We are constantly told that there is help available but how do you find it?
We understand you don’t have time when you are running a business to search through the 150 plus providers and schemes so we now have a resident local Business Support Navigator to do this for you and it is a free service for all businesses in our area.

Here are a few examples to give you a taste of what is available.

Did you know …..
•    There are grants of between £5,000 & £250,000 for businesses that wish to grow and increase employment?
•    There will be a new Business Start-up Hot House program starting in the autumn which provides 2 day boot camps 10 business workshops, 10 business coaching sessions   and 10 peer to peer mentoring sessions.
•    You could have a talented Intern in a focused role within the creative, digital, media and technology and green sector.  This 6 week Grant Assisted programme helps reduce the risks associated with taking on new talent.
These are just a few examples from the 150+ initiatives available and it is great to have someone to use as your single point of reference to access these Business Support & Growth Initiatives.

The aim is to help business growth by having a direct contact based locally providing
•    One-to-one support from Business Support Navigators
•    Signposting and referrals to local and national schemes supporting business growth 
•    Connecting businesses to business support groups and organisations

Please contact your local Business Support Navigator

• Tom Kenny at Worthing & Adur Chamber
• Kerry Kyriacou at Chichester Chamber
• Laura Evans at Brighton & Hove Chamber
  
  let them do the search for the best opportunities for your business. There is a central telephone number at Coast to Capital that will put you in touch with your local Navigator so call now 01403 333840

The project is part of the Business Navigator Growth Hub which Worthing and Adur Chamber, in cooperation with the Brighton & Hove and Chichester Chambers, are happy to be supporting this new initiative to help businesses access grants, support and funding opportunities is supported through the Regional Growth Fund managed by Coast to Capital and Brighton and Hove City Council.

It’s that time again ......... the 2014 Adur & Worthing Business Awards have been launched!

Held at the Worthing Pavilion Theatre on Friday November 14th, this year’s awards ceremony promises to be one of celebration for all involved, as businesses successfully complete their ride on the crest of the economic wave.

 Once again, Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce members will be out in force with many hoping to receive awards from host, ITV Meridian’s Fred Dineage, before automatically going straight into the running for the Southern Business Awards in 2015. The panel of judges will include our own Tina Tilley and James Stoner, Managing Director of JSPC Computer Services Ltd, headline sponsor of the awards and a previous winner.

Enter your nomination by 11th August, 2014 and you will be entered into a prize draw to win an ipad donated by JSPC Computer Services Ltd

Categories this year include:

Overall Business
Start – Up
Small Business
Medium Business
Manufacturing & Construction 
Business Personality
Lifetime Achievement 
Outstanding contribution to the community
Young Achiever
Large Business
Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Customer Service

If you would like to experience winning an award and the benefits it can have on your business, or if you believe another business deserves this success then log on to www.jpsouthevents.co.uk and fill in a nomination form online. And remember this year you can only enter 3 categories so choose carefully and submit an entry for each one!!

These are our top tips to consider when entering

• Read the category criteria you are entering
• Explain why you believe you should be awarded the title of the category you are entering.
• Explain what your company does and what it has achieved overall.
• Describe:
  Your company objectives
  How you achieved them
  The problems you encountered
  How you tackled these problems
• Explain your core values and describe how these are reflected in your current and future vision for your business.
• Can you demonstrate improvements in the quantity or quality of services offered during the last 12 months?
• How does your business add value to the local community?
• Any major contracts recently obtained, can you demonstrate evidence of turnover, growth, profit etc
• Supporting Evidence and testimonials from Customers and suppliers, make it known you have been nominated and would appreciate your customers support.

Next Peer Mentoring Taster Session - 18th September Book your place now!!

Following five successful groups of the Peer Mentoring Programme which supported over 50 local businesses owners we are ready to start GROUP SIX!!!! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting and beneficial programme.

The Mentoring groups will consist of 10-12 like-minded business people all keen to share their business expertise and willing to learn from and support each other. What will you gain? Thinking time to work on (rather than in) your business

The opportunity to explore projects in a confidential environment
A diverse pool of wisdom and expertise to draw on
A unique blend of challenge and support from your peers
Think tank for practical solutions to specific problems
Ideas for new products and services
Develop your management skills
Build relationships, trust and mutual understanding

Please contact the Chamber office for more information or to secure a place! Email: info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk or call the office on 01903 203484.

Monday 11th August - Growth Voucher Business Support Clinic

Have you heard about Growth Voucher Government funding and are interested to find out more?

Are you a current local Growth Voucher Advisor who would like to attract more clients?

If you’re looking to invest in your business, Growth Vouchers can offer you up to £2k in match funding towards strategic advice in one of the following five areas: Raising Finance and managing cash flow, Marketing, Digital technology, Leadership & Management or Recruiting and Developing staff.

If you are interested in finding out about how to apply for a Growth Voucher, and chatting to our independent business advisors, or if you are a Growth Voucher Adviser on Marketplace and would like to discuss the initiative in more detail and pick up marketing literature, then please come along to our Growth Vouchers Business Support Clinic.

