The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) 2022 Quarter 3 is now live

This is your chance to drive change. Since the COVID-19 crisis, the QES has consistently demonstrated the scale of impact on UK businesses. The survey has been essential in understanding the short and longer-terms impacts on businesses of different sectors and sizes.  The QES carried out by the British Chambers (BCC) is the largest independent business survey in the UK and a significant economic indicator. We are asking all Sussex businesses to complete the survey. 

QES findings are vital in the BCC’s and Sussex Chamber’s lobbying efforts because they are broken down to individual accredited chamber-level, making sure your voice is properly heard both nationally and locally on the issues that matter.
 
The results of the QES are published in advance of official figures and other private surveys and it consistently mirrors trends in official data. The results help influence the Bank of England and central Government.
 
We encourage you to take just a couple of minutes to complete this extremely important economic survey. All data is treated as strictly confidential and will not be passed on to a third party.

Once you click the link, please make sure to select ‘South East: Sussex’ from the ‘Which Chamber’ section

Click here

Local accountancy firm goes viral on TikTok - 1.5m views!

Jonny Matthews, digital marketing executive at Carpenter Box, a local accountancy firm with offices in Worthing and the South East, recently created a TikTok video to promote the business’ recruitment campaign to younger people. And it’s gone viral!

In just a week, the nine second clip, featuring the firm’s communications director Kira McKinney mouthing words from a scene in Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory and encouraging eight Carpenter Box employees to dance, has received over 1.5m views.

It has also received nearly 150,000 likes on the popular social media platform, almost 2,000 comments and 1,000 shares, turning Kira and her team into a TikTok sensation!

Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo, is about a blue tang fish (Dory) who gets separated from her parents as a child. As she grows up, Dory tries to search for them, but due to her short-term memory loss gradually forgets them.

Carpenter Box’s TikTok dance is based on a Roblox video, which went viral and started the trend. Roblox is an online platform that allows users to create games and play games created by others. There are approximately 50m games so far.

Jonny said: “We’re recruiting for trainees and wanted to show the fun side to our firm to attract potential applicants. We hoped the video wouldn’t ‘flop’, but never expected it to take off like this!

“We’ve successfully managed to raise the visibility of Carpenter Box amongst young people on our TikTok channel, which is an ongoing project managed by our digital team, and promised our managing partner we will follow it up with some more sensible posts about accountancy.”

Carpenter Box recruits trainees into departments such as tax and business services, pays for them to study the relevant qualifications and supports their long-term career goals.

Those interested in applying should call 01903 234094 or visit www.carpenterbox.com for more information.

You can find Capenter Box’s viral TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@carpenterbox/video/7119883169213582597

Mayo Wynne Baxter welcomes two new partners

Leading south-east law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter is excited to announce two new salaried partners have joined the firm as it expands further into Kent and Surrey.

Partner Sacha Bolourchi has formed part of the residential property team in Seaford and partner Caroline Flint has joined the contentious probate team, where she will cover Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

These two new hires bring a wealth of experience with them, which will support Mayo Wynne Baxter’s ambitious growth plans following its merger with national legal and professional services group Ampa.

Sacha said: “These are incredibly exciting times following the recent merger, and I look forward to building on the success the firm has enjoyed.

“I started my legal career almost a decade ago at a private practice in Lewes, specialising in criminal defence, before moving into residential conveyancing.

“I work with a variety of clients, from first time buyers to high-net-worth individuals and look forward to creating lasting relationships with my client base at Mayo Wynne Baxter.”

Caroline will work out of Mayo Wynne Baxter’s Brighton office and brings 20 years of experience with her, having started her career in personal injury litigation.

She then moved into private client work and went on to work with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, a global professional body that helps families plan for their futures, where she specialised in contentious probate. She also studied for The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists qualification.

Caroline said: “I’ve spent many years immersed in contentious probate so I’m looking forward to bringing this experience to the team and supporting its further expansion into Kent and Surrey.

“I was also pleased to see the firm’s support for Sussex Partnership NHS Trust charity Heads On and the varied programme of fundraising. In my spare time I’m the chairwoman of Headway Kent, which supports the rehabilitation for people with brain injuries, so good causes are very close to my heart.”

