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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 


  • 31 August 2017 4:46 PM | Deleted user
    Do You Really Need An Excuse For A Party With Deals Like These?

    Find Out More

    Room Hire offer is not available to existing bookings. Room Hire is dependent upon availability. Other Terms & Conditions apply.


  • 31 August 2017 4:40 PM | Deleted user
    September at Colonnade House

    David Rees Davies

    FOUR PAINTERS: 29 August - 10 September

    Open Tuesdays - Sundays 10 - 5

    Don't miss the opportunity to spend some time delighting in the exuberant skills of four painters who are linked by friendship, but very varied in style. They are exhibiting their work in both galleries for the first two weeks of September. 

    David Rees Davies :  exhibiting little celebrations of life and nature at humble notebook scale - a new departure in his work

    Walter Wall : creating stunning drama by transforming basic ingredients into visual exhilaration

    David Hayward : exploring margins in landscapes through an abstract process of layering, erosion and excavation in paint and encaustic

    Ian Cairnie : celebrating the appearance, texture and colour of ordinary things through painterly realism

     

    FIND OUT MORE

    Welcome to Paradise

    15 - 23 September 

    Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5

    Painting, collage, prints and more from local artists Ellie Bond and Anna’s Drawing Room. If you haven't been on a tropical holiday lately, come to Colonnade House and bask in the rich colours, vibrant bird life and lush vegetation  - you'll be inspired to take some home.

    You are welcome to attend the Private View - 6pm Thursday 14th September

    READ MORE

    Jac Lancaster Fairbairn / Josephine Jones

    12 - 16 September and 19 - 23 September

    Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5

    Two painters follow one after the other in our Studio Gallery. Jac's exhibition 'Secret Gardens' focuses on nature and well-being - with some secret elements hidden within her paintings.  In the second week local artist Josephine Jones will be showing new work on the theme 'Coastline' - view her work here

    READ MORE

    Crafts Council

    Craft Fairs Explained: Trade, retail, art and design fairs: How do I grow my creative business?

    Tuesday 12th September 1.30 - 5

    There is still time to book for this Crafts Council Talent event which will be of interest to anyone building their craft business. 

    Don't forget to use the discount code CHW17 to get the lower price of £25 instead of £40.               

    READ MORE

    Funding Surgery

    18 September 12.30- 4.00

    Another opportunity for a FREE half hour session to help you to find funding for projects or business development, whatever stage you are at.

    Follow the link to book your place with Andy Willems from Adur & Worthing Councils.

    BOOK HERE


  • 31 August 2017 4:20 PM | Deleted user

    MHA Carpenter Box Shortlisted in Prestigious British Accountancy Awards

    Sussex-based chartered accountants, tax and business advisers, MHA Carpenter Box, have been named as a finalist in the Mid-Tier Firm of the Year category of the British Accountancy Awards.

    MHA Carpenter Box Practice Director, Chris Coopey, is understandably thrilled with the news, commenting: “We are extremely proud  to have been shortlisted for this national award, which recognises the dedication of our staff in providing the best business and tax advice, tuned to the needs of each and every client.”

    The British Accountancy Awards are one of the most prestigious accolades in the accountancy industry, highlighting companies and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the profession over the last year. The Mid-Tier Firm of the Year prize is awarded to the firm that delivers a significant value-adding service across all service areas, enabling clients to achieve their business goals.

    MHA Carpenter Box, which operates from offices in Worthing and Gatwick and now has a headcount of over 150, has to wait until 13 October to find out the results, which will be presented at a glittering awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.

  • 30 August 2017 11:18 AM | Deleted user

    Patisserie Valerie signs 15 year deal to open in Worthing

    Patisserie Valerie has been confirmed as the first letting to sign up to Worthing town centre’s new restaurant quarter.

    NewRiver secured planning permission to convert several retail units in the Montague Centre into eateries in June, 2016.

    The firm, which renamed the centre the ‘Montague Quarter’, today confirmed Patisserie Valerie had signed a 15-year lease to move in.

    Stuart Mitchell, director at NewRiver, said: “We are thrilled to have Patisserie Valerie signed up for The Montague Quarter which we expect will be well-received by the local community for its high-quality upmarket food and drinks offer.

    “Our investment to redevelop and refurbishment the centre will transform the centre and create a much-needed retail and leisure offer.”

    The café will be moving into a new 1,850sq ft kiosk unit, with work due to commence next summer.

    The kiosk courted controversy at the time of the planning application, as it meant existing sycamore trees would be felled – and semi-mature specimens replace them.

    NewRiver said more national and regional restaurant operators were ‘under offer’ and expected to follow Patisserie Valerie.

