon neutral and sustainable.

The three areas of focus for this campaign align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) which the Chambers has pledged to focus on and support businesses in order to create their own plan of action towards the goals.

You can find out more and get involved here: Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire – Staffordshire Chambers

If you want to talk to us about business issues highlighted above, or any other 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