Martin Williams, deputy chief executive partner, Mayo Wynne Baxter, said: “It’s fantastic to see our team expand as our business grows out of our historic homeland in Sussex and into Kent and Surrey.

“The significant experience that Sacha and Caroline will bring to the firm will certainly help us build on our success and encourage talent to join us for this exciting journey.”

For more information, please visit: www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk/

West Sussex MIND share the importance of being suicide aware in the workplace

For many people the workplace can be either a source of support or a source of stress. Work can support our mental health, helping to meet our basic needs for inclusion, stimulation, creativity, social interaction, financial security and learning. But for some people their experience is the opposite and this leads to stress and illness, absenteeism, poor performance and departure from the workforce or, sadly, even suicide and this is particularly so for men in middle age. Managers have a key role to play and can be proactive about creating a healthy environment where people thrive and if things do go wrong, can learn about how to spot the warning signs and take steps to connect their staff to help.

If you think someone is in imminent danger of taking their own life, you should dial 999 for an ambulance and not leave them alone, and we would recommend that everyone invest an hour in the free Living Works START on-line training. Click here to go to eventbrite.

 If the danger is not immediate, then their GP can help, Samaritans (116 123) are another ‘go-to’ is the Hub of Hope app Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope which lists a wide range of support.

The signs of suicide are often subtle, but if you notice any of the following, do ask about suicide:

• ·         talking about wanting to end their life
• ·         talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• ·         feelings of isolation, loneliness, worthlessness
• ·         withdrawal from colleagues, decrease in work performance
• ·         changes in behaviour
• ·         putting their affairs in order
• ·         abuse of alcohol or other substances
• ·         depressed mood or mentioning previous suicidal behaviour
• ·         being bullied or experiencing harassment or isolation.

People need to feel safe to talk about how they are feeling and as manager you can ensure this by creating a culture of trust and openness and taking wellbeing seriously. Ensure you promote an inclusive workplace, carry out stress risk assessments on roles, have Wellbeing Action Plans in place, role-model healthy behaviours and include mental health in regular 1-1s.  All this sends out the message that you take wellbeing seriously. You also need to think about how staff that work from home get those messages and are supported. Mind have published a special WAP guide for people working from home and links to free resources.

At West Sussex Mind we have been supporting the communities of West Sussex for over 50 years, so do contact us if you need help in any aspect of mental health: training@westsussexmind.org

https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/taking-care-of-your-staff/employer-resources/wellness-action-plan-download/

Responding to suicide risk in the workplace: guidance for line managers (cipd.co.uk)

Responding to suicide risk in the workplace | CIPD

A NATURAL EXPANSION FOR POPULAR LOCAL PET STORE

Award winning Brown’s Natural Pet Store have reopened their Goring Road branch after a complete refurbishment. Brown’s Natural Pet Store has been serving the community for nearly thirty years.

Previously known as Shoreline Pet Supplies, the family-run business rebranded four years ago and opened their second store in Ferring village. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength. Brown’s team has grown to fifteen members of staff, while still maintaining their reputation for traditional and expert service.

Specialising in raw natural foods and treats, the newly revamped store will cater to the growing interest in products designed for pet health and wellness. “We are so pleased to be re-opening after several challenging months in the store where our business first started.” said Rob and Holly Brown, founders of Brown’s Natural Pet Store.

“We had planned to reopen in February, but due to non-stop problems with our freezers and windows needing to be replaced (3 times) it felt like it would never happen. Now that we are open and everything is working we are so grateful for the feedback so far. Our design was heavily led by wanting to restore the “apothecary” style that the store had in the seventies. A huge amount of thought and effort went into the design, with many nods to it’s history and past including a really eye catching sliding ladder. We’ve spent a small fortune on the build to bring our brand in line with our Ferring store. The new store will continue to offer a huge selection of raw foods-which we think has the widest variety anywhere in Sussex- a fantastic cat section and a brand new and exclusive Dog bakery!”