    Numerous big-name eateries have been linked with the centre, with Nando’s confirming in May it planned to open in Worthing at the end of the year.

    But NewRiver had not confirmed any names had signed until today’s announcement.

    Mr Mitchell said: “Our strategy for the centre is similar to what we did in Leamington Spa where we transformed a former thoroughfare into an attractive and thriving retail and leisure destination for the town and we look forward to doing the same in Worthing.

    “The recent refurbishment works have already reinvigorated the centre, making it smarter and better suited to the discernible town. We are under offer to national and regional restaurant operators are delighted to welcome the rapidly expanding Patisserie Valerie as the first pre-let.”

    New branded banners will be going up at the centre this week to coincide with the completion of refurbishment works, showcasing the centre’s new aubergine and antique bronze branding.

    Read more at: http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/patisserie-valerie-signs-15-year-deal-to-open-in-worthing-1-8117274

    Photo: Artist's impressions of plans for the Montague Centre SUS-160524-095405001

  • 30 August 2017 9:44 AM | Deleted user

    Sustainable Business Network - August Update



    Welcome to August's Network Update. This month: Utilise Plus; Travel Plans; New team member; Gym membership promotion; and more!


    Utilise Plus

    We're excited to announce the launch of Utilise Plus, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This new programme offers energy efficiency grants, events, workshops, and energy audits, to SMEs in the Coast-to-Capital Local Enterprise Partnership region.

    To find out more, including eligibility criteria and application details, visit our website.

    Event Report: Summer Networking Drinks

    On 27 July, we welcomed delegates to Koru Architects' Zero-Carbon Home for an evening of drinks (kindly provided by Hepworth Brewery!), canapés and networking. Mark Pellant, Director of Koru, treated us to a tour of the house. His philosophy when designing it was to make it “low in energy, very sustainable and very healthy".

    Issi Rousseva, an Architect at Koru, commented that "it was great to meet interesting people all having a positive impact on the environment in very different ways." Read the full event report here.


    Welcome to our new Team Member

    Jack Dale has joined the SBP as a Project Officer for the Utilise Plus programme. He also supports the day-to-day delivery of various projects at the SBP, including the Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme. He has previously worked at Demos, a London-based think-tank, and is interested in technology and green politics.


    WARPing Waste

    The Waste Action Reuse Portal - known as Warp It - was launched in 2013 to promote cutting back on waste; you simply add an item and then wait for somebody else to claim it. Large organisations can share their unwanted items internally, just as the University of Sussex has done, to allow items to be shared between departments and given a new lease of life. Find out more here.
     

     

    Members Spotlight 

    This month, the spotlight is on EcoGym. With a variety of sustainability measures, their members not only improve their own health but also the health of the planet. By using SportsArt Eco Powered Cardio Equipment, they feed 74% of the energy produced from work-outs back into the grid too!

    EcoGym operates in both Lancing and Brighton. They have kindly offered Sustainable Business Network members 20% off monthly memberships. Simply follow their online sign-up process and enter the promotional code: SBN



    Business Travel Plans

    Brighton & Hove City Council is currently working with employers throughout the city to help them develop Travel Plans. This includes offering match funding for measures which encourage sustainable travel, such as cycle parking.

    Daniel Bianco, Transport Planner at the Council, says these plans are "integral to improving the health and well-being of employees, as well as improving air quality." Visit their website to find out more.

     

    Faraday Challenge sees £30 million invested in Innovation Projects

    Innovate UK has launched the Faraday Challenge, part of the Government's Faraday Challenge Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

    Projects should focus on technical or commercial challenges faced in battery innovation, development and manufacturing, with the end goal of creating an electric vehicle battery supply chain in the UK. All projects must be collaborative and involve at least one SME.

    For full eligibility criteria and application details, visit the Government's website. Visit the R&D Funding Group's website for further support and advice. Applications close on 14 September 2017.

     


    In short...

    Nominations open for Groundwork Community Awards -  Read more
    Honouring small groups making a big difference in their local area.

    Eden Project lifts the lid on global environmental issues - Read more
    New projects launched in China, Australia and New Zealand.

    Grant-writing advice and support - Read more
    Caz O'Kane helps charities, social enterprises, start-ups, and more.

     


  • 30 August 2017 9:15 AM | Deleted user
    Worldwide Opportunity Knocks Daily for UK Companies

    Think Globally & Capitalise on the Market Potential for British Businesses Abroad!

