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News & updates 

Regular news and updates from the Chamber, our members, local Councils and other relevant business news will be posted regularly here. 

Don't forget, as a member one of your many benefits is being able to submit your press releases and news for inclusion here as well as on either the members or business news emails and social media. Please submit to lauren@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk 


  • 08 March 2018 2:22 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Adur and Worthing join up with Alliance urging action to improve Brighton Mainline.

    A major campaign to support improvements to the Brighton main railway line to London is to be joined by Adur and Worthing Councils.

    Both Councils say it is crucial for the local economy that the rail line is upgraded as evidence emerges that its poor state is having a negative impact on economic growth in the region.

    They have now joined the Brighton Mainline Alliance which is urging the government to make upgrading the line a top priority for investment.

    According to a report for the Councils the region served by the railway line from south London down to Brighton and across to Chichester contributes almost £50bn a year to the UK economy.

    Yet there is evidence that recent economic growth in the region is not keeping pace with the rest of the South East with ‘strong evidence to suggest poor rail infrastructure is suppressing growth in the region and negatively influencing strategic investment decisions from business.’

    Passenger journeys on Southern and Thameslink services have risen 10 per cent to 105 million per annum in the last five years and increasing severe crowding is predicted, the report says.

    Crucially the Alliance is calling for a commitment to remove the bottleneck at Windmill Bridge Junction just north of East Croydon station.

    Here trains to Victoria and London Bridge are joined by suburban services causing long waiting times, reducing capacity and leading to long delays on scheduled services.

    Flyovers and extra platforms at East Croydon are needed but the government must move fast, says the report, because demand for land in the area is high and an opportunity might be lost.

    The Alliance scored an early victory last week when the government confirmation of government of funding for Network Rail to deliver the design stages of the project.

    Now known as the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme, the funding from the Department for Transport means Network Rail can now work up detailed designs for the track and station work in the Croydon area,  produce an outline business case and carry out a full public consultation.

    Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Cllr Dan Humphreys said, “ We all have first-hand knowledge of the problems with this line. Travelling on it is often a complete misery so I’m pleased we now have funding to look at designs at East Croydon.

    “But more importantly there are clear signs that it is affecting the economy of the area and given that we contribute so much to the overall UK we say upgrading this line to increase capacity must be a key priority for government.”

    Leader of Adur District Council Cllr Neil Parkin added, “ Last week’s announcement was a good start but we must keep up the pressure because this is not just a Brighton issue. It affects us all and our economies. If businesses are starting to have second thoughts about relocating here, and there is some evidence they are, it will have a disproportionate effect on the whole economy.

    “I don’t think the government will want to see a negative impact on the seventh largest regional economy in the UK.”

    The Alliance has been established by the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) a government investment body which brings together public, private and educations sectors to deliver sustainable investment and growth in an area that stretches from Croydon down through Gatwick to Brighton and across to Chichester.

    More than 40 regional business groups and more than a dozen influential MPs have backed Brighton Mainline Alliance so far.


  • 08 March 2018 2:16 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Plans afoot to extend popular Shoreham Beach boardwalk

    More people will be able to enjoy Shoreham Beach as Adur District Council pushes on with plans to extend the popular boardwalk.

    Since the local authority installed the first section in 2011, the town’s beautiful beach has been accessible to all thanks to the modern walkway along the shingle.

    This week, the Council has taken the first steps to extending the walkway to Shoreham Fort with the aim of starting work before summer.

    Once complete, the boardwalk will be about one mile in length - meaning more of the unique environment of the protected beach will be opened up to all.

    Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “The Shoreham Beach boardwalk has been a real hit with residents and visitors which is why I’m delighted to see work on extending it is underway.

    “By using modern materials sympathetic to the area's conservation status, the boardwalk allows the beach and its amazing natural vistas to be enjoyed by all.

    “I hope it will also encourage more people to discover the delights of Shoreham Fort which is a hidden historic gem at the entrance of the harbour.”

    Councillor David Simmons, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The beach is one of our area’s greatest assets but previously it was nearly impossible for anyone living with a mobility issue to get across the stones to watch the sunset and waves breaking.

