A very warm welcome to our new August members!!

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Annabel Ursu-Brown from Brownie Design Ltd                 

Mary Hughes from Affinity Funeral Services

Kate Michaela from Glam Beauty

Martin Nash from Peachy Publishing Ltd

Jeremy Ramsden from Abbotts Advertising & Sponsorship Limited

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The Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 is now online.

To take part in the survey please visit:

www.britishchambers.org.uk/qes

Remember your participation helps provide the following:

The QES is Britain's biggest, and longest-running, private business survey.

It has provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives more than 7,000 business responses. Compare that to the average business survey, which garners a few hundred responses.

It's a leading indicator – often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee uses the QES as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates.

HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK's economic performance.

The European Commission uses the QES to assess the health of the UK economy when it makes policy recommendations for both Westminster and Brussels.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) use the QES when comparing the UK to competitors worldwide.

The QES is a clear example of how being part of a local Chamber of Commerce means you're part of something bigger. Together, we are the economy

Those wishing to obtain a more detailed survey of economic conditions in a particular nation or region as perceived by individual businesses are invited to contact the representatives listed on the closing page of this survey report. Historical data for each nation and region is available on the website www.economicsurvey.org.uk.

The deadline to complete the survey is: 14th September 2015

Martin Randall: in partnership with local business

When Martin Randall left his role as Head of City Planning & Development at Brighton and Hove City Council in June to become Head of Place and Investment at Adur and Worthing Councils it was a bit of a homecoming: Martin has lived in Shoreham for the last 25 years. But more change was to follow. In no time at all, weeks in fact, Martin took up the bigger role of Director for the Economy, filling the gap left by Scott Marshall.

So what is the role of Director for the Economy? Martin displays a refreshing clarity and succinctness when he describes his role: “To drive economic growth by supporting our existing businesses.” Martin describes this as the modern way of managing the local economy. “Supporting our established local businesses is a more sustainable approach and a vibrant local business community is an attractive proposition for new investors in Adur and Worthing.”

This emphasis on local businesses is refreshing to hear but it also dovetails nicely with one of Martin’s other areas of responsibility: land development. This is no easy job and he has major schemes to deliver, Teville Gate for example. “Part of my role is to make these projects happen,” he says. If anyone has the experience, tenacity, and skills to see these major projects through it’s Martin, having played a key role in delivering both the Amex Stadium and Amex HQ in his previous role in Brighton.

Martin firmly believes that the Worthing and Adur region is set to take off but also knows there is much work to do to make that happen. He has four areas in his sights: “We have to support local businesses, promote tourism, drive the cultural economy, and get the seafront strategy right,” he says. “Driving the local economy and supporting local businesses is central to what local government is about. To be a trusted local authority you have to prove you are a partner to businesses, not a barrier. A big part of this will involve working in partnership with our local Chamber of Commerce.”

Sounds good. But what does this all look like to the local business owner? Listening to Martin you quickly realise that he firmly believes in not only talking to local businesses, but actually engaging them in the wider strategic investment strategy. Martin also points out the great work going on in partnership with the Chamber and Northbrook College culminating in the new business incubator units in Broadwater.

And the Chamber of Commerce? Martin believes it is in good health and has a big part to play. National government has recognised the importance of the Chamber movement too. “Our Chamber is a terrific vehicle for promoting and sponsoring the Worthing and Adur area,” he says. “I saw this at the Chamber’s AGM when I was struck by the members’ enthusiasm. If we build a strong working partnership between our Councils and our Chamber of Commerce, then the outlook for business in Worthing and Adur is bright.”

CHAMBER members were

out in force supporting the

StreetVelodrome event, which was

praised as busiest of the series.

Worthing and Adur Chamber

members including haulage firm

Sussex Transport and Electronic

Temperature Instruments (ETI) were

headline sponsors at the event, so

we asked for their feedback as to

the value of supporting these types

of events.

A spokesman for ETI said: “As

a Worthing-based business we

believe sponsoring local events

supports both the community and is

a great opportunity to promote our

business.

“Our cycling team thought the

Street Velodrome was a great new

experience – it was also good to

see the public of all ages getting

involved riding the track. We hope it

will be back next year.”

Sussex Transport was delighted

to be one of the key sponsors,

commenting: “We took two of

our brand new Mercedes Actros

lorries to the event, which were a

real crowd puller – and there was

a constant queue of interested

spectators waiting to climb into the

huge vehicles all weekend!

