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News & updates 

Regular news and updates from the Chamber, our members, local Councils and other relevant business news will be posted regularly here. 

Don't forget, as a member one of your many benefits is being able to submit your press releases and news for inclusion here as well as on either the members or business news emails and social media, for guidelines please click here. Please submit to lauren@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk 


  • 24 September 2014 5:15 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    Sussex Police would like to bring this scam to the attention of Business Owners:

    A tattoo studio in Worthing, have reported that they received a phone call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be from Sussex Police and that they were pulling together a crime prevention magazine and asked if the studio would like to contribute financially to this to help keep vulnerable people safe. They called asking this twice, each time asking for £400 and they would take payment via credit card.

    This is a scam and not something that Sussex Police would do.

    Please make your staff and colleagues aware.

  • 03 September 2014 4:35 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    40 Years of Caring Celebrated at Highgrove House

    Sally and Clive Neil-Smith celebrated a Ruby Anniversary at the weekend. Not that unusual you might think, but this Ruby celebration was for the couple’s 40th anniversary of working in and owning care homes in Worthing.
    A Ruby themed garden party was held at Highgrove House Care Home in Winchester Road, one of two care homes owned by Sally and Clive. All the residents and their families were invited and many dressed in red to honour the ruby theme. Guests were treated to a hog roast and live entertainment, plus a raffle was held in aid of dementia charities, raising £200 on the day.
    Sally Neil-Smith originally trained as a nurse and then specialised in care for the elderly. This led to the setting up of the couple’s first care home. Sally says, “When we started out, there was no real home from home specialised care, it was all very clinical. The ethos at both Heaton House and Highgrove House has always been to provide the absolute best care possible, to make the residents feel as happy as if they were still living at home.”
    Sue Lamb, the Homes’ Registered Manager, has worked with Sally and Clive for many years and is continuing this same ethos today, ensuring our Residents are at the centre of everything.
    “This is why our Ruby Anniversary celebration has involved as many of our residents and their families and our wonderful caring staff as possible. I think we had attendees aged between 3 months and 98 years at the party.”
    The party was attended by both the Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Vic  and Rosemary Walker, who gave a short speech congratulating Sally and Clive on their achievements, both in Care and in Business and Bob Smytherman, the Town Crier, who rang in the official celebration with his very loud bell!
    You can find out more about Sally and Clive’s care homes on their websites: www.heaton-house.net and www.highgrove-house.net or call them on 01903 700251 to arrange a visit.

  • 03 September 2014 4:26 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Update


  • 03 September 2014 4:07 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    Visit Worthing Countdown to Christmas Campaign ………

    It doesn’t feel right, thinking about Christmas when the children havn’t gone back to school and you’re still on your summer holiday; but Christmas is just around the corner and preparations for this year’s Countdown to Christmas campaign have already begun!

    The campaign was really well received last year so we’re going to do it again, looking at what worked well and what didn’t work so well. The main elements of the campaign will be a printed brochure (as for 2013), a page on the VisitWorthing website, a consumer e-mailer and some Social Media activity via Facebook & Twitter @visitworthing. PR and advertising opportunities will be taken as they arise. We’ll be targeting residents as well as people living further afield in Sussex, London and the South East.

    TELL ME WHAT YOU’RE DOING!

    In order to make the campaign as varied and interesting as possible I need to know what’s happening. Are you organising a festive event or activity? Please tell me. Christmas Carols, Pantos, Shows, Grottos, Fairs, Markets, Concerts, …..anything at all!

    Event Organisers: Tell us what you’re planning; take a look at the ‘Organising an Event?’ page on our website and submit your event details - http://www.visitworthing.co.uk/whats-on/add-an-event

    Visitor Attractions:
    Are you planning anything with a festive theme?

    Restaurants, Pubs & Clubs: Are you planning something that’s a bit unusual?

    Visitor Accommodation: Do you have special Christmas / festive / New Year breaks and rates?

