UK tourism in the South is on the up but companies need to get online

The latest Travel & Tourism Survey conducted by West Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants and tax advisers, Carpenter Box, in conjunction with MHA, the UK-wide association of chartered accountants and business advisors, indicates that 26% of operators in the hotel and bed and breakfast sector are still unable to take online bookings.

This is despite the fact that 50% of respondents to the annual survey report a year-on-year increase in online bookings and the fact that there has been a 16% increase in the ability to take online bookings direct.

“This growth in direct transactions is good to see, especially as online booking agents have been increasingly dominating the UK hotel and bed and breakfast sector,” said Nathan Keeley, Head of the Tourism & Leisure sector group at Carpenter Box. “This trend should lead to a greater online presence and more competitive offerings.”

The survey results for 2015 for the South point strongly towards growing business confidence and are encouraging for the development of the hospitality industry. Indeed, 64% of respondents reported an increase in profits over the past 12 months, representing a rising trend in domestic trading conditions, with 59% saying that they expect to see an increase over the next 12 months. The coming holiday season will be viewed with much anticipation.

In line with other regions across the UK, one third (33%) of respondents to the survey in the South still employ workers on zero hours contracts, only slightly lower than the 37% recorded last year. The amount of zero hour contract staff who are working 21+ hours has halved since last year to 34%.

Nathan Keeley said: “These findings are still concerning and suggest that hospitality workers on zero hours contracts are suffering through reduced paid hours.”

The percentage of companies in the South who have green policies in place has dropped to 65%, down from 82% last year and over 41% remain unaware that tax reliefs are available for introduction of such policies.

This decrease in those with green policies suggests increased financial pressure and yet at the same time there appears to be a distinct lack of awareness of the tax reliefs available, which suggests that more publicity is needed to encourage eco-friendly investment.

A wider lack of investment reflects the position in the economy as a whole with continued difficulties in raising traditional bank finance, although there are some signs of this position easing.

Dragon Boat Race - Do you want to be part of a Chamber team?

Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce are considering entering a team in the Dragon Boat Race. If you are interested please email tracie.davey@worthing@adurchamber.co.uk

Full details can be found below about the race!

2015 is the 2nd year of Dragon Boat Racing at Shoreham RiverFest. Following on from last years success, we're doing it again. Teams representing businesses, clubs and societies from across Shoreham and Sussex will be taking part in the race to raise funds for their chosen charities, racing up and down the river at high tide, in 40 foot long Hong Kong Dragon Boats.

Dragon Boat Events will be hosting the race, from AOAC (Adur Outdoor Activities Centre), Brighton Road, Shoreham By Sea West Sussex BN43 5LT. James Parker from Suters Yard, is the lead on the event. Dragon Boat Events will be the operator of the event, all health & safety and event insurance lies with them.
Costs

Cost for entry £350 per team/boat (16/19 paddlers and 1 drummer) This works out at around £18/£25 each, if you are asking for your team members to contribute. The 'Helm' (the steerer) will be provided by the operator company.

A deposit of £150 will secure your team entry. Balance to be paid by end of June 2015.

For more details click here

River Fest 2015

You are invited to be part of this successful annual event by taking a stall or renting a pitch to sell or exhibit your wares in the River Fest Village on August Bank Holiday Weekend 29th to 31st August 2015.

The village will consist of traders and exhibitors of Food & Drink, Arts & Crafts, Lifestyle & Wellbeing, Antiques & Object d Art and of course leisure activities.

In addition to the Village market as part of the Shoreham River Fest there will be an arena with various displays and activities, live music and entertainment and other activities on the river inclufding Dragon Boat racing all offering a great weekend for all the family.

The Shoreham by Sea River Fest is about life on the river and how the river has shaped a town. The event combines history, education, celebration and participation about what it means to live and work Shoreham by Sea and on the River Adur.

Sponsorship Opportunities - contact Gill Dixon

Its the time of year when we are start excited about the 3rd River Fest, the annual
community based event which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend,
29 – 31 August 2015, and is centred round Shoreham and the River Adur.