    “That’s why I’ve pushed for the boardwalk to be installed. It really does make a massive difference to those with limited mobility or with pushchairs.”

    The extension, which runs on land owned by the Council, will link the current walkway which ends at The Burrells roundabout with Shoreham Fort.

    It will follow the existing established footpath on the shingle beach between the patches of vegetation before linking up with the West Sussex County Council-owned footpath at Forthaven.

    The council has now issued a tender for companies to bid to carry out the work. Contracts are likely to be signed by the end of March with teams starting on site in May.

    The work will take place under permitted development rights which means planning permission is not needed.

    The move has been backed by a range of partners including West Sussex County Council, Environment Agency, Shoreham Port, Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association and the Friends of Shoreham Beach.

    Letters have been sent to residents of nearby properties in Old Fort Road informing of the proposed route.
  • 07 March 2018 2:32 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Brighton Main Line upgrade moves a step closer as Croydon railway redevelopment gets funding boost

    A major redevelopment of the railway through central Croydon to transform railway performance and potentially allow more trains to run on the Brighton Main Line- Including a new, expanded East Croydon Station, extra tracks and flyover junctions - moved a step closer today with confirmation of government funding for Network Rail to deliver the design stages of the project. 

    Known as the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme, the project is the central element of Network Rail's Brighton Main Line upgrade programme to deliver major improvements in punctuality between London, Gatwick and the Sussex Coast with the potential for more frequent services in the longer term.

    It would see construction of a series of new grade-seperated junctions orth of East Croydon station to remove the 'Croydon bottleneck' where several routes to and from central London converge. These new junctions are like motorway flyovers and will replace the existing flat junctions, where trains have to wait at red signals to allow others to pass in front, causing congestion and delays to 300,000 passengers travelling between the south coast and the capital each day.

    Major improvements at East Croydon station would also be delivered as part of the proposed scheme, expanding the number of platforms from six to eight and providing new concourse areas with better access to the platforms and surrounding areas. This would improve the train service, transform the station itself and contribute to the ongoing redevelopment or Croydon town centre and the growing local economy. 

    Funding from the Department for Transport means Network Rail can now:

    • Work up detailed designs for the track and station work in the Croydon area;
    • Produce an outline business case so informed decisions can be made about funding the scheme to delivery in future; and
    • Carry out a full public consultation so that the local community, travelling public and anyone directly affected by the work can have their say on the designs.
    John Halsall, Network Rail's South East route managing director, said:
     "Redeveloping the railway through Croydon is the only practical way to futher improve the reliability of services on the Brighton Main Line and transform journeys between London, Gatwick Airport and the south coast.

    "The Croydon bottleneck is now the single biggest cause of congestion and delays to passengers on this vital rail artery and means that the railway is now effectively full at the busiest times of day. That's not surprising when your consider that 50% more passengers pass through East Croydon each day than on the busiest part of the east Coast or West Coast main lines.

    "The funding committed by the Department for Transport means we can now draw up detailed designs for the work at East Croydon station and the surrounding railway and get valuable input from the local community to inform our final proposals."

    Councillor Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council, said:
    "As one of London's growth boroughs and a major transport hub in the south east, I am delighted funding has been allocated to progress this important scheme to the next stage. These enhancements are desperately needed and, if approved, will significantly improve travel for Croydon residents whilist attracting more people and businesses into our town centre."

    Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital which is leading our Brighton Mainline Alliance, said:
    !Our regions economy desperately needs better, more reliable rail links to London. This scheme will allow more trains to run into London from Gatwick Airport and Brighton Mainline Alliance strongly supports this scheme and the next step is for Government to agree the detailed design of the project and commit to funding"

    Angie Doll, Passenger Services for Southern whole manage East Croydon station, said:
    "There are almost as many passengers passing through East Croydon as all the inter-city journeys to the north of London put together. This section of railway also has more train movements over it than any where else in Britain, making it a major factor in delays and disruption to our services.

    "Our wholesale recast of the timetable this May will help us run a more reliable railway but the work announced here will also be warmly welcomed by Southern and Thameslink passengers alike."

