A series of health and wellbeing workshops have been launched to help support small business owners in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Chambers, Momentic and The Better Health Generation have teamed up to offer the sessions after a recent study revealed that over half (56%) of small business owners in Stoke-on-Trent have experienced poor mental health in the past year.

It also found that many owners are struggling with sleep issues, with one-third averaging less than five hours per night.

The report indicates that one in three small business owners work over 46 hours per week, significantly exceeding the national average.

Additionally, three-quarters (73%) of these owners take fewer than 20 days of annual leave per year, far below the 28-day national entitlement.

Anxiety (59%), depression (38%), and loneliness (22%) were reported as major concerns among local entrepreneurs.

In response to these findings, the Chamber will host a series of workshops starting on November 6, focusing on topics such as burnout prevention, resilience, and work-life balance.

These interactive sessions aim to provide business owners with tools to manage their health and wellbeing while running their companies.

Workshops will run through March 2025 and are open to trading businesses in the Stoke-on-Trent area.

Interested business owners can contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information on how to participate.

Rachel Reeves made history last week, as the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer to deliver a Budget.   There was a good deal of speculation on the build up to her maiden Budget and one particular pre-Budget announcement caught the eye, with a decision to raise the National Minimum Wage to £12.21 per hour.

The standout Budget announcement for most businesses was the decision to raise Employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC), to 15% and a lowering of the threshold from when payment of NIC is due, from £9,100 to £5,000.   The Employment Allowance, which allows smaller companies to reduce their NIC liability, will increase from £5,000 to £10,000.  Estimates suggest that this announcement could raise an additional £25billion a year for Treasury coffers but what about the impact on business?

We’ve already heard concerns from some of our members, who are facing up to the challenge of meeting significantly higher costs of running a business.  Some businesses may have to look at cutting back on staff numbers or may choose to pass on the cost to customers.   Other reaction suggests that businesses may choose to respond by pausing any plans to award pay rises to existing staff. 

In our letter to Rachel Reeves, we asked for clarity on the future of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).  This was due to come to an end in March 2025, so we’re pleased to see an announcement that UKSPF will continue to underpin specific programmes of business support (albeit at a reduced level), until at least March 2026.

The pain of proposed tax rises will hopefully lead to gain in the form of sector-specific business rates relief and infrastructure spending for major capital programmes.   The decision to see full expensing and the annual investment allowance made permanent, as well as R&D relief being retained, is positive news. 

Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), will launch on Monday 11^th November and over the following weeks, we hope you will take the time to complete a survey and share your levels of post Budget business confidence as we head towards the end of 2024.  Watch out for updates as we launch on the 11^th.

Make Work Pay (MWP)

Make Work Pay (MWP) plan is a government initiative that aims to improve working conditions, job security, and pay in the UK.  The plan is intended to help grow the economy and raise living standards.   Our British Chambers’ of Commerce (BCC) colleagues have met with government officials on a number of aspects of MWP, including trade union policy, zero-hours contracts, fire and rehire, unfair dismissal, supporting families, pay and wages, the right to switch off, and the economic impact of MWP.   At a local level, we’re calling for businesses to share their views on MWP.  We feel that any legislation needs to be both balanced and flexible, with minimal cost, risk and complexity for business.  You can read more about MWP through the link:

Make Work Pay – GOV.UK

If you have any thoughts, concerns or questions about Make Work Pay, please e-mail details to:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Comp Door recently hosted a Next Generation Launch Event at the National Space Station in Leicester to announce all of its new groundbreaking, first-to-market product innovations.

More than 150 installers and industry press came from as far as Dundee and Southampton to attend this momentous industry event.

The event saw the unveil of several brand-new initiatives including SleekSkin, their new door finish which is unlike any other offering currently on the market. Their exciting new partnership with Kubu to offer a range of high-security smart technology and sensors into Comp Doors as standard. In addition to their newly developed luxurious ultimate glass surrounds, border door styles, and enhancements to their marine grade hardware offering.

Richard Diliberto, Sales Director at Comp Door said, “The launch event was phenomenal. Customers instantly took to the new products and were blown away by the unveil, presentation, venue, and demonstrations. We have received an overwhelming response to all of the products launched and have already had a large number of customers signing up to have SleekSkin as part of their showroom display and to be part of the Kubu scheme in preparation for the full integration in December.”

He continues, “Due to the word spreading faster than we ever imagined, we’ve also vast enquires come through from prospect customers that we’ve never had contact with previously. These new initiatives are making real waves across the industry, which was our mission and intention, so that together we can ensure a positive future and growth in demand for composite doors in the UK.”

Comp Door’s newly launched pioneering initiatives were designed with their customers centrefold, created to enable their installers to stand head and shoulders above competitors, further exceeding their homeowners’ expectations, whilst also propelling sales and generating increased demand.

Sam Kay, Managing Director of K Glazing Limited said at the event, “SleekSkin – ‘I love it! This is just what the market needs, I feel customers are really going to appreciate the aesthetic benefits of this product and how it truly replicates a timber door. Kubu is likewise going to be a game changer, the future is here and it is exciting! It’s exactly what we should be providing to our customers as standard.”  

Shauna Brett, Marketing Manager at Emerald Windows & Doors confirms, “The anticipation of what would be revealed by Comp Door was exciting, and the whole day from start to finish did not disappoint. The new products are incredible, a real game changer to my business, the ability to offer my customers a door with so much value-add and real quality puts me on a different level. My homeowners will love this new SleekSkin door finish and will be blown away by all of the other innovations built into Comp Doors as standard going forwards.”

For further information contact Comp Door’s friendly team of experts at: info@compdoor.co.uk, www.compdoor.co.uk, or call 01782 340444.