Over the whole weekend, the Festival attracts mixed and family audiences of up to
15,000 people from right across the Sussex area and most events are free to attend.
However, we really need your nancial support in order to keep this Festival a free
community based event.
You can donate or become a sponsor and support the continuation of what is now
rmly established as an iconic local festival in the Sussex calendar.
If you are interested please feel free to contact me on 01273 453 585 or email me on
gilldixon80@hotmail.com for further information regarding sponsorship and benets
or to make a donation.
We thank you in advance for your support
With best wishes
Gill Dixon
01273 453 585
gilldixon80@hotmail.com

The MDHUB in partnership with the School of Business at the University of Chichester have teamed up to bring you this stirring debate.

Big Data – Should we be scared?

Wed 24^th June, 5.30pm for 6pm start – 7.30pm with time to network afterwards 

This interactive debate will help develop your knowledge and allow you the opportunity to ask questions from the three expert speakers who make up the panel including:

Jamie Cole, Executive Partner, IBM Analytics, Graham Pescod, Consultant Director, Big Red Consulting and Sven Latham, Director, Noggin.

Big Data is at the very core of everything that we now do and has a key influence on our businesses, our business life and our personal life.

It influences how we get information,  how we vote and how we digest news. It influences key business decisions and helps us to strive to achieve our goals and vision.

Please view the invitation attached. To book your FREE place, please email TheDec@chi.ac.uk

The Dome, University of Chichester, Bognor Regis Campus, Upper Bognor Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1HR

This event is supported by the Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Action Fraud has seen an increase in the number of small to medium sized businesses being contacted by fake bailiffs requesting payments for a phantom debt.
 
The scam involves the business being cold called from someone purporting they are bailiffs working on behalf of a court, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt. The caller will then request payment by means of bank transfer and if this is refused, will threaten to visit the premises to recover the debt that is owed.
 
A range of different businesses are being targeted; including Nurseries, Manufacturers, Hotels and Taxi Services. 
 
Protect Yourself

• Confirm what the debt is regarding; bailiffs are only used to recover certain debts such as council tax, child support and compensation orders. Bailiffs are not used to recover debts relating to private advertisement; these would be collected by debt collectors. Debt collectors do not have the same legal powers as bailiffs and will not have special court authorisation to act. For more details regarding this, please look at the Citizens Advice website.
• Double check with the Court or originating company to confirm whether the suspects are legitimate; if you use a landline make sure you hear the dialling tone prior to dialling as the suspects could still be on the line.
• Request details of the debt in writing to access its legitimacy.
• Do not feel rushed or intimidated to make a decision based on a phone call.

If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Take Off for Carpenter Box at Gatwick

Carpenter Box, one of the region’s largest independent business advisory firms, has formally opened a new Gatwick office, welcoming almost 100 people to a ‘take-off’ reception.

The event, at Peveril Court, Crawley, provided confirmation of the firm’s success in expanding its business base from its Worthing HQ to the Gatwick area, where it has had considerable success in winning new business.

Commented Robert Dowling, the Carpenter Box Partner heading the Gatwick team: “Over the last year or so, we have made significant progress in the Gatwick area, developing high quality business relationships and meeting the needs of a growing number of clients. We started with a hub, but growth has been such that we’re now delighted to establish a firm foothold in a key economic area for Sussex and the UK as a whole.”

Recognition of the impact being made in the region by the firm came with success in the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards, with Carpenter Box winning the accolade for Professional Services Firm of the Year.

Robert Dowling will be supported by a team that includes Audit Partner, Tony Summers, who joined the firm in May, together with tax and business specialists.

Carpenter Box has 12 partners and employs a total of 125 staff. In 2010, the firm became a founding member of MHA, a national association of leading independent accountants, thereby providing larger clients with nationwide support. The firm is also a member of Baker Tilly International, a global network covering over 135 countries worldwide.

Teville Gate (Worthing) new owners announced as Mosaic Global Investments Limited.
 