    As part of that programme, a series of improvements are taking place on the Brighton Main Line between now and March 2019, including:
    • The replacement of a key junction at Earlswood near Redhill which started this weekend (Sunday 25th Feb) and continues for the next two weekends;
    • A track upgrade in the Gatwick area over the May bank holiday weekend;
    • Two major planned closures to upgrade the track and signalling and repair historic tunnels between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes during the October 2018 and February 2019 half-terms.
  • 07 March 2018 2:19 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    New National Minimum Wage/Living Wage rates come into effect in April. Make sure you're up-to-date with the changes.

    View April changes 

    Acas have further guidance and resources available:

    Pay       Pay deductions       Tips and gratuities      Contracts of employment

    Help for small firms: handling pay and wages

    Gender Pay Gap reporting - less than one month to go
    Employers with 250+ employees have until 30 March (for public sector) or 4 April (for private or voluntary sector) to publish their Gender Pay Gap figures.

    If you haven’t already done so register your organisation on the government’s online reporting service.

    We have guidance on how to make your calculations, where to publish, and what to do to tackle your gender pay gap.

    National Apprenticeship Week
    This week it's National Apprenticeship Week. We have guidance on apprenticeships and also guidance for anyone starting out in work. 

    Apprentices       First job       New to work

    Watch our first job video 
    to find out how Soph gets on at her first day of work.

    General Data Protection Regulation
    In May, employers will be required to carry out audits of employee personal data that they collect and process to ensure it meets the General Data Protection Regulation.

    Managing conflict
    Working relationships don't always run smoothly so it's important for managers and employers to know how to deal with conflict. Most of the time an informal chat can sort things out. We have a range of guidance to help:

    Having difficult conversations

    Managing conflict

    Discipline and Grievance and the Acas Code of Practice

    Become a mediator in your workplace with our internal mediation course find out more: Certificate in Internal Mediation (CIWM)

    Recruitment
    If you're a small business owner, or new to HR, recruiting staff may seem an exciting but daunting prospect at first. We have some helpful tools to help you get it right.

    Recruiting an employee: a step-by-step guide

    Hiring staff forms and templates

    Free webinar - managing sick leave
    Acas and HMRC are holding a free webinar for employers and HR professionals looking at how to manage sick leave, and deal with the wider impact it has on employment relations. HMRC will also be providing a summary of statutory sick pay. You will be able to ask questions of the presenters live throughout the webinar.

    Webinar being held: Thursday 29 March 12pm - 1pm      Register now 



  • 07 March 2018 10:30 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Ricardo agrees Chicago disposal

    Ricardo agrees Chicago disposal

    Ricardo, the engineering, environmental and strategic consultancy group headquartered in West Sussex, has agreed a $5.5m (£3.9m) deal to sell its Chicago technical facility.

    The business has signed an asset purchase agreement to sell the facility to Power Solutions International, a US manufacturer of engines and power systems.

    Ricardo will relocate its heavy-duty test operations to its existing facilities in Detroit. In addition to the asset purchase agreement, Ricardo and PSI have also entered into a strategic technology relationship. Ricardo's expertise in advanced engine development, and in electrification, hybrid and autonomous vehicle controls, will support PSI's expansion into these new areas.

    The sale of the test engineering and development facilities located at Burr Ridge, Chicago, was said to reflect Ricardo's strategy to reshape its asset base and ensure the business is more agile, efficient and more closely aligned with the changing patterns of customer demand.

    Ricardo chief executive Dave Shemmans said: "The sale of the Chicago technical facility and the refocusing of test operations at our Detroit technical centre is an important step which will help to increase our operational efficiency.

    "This will help us to better serve the emerging requirements of our customers in North America, across all market sectors, as well as in the increasingly important development of electrified vehicle solutions."

    https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/southeast/ricardo-agrees-chicago-disposal?utm_source=surry_sussex_kent_newsletter&utm_campaign=surry_sussex_kent_news_tracker&utm_medium=deals_article

  • 06 March 2018 12:08 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    NEW REPORT SHOWS WORTHING THEATRES’ £6M CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL ECONOMY.