Brown continues; “While our focus remains on providing specialist natural products, the heart and soul of our store is the same as it has always been. To provide the best standard of service to our customers, with a highly-trained team offering advice around pet welfare, nutrition and behaviour.”

The new Brown’s Natural Pet Store can be found on the Mulberry Parade, 278 Goring Road. 

The Big Listen kick-starts new approach to improve Worthing

On the 29th July, The Big Listen is being launched by Worthing Borough Council, signalling a new approach to strengthen relationships with community groups and listen to and work with residents on the issues they care most about.

From next week, members of The Big Listen team will travel around the borough attending community events and holding pop-up conversations at key locations.

The team, equipped with bright red chairs, will talk to residents and listen to their views about how we can reimagine Worthing in 2030 and how we can work together. 

The answers will be used to identify what the priorities of the people of Worthing are, as well as generating new ideas, new solutions and new support for community projects. 

The first Big Listen event will be at Worthing Play Day on Broadwater Green from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday 3 August. The team will also be at Shepherds Mead in Findon Valley on Thursday 4 August for the BioBlitz - a survey of the wildlife in the area - run by the Council’s rangers from 10am to 3pm.

The week will also mark the launch of The Big Clean Up, the Council’s drive to refresh the borough with the help of businesses and the community. 

Seven days of activities including cleaning, painting and weeding will culminate in a big beach clean on Sunday 7 August at the Coastal Office from 9am to midday. Members of The Big Listen team will also be there to listen to anyone getting involved or passing by.

A series of pop-up events will be organised by the Council over August and September to encourage the community to speak, while The Big Listen team will also go to community events to listen to people. 

Cllr Carl Walker, the Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “The Big Listen marks a step change in the way the Council works with and for the community.

“We are going to embark on a town-wide Big Listen campaign. This will involve creating multiple and varied opportunities for communities to really be heard. We will ensure that the outcomes of these listening activities are reflected in Council strategy and will drive the delivery of the council going forward. This is the first step in exploring the role our Council could play in creating more opportunities for resident participation, improved communication and inclusion.

“We want to hear about what most concerns, interests and inspires people in Worthing, how residents want us to work for them and how we can work together to make our town even better. The Big Listen will help us listen to every voice in the community, not just those that are the loudest.”

We will also be running workshops with members of the community to understand what the information that has been gathered tells us, and how this might inform our plans.

As well as Council staff being out and about listening to residents and visitors, people can also have their say online from the comfort of their own home - or anywhere they have an internet connection.

The Council is working with CommonPlace - an online organisation that specialises in increasing community engagement - through which people will be able to comment on ongoing consultations and answer questions on a range of topics. The data collected online will be combined with that collected in the community and analysed to get a more detailed picture of public opinion, which can then be used to focus the Council’s efforts and resources where they are needed the most.

A dedicated page has been created on the Council’s website - https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/the-big-listen/ - which will be regularly updated with details of when and where The Big Listen team will be. There will also be updates on the Council’s Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram feeds.

The Big Listen team are keen to attend community events across the borough and would welcome invitations to places to visit in August and September where they can bring their chairs and find out what people think.

To tell the Council about an event visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv8vAQSM-8TRHl_Fe_eAWzA7WRHAsLUtDSWJsDlYcmCaWD-g/viewform

Worthing declares Cost of Living Emergency

A Cost of Living Emergency has been declared by Worthing Borough Council, with a commitment to also urgently help feed those most in need.

The Council is working on an urgent action plan on how to work with health and education experts and the community to support the estimated 12,000 people in the borough who cannot afford to feed themselves and their families.

Within days, key members of the community including food bank organisers and charity leaders will be invited to meet with councillors and Council officers to find both short-term fixes and more sustainable solutions to help the least well off.

As well as looking at the issue of food, water and fuel poverty, the Council is also looking at how it can address the shortage of affordable accommodation in the borough, to prevent people being at risk of becoming homeless as inflation causes household bills to soar among a number of other cost of living issues.

That includes identifying land already owned by the Council, or which could be bought, that could be used for the building of affordable homes.