On Friday 5th June 2015, Mosaic Global Investments Limited successfully completed the purchase of the Teville Gate site in Worthing and in doing so heralded a key realisation of Adur & Worthing Councils' regeneration plans for the town. 
 
Jawad Sheikh, Chairman Mosaic Global Investments Limited adds "Teville Gate provides a fantastic opportunity for redevelopment and the ongoing regeneration of Worthing.  We are committed to this project and in delivering a world class provision for business and residents.  To enable this, Mosaic has appointed a large specialist team, with significant experience in urban regeneration, led by the award winning architects CZWG.
 
This team are confident they will be able to present a planning application to Adur and Worthing Council by the end of the year.  Prior to that, we look forward to meeting with the residents of Worthing, so we can fully understand their thoughts and ambitions for this site and what they would like to see delivered. One of our first jobs will be to schedule a public consultation exercise this autumn."
 
Jon Murch of Davies Murch (Acquisations agent) added "We are delighted that Mosaic Global Investments Limited have been successful in the acquisition of this important site as they have the drive, vision, determination and expertise to deliver something very special."
 
Daniel Humphreys, Leader Worthing Council  "I am really pleased that Teville Gate has finally been sold and we can now work closely with Mosaic Global Investments Limited to develop this site as quickly as possible.  As an important gateway into the town centre,  it is vital that it is redeveloped sympathetically, providing a mix of residential, leisure and commercial uses to enhance the approach into the town.  The fact that Worthing has started to attract this high calibre of interest and investment is very encouraging going forward."

Coast to Capital Region Grants scheme for 2015/2016 has now been launched.

Through the Coast to Capital Growth Deal, Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership in partnership with West Sussex County Council have now launched the Small Grants programme and the Business Growth Grants programme and are looking for small and medium sized businesses that are looking to expand and create new jobs.

Full details on the grants, application details and eligibility criteria are available at
coast2capital.org.uk  click here

Coast to Capital Region Small Grants Applications are now open and will remain open until 12pm on 8th July 2015. Applications are welcome from start-ups, existing businesses and social enterprises from all sectors but the proposed new activity must be additional to existing business activity. Businesses must be able to incur the grant in full by 31st March 2016 and the grant may only be used for capital items. This is a competitive process and therefore decisions will not be made until August 2015 and grants will not be paid until September/October 2015. This programme will only fund new activity and therefore retrospective costs are not eligible. For the purpose of this programme new activity is defined as that happening after the grant agreement has been signed. - See more at: http://www.coast2capital.org.uk/helping-business-growth/49-grant-funding/451-coast-to-capital-small-grants.html#sthash.GTy32l0s.dpuf

Coast to Capital Region Business Growth Grants Applications for Expressions of Interest are now open and will remain open until 12pm on 15th September 2015. Applications are welcome from businesses that are in one of the Coast to Capital priority sectors listed below and/or be able to demonstrate strong medium term growth plans. Retail is not an eligible sector. ]• Advanced Engineering • Manufacturing • Environmental Technologies, Goods and Services • Creative, Digital and IT • Healthcare, Medical Technology and Life Sciences Start-ups, existing businesses and social enterprises are invited to apply, the proposed new activity must be additional to existing business activity. - See more at: http://www.coast2capital.org.uk/helping-business-growth/49-grant-funding/450-coast-to-capital-business-growth-grants.html#sthash.WnmZINCz.dpbs

Rampion Offshore Windfarm Community Information Event 

Tuesday 16th June, 2pm - 8pm Lancing Parish Hall

Trustees Required for Citizens Advice Bureau

Central and South Sussex Citizens Advice Bureau is a charity created to serve the community, providing advice and information on a wide range of subjects. 

We need to recruit skilled trustees to join our board.

We are looking for people with strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to give time and commitment to being a trustee. We are particularly looking for someone with a legal background. The post of trustee is unpaid but will provide you a great deal of experience and satisfaction. All reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

We are keen to achieve a more diverse board of trustees and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

For more information or to arrange an informal discussion on the role of trustee, please contact:

Chris Smith 

01403 336716

recruitment@westsussexcab.org.uk

www.centralandsouthsussexcab.org.uk