“This was especially of interest

to cyclists and allowed members

of the public to get a lorry drivers

view of the world – as well as photo

opportunities for proud parents!”

Worthing was praised for drawing

the largest audiences to date when

the inaugural visit of the Asda

StreetVelodrome Series landed in

Beach House Grounds.

A NEW confederation of British

Industry survey has shown SME

optimism has improved in the past

three months. But how do we turn this

confidence into growth? The answer is

alternative finance.

The rise of alternative finance has

been spectacular – the crowdfunding

sector is growing at over 400 per cent

per year, invoice finance use has

reached record levels and peer-topeer

lending in the UK stands at over

£3bn – but there needs to be more, and

raising awareness of these services is

a key part of the growth stage.

The government is embracing

alternative finance to a degree, such

as through the British Business

Bank (british-business-bank.co.uk)and

so are traditional banks, some of

which are recommending alternative

finance providers to SMEs that fail

their lending criteria. However, this

needs more impetus if small business

owners are going to benefit from the

full range of lending options available

to them and the much-highlighted

optimism is to be turned into growth.

The announcement of the UK’s first

small business funding exhibition,

the Business Funding Show

(businessfundingshow.com) demonstrates

this goal is being worked towards.

The exhibition will take place in

London in February and its aim is

to connect entrepreneurs and small

businesses with key finance providers.

The event has been backed by

Innocent Drinks co-founder Richard

Reed. The show will hopefully act

as a catalyst for other initiatives to

promote the availability of alternative

finance services.

On Friday, September 25, Worthing

and Adur Chamber will be hosting

a Networking Breakfast to discuss

funding opportunities, alternative

finance and support available in these

areas. Come along and join us at Field

Place, Worthing for what promises

to be an interesting, informative and

valuable meeting. To book, please visit

www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

Written by Tony Hedger, A&T Business Associates

Deadline looms for you to grab a slice of capital cash

DON’T miss the deadline for Coast

to Capital Business Growth Grants.

Coast to Capital Local Enterprise

Partnership, in partnership with

West Sussex County Council, has

launched the Business Growth

Grants programme and is looking

for small and medium-sized

businesses that are looking to

expand and create new jobs.

Coast to Capital has been

awarded £9.5m for business finance

across the next six years.

The money comes from central

government’s Local Growth Fund,

which is a capital grant, and the

aim of the funding is to support

economic development through the

creation of new jobs, homes and

employment space.

Some £1m is available for

Business Growth Grants for the

2015-16 financial year.

Applications are welcome from

businesses that are in one of the

Coast to Capital priority sectors

and/or be able to demonstrate

strong medium term growth plans.

Retail is not an eligible sector.

Start-ups, existing businesses

and social enterprises are invited

to apply, the proposed new activity

must be additional to existing

business activity.

Businesses must be able to incur

the grant in full by March 31, 2016,

and the grant may be used only for

capital items.

Expenditure incurred means

that the goods, works or services

have been received by the

business within that period and

an invoice has been approved for

payment.

Applications for expressions

of interest are now open and

will remain open until 12pm on

September 15 – or before if the

amount of funding available is

awarded before this date.

n See more at www.coast2capital.org.

uk/helping-business-growth/49-grantfunding/

450-coast-to-capital-businessgrowth-

grants.html#sthash.l9srSbLR.dpuf

Nominations are now open he Adur & Worthing Business Awards.

Enter now and don’t miss out on a great opportunity. Don’t miss the deadline!

Getting involved will enhance your business, encourage your customers and your clients, and energise you to do better. It doesn’t cost you anything – except your time and your efforts. The Adur and Worthing Business Awards provides a platform to recognise, reward and celebrate all the successful businesses and professional individuals we have in our area. The awards are now in their ninth year and we are looking for entries from those who can prove business achievement and excellence in their field. Whether that be in growth,innovation or contribution to the community we want to hear from you.

You may have a high achiever or team of excellence within your company – why not put them forward for an extra special award?

Nominations close on Wednesday, September 23. You can nominate your own business or another that you would like to shout about. The winners of these awards will be announced at a gala black tie dinner held at the Worthing Pavilion on Friday, November 13. What makes a good entry? On Wednesday, September 9, at 5.30pm come along and join

Worthing and Adur Chamber at their monthly networking meeting at the Southern Pavilion in Worthing, where a panel of

experts will be covering why you should enter the business awards.