    Theatres:
    Tell me about your Festive shows, concerts and pantomimes.

    Shops: Are you planning something that’s a bit unusual?


    Give us the detail - make sure you include: What it is,  Where it is, When it is, Contact details, website link and a short description (max approx. 30 words).

    Images are important too. Please send high-res quality images that you are happy to be used in any of the publicity activity.

    Competition prizes: Can you offer us a prize that can be used in the publicity? It could be something that could be added to a competition prize package that’s included in the brochure or it might be something smaller that could be used in the social media activity.

    Please submit your information by the end of September 2014 to be considered for inclusion in the Festive Brochure. Any information received after this date may still be included on the website and in other activity but will miss the print deadline.

    I look forward to hearing from you and if you know of anyone else that might be interested in receiving this information please pass it on. In the meantime if you have any ideas or queries please get in touch.

    Janice Fraser - Tourism Development & Marketing Officer
    01273 263022 | E-mail: janice.fraser@adur-worthing.gov.uk

  • 03 September 2014 3:49 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    Businesses risk losing billions unless they adapt: report reveals the future cost of dementia

    The cost of dementia to businesses is predicted to double, as the number of those living with the condition is set to rise over 1 million, by 2030.

    On 8 August 2014 Public Health England (PHE) and Alzheimer’s Society, who recently joined forces to launch the Dementia Friends campaign, release a new report on the future financial implications to the nation’s businesses of dementia, and call on employers to adapt their working environment to support the increasing numbers affected by the condition.

    The report, from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) reveals that by 2030, dementia caring obligations will cost companies more than £3 billion.

    As the population of England ages, the number of people with dementia is expected to rise to 1.09 million by 2030. The report predicts this will have a huge impact on businesses as the number of workers reducing hours, changing work patterns or even quitting, due to the demands of caring, is expected to grow.

    Findings also show that the number of people who will have left employment to care for people with dementia is set to rise from 50,000 in 2014, to 83,100 in 2030. Yet, if companies increased their employment rate of dementia carers by just 2% over the years to 2030, for example by offering more flexible terms of employment, the retention of these skilled and experienced staff would deliver a saving of £415 million.

    With a growing need for those over the age of 65 to stay in employment, by 2030, the cost of skills and experience lost from the workforce due to dementia will rise from £628 million to £1.16 billion.

    Businesses have started to recognise this issue, with 1 in 12 companies (8%) having made attempts to accommodate the needs of a member of staff with dementia, and more than half (52.1%) considering taking such action in the future.

    So far more than 20 major businesses have already signed up and are committed to supporting staff and customers with dementia. Over 100,000 employees from businesses including Lloyds Pharmacy and M&S are now Dementia Friends and a host of other companies such as Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Argos, BT and Bourne Leisure (Butlins, Haven and Warner Leisure Hotels) have also pledged for their staff to become Dementia Friends.

    The report also flags that businesses, which are not sufficiently dementia friendly, will lose out. The value of the ‘dementia pound’, which is the spending power of households affected by dementia, is set to double to £22.7 billion by 2030, from £11 billion in 2014, due to the rise in the number of people affected by the condition.

    However, two-thirds (62%) of people with dementia would like banks and shops to have a greater understanding of the condition as currently a quarter (23%) report that they have given up shopping since being diagnosed.


    Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said:

    Thousands of people affected by dementia are forced to give up work and are denied a lifeline because of the failure of organisations to change the way they do business. From the shop floor to boardrooms, dementia affects every workplace; from people struggling with the early symptoms of memory loss at work, to those juggling a job whilst caring for a loved one. As the condition touches the lives of more people, businesses must gear up to support all people with dementia; staff and customers alike.

    With dementia affecting millions of people, businesses who ignore the dementia pound do so at their own peril. Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging businesses to commit to become dementia friendly. By increasing staff’s knowledge and understanding of the condition through Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends, businesses can make small but positive changes to the way they operate.


