Kreston Reeves appoints Legal Services solicitor

Accountants, business, legal and financial advisers Kreston Reeves has announced the appointment of a new solicitor to its growing Legal Services team.

Chantelle Mitchell joined the firm in May from West Sussex law firm Anderson Rowntree and will focus on advising families and individuals on wills, inheritance tax planning, trusts, probate, and powers of attorney.

Her appointment follows the recent promotion of Gemma Spencer to Partner and joint head of Kreston Reeves’ Legal Services team.

Commenting on her appointment, Chantelle said: “I am excited by my move to Kreston Reeves. The firm has a growing legal services team acting for families and individuals complementing its private client tax team. I look forward to building my career with the firm.”

Gemma Spencer, Joint Head of Legal at Kreston Reeves, said: “I would like to welcome Chantelle to the firm and our outstanding Legal Services team. The demand from individuals and families for high-quality tax and legal advice has never been higher and we delighted to have Chantelle as part of the team.”

£25,000 BUSINESS BOOST GRANT LAUNCHED TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BATTLE ECONOMIC CLIMATE

• £25,000 Business Boost grant launched by leading small business insurer Simply Business to help small businesses battle the current economic climate and continue their post-covid recovery
• A recent study by Simply Business found that 70% of small business owners stated the rising costs are now their biggest challenge in 2022
• Entries are open from today and are open for two months
• A panel of expert judges from the world of business will decide on the final winner – last year’s judging panel included former Dragons’ Den investor Piers Linney and The Apprentice 2019 winner Carina Lepore
• This is the third iteration of the grant – diversity and inclusion consultancy, Watch This Sp_ce, beat almost 25,000 small businesses to win last year’s £25,000 grant

17^th June 2022, London – Simply Business, one of the UK’s largest providers of small business insurance, today announces the launch of its annual £25,000Business Boost grant.

The grant is designed to give UK small businesses a significant helping hand in the face of wider economic challenges – including the cost of living rising at an alarming rate, inflation and supply challenges. Small business owners can submit their entries from today.

A panel of expert judges, which last year included leading British businessman, investor and former star of TV’s Dragon’s Den, Piers Linney, and The Apprentice winner Carina Lepore, will decide on the final winner of the grant.

Entries will close on 17 August and the winner will be announced on 14 October.

The grant is the third iteration from Simply Business. Last year it gave away £25,000 to founders Mo Kanjilal, Allegra Chapman and Rachel Pearson of the diversity and inclusion consultancy business Watch This Sp_ce.

They beat almost 25,000 small businesses from across the UK to the grant, while the 2020 prize was picked up by Larissa Cooper of textiles firm Rowan Bay, from Norfolk.

Allegra Chapman, Co-Creator - Watch this Sp_ce commented: “Winning Business Boost really took our business to the next level.

“It gave us the financial injection we needed to develop our audit and training platform so that we can provide a truly holistic service to organisations looking to make a meaningful impact with diversity and inclusion.

“It also helped to raise our profile and get us noticed by some very exciting new clients across the UK and beyond.”

A recent study^[1] from Simply Business showed the impact Covid-19 continues to have on UK SMEs, alongside the wider effects of the current economic climate. The key findings showed:

• Small business owners now face wider challenges while attempting to recover – with 70% stating rising costs are now their biggest challenge, along with supply shortages also proving difficult
• 87% of small business owners have lost money over the last two years, averaging £20,981 each in total
• SMEs now say they have lost nearly £21,000 on average, with one in six – totalling almost one million small business owners believing they will never financially recover
• Over a fifth do not expect to ever return to pre-pandemic levels of trading

Alan Thomas, UK CEO at Simply Business, comments: “Small businesses are built on big dreams, and we know finance plays a huge part in starting or growing a successful small firm.

“It’s never been more important to support the self-employed, with the impact of the pandemic and recent soaring costs making it a difficult environment for new and existing owners. We want to make a genuine transformational impact to one owner’s life. From our research, we know £25,000 does just that – the average cost for startups in year one alone stands at £22,756².

“The fact we had almost 25,000 applications last year shows how important it is to empower the nation’s entrepreneurs, as they look to navigate a tricky economic climate alongside the day-to-day challenges of being a small business owner.

“Small businesses play a vital role in our communities and contribute enormously to our economy. It only felt right to return with our Business Boost grant for a third year, having witnessed its positive impact on two deserving small businesses in 2020 and 2021.”