Previous winners will be there to share their stories and explain why they entered and how your business can benefit from entering.

The panel will share some top tips to consider when submitting your entry including:

Reading the rules – carefully 

Choosing your category 

Why you should ask for testimonials

Nominating others

Involving your staff

Go ahead and do it. It’s not too late.

Good luck!

If you would like to book for

the event or want mor details on

the Business Awards please visit

the Chamber website at www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

Worthing Rotary Carnival 2015

Worthing's Rotary Carnival celebrates everything great about Worthing. A weekend packed with things to do locally including free family festival, vintage day, carnival procession & free family party.

SATURDAY 29th AUGUST 2015 - BEACH HOUSE GROUNDS

BEACH HOUSE FESTIVAL
Free theatre performance of FLYAWAY KATIE by Polly Dunbar.
The Fontana's & Carnival Collective, Junk Modelling, Story Telling, Live Music, Food & Beach Bar, Inappropriate Handclap DJ's And more - a day aimed at families hanging out beside the seaside...

ATOM BIG-TOP POPUP
Open Air Music with Sea Views atom presents CASH plus support & DJ's. Payin' respect to the man in black. One of the UK's leading Johnny Cash tribute acts. "When they play, you close your eyes and feel like you are at a real Johnny Cash concert."
Doors: 7.30pm Supoort: 8.00pm Cash: 9.00pm

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2015 - THE STEYNE

STEAMING ON THE STEYNE
Vintage Car Show, Live Music, Great Food, Vintage Hair & Make-up Salon, Tea Rooms, Live Jazz.
Hang out, eat, drink and be entertained with a chilled out vibe.

MONDAY 31 AUGUST 2015 - THE STEYNE

CARNIVAL PROCESSION & FREE FAMILY PARTY
Celebrate all the Carnival Floats & entries, Dog Show, Live Local Music, Seafront Market, Beach Bar & Fabulous Food.
Carnival Procession times: Assemble Grand Avenue: 11.30am; Depart: 12.30pm; Arrival at the Steyne: 1.00pm

A weekend packed full of things to do locally. Raising important funds for Rotary. Keeping it FREE: Collections for Rotary will be taking place across the weekend and we'd rather your pounds went in their bucket, please give generously. You can also give online at www.worthingcarnival.com.

This event is brought to you by Rotary and Bartie Presents.

Three of Worthing’s best amateur cyclists were lucky enough to qualify to race at the national finals of the televised ASDA StreetVelodrome Series held in Central London. Local rider Rowena Price went on to beat other competitors from around the UK to win the ASDA StreetVelodrome Series Female Amateur Champion title.

Riders Rowena Price, Harriet Goss and Gavin Stephens all managed to impress the StreetVelodrome officials when they took part in Worthing’s round of the national series. They were invited to compete in the series finale, called the SuperFinal, which was held in Exchange Square, Broadgate, City of London on 13th August.

Uniquely the ASDA StreetVelodrome Series enables local amateurs to qualify to compete along side their professional counterparts at regional events racing in exciting head to head Olympic style pursuit races.

Worthing’s round of the Series, hosted by Adur and Worthing Councils, was seen as the best of the regional events with huge crowds enjoying the free cycle sport action on track over the two days. In addition the event also saw the highest number of local entrants and, according to race organisers, the best quality field of amateur riders so far in StreetVelodrome.

StreetVelodrome Series Director Carl Thompson comments “Looking back at the morning of the Worthing round of the ASDA Series it was amazing to see the queues of amateurs waiting to register for their chance to get on track. The level of competition was like nothing we had previously seen. Rowena was a great competitor both at the Worthing round of the Series and at the SuperFinals in London. We are very proud to have her as our 2015 Female Amateur Champion and it’s a fitting tribute for Worthing having hosted the most successful regional event of the Series.”

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Councils, adds: "I would like to congratulate Rowena on taking home the 2015 Female Amateur Champion title - this is really quite an achievement given the high standard of amateur competitors from around the country.”

“We are putting substantial time and energy into bringing the right events into the town, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy and establishing Worthing as a vibrant destination for active holidays. I’m delighted at the reception our StreetVelodrome weekend received and am looking forward to seeing it in the town again.”

The ASDA StreetVelodrome Series will be shown on BTSport in September with further repeats on other networks expected throughout the autumn and winter. More details about the 2015 UK StreetVelodrome Series can be found at www.streetvelodrome.co.uk