    Every £1 spent by Worthing Borough Council on its theatres returns more than £7 into the local economy, a new report says.

    The economic report by destination consultancy Blue Sail says Worthing Theatres is doing a good job attracting both spending into the borough but also retaining consumers within the borough who might otherwise go elsewhere.

    “The success of Worthing Theatres will help the Borough fulfil the cultural needs of its communities and also support inward investment,” the report says.

    The report highlights:

    ·        Total income for 2015/17 was £3.5m including ticket sales, catering and merchandise

    ·        Direct impact on the economy is estimated to be £6m based on spend of customers, local purchasing and staff spending.

    ·        More than £3m a year spent in restaurants, shops, hospitality and travel by theatre-goers from outside Worthing

    ·        More than half (53 per cent) of those attending live with in the borough or Adur district keeping cultural spend local.

    The report identifies a renaissance at Worthing Theatres based on a more diverse programme which has led feedback survey satisfaction scores to rise from 3.9 per cent in 2015 to 4.3 in 2017.

    Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Customer Services, Cllr Dr Heather Mercer said, “This report confirms what we have always said; that our investment in culture and in particular Theatres pays dividends.

    “It’s not only that people who live here have a richer cultural experience nor that those looking to move to the coast will often look at what our leisure offering is. It’s actually an investment in our economy that far outstrips the amount of money we put in.

    “People wouldn’t question spending on many other services, and rightly so, but I wonder how many actually make such a return on our investment. This is down to the hard work and talent of our Theatres team who really have turned the venues into must-go destinations.”

    Applying models used by the Economic Impact of UK Theatres Study for the Arts Council and similar studies for Chichester and Brighton the report estimates that £6,055,000 is the positive accumulative  effect on Worthing’s economy made up of ticket sales, direct spending, spending by staff and spending of goods and services by Theatres in the local economy.

    Standards practice when making economic impact studies like these is to look at direct spend such as ticket sales and catering and also to examine the ripple effect of such spending so that suppliers of services such as restaurants and wine merchants benefit and use services services such as accountants and plumbers themselves.

    Meanwhile the year has got off to a flying start at Worthing Theatres with three national tours  getting the highest ticket sales in Worthing. David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny is now virtually sold out more than a month before the performances and tickets are going fast for all childrens’ theatre shows particularly for  Captain Flynn and the Pirate Dinosaurs. In addition contemporary dance piece Atomos by Wayne Mcgregor played to a near full house. The result of these successful sales is that Worthing Theatres are increasingly being seen as a definite on the touring schedules of top companies.

    In addition tickets for top-flight comedians and comedy shows, including Milton Jones, Reginald D Hunter, Joe Lycett, Ant Middleton have sold out and Mother's Ruin, a comedy cabaret about gin has just a handful of tickets left.

    Takings for next Christmas’ panto are already at £70,000 following on the success of this year’s Snow White production for which CBeebies Richard David Cain is on the shortlist for best supporting male at the Great British Panto Awards.

    Worthing Borough Council’s Head of Culture, Amanda O’Reilly said; “I’m really pleased with the audience reaction to the shows this year we are building our reputation with the top touring companies and show producers, something that hasn’t always been the case.

    “The more diverse and excellent the offering the more people come and the more that helps our local economy as the Blue Sail report makes clear.”

  • 02 March 2018 11:54 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Use them or lose them – businesses urged to get savvy on Tax Reliefs

    With just a month to go before the end of the tax year (April 5), businesses across Sussex are being urged to avoid becoming one of the thousands missing out on tax relief designed to encourage innovation.

    Stuart Noakes, Partner and Head of Tax Services at Worthing and Gatwick based MHA Carpenter Box chartered accountants and tax advisers, says that small and medium sized companies are notoriously shy of claiming Research and Development tax relief – and in doing so are overlooking a possible 230% tax benefit.

    “Many SMEs simply don’t appreciate the scope of R&D tax relief, which provides an enhanced deduction against tax of 230%. It can even provide an actual cash refund in a loss making situation,” says Stuart.

    “Research and development broadly applies to work carried out to overcome a scientific or technical challenge – but many companies assume their activities wouldn’t qualify or fail to appreciate the full range of expenditure that falls within its scope, including staffing costs, consumables, power, fuel, water, software and sub-contracted work.”

