Each year at Christmas time, our St Barnabas House Light Up a Life appeal provides our local community with the opportunity to come together to remember and reflect on the wonderful moments we have spent with our loved ones.

You are warmly invited to join us for one of our Light Up a Life services on Monday 14 December 2015 at 4.30pm or 7.30pm at Worthing Assembly Hall.  Everyon who joins us will receive a special votive candle to be lit at home in memory of a loved one and their dedication will be included in the Order of Service.

Robert Dowling, Head of the Construction & Real Estate sector at Gatwick and West Sussex-based chartered accountants, Carpenter Box, made the following observations on the recent Autumn Statement:

“The Chancellor announced that there will be 400,000 new subsidised homes by the end of 2020. £4bn will be made available over the next four years to be offered as grants for shared ownership properties, which will help workers in the South get onto the property ladder. However, acquiring a part-stake in an average property particularly in the South will still require a deposit to be put down which will continue to make a new home unaffordable for some people.

The Chancellor also stated that £2.3bn would be available to directly fund new starter homes, which will be offered at a 25% discount to first-time buyers under the age of 40. Private developers in the South who build the subsidised homes are expected to benefit, however, even with the discount, the new homes remain unaffordable for those on average wages across the region.

A further announcement from the Chancellor related to raising the Stamp Duty Land Tax for landlords and second-home owners; from April 2016 investors will have to pay a 3% Stamp Duty surcharge. With such high property prices in the South, this measure will have a noticeable impact as Stamp Duty will, for example, increase from £1,500 to £7,500 on a house valued at only £200,000! This is a further measure that follows on from the Spring Budget which is intended to prevent restricted housing stock being consolidated into the hands of landlords and second-home owners.

Finally, the Chancellor pledged £73bn for road and rail projects over the next six years to April 2021. Although this will result in an increase in the capital spend available on projects across the region, there will be a reduction in the cash available for day-to-day spending. However, it will mean that the construction of HS2 linking the North and the South can begin and the £5bn announced for roads maintenance is welcome news”.

Lunch Title:

Worthing Ladies Lunch Club

Lunch Date/Time:

Thursday 10th December 2015, from 12.00 PM – 2.00 PM

Lunch Venue/Location:

The Ardington Hotel, Worthing

The Worthing Ladies Lunch Club is a great way to raise your profile, get invaluable business advice and make new connections with other professionals from the local area. Come along for a relaxed two-course lunch followed by tea or coffee, surrounded by like-minded businesswomen. We have no membership fees, no long-term commitments – just good food and good company.

Link to book:

http://www.ladieslunchclubs.co.uk/?p=1121

Social media links:

Twitter:

@LadiesLunchx

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ladieslunchclubs/

Sparkle Spa celebrating National Small Business Day

Just thought we'd let you know, as you are no doubt aware, Saturday 5th December this year is National Small Business Day.

Well we have an event on in Portland Road to raise awareness of small Businesses. Portland Road will be closed all day, and a stage is being erected. There will be dance acts and bands performing from about 13:30 right through till the evening. There is a Scavenger hunt involving most of the businesses on Portland Road as well as activities for children.
 
Sparkle Spa have a special offer on that we would like to shout about:
On Dec. 5th only we are offering either a 10 minute facial/back neck and shoulder massage, or file and paint for just £5.00!!
If you then book the full treatment for another time, on the day, the £5.00 will be taken off the cost of that treatment.

For more details contact Leigh Jordan, Operations Director Tel 01903 367900
www.sparklespa.co.uk

Adur District Council have announced they are seeking a new approach to the future development of Shoreham’s Civic Centre, following the dissolution of the KSD SteelRock partnership.

Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council says:

“Of course we are disappointed that the original team who presented so well have been unable to work together.  However, this change in circumstances provides the Council with an opportunity to take a more direct approach in securing much needed employment space, alongside new homes, in Shoreham.  

“We are actively considering a range of options - which might include forming a joint venture - to drive delivery forward and ensure that this important site meets our aspirations for the future of the town.”

A joint venture would be a first for Adur District Council, however it could be the start of a new strategic approach to guide future developments. 

Further details will be announced in due course.

Getting Home Safely, Worthing South Street Square, Saturday 21st November 2015.  

Getting Home Safely is a major safety awareness event that will be staged at South Street Square in Worthing.

Getting Home Safely aims to encourage the public to plan for their evenings out, to get home safely and to make appropriate decisions about their own levels of drinking, especially as we approach the Christmas party season.

The afternoon has been organised by Chair of Late Night Partnerships, Councillor Diane Guest, in conjunction with the Adur & Worthing Alcohol Group.

​There will be a range of awareness raising activities during the course of the afternoon.  

Ranging from a demonstration of a car being cut up after a drink drive accident, to a remote control car obstacle course the public can try out whilst wearing ‘beer goggles.’

Also in attendance will be Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Council who adds“This important event is one of many awareness initiatives organised by Councillor Diane Guest and The Late Night Partnership.  We are very grateful for their continued hard work in helping to ensure everyone who enjoys Worthing at night is fully aware of their options in having a great night out and a safe journey home”

The public will also be able to meet key volunteers in the community, who work late at night in helping people get home.  Full list of participants below.  Subject to change.

Safer Partnership, Sussex Fire Service, Speed Watch, Alcohol Liaison Nurse, Worthing Street Pastors, Arrow Taxis, Water Angels, One Club and Neighbourhood Watch.

From 12 noon;

Councillor Lionel Harman, Councillor Tom Wye and Councillor Heather Mercer.