Local cloud technology company systems.co.uk has announced its sponsorship of the City of Stoke Youth Girls U12 football team, demonstrating its commitment to supporting grassroots sports and empowering young girls in the region.

This partnership aims to inspire the next generation of female athletes, providing them with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field.

The sponsorship will provide funding for the team’s uniforms, ensuring that the players can focus on honing their skills as they represent Stoke-on-Trent. As a company rooted in the local community, systems.co.uk believes that initiatives like these are vital for nurturing talent and fostering a sense of togetherness.

Juliet Moran, Technical Director at systems.co.uk, emphasised the importance of this sponsorship:
“Empowering young girls to pursue careers and sports that have traditionally been male-dominated is crucial. We’re thrilled to support these talented young players and can’t wait to watch them excel in their matches throughout the year. We’re hoping to see them lift a few trophies along the way!”

Investing in Grassroots Sports: Building Confidence and Community

With women’s football continuing to grow in popularity, systems.co.uk sees its sponsorship as part of a larger effort to break down barriers for young girls in sports. While the spotlight may often shine on top-level teams, it is at the grassroots level where the foundation for future success is built. By supporting the City of Stoke Youth Girls U12 team, systems.co.uk hopes to inspire these players to follow their dreams and challenge the status quo.

The company’s commitment to community involvement extends beyond sports. Through various initiatives—including tech workshops and local event sponsorships—systems.co.uk actively works to provide opportunities for young people in Stoke-on-Trent. This latest sponsorship reflects the firm’s desire to contribute to the community’s development and ensure that young girls have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

Why Supporting Young Girls Matters

As a technology company, systems.co.uk understands the value of investing in the future. Whether encouraging young girls to pursue careers in tech or supporting them on the football pitch, the values of teamwork, determination, and perseverance remain universal. This sponsorship is a testament to the company’s belief that success starts at the grassroots level, whether in sport or business.

By backing the City of Stoke Youth Girls U12 team, systems.co.uk sends a clear message that it is committed to inspiring the younger generation and helping them develop the confidence to achieve their goals.

Looking Forward

As the football season gets underway, systems.co.uk is excited to follow the progress of the City of Stoke Youth Girls U12 team and share their journey with the wider community. Regular updates on the team’s performance will be posted on the company’s social media platforms.

systems.co.uk looks forward to seeing how the team grows over the next season and remains committed to finding new ways to support local initiatives that empower young people.

Last week we held a meeting of our Rural Business forum. 

This forum serves as a strategic group to promote the interests of the rural business sector in Staffordshire. 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 such a vibrant and diverse county. 

From ceramics in Stoke, to beers in Burton. The urban parts of our county are home to a rich mix of business sectors but in recent years, there has been a growth in the number of businesses moving from towns and cities, into the countryside.   

Rural businesses face their fair share of day-to-day challenges, in comparison to their urban counterparts. Securing fast and reliable digital connectivity can be a headache.   Public transport to rural areas is often too infrequent to be considered as a practical means of getting employees to and from work.

In last week’s Rural Business forum, we discussed the topic of rural crime. Earlier this year, NFU Mutual commissioned a report which found that the cost of rural crime in Staffordshire this year, rose by almost 9%, compared to 2023.   Criminals have targeted rural businesses and left business owners feeling the pain of financial loss.  Rural crime affects large areas of the county but it often goes unreported. Rural crime will impact on insurance premiums, food prices and cause damage to local communities. 

Staffordshire Police joined last week’s Rural Business forum and it was good to hear of plans to fight back hard against the criminals.   The Force has established a Rural and Wildlife Crime Unit, with more than 50 officers trained as specialist Rural & Wildlife crime officers. 

We heard of a determination to bring down rural crime and there is an increased focus on Rural Serious Acquisitive Crime.  A 4P approach of ‘Prepare’, ‘Prevent’, ‘Pursue’, ‘Protect’ will underpin much of this work.   Regular review will include performance review and partnership meetings to build and maintain relationships and engagement with key stakeholders.

Staffordshire Police has launched a Rural Crime Strategy, which outlines its commitment to tackling the issue of rural crime, head-on.  The strategy is regarded as a comprehensive plan which outlines the approach to preventing crime, protecting vulnerable people, and bringing offenders to justice.   At the core of the strategy, there is a strong partnership between the police, local authorities, and rural communities.

It was refreshing to hear that there will be a real focus on protecting the most vulnerable individuals and communities in our rural areas.  There is also commitment to prioritise the pursuit of criminals involved in serious and organised acquisitive crime, using those networks for financial gain.

The rural parts of Staffordshire need this support.  Rural locations are places where residents live, work hard, support one another and contribute significantly to our way of life and it’s vital that all who live and work in these areas, can feel safe and secure.

For further information on the work being done by Staffordshire Police, click on the url:

Rural crime | Staffordshire Police

If you would like to get involved with our Rural Business forum, please send an e-mail to:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

NEIDA, a leading manufacturer of precision components, has announced a significant £1.6 million investment in new machinery at its Stoke-on-Trent facilities as part of its plans for growth in 2024. This investment is aimed at increasing production capacity and improving efficiency to meet rising demand from industries such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare.

The new equipment includes advanced machines designed to produce highly precise components more quickly and efficiently. These additions will allow NEIDA to better serve its global client base by speeding up production and maintaining the high quality standards the company is known for.

With this investment, NEIDA is not only increasing its production capabilities but also positioning itself for continued success in the precision manufacturing industry. The company’s Managing Director highlighted that the new machinery will help NEIDA keep pace with growing client demand while reinforcing its commitment to quality and innovation.

This move comes as part of NEIDA’s broader expansion strategy, which includes upgrading its facilities and enhancing quality control processes to support its growth ambitions for the coming year.