    He also points out that R&D activity leading to a patent can in the right circumstances enable profits directly attributable to the innovation to be charged at a tax rate of just 10% under the Patent Box regime, whether this be a product or process or royalties.

    Says Stuart: “Likewise, there is a growing suite of special tax breaks for the creative sector - one of our region’s most important growth industries – so the message to all companies is to seek advice on possible tax incentives around process or product innovation and do it sooner rather than later.”

    www.carpenterbox.com


  • 02 March 2018 9:31 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Night to remember - midnight walk 2018

    Click here to sign up

    Saturday 30th June starting at 10:30pm


  • 01 March 2018 10:58 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Giant wheel coming to Worthing this Easter

    A giant observation wheel is set to roll into Worthing this Easter. 

    Visitors to the south coast will get the chance to go spinning high into the air as the temporary attraction is brought to the town’s Steyne Gardens.

    Standing at 35 metres high, the wheel is one of the tallest transportable attractions of it’s type currently available in the UK - giving those boarding the chance to see up to ten miles in the distance.

    The 144-capacity attraction is set to operate from late March to mid April, which includes the Easter holidays.

    As well as bringing many tourists into the town, the attraction is expected to generate revenue for local businesses as well as rental income for Worthing Borough Council.

    Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “I’m delighted to welcome this exciting temporary attraction to town.

    “Observation wheels are a proven popular attraction for people of all ages. It will become an instant landmark for everyone in the town, as well as giving people the chance to see Worthing from an entirely new perspective.

    “I’m confident it will be a big success and yet another reason why people should come and discover Worthing.”

    The 24-pod wheel, which is silent when it spins, will operate between 10am and 10pm, seven days a week.

    It will be run by the Giant Wheel Company, who are based in Manchester and have a track-record of bringing similar attractions to cities across the UK 

    Within the agreement, the company will construct the attraction using a 105-foot truck-mounted crane. It takes two days to build the wheel and one day to dismantle.

    No planning permission or licensing approval will be required as the wheel will be in place for less than 28 days.

    Journeys will take approximately ten minutes and a standard ticket will cost £5 with concessions for children and OAPs.

    Other locations, such as the seafront and Beach House Grounds, were considered. But the excellent links and accessibility of Steyne Gardens made it the preferred location.

    Councillor Diane Guest, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “I believe this is an excellent use of our town centre open space.

    “Some people may be concerned at the potential impact the wheel could have on the park. But Steyne Gardens has a track record of hosting events and pop-up attractions, such as the ice rink, festivals and concerts.

    “The operators have assured us that by using tracker boards, they can prevent any damage to the grass in this high-profile location.”

    Partners such as the Worthing Town Centre Initiative, Worthing Hospitality Association and hoteliers at the Chatsworth and Ardington have been informed. Letters are also being sent to local residents. 

    Sharon Clarke, of the Worthing Town Centre Initiative, said: “We are pleased to see a Giant Observation Wheel coming to Worthing.  Having a new attraction over the Easter period will bring people into town which we know will also increase footfall for the town’s businesses. It’s great to see Worthing rising to new heights.”

  • 27 February 2018 12:15 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Acas Working for everyone - Workplace news

    'Beast from the east' - travel disruption: from time to time, travel disruption can affect an employees ability to get to work on time, or in some cases at all. For situations from public transport cancellations to severe weather, employers and employees should consider how this could impact on the workforce. Employees are not automatically entitled to...read more.

    Managing absence.

    Employees refusal to work: the Court of Appeal has held that an employer was entitled to dismiss an employee for refusing to work, even though it was the employer's actions that had prevented them from resuming their full role. Refusal to work was a breach of contract, amounting to misconduct. It said ‘it is not the law that an employee who is the...read more

    Dismissing employees.

     The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2018: the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2018 have been laid before parliament. They provide for the annual increase to the minimum wage and national living wage with effect from 1 April 2018. Amongst others, the latest changes can be viewed here...read more.

    National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.

    https://obs.acas.org.uk/subscription/

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