You can learn more about – and enter – the Simply Business Business Boost grant here: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/business-boost/

^[1] Study of 1,206 small business owners from across the UK, conducted March 2022

Worthing Leisure Centre - No Joining Fee Day Saturday 2nd July

A fabulous Saturday, 2nd July of fun is promised at Worthing Leisure Centre which marks its 50th anniversary this summer.

The centre, which opened its doors back in 1972, is hosting an open day on Saturday, 2nd July to which everyone is invited to share in the celebrations.

Along with the more traditional activities such as gym, weights room, racket sports, running track and football sessions on the 3D pitches, visitors can have a go at something more unusual, such as Retro Fitness Fiesta – where you can try your favourite classes in the rhythm of crazy 70s and 80s disco and rock music.

Children’s activities include a special magician appearance, sensory room for the youngest and Amazon Adventure and giant inflatable bouncy castle, promising something for everyone.

Also, our sales team has prepared a special anniversary FIT4 offer for those who want to start their fitness adventure with us.

For a full list of the weekend's activities and to register for your 'no joining fee' visit their website here

Flexible office spaces available to let at the Sphere Business Centre

The Sphere is a business centre and flexible working space set up by Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce, GB Met College and Adur & Worthing Council for start-ups and small businesses looking to take their first steps of growth. As businesses expand and move to larger premises, space within the Sphere becomes available to small and growing businesses.

Currently available are

• ·         One single person semi-private office £170pcm (plus VAT)
• ·         One single person private office £250pcm (plus VAT)
• ·         Semi-private desks £100pcm (plus VAT)

The Sphere is different to other co-working spaces in that it offers a collaborative working environment that encourages growth. Businesses located in the Sphere have the unique opportunity to access the support offered by the Chamber who are located on site.

The Sphere offers users the following:

●        Free high speed broadband and superfast WiFi

●        Free parking

●        Private meeting room – free to book

●        Secure and maintained facilities

●        Breakout areas

●        Discounted full colour photocopier (A4 and A3)

●        Professional environment

●        Access to networking events and business support from Worthing & Adur Chamber

●        Subsidised membership to the Chamber for the first year

●        Term-time on site gym and refectory (including Starbucks)

●        Free tea and coffee

No other workspace in Worthing offers such a comprehensive package of business benefits. The Sphere is conveniently located in Broadwater - about a mile north of Worthing town centre - making it easily accessible from the A24, A27 and A259. A 15 minute walk from Worthing train station and located near major bus routes

Please contact the Chamber office to arrange a visit on 01903 203484 or email lauren@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

The Local Skills Improvement Plan Digital Sector Deep Dive

As part of the continuing work on the Local Skills improvement Plan and associated Future Skills Sussex Improvement Framework, we’re commencing Deep Dives into our Key Sectors and have recently launched a Digital Sector Deep Dive and we need your help. 

As part of the project, we want to gather the view of Digital businesses in Sussex of skills, where they see the skills gaps being in their business, how they train staff and engage with education providers.

If you’re a Digital business or employ people that undertake digital roles it would be great if you could complete this short survey to help us understand more about your business. https://lnkd.in/eB4XRTMe

More information on the Digital Sector Deep Dive

The Deep Dive will create a research report and toolkit full of useful and relevant information to support local stakeholders take action, and work towards solving the challenges and priorities for change identified within the Sussex Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), and resultant Future Skills Sussex Improvement Framework (FSSIF)

The Deep Dive report will provide links to existing research, initiatives and good practice that can be used as exemplars for future Sussex projects. We aim to empower existing projects, providing an evidence base and strategic direction to support their growth and development, deepen their impact and meet the need of individuals and businesses in wider geographical areas in Sussex.

We will signpost to the rich amount of local market information, employment and skills data that is available, both publicly online and through partner data sources. Providing examples of other projects that have taken an innovative approach to solving the problems, challenges and priorities for change identified in our own Sussex LSIP. 

The report will identify where the businesses or skills providers have begun to solve some of the challenges we face, from training programmes and staff development, to diversity, inclusion or sustainability initiatives.  This will offer a resource to enable education, support agencies and business alike to plan ahead for the future needs of the sector in Sussex.

New Worthing Borough Council cabinet unveiled

The ruling group of Worthing Borough Council has confirmed its top team to transform the authority into a community-focused operation.

Council Leader Dr Beccy Cooper has appointed eight cabinet members - five of them women - to take the lead on a range of issues including citizen services, health and wellbeing and the climate emergency.