    By Joshua Madden, Coast to Capital LEP

    Have you considered exporting? It’s not just for conglomerates or manufacturers, in fact there is a strong appetite for British goods and services all over the world regardless of sector. Companies the world over are eager to buy from Britain because of its reputation for high quality, reliability, and value.

    Why should you export?

    The Department for International Trade (DIT) research shows that businesses that export are in a more stable and sustainable position being 11% more likely to stay in business1, and tend to benefit from a 30% increase in productivity2 within their first year of exporting. Conducting business overseas also gives you and your business a broader perspective, encourages innovation, and spreads the risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates and demand across different markets. This is especially true in the case of British firms, for whom demand in markets around the world remains very strong.

    How can you reach these markets?

    Support is available through many different organisations, including those organising trade visits around the world, such as DIT, UK-ASEAN Business Council, Enterprise Nation, and the British Chambers of Commerce.  Comprehensive support is available from DIT who have worked alongside Coast to Capital to allocate £2m for the recently launched Export ASEAN project3, established to provide businesses with the expertise and support to export to countries in Asia Pacific (though the support is also available for exporters to other global locations). DIT provides twelve hours of free advice to help you develop your export strategy, and provides financial support which helps fund businesses to present at exhibitions at over 250 locations worldwide.

    If you are looking to grow your brand internationally and show the world that you are open for business, now is the time to start! Doing business abroad is far more than shipping goods, it also includes software development, consulting, food and drink, and all other sectors of business. In fact, if you are selling or have sold to a client on the European mainland, you already are exporting! 

    So why not call the Growth Hub on 0800 977 4146 and let us help you on your way to giving your product a global audience.

    About us: Coast to Capital’s Growth Hub provides a free and impartial service that supports all stages and sizes of business with information, advice and guidance necessary to help grow your business.

    To find out more visit www.c2cbusiness.org.uk

    Or email info@business-navigator.org.uk.

    *1-2Data taken from Department for International Trade (DIT) material

    *3 Data taken from:

    http://www.c2cbusiness.org.uk/storage/downloads/1499434829_erdf_project_flyer_-_asean.pdf

  • 23 August 2017 9:26 AM | Deleted user

    Council Leaders Hit Out At Five Month A27 Closure Plan

    Highways England was today accused of treating Adur and Worthing with contempt after news emerged that it is to shut the A27 overnight from 8pm for FIVE months.

    Leader of Worthing Borough Council Cllr Dan Humphreys and Leader of Adur District Council, Cllr Neil Parkin say they are furious at the plan to divert traffic away from the road onto already busy routes such as the A259 coast road and the A283 across the Downs.

    “I am flabbergasted by this plan,” said Cllr Humphreys, “Coming so soon after Highways England’s lamentable proposals for upgrading the road it seems to me that the agency has no real understanding of Worthing and the transport pressure we are under. It appears to me we are being treated with contempt.”

    Cllr Parkin added;” This makes a mockery of claims Highways England is serious about plans to upgrade our stretch of this road. Why on earth would they do this now if they really thought they were going to be starting major works on it in 2020?”

    Highways England says it wants to close the road from the Grove Lodge roundabout and the Adur viaduct from 8pm to 6am from October 2 to replace street lighting across the stretch.

    Both Cllr Humphreys and Cllr Parkin have forcefully condemned the ‘sham’ consultation that Highways England is holding over the summer in relation to improvements to the A27. Cllr Humphreys pointed out that Highways England had already ruled out fixing potholes in the road at Grove Lodge on the basis that no new money was to be spent on the route until that date.

    “They can’t have it both ways,” he said, “If they won’t repair the potholes how can they justify closing this whole stretch for this length of time?

    “If you know the area you know there are still plenty of people using the road at 8pm to get to work, to run businesses, make family visits and to attend leisure events.

    “To force them onto already busy minor routes risks creating havoc. Highways England has to think again about this. Our economy could be damaged by this but I doubt they have thought about that.”

    Highways England says the traffic will be diverted using the A24, the A259 coast road, the A283 through Steyning and Washington and through Lancing via the A2025 to the coast road.

    This is the second time in as many weeks that Highway England has angered the leaders.

    Last week they called for the consultation on the £69m upgrade to be halted.

    Modest improvements to six junctions between Durrington Hill and the Lancing Manor roundabout are proposed which would cut three minutes from journey times and, according to Highways England’s own scoring system would deliver “no significant benefit.”

    In its consultation document the agency alludes to more expensive and radical solutions such as underpasses and flyovers but dismisses them as “too expensive” without further explanation.

    Cllr Humphreys said at the time:” The more I listened to officials explaining the scheme at the launch of the consultation the more angry I became.

