Loans of up to £500,000 are now available to help companies grow and increase profits, leading to new job prospects. During 2016 we anticipate supporting a number of businesses across the region to expand rapidly.
 
The Scheme supports companies requiring finance to implement expansion activities, including marketing and sales team development, operational scaling up and product enhancement.

It is suited to projects where access to finance from conventional sources is not readily available or cannot be raised to the full extent needed.

Ambitious companies that have robust growth plans but cannot satisfy commercial lenders criteria are ideal candidates. 

Assessment is forward looking and focuses on plans, forecasts and assumptions rather than historic trading.
 
If you have clients whose plans are being thwarted by lack of funding we are keen to explore if we can help.

For more information about the Coast to Capital Expansion Loan Scheme please visit: http://www.thefsegroup.com/fund/coast-to-capital-expansion-loan-scheme/ or email c2cfunding@thefsegroup.com

Adur District Council sets out plans to regenerate Civic Centre site

A new high quality office building and demolition of the former Council office feature in phase 1 of plans to redevelop the Adur Civic Centre site on Ham Road, Shoreham.

In a report approved by Executive Members at last night’s Joint Strategic Committee, Adur District Council has set out ambitions to deliver new office space, plus new homes in later phases to help meet the local area's housing needs.

An early demolition of the Council’s former office building will also deliver significant savings, eliminating the costs of maintenance and security at the currently deteriorating building.

The site has recently been used as temporary office space for local businesses, and it was announced this week that the former staff car park will open for public use. This will remain in use until development on the new business space begins on site.

Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, Leader of Adur District Council, Cllr Neil Parkin, commented:

“Adur currently has a lack of high quality business space, therefore it’s important that we take a proactive stance to improve this - in order to retain existing businesses and generate new investment. For the future of our District, this is a key opportunity to regenerate an existing vacant site to support our employment needs and offer new homes.”

Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Brian Boggis, added:

“The vacant Adur Civic Centre provides the Council with a fantastic opportunity to deliver new and much needed business premises, jobs and homes. It’s great for Adur that we can make use of this redundant brownfield site to enhance our district’s economy. Going forward, it will be vital to see people getting involved with consultations throughout the planning process, to help shape the scheme into a fitting development for our community.”

The Trash Test Dummies are as full of laughs as their bins are full of surprises. Three dexterous dummies deliver a dump truck full of hilarity. These world class circus performers and their household wheelie bins take fun to new heights with riotous stunts and an astonishing display of balance, acrobatics, slapstick and juggling. The Trash Test Dummies are taking to the stage with their award-winning show, which comes to Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre on the 16-17 July as part of Worthing Theatres’ Summer of Circus. 

Performers Jamie Bretman, Jack Coleman, and Simon Wright are passionate about creating innovative circus and physical theatre work, that demonstrates jaw dropping skills to take audiences on a journey into their playful imagination, where they explore the infinite uses of everyday objects in the most profound and hilarious ways.

Their production is ideal for families of all ages, with slapstick comedy for kids and slightly more mature humour for adults that will go over children’s heads like the wheelie bins themselves.

There is no dialogue in the production, as the show is focused heavily on the acrobatic feats of the physical performance, also making this the ideal show for those who are more visually stimulated or hearing impaired.

The Australian based company comes to Worthing as part of a bespoke tour, where afterwards it travels to the London Southbank Centre and then to the Edinburgh Fringe. For three years running Trash Test Dummies have won accolades at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, including awards for Highly Commended Circus and Physical Theatre and Best Children’s Presentation. They were also nominated for the Best Circus Award in the Fringe World festival in 2015.

“Three men took to the stage with their wheelie bins, what happened next blew our minds.”

★★★★★ The Funny Tonne

Click here to take a look at exclusive member discounts at Worthing Theatre

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Trash Test Dummies 

Date: 2pm, Saturday 16 July & Sunday 17 July 2016

Time: 8:00pm

Price: £14.50, Family £48

Venue: Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3PX

Box office: 01903 206 206 or online at www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

EU Referendum Rules triggering a 2nd EU Referendum Petition

The Petitions Committee has decided to schedule a House of Commons debate on the recent EU referendum petition. The debate will take place on 5 September at 4.30pm in Westminster Hall, the second debating chamber of the House of Commons. The debate will be opened by Ian Blackford MP.