Cllr Carl Walker is Deputy Leader and has responsibility for children and young people, the Big Listening campaign and the cost of living emergency. 

Cllr Emma Taylor is the Cabinet Member for Citizen Services, with a portfolio including housing, revenues and benefits. Cllr Vicki Wells has taken on the Environment portfolio, which includes waste and recycling, water quality and parks.

Cllr Martin McCabe is the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Helen Silman the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Cllr John Turley the Cabinet Member for Resources. Cllr Rosey Whorlow’s Community Wellbeing portfolio includes community safety, equality and diversity alongside health and wellbeing.

Cllr Rita Garner is taking on the Culture & Leisure portfolio instead of the Deputy Mayor role. A new Deputy Mayor will be appointed to support Mayor of Worthing Henna Chowdhury.

Cllr Cooper said: “I’m delighted to have been able to appoint such a talented group of people to develop our vision for how a Council should be run. 

"Over the next 12 months we are going to bring genuine, positive change to Worthing, making a difference in the ways that residents most want to see.

“This is a cabinet of the community, for the community - and we are determined to ensure everyone’s voices are heard and considered before decisions are made.”

To view the portfolios in detail visit https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/meetings-and-decisions/worthing-cabinet-member-decisions/.

Mayo Wynne Baxter raises money for Sussex Mental Health Charity Heads On with Village Walk

A team from leading Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter raised £535 for Sussex mental health charity Heads On by walking 5km when they set off from Glynde Place.

Heads On is the charitable arm of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and is Mayo Wynne Baxter’s chosen company charity until 2023.  The team joined the fundraising walk, organised by Heads On at the 16^th century manor house on Saturday 11 June, after it was postponed because of the pandemic.  

Sam Dickinson, Equality and Diversity Partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter’s Brighton office, said: “It was fantastic to be able to finally take part in this wonderful fundraising event after it was delayed by the pandemic. “We’re so proud to support Heads On as our chosen charity and back the important work they do in looking after people’s mental health in Sussex, especially as we all know what an impact the pandemic had on everyone’s mental resilience.   

“Exercise is such an important part of caring for our wellbeing and a walk or run in the South Downs in the picturesque surroundings of Glynde is definitely good for the soul. It’s even better when you can raise money for such a great cause too.”

The team included marketing executive Lorna Gietzen, who works out of the Eastbourne office and her daughters Isobel and Sophia Gietzen, Samantha Dickinson, equality and diversity partner, together with her daughter Scarlett, as well as solicitor Kirsty Grimley from the Brighton office and Clare Smith, HR director, who works in the Eastbourne office.

Mayo Wynne Baxter has been working with Heads On since April 2021 and had already raised £2,000 for the charity and helped to raise its profile locally. Participants had the option to run or walk a 5km or 10km course around the rural estate and raise money for Heads On or other Sussex NHS charities.

Marketing executive Lorna said: “It’s fantastic to add this new amount to our fundraising for Heads On and we’re really proud to have walked 5km with the team and our children. “It is an absolute joy to be able to restart in person fundraising events like this again now the pandemic is behind us. “It has been a challenge to fundraise because of the restrictions but now that society has opened up again and we’re back in our offices we have been organising raffles and bake offs with many more events planned for 2022.”

To donate to Heads On please visit Mayo Wynne Baxter’s JustGiving Page for Walk For Wards at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-mayo-wynne-baxter-team-walkforwards

COUNCIL BIDS FOR £20M GOVERNMENT GRANT TO BOOST WORTHING’S CULTURAL AND TOURISM ECONOMY

A £20m bid to revive Worthing’s tourism and cultural offer to help boost economic revival in the town is to be submitted to the government next month.

The Museum, Lido and improved streetscapes linking attractions are the three central planks of the bid which is to be submitted under the government’s Levelling Up Fund which seeks to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK.

The Council believes cultural and recreational development will strengthen civic pride amongst local residents and drive ambition and opportunity for the arts, leisure and recreation, heritage and creative industries. The Council says the bid offers very strong value for money and is founded on a solid business case which will create jobs and apprenticeships.

The bid splits three ways although the actual sums for each have yet to be finalised. 

• The Lido. The Council wants to invest in rebuilding the structure of the iconic landmark so that exciting new plans for its use can be brought forward in consultation with the public.
• Worthing Museum and Art Gallery’s Let the Light In project. A dramatic transformation of the entire building into a seamless bright spacious series of galleries to showcase the collections as well as significantly expanding education and research facilities.
• Public realm street design and wayfaring. The new public realm will provide new opportunities for active travel, creating a walkable, welcoming town centre.   