It’s being held on Monday 11^th August 2014 From 1pm until 4pm, in the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce room at Worthing Town Hall. No need to book, just come along!

For more information please contact sheryl.tipton@enterprisefirst.co.uk.

Company formations hit an all-time high in Worthing during the first quarter of the year, according to a new report from Duport.co.uk.

Between January and March, there were 261 new companies registered - more than any other quarter on record and a 22% rise on the previous year.

In further good news for Worthing, a local enterprise partnership (LEP) investing in West Sussex, has recently secured £202 million in funding from central government. Investment will take place in flood defences, major transport schemes, international trade and support for businesses across West Sussex and the surrounding area.

Managing Director of Duport.co.uk, Peter Valaitis commented:

 “A rising number of company formations is an excellent sign for the local economy of Worthing, suggesting business confidence is high and entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the area.”

 
The Duport Business Confidence Report for Worthing is made up of a variety of data and statistics, giving a valuable insight into the local economy. More information can be found at http://www.duport.co.uk/worthing.

Come and join us and  preview  our delicious New Summer Menu this  Friday (11th July 2014) - reduced price for one night only! We really  want to hear your thoughts!

Including a third of a bottle of wine per person

Two course £18:00 

Three course £25:00 

MENU

Double baked goat cheese soufflé,

apple and walnut salad (v)

 Aubergine and feta croquettes with tarragon aioli (v)

 Chicken liver and sherry parfait, 

toasted brioche, Armagnac prunes

 Chilled pea and mint soup,

crème fraiche and chives (v)

 …

 Pan fried fillet of plump locally caught plaice, herb and polenta crust,

tomato salad and new potatoes

 Classic Italian Porchetta,

olive oil and parmesan mash,

roasted butternut squash

 Basque chicken slowly cooked with chorizo and sundried tomatoes, braised rice with sweet peppers

 Roasted aubergine and courgette, herb and ricotta tart, green salad with balsamic and olive oil dressing (v)

 Local lobster and smoked salmon salad,

tarragon mayonnaise and new potatoes (£5:50) ~ if you would like lobster, please pre order when booking

..

 Summer pudding, fresh basil and mint sorbet

 Vanilla and saffron poached pear with almond cream and Belgian chocolate truffle

 Zesty lemon and lime posset,

raspberry coulis and meringue drops

 A selection of British cheese ad biscuits with homemade apple pickle

Including a third of a bottle of wine per person

Two course £18:00 

Three course £25:00 

Reservations by Thursday Midday latest

There will be a maximum of 70 guests on the evening

Booking from 6:30 – 9:00pm

01903 230451 

Next Peer Mentoring Taster Session - 17th July Book your place now!!

Following five successful groups of the Peer Mentoring Programme which supported over 50 local businesses owners we are ready to start GROUP SIX!!!! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting and beneficial programme.

The Mentoring groups will consist of 10-12 like-minded business people all keen to share their business expertise and willing to learn from and support each other. What will you gain? Thinking time to work on (rather than in) your business

The opportunity to explore projects in a confidential environment
A diverse pool of wisdom and expertise to draw on
A unique blend of challenge and support from your peers
Think tank for practical solutions to specific problems
Ideas for new products and services
Develop your management skills
Build relationships, trust and mutual understanding

Please contact the Chamber office for more information or to secure a place! Email: info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk or call the office on 01903 203484.

Growth Vouchers ... helping SME’s access strategic advice.

Growth Vouchers help SME’s access strategic advice to grow their businesses and offers up to £2000 match funding along with a free initial business consultation.  The funding may be spent in the following areas:

• Raising finance and managing cash flow
• Marketing, attracting and keeping customers
• Making the most of digital technology
• Improving leadership and management skills
• Recruiting and developing your staff

Apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-growth-vouchers or for further details please contact www.enterprisefirst.co.uk

Mandate Fraud - Please share with your accounts departments

Please be aware of the following fraud, two businesses locally have been victims of this crime in the last 10 days.

Companies should be aware when receiving letters from suppliers notifying them of changes to the suppliers bank details (even when on a professional letterhead).

Always follow this up with a call to your supplier to validate its authenticity.

Please click the link below for more details
http://www.channel4.com/news/fraudsters-reap-millions-with-simple-scam

The Social Enterprise Fund 2014-15 has now launched!
 
All the information you’ll need including the Guidelines and Application Forms are available at http://www.wssen.org.uk/social-enterprise-fund-2014-2015/
 
There will also be some FREE information workshops about the Social Enterprise Fund. These will be held at the following times and locations:
 
•         Centenary House, Worthing - Tuesday, July 8 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm
•         County Hall, Chichester - Wednesday, July 9 from 10am to midday
•         County Hall North, Horsham – Friday, July 11 from 10am to midday

If you would like to book a place on one of the workshops above please email social.enterprise@westsussex.gov.uk with your full name, a contact telephone number and the location of the workshop you’d like to attend.

Please note that there are a limited number of spaces and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.