The Committee has decided that the huge number of people signing this petition means that it should be debated by MPs. The Petitions Committee would like to make clear that, in scheduling this debate, they are not supporting the call for a second referendum. The debate will allow MPs to put forward a range of views on behalf of their constituents. At the end of the debate, a Government Minister will respond to the points raised.

A debate in Westminster Hall does not have the power to change the law, and won’t end with the House of Commons deciding whether or not to have a second referendum. Moreover, the petition – which was opened on 25 May, well before the referendum – calls for the referendum rules to be changed. It is now too late for the rules to be changed retrospectively. It will be up to the Government to decide whether it wants to start the process of agreeing a new law for a second referendum.

The Petitions Committee is a cross-party group of MPs. It is independent from Government. You can find out more about the Committee on its website: http://www.parliament.uk/petitions-committee/role

The award winning Highdown Gardens in Worthing, received more good news this week.  Their apprentice, Sam Dexter (21, Worthing), has won the coveted Plumpton College Top Horticulture Apprentice of the Year award.

This news comes in the same week that Highdown Gardens won, for the second year running, a TripAdvisor certificate for Excellence. More details here.

Jo Hooper, Highdown Gardens Manager and Head Gardener adds “Sam is studying towards a Level 2 Work Based Diploma in Horticulture at Plumpton College.  We are extremely proud of Sam who has put  an enormous amount of work into his studies and contributed greatly towards the upkeep of Highdown Gardens.  Sam started with us in February 2015 and is due to complete his apprenticeship in May next year.  He has a very bright future in horticulture ahead of him and the award is very well deserved.”

Sam Dexter says “I have enjoyed my experience here at Highdown Gardens and have learnt a great deal, from identifying plants to general maintenance tasks. Plumpton College has offered me the chance to enhance my practical knowledge with theory and research. I feel the apprenticeship has given me a good basis to progress through the industry. I would recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone who is interested in following a career in horticulture and I’d like to thank the Council for the opportunity.”

Councillor Clive Roberts, Worthing Borough Council Executive Member for Environment adds “Many congratulations to Sam.  He is an important part of this award winning Garden and a shining example of the many young people in Worthing who benefit from Apprenticeships.  Jo and her team have done a great job of sharing their wide breadth of knowledge with Sam, and in turn have helped this talented horticulturist maintain the high standards Highdown already enjoys, for a long time to come.”

Highdown will be recruiting for a new horticultural apprentice early next year, please keep an eye on the apprenticeship website www.apprenticeships.org.uk for details.

Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence awarded to Highdown Gardens for the second year running!

One of Worthing’s most popular green spaces - Highdown Gardens - has been awarded a ertificate Of Excellence from renowned website Trip Advisor for the second year running, after continually gathering top reviews from visitors.

Nestled amongst the idyllic South Downs, Highdown Gardens is one of West Sussex’s most highly regarded green spaces.  Spread over 8.52 acres of land, the gardens offer wide open spaces for a range of activities which can be enjoyed by all. It’s a highly recommended place to visit particularly in spring or early summer, when the mix of wildflowers and landscaped garden offer a succession of colour and variety.  

Councillor Clive Roberts, Executive Member for the Environment at Worthing Borough Council, says:“Highdown Gardens continues to provide an exceptional sensory experience  and this award recognises the consistently high levels of attention and creativity the team deliver, all year round.  The Garden offers a delightful experience for all visitors and continues to be reviewed on Tripadvisor as a first class horticultural destination and one of Worthings most beautiful spots.”

Highdown provides a unique and stunning blend of lush gardens and relaxing water features, set in a   tranquil environment.  Free to enjoy, the Gardens can be found at the top of Highdown Hill, accessed from the eastbound portion of the Littlehampton Road.  More information about the Garden and all that it offers can be found online: http://www.highdowngardens.co.uk/  

Adur District Council opens new 135 bay car park in Shoreham-by-Sea

From Friday 15th July visitors and residents in Shoreham will now have a new 135 bay parking space when visiting this popular seaside town.