Worthing Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Martin McCabe, said, ‘These are really important projects which could revive two important cultural assets while ensuring the town is connected through pleasant, safe and sustainable routes to allow residents and tourists alike to discover what has perhaps been hidden in the past, namely that we have a rich heritage to draw on. 

‘However I believe we really need to improve our cultural offer for both residents and tourists alike and create a strong identity for the town. That way we boost civic pride, support local creativity and also create a buzz about the town as somewhere to visit. All this will boost our economy but there’s much work to be done and success with these bids would give us a significant leg up.’ 

Cllr McCabe said success with the Levelling Up bids was by no means certain with many Councils all over the country fighting for the same grants but pledged the Council would continue to work hard to bring the projects to fruition whatever the results of the process. 

Work is continuing to finesse the bid ahead of a deadline to submit to the government by July 6th. The bids can only concern transport infrastructure, much of which in Worthing is the responsibility of West Sussex County Council, town centre regeneration and culture investment.

The Council wants Worthing to benefit from the up-surge in staycations and the revival in British seaside resorts but says this has not been as successful as some other coastal communities. While the investment in a diverse economy is helping the borough economically, a joined-up cultural offer for visitors and a welcoming and attractive focus for community participation is now needed to sustain this.

Q&A with Cllr Carl Walker, cabinet member for communities and young people and Deputy Leader of Worthing Borough Council

Listening and learning is at the heart of everything Carl Walker is working to achieve in his new role as Deputy Leader of Worthing Borough Council.

Whether it’s by taking the pulse of our local communities or collecting evidence and advice from experts in other parts of the UK, his focus will be on finding solutions to the big issues that are of most concern to people in Worthing.

Here Cllr Walker explains what he wants to get done - even if achieving world peace might take him a bit longer than other things on his to-do list.

Q. You have now been in the cabinet for two weeks. What are your first impressions of the role? Has anything surprised you?

It’s been an incredibly busy few weeks but the thing that’s surprised me most has been the amazing response from the people around the town. So many have contacted me to say how excited they are about the ideas we have, to support residents and improve the town as a whole. I’m an eternal optimist but I have to say that I’m sensing a genuine desire to bring about change and feel incredibly lucky that the people of Worthing have given us the chance to do that. A further surprise since becoming Deputy Leader of the Council is that I don’t look quite as bad in a shirt as I thought I would.

Q. What have been the first things you have done so far?

There are three key areas. Firstly, I’ve been developing a town-wide Big Listening campaign. This will involve creating opportunities for our communities to be heard. I want to ensure that the outcomes of these listening activities are reflected in Council strategy and will drive everything we do going forward. Secondly, I’m working with officers to develop our Cost of Living Emergency action plan. Too many people are struggling to feed their families and I want us, as a Council, to pull every possible lever to make this dreadful crisis more bearable for our residents. And thirdly, I’ve been working with our amazing young people’s team - Cllr Vicki Wells, Cllr Sam Theodoridi and our officers - on a strategy to really listen to and support young people in our town.

Q. Is there any person or group that you are taking inspiration from as you develop plans in your role?

There are so many local authorities across the country doing amazing work - Wigan, Newham, Tower Hamlets to name but a few. I’m all for learning from the very best practice, where authorities are trying innovative, exciting ways to make genuine change for their residents. I also take inspiration from people in our community. Before becoming Deputy Leader, I helped to found a local food bank charity, the Worthing Food Foundation. This is an entirely volunteer-led and volunteer-run organisation supporting hundreds of local families every week with food and essentials. It thrives due to the passion, commitment and amazing skills of our local residents - and leaves me in awe at the end of every shift.

Q. You’ve said that you want to put the community at the heart of everything the Council does. What does that mean?

Up until now, the huge potential for harnessing the views of our communities and translating them into Council policy has not been fully realised in Worthing. Our Council for the Community will set out to gain a deep understanding of what our residents and community groups want to see done, in order to ensure that Worthing Borough Council and the town itself are driven by those needs and aspirations. Our Big Listening campaign will be the first step in residents being heard, and being able to influence local decision-making in a way that is genuinely democratic and consequential.

Q. You plan to connect with those sections of the Worthing community that the Council may not have had close links to in the past. Who are those groups and how will you work with them?

