Know what you need to know; before you start your business

• ·         Are you thinking of starting a business and already have an idea?
• ·         Have you just started a business?
• ·         Are you in your first 12 months of trading?

If so this could be just what you need to help you along the way……

Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce are launching a new programme of workshops which will be a fast paced guide through the skills and knowledge that anyone new to running their own business needs to be aware of. From understanding the common character traits of successful entrepreneurs through to the mechanics of marketing, the cut and thrust of sales and the conquering of the numbers, this course will not supply all the answers but it will make you ask the right questions.

These sessions are sponsored by The Let’s Do Business Group who are one of the delivery partners of the Governments Start-Up funding scheme to help newly trading businesses access funds to get them started where the high street banks have declined.

Following on from this programme membership to Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce will offer further support and practical help on the journey through self-employment along with a discounted package of support via the popular Wiseup2 workshops on many specific business related subjects.

So if you need to know what you don’t know about how to start a business including:-

• Ø  Finance
• Ø  Marketing
• Ø  Selling
• Ø  The legal bits

Don’t delay, email Worthing and Adur Chamber info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk  to secure YOUR place. The first 3 hour course will be on Tuesday 17^th November. The cost per delegate is just £25.00 payable in advance. 

It’s always good to hear of a local entrepreneur who decides to build a successful business in Worthing. This is exactly what Lauren Roffey, owner of coffee and cake shop – Baked, has done.

Brought up around Worthing, and a student of Worthing High School and Worthing College, Lauren graduated from the University of Sussex with a master’s degree in geography. Lauren then went to Norwich to study at the University of East Anglia for her PhD in Environmental and Social Sciences.

While Lauren is the first to admit that her time at university taught her a lot, it also taught her that a dichotomy exists between the interests of Big Business and those of society. So Lauren set out to show that it is possible to create a sustainable business built around quality and fairness. Out of this Baked was born, opening in August 2014.

Lauren set up Baked as a social enterprise. She quickly corrects a common misconception: “A social enterprise is not a charity; it’s a financially sustainable and profitable business that serves a social and community purpose.”

So how does Baked tick these social boxes? Lauren explains: “I set up Baked to work with young people aged 18 to 24. At its core a social enterprise needs a cause and this was mine. I also wanted to create a community space because people need somewhere to meet in a safe environment. And I resolved to source from local suppliers where this is practical and possible.”

Lauren has achieved all these aims, including recruiting an assistant manager in a very socially enterprising way: a Twitter campaign. “I asked people to tweet why they would like to work at Baked.” Explains Lauren, “I was amazed by the response and found just who I was looking for.” Right from the off too, Lauren made sure she paid the UK Living Wage.

Although Lauren had the baking skills and believed in what she was trying to create, she had no experience of how to start a business. “I joined Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce and signed up for their start-up peer mentoring programme, along with eight other new businesses.” Explains Lauren, “The opportunity to learn from and bounce off each other was invaluable and I say to anyone wanting to start their own business: join the Chamber and sign up for peer mentoring.”

So where next for Baked? “The last eighteen months has been busy so right now I’m taking stock.” Says Lauren, “I’ve no plans to build a chain of cafés but maybe, just maybe, I will open another Baked in the area at some point.”

Just to remind you that time is running out to register join us at this year's Waves Ahead conference "Food for Thought; Becoming a Smarter Coast?". It’s at 5pm at Sir Robert Woodard Academy on 15th October 2015. If you have already registered, you don't need to do anything more (unless you would like to forward this to a colleague).

Thursday, 15 October 2015 from 17:00 to 21:30 (BST)

What is the conference about?

The conference this year will explore how we can develop skills to be smarter in the way we work and collectively become a “smarter" area, including the way we do things locally. A large amount of experience and knowledge is hidden in different organisations so we could be more efficient if we shared and collaborated with each other in smarter ways. “Smarter” can mean finding innovative solutions, using technologies and insights to change how we all work together and recognising that although budgets maybe tight, innovative technologies can help turn challenges into opportunities.

Why "Food for Thought"? 

Food and drink is a sub-theme we have picked for the event to help us explore some specific "smart" ideas and help us all understand how we become “smarter together”.

Why should I come to the conference? 