The action plan will tie in with every piece of work by the Council and its partners to reduce poverty and help grow the economy of the town.

The new approach follows the Council voting in favour of a motion put forward by Cllr Carl Walker, the Deputy Leader of the Council, and Cllr Emma Taylor, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for Citizen Services.

Cllr Walker said: “We need to act now to help those struggling not only to pay the bills but also to feed themselves and their families.

“Being able to afford to live is the most basic of human rights and as a Council we’re determined that we will not stand by as people suffer.

“This is an emergency that needs a major response from the Council and the community working together, and from central government, to support those most in need.”

Cllr Taylor, whose portfolio includes housing, said: “Our emergency accommodation is full but the number of people who come to us desperately in need of somewhere to sleep continues to rise.

“We urgently need to build more temporary, emergency and Council homes to prevent people slipping into homelessness and the many terrible effects this can have on them.”

The motion passed by the Council said that an estimated 12,000 Worthing residents are skipping meals or eating deliberately smaller portions because they cannot afford to buy enough food - and that the total is rising as more people find themselves struggling.

It called for the Council to launch a multi-agency strategy to mitigate the effects of the Cost of Living Emergency.

The Council also agreed to urge the government to take urgent action, including:

- rebalancing UK tax law so that the most well-off contribute more

- helping the least well-off by increasing the level of benefits 

- scrapping VAT on domestic energy bills, and cutting fuel duty on petrol and diesel during the energy crisis

- scrapping the planned National Insurance increase.

- immediately banning landlords from evicting tenants without giving a reason.

To read the text of the motion visit https://democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk/documents/s8870/Item%2011%20-%20Motion%20on%20Notice%20CW.pdf.

Carpenter Box Financial Advisers elects chartered financial planner to board

Sussex-based Carpenter Box Financial Advisers (CBFA) has elected Tom Reed, a chartered financial planner with 15 years of industry experience, to its board of directors.

Tom joins the existing partners Kevin Blake and Roy Thompson, in making key decisions on behalf of the firm and growing its client base.

Since joining CBFA in 2017, Tom has worked closely with its clients, offering a full suite of financial planning services to individuals, families, businesses, charities and trusts. These services include pensions, investments, protection and employee benefits. 

His appointment to the board sees his role expand to include chair of the firm’s investment committee, the engine room of CBFA’s advice proposition, where he will use his experience and specialist expertise to decide which investment providers will deliver the best value for clients.

When it comes to ensuring investments comply with regulation, CBFA has a comprehensive system of robust due diligence and verification procedures, which Tom is now also responsible for maintaining.

Tom said: “I’ve always been proud to work for CBFA. The firm has an excellent reputation. I enjoy supporting mostly local clientele and seeing the difference good advice and service can make to their lives through improved financial education and outcomes. 

“The firm has a strong leadership team, whom I am excited to be working closer with on the further evolution of the client service proposition and continuing to improve the business. This is a landmark moment in my financial services career to date and I am thankful for the support of many who have helped me reach it, not least my family. I am looking forward to growing the business and enhancing the breadth of our offering.”

Tom began his career as a technical adviser at a FTSE 100 life office before joining a firm of independent financial advisers in 2012, then progressing to CBFA in 2017.

Kevin Blake, Partner and member of the board at CBFA, added: “Tom brings a wealth of financial expertise to our board and works extremely hard, so his invitation to join the board was well deserved. Tom’s exemplary record across multiple services and dedication to business growth will be invaluable as we develop the company.”

To find out more about the services on offer and how Carpenter Box Financial Advisers can help you make the most of your finances, please call 01903 234094 or visit them at www.carpenterboxfa.com

Check out Momentum Business Support's Top Tips for Exhibiting at a Business Show

Business shows are a tried and tested way of gaining exposure for your business. They also provide a unique opportunity for networking and strengthening connections. But, whether it’s your first time or you’re a returning business, it’s important to attend the exhibition feeling prepared and confident.