    If you would like a free one hour session to create dementia friends in your work place contact Chris Moon-Willems on 07505103955



  • 03 September 2014 3:31 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    Billingshurst Chamber of Commerce - Achieving a prosperous Billingshurst

    BILLIBIZ LINKS - LUNCH CLUB

    Thursday 11th September
    from 12.30pm until 2pm

    Our BilliBiz Links Lunch Club will be meeting
    from 12.30pm until 2pm in the Thai Cuisine,
    located in Jengers Mead, Billingshurst.

    Remember to email secretary@billingshurstchamber.co.uk
    and book your place as spaces are limited!

    Members and non-members are invited to attend this sociable networking opportunity and self-promote their business services and products over lunch and a couple of drinks.

    The purpose of the BilliBiz Links Lunch Club is to be a business referral forum rather than a “talking shop” gathering, and each month one member will be invited to give a presentation of their particular business lasting 5-10 minutes.

    We ask that a fixed cost of £10*, for the set lunch menu and one drink, is payable on the day with any surplus being donated to our chosen charity of the year;
    The Dame Vera Lynn Trust. Further drinks will be available at your own discretion although jugs of water will be provided on each table.

    *Please note that there will be an additional £2 charge for each non-member to attend this popular networking opportunity.

    This is a great opportunity to meet and mix with other local business people in an informal and social setting, whilst building upon your contact list for local businesses.

    To confirm your attendance, in order to advise the restaurant of numbers in advance, we would appreciate you contacting the Chamber's Secretary on
    07984 959281 or by emailing secretary@billingshurstchamber.co.uk

    Our aim, as always, is to make these events active, informative and entertaining along with offering you the opportunity to network with other like-minded business owners. More details can be found on the Events Page on our website.

    We hope you decide to join us!

    Kind Regards

    The Executive Committee
    Billingshurst Chamber of Commerce - Achieving a prosperous Billingshurst

     

  • 03 September 2014 3:26 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)
    Last chance to apply for ‘Be the Business’ grants

    Businesses can apply for a share of the £600,000 fund, which is designed to help support the local economy and create jobs by offering grants of up to £25,000 to small and medium sized local businesses.

    To qualify for a grant, applicants must be located in West Sussex and, if applicable, be paying business rates there. Alternatively they could be about to start up a company in, or be planning relocation to, West Sussex.

    The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 15 September 2014.

    Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council said: “So far we have had a great response from local businesses keen to tap into the help and support available from the County Council, but we want to hear from more before the application deadline.

    “A wide range of businesses from across the county have already applied to the fund, both established organisations and new initiatives looking to start up in West Sussex. However I’m sure there are many others out there who are looking for that extra boost to help them take the next step in their business.

    “We know that local businesses need better access to finance and support in order to develop and grow. ‘Be the Business’ is designed to help address those issues and the more we can do to help create the conditions that allow businesses to prosper in the county, the better it is for everyone.”

    Full details of how to apply to the fund are available at Be the Business.

    A decision on which applications have been successful is expected in November.

  • 02 September 2014 1:45 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    Broadwater Bridge Safety Repairs

    The work will commence on 1st September and anticipated finish date late November.

    Road restrictions during the Work

    Extensive Traffic Management will be in place throughout the project with traffic on each side of the bridge restricted to one lane each way.

    King Edward Avenue, The Quashetts and Westbourne Avenue will be made into a temporary ONE WAY system.

    King Edward Avenue - ONE WAY Eastbound (from Broadwater Road towards Ivy Arch Road)

    The Quashetts - ONE WAY Northbound (from King Edward Avenue to Westbourne Avenue)

    Westbourne Avenue - ONE WAY Westbound (from Westbourne Avenue towards Broadwater Road)

  • 02 September 2014 12:09 PM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)
    Following an audit by the SSAIB, Littlehampton based security provider, Avantguard Security Ltd, have been awarded Approved Contractor Status by the Security Industry Authority. 