·  If you have heard the buzz word “Smarter Places“ and wondered what it’s all about, then come along and find out more

·  If you are involved in a local food or drink initiative in the local area and want to share your experiences and ideas and find opportunities to work together with others, then come along

·  Come and find out about the potential of Adur and Worthing to be smarter places, and explore a range of useful "Smart" tools, including digital opportunities (you don't need to be working on food projects, all the tools we'll introduce can be used in many areas)

·  Meet and chat informally with people who are already making a difference through partnership working in the local area, and find out how to get involved.

Who is the conference for?

Anyone working or volunteering in the Adur and Worthing areas, especially if you are involved in working in a partnership or would like to be.

Tor register your FREE place at the event, go to https://wavesaheadfoodforthought.eventbrite.co.uk

If you have any questions or want to find out more, please contact community.planning@adur-worthing.gov.uk

West Sussex-based luxury car maker Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed plans to open its seventh UK showroom in the South West.

The new site at Bristol's Cribbs Causeway will open in the first half of 2016 under the management of Rybrook Holdings.

Construction of the state-of-the-art showroom is due to commence in October, and, when complete, will create 46 new jobs.

The Bristol centre will offer sales and servicing, covering an area of more than 12,000 square miles from Land's End, through Wales and up to the Cotswolds.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bristol will be Rybrook's second franchise with the car maker, having successfully operated the Birmingham franchise for a number of years.

James Crichton, regional director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Europe, said: "Rolls-Royce takes great care in selecting its dealer partners, and we're delighted to be working alongside Rybrook as we open our seventh showroom in the UK.

"Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bristol will help us deliver further sustainable growth in the United Kingdom, and we are confident that our strengthened partnership with Rybrook will help us meet a clear demand in this part of the country for our super-luxury motor vehicles."

Henry Whale, managing director of Rybrook said: "The opening of our new showroom in Bristol represents a significant investment for Rybrook at a time of growing confidence in the British economy. There are thousands of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders across the South West, many of whom turn to Rolls-Royce for their personal transport."

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is headquartered in Bognor Regis and sold 4,063 cars globally in 2014.

Established Law Firm Miller Parris are looking to employ a full time
Conveyancing Legal Executive or Solicitor, to be based at their centrally
located Worthing office.

The ideal candidate would be experienced in all aspects of residential
conveyancing and general property matters, and would be willing to work as
part of a growing team. There are excellent prospects for the right
applicant.

To apply please email your CV with covering letter to
MikeMetters@millerparris.co.uk

Please also visit our website www.millerparris.co.uk

Are you a charity or community group that needs funding for a project?
The Worthing and Adur fund is ready to pay out - APPLY NOW!! Deadline Friday 9th October

Since 2010 Worthing and Adur Chamber has encouraged a number of local individuals and businesses to become Founder Donors of Worthing and Adur Fund. Businesses continue to donate to the fund enabling local people to manage the distribution of grants with emphasis on local small groups where a small grant can make a significant difference.

The maximum grant is £500 and the deadline for the next round of applications is Friday 9th October 2015

If you are unsure what to do or have questions about the grants please contact Sussex Community Foundation on 01273 409 440.

Who can apply?

All applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations and be working for the benefit of the people in Sussex. You do not have to be a charity but you will need to have your own bank account and be able to provide a signed copy of your constitution and accounts, a copy of a recent bank statement, estimates for proposed purchases (if applicable) and copies of relevant policies (Child Protection, Vulnerable Adults, Health and Safety etc).

How to Apply: Please read the guidance notes before you apply and please note that you may only apply for one Fund at a time.

Visit http://www.sussexgiving.org.uk/apply-for-grants/apply-now/  to apply online

Download the Application form here Complete the form and either e-mail to grants@sussexgiving.org.uk or send it to:  Sussex Community Foundation, 15 Western Road, Lewes BN7 1RL.

Contact Sussex Community Foundation on 01273 409 440 to be sent a hard copy.

Please note that for all applications a hard copy of the signed application is required together with your supporting documents (including signed copies of your constitution and accounts) by the deadline. Emailed applications should forward a hard copy of the signed declaration page by the deadline.
On receipt of your application Sussex Community Foundation will contact you to advise when you are likely to hear the outcome.
We are not able to fund applications from:

• Statutory organisations or groups seeking to improve statutory assets eg. Friends or Parents groups looking for funds for playgrounds, school equipment etc.
• Individuals – with the exception of those applying to the Paul Rooney Fund and the Westdene Fund
• Fundraising activities which will be used to make awards to a third party    Major capital appeals
• Projects whose wider community appeal or benefit is limited

Do you have  any Christmas events on between November & December?