Over the years, we have attended our fair share of business exhibitions and managed to acquire some first-hand insights too. As proud media sponsors of this year’s Better Business Show (hosted by Worthing and Adur Chamber Of Commerce), it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about making your business stand out. Here’s our top tips for exhibiting at a business show:

Set a clear goal

What do you hope to achieve? Do you want to show off a new product? Maybe you’d like to strengthen business connections, or make new ones? Tailoring your strategy around one of these goals will ensure that your exhibit has a tight focus, which makes it easier to budget for and appeal to the right audience. Ultimately, having clear goals and expectations in mind will help you to feel confident while executing your plan – making sure you achieve your desired results.

Plan your budget

Once again it is important to prepare in advance. With your goal decided for the exhibition, you can then focus on the budget. Lots of different elements go into an exhibit, and small things add up. Set a budget for travel, hotels, and renting the exhibit space. Be mindful of how many members of staff you are going to bring, as this can make costs spiral quickly.  Be responsible, always prioritise the essentials and avoid last minute spending to evade potential late notice fees.

Create an inviting space

Give the crowd a reason to stop by – make your stand exciting, unique, and inviting. Consider offering simple refreshments or temporary seating, which will reinforce positive associations with your business. Remember that people are naturally drawn to visually pleasing spaces, so keep it on brand, organised and tidy. Avoid cluttering your stand and create a strong focal point at the exhibit. Eye catching graphics or company slogans can go a long way in conveying the overall message and values of your business, while bright primary colours – such as red – naturally help to draw in crowd attention (bonus points if they’re your brand colours).

Maximise engagement and interactivity

Boost your stand interest through interactive demos and engaging tasters. Create memorable opportunities for audience involvement and physical participation, allowing your prospects to better understand your services. For example, if you’re promoting a physical product, do a live demonstration of the goods in action. This will help the audience to better visualise the effectiveness of your product as well as providing them with a real time opportunity to ask questions and receive a response. You may also want to consider contests or giveaways, which are both effective techniques for creating interest and buzz around your services. Proving beneficial both prior and during the exhibit, these engagement strategies are a great way of securing a new customer base as well as encouraging social sharing.

Promote and follow-up

Hone your communication skills and make the most of the business show by promoting your attendance. Spread the word through your website and active social media platforms by incorporating exhibit teasers into your weekly content. It’s a great tactic for building up momentum and excitement ahead of the show. A good way to do this is through sneak-peaks, promotional posts, and event countdowns. During the show, utilise every minute with your prospects. Have all relevant documents at hand and make future communication smooth and effortless. Create easy access to sign up sheets, business cards and samples, showcasing your business efficiency from the get-go. Most importantly, always follow up with new connections and prospective customers!

We hope you’ve found this read insightful! Let us know if we’ve missed anything and catch us at the upcoming Better Business Show. If you’d like to find out more or require any additional business support, get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

Applications for Invest4 grants are opening again on 1 August, so if you're are looking for funding to help their business grow, make sure that you don't miss out! The grants are only available until 3 October 2022 or when the funding phase has been allocated. There's over £160,000 of grant money to be allocated, on a first-come, first-served basis.

To have the best chance of being successful with their grant application, we have our grant workshops to take you through the application process.  Our Invest4 Boot Camps - Fit for Finance and Money Sense help create the supporting documents such as business plan and cashflow forecasts. 

Invest4 grants are awarded by Brighton & Hove City Council through The Business Hothouse programme. GetSet for Growth Coast to Capital can offer support in applying and strengthening grant applications - find out more here

Key Changes to the Invest4 grants

• The maximum grant available to each business is £6,000
• Grants will be a maximum of 30% of your growth project - lower intervention rates are acceptable
• Applicants need to fund the additional 70% (match funding) of the growth project
• The deadline for applications is 9am on 3 October 2022 (if grant funds remain) 
• Projects are limited to one supplier only, but may contain a maximum of five item lines each with a minimum value of £100
• All growth projects who receive an Invest4 grant must be completed by 9am on 3 January 2023
• Licensing, consulting and similar long-term services are no longer eligible for the grants
• Any machinery purchased using the grants must be in situ by 31 December 2022
• Applications need to be submitted via Docusign

Click here to find FAQ's