    “Highways England do not seem to be taking us seriously. Our questions were met with an ‘experts know best’ response while there was no explanation about why other options hadn’t been explored,” said.

    “The current consultation should be halted and a proper one, involving other options and explanations started afresh. The agency must have those plans and calculations so let’s see them.”

    Cllr Parkin added: “All I know is the current scheme on the table is barely worth the disruption and certainly not worth spending £69m on.”

    The leaders says they will now seek urgent clarification from the agency over the closure proposal.

  • 22 August 2017 9:09 AM | Deleted user

    Multi-platinum selling singer and Olivier award-winning actress Barbara Dickson to perform intimate acoustic gig with Nick Holland in Worthing

    In a special acoustic performance Barbara Dickson and her pianist Nick Holland will explore her catalogue of songs at an intimate level at the Pavilion Theatre on Friday 6th October. The pair let the words and melodies take ‘centre stage’ as they perform a range of material drawing on Barbara’s folk roots, contemporary greats, and some of her classic hits.
     
    Emerging from the Scottish folk scene of the late 1960’s Barbara had enjoyed mainstream chart success with hits including ‘Answer Me’, ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, ‘Caravan’ and the million-selling number one single, ‘I Know Him So Well’.  As Scotland’s best-selling female album artist she has earned 6 platinum, 11 gold and 7 silver albums and cemented her status as one of the UK’s best-loved performers.
     
    Her stage career has included the roles of the original Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell’s long-running musical, ‘Blood Brothers’ and as Viv Nicholson in ‘Spend Spend Spend,’ both of which have won her an Olivier award for ‘Best Actress’. Barbara was awarded an O.B.E. by Her Majesty the Queen in the 2002 New Year’s Honours for her services to music and drama and she continues to record and to play to sold-out audiences.
     
    Nick Holland joined Barbara’s touring band in the mid 2000’s playing keyboards and adding vocals on her ‘Full Circle’ album, the first to feature the style of music she now performs. Barbara and Nick recently started working as a ‘duo’ where she plays guitar and piano, and Nick on keyboards – adding harmonies to Barbara’s own distinct vocals. They have performed this way in numerous venues including cathedrals, festivals and theatres and have developed an intimate rapport with each other and their audiences. Barbara Dickson says “It’s a different experience to working with the bigger band, but just as enjoyable and gives the music breathing space.
     
    Tickets cost £19.50 each and are available from the Worthing Theatres box office on 01903 206 206 and online at worthingtheatres.co.uk.

  • 15 August 2017 3:35 PM | Deleted user

    A27 CONSULTATION IS SHAM SAY LEADERS OF ADUR AND WORTHING COUNCILS

    The leaders of Adur and Worthing councils today issue a joint response to proposals to improve the A27 damning the consultation as a “sham” which should be halted.

    Highways England has given a deadline of September 12 for views on its £69m proposal for the road through Worthing and Lancing with just one option on the table.

    Modest improvements to six junctions between Durrington Hill and the Lancing Manor roundabout are proposed which would cut three minutes from journey times and, according to Highways England’s own scoring system would deliver “no significant benefit.”

    In its consultation document the agency alludes to more expensive and radical solutions such as underpasses and flyovers but dismisses them as “too expensive” without further explanation.

    Now leader of Adur District Council, Cllr Neil Parkin and leader of Worthing Borough Council, Cllr Dan Humphreys have joined forces to demand better for local residents.

    “Highways England say they want to consult with us but we say this is a sham,” said Cllr Parkin, “By not allowing the public to weigh up options and see full costings how are we to make any kind of decision.

    “All I do know is the current scheme on the table is barely worth the disruption and certainly not worth spending £69m on.”

    Cllr Parkin had earlier described the scheme on the table as the equivalent of “rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic” and said the government, which was insisting on more house building in the south, should do more to help transport infrastructure.

    Cllr Humphreys added:” The more I listened to officials explaining the scheme at the launch of the consultation the more angry I became.

    “Highways England do not seem to be taking us seriously. Our questions were met with an ‘experts know best’ response while there was no explanation about why other options hadn’t been explored,” said.

    “The current consultation should be halted and a proper one, involving other options and explanations started afresh. The agency must have those plans and calculations so let’s seem them.”

    The Councils are to officially submit a response by the deadline but both leaders say they did not want the summer to pass without a campaign for force a rethink.

    Both insist it is not for the Councils to submit plans but for Highways England to give local residents, businesses and politicians real choice and real consultation.

    Consultation ends on September 12 with two years of construction expected to start in 2020 if the scheme is approved.

    For more information visit highways.gov.uk/a27Worthing-and-Lancing

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