A request from Adur & Worthing Council ...

As organisers of events in Adur & Worthing, we are writing to ask for your Christmas plans! Yes it is that time of year already. We are producing a small Christmas edition of the free What When Where Guide that gets distributed across Sussex and from our two Visitor Information Points in Worthing.

We need all copy finalised by Monday 5th October so if we could ask that you submit your event information onto the Visit Worthing website via this link http://www.visitworthing.co.uk/whats-on/add-an-event by next Wednesday 30th September, we can then export it all from there plus highlight your events on the website at the same time. Doing this will only take a couple of minutes. 

Please do upload images too so that these can be used in the guide. The cost of promoting your festive event this way is completely FREE so it is silly not to jump on this opportunity and make use of our marketing distribution channels. 

Here is the Autumn edition of the What When Where guide to remind you of what we're referring to. 

http://issuu.com/visitworthing/docs/what_where_when_autumn_2015__single/1

IS YOUR BUSINESS READY TO START AND GROW?

So you’ve got a great business idea but are not sure what to do next?

The Start & Grow programme provides a range of pre and post start support to individuals who have aspirations to start a business and the capability to make the business a success. This new programme is available to those looking to start a business, that will require start-up funding to get it off the ground and expects to employ people from its early stages.

The support provided through Start & Grow is tailored to the individual needs of the owner and the business idea, but will include one to one support and advice, workshops and training, mentoring and help finding funding.

Enterprise First is delivering this programme in the areas of Worthing, Eastbourne and Hastings.

Clients will receive a tailored package of support that could include:

• ·        One-to-one assessment with an experienced, independent business adviser who will review your business ideas and formulate the next steps

• ·        An intensive personalised support programme, including guidance, advice and peer learning, leading to the development of a robust business plan
  
  
• ·        Dedicated support in an application for external funding

• ·        Ongoing support for 3 years after business start-up

Eligibility
– The main trading address or home address of one of the owner falls within an approved area
– The business owner/owners will be fully engaged in the business
– The business owner/owners expect to be trading three years after the business begins trading
– The business will create at least one additional job
– The business is expected to benefit from investment – either personal equity or a loan/grant

In a nutshell we are a looking for robust enterprises with real ambitions for growth and sustainability and that are going to employ staff!

Is this you? Is your business ready to Start and Grow?

Contact Grant Baker on 07802 774624 or email grant.baker@enterprisefirst.co.uk or visit www.enterprisefirst.co.uk/start-grow

Workmanship that is a class above...

CSN Homes are a property development company working throughout London and the South Coast.  They have recently completed two properties in Worthing and are now working on several more locally, including converting the Cavendish Hotel into luxury apartments.

Quality of workmanship and finish is part of the CSN Homes ethos, and with this in mind we thought it would be good to share some of the finishes that we pride ourselves on, whether it be in luxury apartments or starter studio flats.

In both of our recently completed properties in Rowlands Road, the fully fitted kitchens were all modern and light to appeal to our potential owners and investors.  We chose a gloss finish, white units and glass top work surfaces.

We strip and seal floors where we can, or chose high quality hard wearing timber effect floors. Carpet is laid in bedrooms for comfort, and also we use carpet in the common parts and on stairs to keep noise levels low.

Our Bathrooms have built in thermostatic shower fittings in stainless steel finish, stone low profile shower trays, glass shower enclosures and doors and our wet rooms have tiled floors, with a marble or stone effect.  We also ensure we fully tile our bathrooms with large, contemporary 600 x 600 tiles.

All walls are painted throughout, usually in muted tones to present a clear canvas for the new owner, and we install quality down lighting or stainless steel directional lights. LED lighting is used where possible which is low heat and very low in power consumption.

We take care to also install ample plug sockets, quality light switches, telephone points and aerial points linked to communal aerial and boosters and also use video entryphone systems where possible.

Lastly our doors are the latest designer fire resistant doors with quality brushed aluminium door furniture.

So, if you are considering one of our properties in development, rest assured that all of our properties are mindfully finished to ensure that our clients’ new investments are a cut above the rest.

For more information please visit www.csnhomes.uk

I just wanted to thank you for your response to our request for member input on the proposed Aquarena site development.

Unfortunately due to the small divided response received, the chamber Executive determined that we could not give a definitive response, for or against , to the planning application  in order to be  truly  representative of our membership.

Therefore we will not be responding at the meeting this evening at the Assembly Hall at 6.30pm.

We do appreciate your input.