Through my background as a community psychologist, I’ve learned that the way to effectively include those who have not felt connected is to change the way that we talk to people. As a Council we want to work with community organisations, residents’ groups, schools and charities to find new ways to connect. This means being an equal partner with our communities rather than taking the traditional top-down approach. As a Council we’re developing ways to be more ‘place-based’ - that is, working with residents in the local areas they live in and care about.

Q. The Big Listening event is due to begin in July. What are you hoping will come from it?

The Worthing Big Listening campaign will offer an opportunity to thousands of residents, in many different locations, to share their ideas across every area of Council activity. We want to know what residents love about Worthing and what they would like to see change. There will be many ways to make those voices heard, including evening events, online surveys, digital forums, work with specific community groups and schools and a Big Listening Festival.

Q. Young people have no voice in elections yet are a major user of Council services. What do you think needs to be done for young people in the borough?

I think there is the potential for some excellent provision for young children across the town. We had a lot of engagement with local community groups prior to taking over the Council and the message coming back was that we need safe public spaces for young people and more amenities and activities for those aged 11+. There is also the huge issue of mental health. I’ve worked on this before and produced a Worthing Young Person’s Mental Health Guide for parents and carers. We need to join with other public sector organisations, schools and charities to do everything we can. For example, I’d like to see a Worthing Young People’s Mental Health Festival to start this process off.

Q. Let’s jump forward in time. You’ve been in post for 12 months - what have you managed to get done so far?

Firstly, we will have started the process of empowering residents to take control of decisions in their communities. We’ll have also begun to deliver on our promise to build council housing and our Cost of Living Emergency declaration will have given real support to those most in need during such a difficult time. We also have ambitious plans to regenerate our town, create more green spaces and a vibrant, attractive and thriving town centre that supports fantastic Worthing-based businesses. I’m confident that all this will be beginning to take shape in 12 months’ time. 

On a personal level, I’d also like world peace and to look like Leonardo DiCaprio but that could take more than a year.

Report calls for Council and businesses to work together to improve Worthing town centre 

Business leaders and Council officers should work more closely together to help traders in Worthing town centre to flourish, a new report argues.

A Worthing Borough Council working group recommends that the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) should continue for a further five years to encourage more visitors to the area.

Worthing has had a BID - stretching from Heene Road in the west to past Splashpoint leisure centre in the east - since 2008 but traders have to agree every five years that they will continue to fund it and the Council has to be satisfied with the way it is operating. 

Cllr Martin McCabe, Worthing’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We're committed to a people-centred approach to the economic development of our town, redirecting wealth back into the local economy and into the hands of local people. We're ambitious about moving away from the failed developer-led approach to regeneration and towards a community wealth-building strategy that harnesses the power of our local communities and businesses. 

“I want to place on record my thanks to the TCI and our business community for all their hard work in making our town centre clean, safe and accessible. I'm excited about the possibilities for this Council, the TCI and other local groups to work together in new ways to build a long-lasting and resilient Worthing economy."

The BID is managed by Worthing Town Centre Initiative (TCI) - a not-for-profit business-led organisation which is funded by a levy on businesses in the town as well as income from the town centre markets, with traders deciding how the money should be spent.

Over the last five years an estimated £1.4m has been spent by the TCI in the town centre, including deep cleaning pavements, painting street furniture, hanging baskets, floral displays and Christmas lights. The TCI also employs two town centre rangers, who patrol the town centre helping shoppers and preventing crime.

A working group of councillors found that there is unanimous support for the BID amongst traders in the town centre, but that more could be achieved if the TCI worked more closely with the Council and its tourism and investment arm, Time for Worthing.

In turn, the TCI would focus on promoting the town and its businesses, improving the visual appeal of the town centre and making the centre safer and more welcoming for shoppers. It would also organise markets, events and activities to draw crowds to the town and would provide support and advice to businesses.

The Council pays a levy to the TCI as the ratepayer of a number of premises inside the town centre, such as its car parks, the town hall and the pier.

If the Council agrees to support the BID continuing, traders will be asked to agree to its business plan later this year.

For the BID to continue for a further five years, more than 50% of businesses that vote must vote in favour of it, and those in favour must also represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of the businesses that vote. If that happens, all eligible businesses would have to pay the levy, whether or not they voted in favour of it.

If businesses vote against continuing the BID, it will end on 31 March 2023.

For more information about the BID visit https://www.worthingtowncentre.co.uk/business-improvement-district/.