    As part of the audit process, they were assessed over 89 performance indicators and their final score was just 11 points short of putting them within the top 25% of small business security providers in the country, with Approved Contractor Status. Their innovative workflow management reporting system, Guardtools®, was even noted as a best practice.
     
    “We have to thank our team as a whole, as this achievement is testament to a team that consistently delivers the highest standards in security to our clients” commented Tony Woolcott, Managing Director of Avantguard. “Every person in our team is both pro-active and re-active in providing and enhancing the bespoke security services that our clients receive”.

    The ACS scheme was developed to help security buyers in choosing a company which is “demonstrably committed to customer service and the compulsory licensing of their staff” say the Security Industry Authority. By choosing an ACS accredited supplier for your security provision, you “can be confident that the employment practices of the supplier have been extensively assessed” and that your security service “more closely reflect(s) your precise requirements”.

    The status of the ACS is recognised by the police and offers the potential for enhanced working relationships. The aim is to provide practical benefits through 'joined-up' police, business and community initiatives.

    Avantguard provide managed security services across Sussex including security officers, mobile patrols and keyholding and alarm response.

  • 02 September 2014 11:58 AM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    LAST CHANCE TO GRAB GOVERNMENT’S MATCH-FUNDING!!!


    October this year sees the deadline for the 'Community First' endowment match funding and, as far as we know, there is no equivalent match-funding scheme on the horizon. £1000 becomes £1600!


    Just to summarise, for all donations over a minimum of £500 to the Worthing & Adur Fund at Sussex Community Foundation, the government will add a further 50 % and Gift Aid if applicable. For example, once Gift Aid and match funding is factored in, a donation of £1,000 will add over £1,600 to the Fund, at a net cost after tax to a 40% taxpayer of only £750!


    MILLER PARRIS SOLICITORS SUPPORT LOCAL FUND
    Miller Parris Solicitors, based in Broadwater, Worthing, recently donated £1,000 to the Worthing and Adur Fund.
    Mike Metters, Partner of Miller Parris said “We are delighted to be able to donate to this worthwhile fund.  As our business grows we are pleased to be able to support the community that we are part of.  The Worthing and Adur Fund has already been able to make such a difference to so many local groups that we are proud to be associated with it.”


    The fund was set up in partnership with Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce and is supported by local people and businesses keen to help build a permanent endowment fund. Founder Donor Karen Simporis said  “This is very much a local Fund which supports lots of smaller voluntary groups that may find it hard to access other grants-and the application process is quick and easy”.

    The Worthing and Adur Fund is thrilled to receive Miller Parris's donation. Caroline Nichols and Karen Simporis have generously made further donations  which along with the money raised by the Golf Day, Chamber quiz and raffles has now boosted the fund to over £70,000.We’re hoping that with your help we can reach £100,000 and make even more of a difference to our local community.
    So don’t miss out on that Government money!


    Where will my money go? - To your local community!


    The Fund will be paying out again and applications need to be made by October 10th ( more information on the website www.sussexgiving.org.uk/apply-for-grants/)

    Applicants must be from Worthing and Adur-here are the successful applicants from October 2013. Annual grants from the income of the Fund were awarded at the end of last year, with four community groups sharing more than £3,400 including:
    •     £1,700 for Sussex Sailability, a voluntary group based in Shoreham which teaches sailing to young people aged 14+ with a range of disabilities.. The grant was awarded to support instructor fees and expenses, fuel and room rent
    •    £670 for Worthing CAP Debt Centre which provides advice for low income individuals and families facing a cash crisis. - the grant supported office equipment
    •    £600 for activities run by Worthing Kids and Dapper Snapper, a parent led  group for children with disabilities providing support, friendship, activities and outings such as swimming, signing and singing, music and fun exercise.
    •    £466 for Electric Storm Youth in Lancing which aims to educate challenge and focus the energy of young people aged 11-18 in the Adur district . The grant was given to support young members taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.



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Email:
info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

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