Shoreham by Sea is one of our smallest but most popular towns on the coast (as featured in ES Magazine Fri 8th July).  It provides a popular shopping and dining destination for residents and visitors alike but as urgently result requires more parking spaces as its popularity grows.

Adur District Council has taken the step to make a former 135 bay Council staff car park available to the public at its former Civic Centre, in Ham Road - Map.

The Ham Road Car Park will operate as pay and display on an hourly / daily basis, with the further opportunity to purchase season tickets.  Prices start from just 25p.  Full list below.

Councillor Neil Parkins, Leader of Adur District Council adds “Shoreham is a very popular town, with a wide range of bespoke and independent shops, a vibrant arts scene and popular weekly markets.  It is also enjoys many charming but narrow streets and parking has become an issue.  The new Ham Road Car Park will further improve on road parking and offer residents and visitors alike a more pleasant experience when visiting the town.”

Post referendum the world has changed. The UK sits amidst a political vacuum and an economic maelstrom - but where does that leave business and business planning and investment? 

The environment for manufacturers and engineers is particularly complex. The drop in the value of the pound should make the price of our products more attractive in world markets – a point made recently by the Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England.  However, the increase in the cost of raw materials and in time, energy may cancel that advantage out. Throw in interest rates, funding concerns, possible tariffs on Brexit and worsening skilled labour shortages (if free movement disappears) and where does that take things?

Cue the 5^th annual MHA Manufacturing and Engineering Survey, which has just been launched by South Coast and Gatwick-based Carpenter Box – the sector specialists from the accountancy and tax world.  The survey, which is sponsored by Lloyds Bank, has become the go-to report used by many in the industry, parliament and beyond to gain an insight into the opportunities and challenges the sector faces, with a particular focus on SME businesses. 

Once the data has been analysed, contributors will receive a comprehensive report with commentary, case studies and analysis on the state of the M&E Nation from Professor Rajkumar Roy, Director of Manufacturing at the University of Cranfield and Philippa Oldham, Head of Manufacturing and Transport at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Ex engineer Chris Coopey, the Partner who heads Carpenter Box’s Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Group commented:

“Over the past five years the survey has gone from strength to strength. This year, more than any other, the data we collect should help us to signpost the real issues around BREXIT for the sector as well as the opportunities. Our job is then to use the findings to do everything we can to help the sector grow in the face of what are very interesting times”.

Contributors to the survey will also receive an invite to a follow up event where the findings will be discussed and good practice shared.

Businesses interested in completing the survey before the closing date of Friday 5^th August and receiving a copy of the final report can find it at www.carpenterbox.com/me-survey  

Following months of negotiation, Adur District Council and the community of Fishersgate are pleased to announce that a resolution has been reached with the trustees of Fishersgate Community Association regarding the future of the Fishersgate Community Centre.

Further work is needed around some of the legal and financial detail. The intention is that the lease of Fishersgate Community Centre will be held by the District Council temporarily, to enable the Council to work with the local community and partners to develop plans for a new future for the Centre, at the heart of Fishersgate.

Over the coming months, the District Council will support the Fishersgate community in reopening the centre on a limited basis for the benefit of the community, with a full relaunch under a new charitable community association anticipated early in 2017.

Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, comments:

“I am very pleased to see a positive outcome for Fishersgate following months of uncertainty. Council Members, Officers, lawyers and the community have worked tirelessly to reach this point, and I am sure that the Centre will once again become a hub for all in Fishersgate to enjoy.”

Within the next few months, the Council will facilitate a public meeting to set out the plans to get the Centre up and running again, and will be forming an interim management committee to oversee the process.

By the end of the summer, it is hoped that the cafe and playground will be open, and that the committee will be inviting local residents to become part of the wider organisation which will run the Centre in the future.

As the autumn draws on, the interim management committee will start shaping the plans for the future of the Centre, developing the policies and procedures and establishing the new legal entity needed to guarantee a safe, enjoyable and transparently well-run community hub in the heart of Fishersgate.

More information on the plans to reopen the Fishersgate Community Centre will be shared as soon as they are available. In the meantime, anyone interested in knowing more about the future of the Centre, or wishing to express an interest in being part of its return to use, should contact Lee Billingham through the Communities Team on 01273 263311 or by email: communities@adur-worthing.gov.uk.