From 2.00pm;

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Council, Councillor Vino Vinojan and Councillor Keith Bickers.

Getting Home Safely marks the end of the National Alcohol Awareness Week who offer the following advice.

• Always plan your journey home, either by car, bus, taxi, train, cycling or walking.
• Be aware of your own vulnerability when drunk and how alcohol affects you.
• Stay with friends
• Nominate a driver to stay sober
• Pre book a taxi
• Don’t drive the next day
• Cyclists – light up to be seen at night

Enterprise First are pleased to have put together a FREE start-up pack for those in the Worthing area who are looking to start a business.

The pack contains key information including top tips for starting a business and local contacts, along with templates for compiling a business plan, personal survival budget, cash flow and profit & loss forecast.

To receive your copy please email to info@enterprisefirst.co.uk or call Enterprise First on 0800 652 6254

Allergy Therapeutics, the West Sussex-based specialty pharmaceutical company, is proposing to raise up to £12m through a placing of up to 41 million new shares.

The AIM-listed group said the proceeds will enable the board to "capitalise on the incremental organic and inorganic growth opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries".

The proceeds will be used to invest in new product development with a view to achieving a step change in the size of its total addressable markets, strengthen its balance sheet and accelerate growth.

Allergy Therapeutics increased its sales by 11 per cent in the financial year ended 30 June 2015 and said sales have continued to increase since the year-end, growing by 15 per cent in the first four months of the new financial year.

Chief executive Manuel Llobet said: "We have seen an increase of our revenue growth rate during the first four months of the year despite flat markets.

"We believe that this continuing increased demand for our products highlights the strong profile of our portfolio and, in particular, our short course aluminium free allergy vaccines driving double digit revenue growth in our European markets.

"In light of this continuing momentum in our business, we are seeking to raise up to £12m to accelerate execution of our growth strategy. The placing proceeds will help us develop a presence in related areas such as food and perennial allergies such as house dust mite which, ultimately, will enable us to achieve a step-change in the size of the group's total addressable market."

Panmure Gordon is acting as financial adviser, nominated adviser and corporate broker in respect of the placing.

HELLO HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

Creating a club that people want to join…….

In this age of Internet sales and online booking is there still a place for the personal touch?

We think so but you have to get it right,after all first impressions have a big and lasting impact on customers. So how does your receptionist come across in person and on the phone?

Arms crossed? scruffy ? impatient? Argumentative? Avoiding eye contact? Raised voice? Uninformative? Uncaring? We’ve all come across staff like that ,most of us don’t complain at the time,we just don’t go back and we tell our friends and family. You won’t  know how many customers you’ve  lost this way.

It takes a lot of work to build a good reputation but just seconds to lose it!

So how can you be sure that your staff are doing a good job of customer service?

Training and monitoring are essential of course and it’s often worth putting them on a customer service course. They need to know all the relevant aspects of the services you provide but be quite happy to tell customers when they aren’t sure of something. They should tell the customer that they will check and get back to them straight away or that the manager will call them when next in-giving a time and date. Customers don’t like to be kept waiting- it makes them feel unimportant and uncared for-so staff need to answer the phone and respond to messages within a few minutes ,and if someone comes in when they are on the phone say “hello I’ll be with you in a minute”

It may sound strange but I always thank people when they complain- it gives us an opportunity to put things right and or explain. We like to be compassionate –say to  yourself “ I wonder what’s going on for them-they might be in pain, depressed, have a sick partner at home “ their manner might be nothing to do with you or our service but you can send them away happier with the right approach.

You won’t get that from a machine!

Karen Simporis – Henry House Hydrotherapy
Vice President Worthing & Adur Chamber

Adur & Worthing Councils Empty Homes department announce significant reduction of empty properties.

Adur & Worthing Councils annual report to Central Government reveals that 67 properties across the area are no longer empty and are in use.

Official returns show that only 98 dwellings in Adur and 334 in Worthing are now registered as empty (for more than six months).  The occupation of 67 properties across the year is a great achievement.  

This marks a 34% reduction in the number of empty properties across the Councils since 2008. Making up 0.59% of the private housing stock, as compared to 0.88% nationally.

All Councils are required to submit a report indicating the number of residential dwellings that are registered with Council Tax as being empty for longer than 6 months.  Any net reduction in this figure can attract a New Homes Bonus from central government of £1300 per property - per year - for 5 years.

Bruce Reynolds, Private Sector Housing Team Leader adds “This is a fantastic result. Aside from the New Homes Bonus of £87,100 per year , these figures prove that we are tackling the constant challenge for sufficient housing in the district.  

Our Empty Property Officer Helen Stevens, has been working really hard with local property owners to ensure that residences are brought back into use as quickly as possible.  Through a successful combination of advice, assistance and when necessary, enforcement.  This also includes a Council funded toolkit of further options including grants, interest free loans, enforced sales and even demolition of derelict properties to open up land for development.”

Councillor Dr Heather Mercer, Executive Member for Customer Service at Worthing Borough Council says; “Our Private Sector Housing team have submitted very impressive results in this report.  As with the rest of the UK, Worthing residents are in need of suitable and affordable housing stock.  These figures show we have been successful in fulfilling our commitment to reclaiming empty properties, along with encouraging good practise and engagement with our local landlords. “

Councillor Jim Funnell, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Customer Services adds “This report not only illustrates our success in turning empty properties into useful residencies but has proved to be a welcome source of income, thanks to the Government’s New Homes Bonus scheme."