Kreston Reeves named as one of the UK’s top accountancy firms

Accountants, business and financial advisers Kreston Reeves has been given the accolade of being named one of the Top Accountancy Firms in the UK for the fifth consecutive year by eprivateclient.

eprivateclient provides industry-leading research on the private wealth industry and each year it lists the top accountancy firms in the UK, promoting the UK’s very best tax advisory firms.

Kreston Reeves provides financial planning, legal services, personal tax, retirement planning and pensions, and wealth management advice to high net worth individuals and families in London and the South East. The full range of services provided helps maximise and protect wealth for individuals and their families and for future generations.

Daniel Grainge, Partner and Head of Tax at Kreston Reeves, comments: “We are delighted to be named by eprivateclient as one of the UK’s top accountancy firms again this year. We use our in-depth knowledge and expertise across the firm to deliver a comprehensive range of services to our private clients. We listen to our clients, understand their concerns and aspirations for the future, and we tailor our support to their individual needs, helping to guide and shape their future.”

www.krestonreeves.com

Safe in Sussex Gingerbread House Fun!

This year is the 4^th year of having Gingerbread House Fun. After the amazing success of selling 613 houses last year, this year we want to take the event to another dimension, so we’re hosting a public Gingerbread House Event!

How can a business get involved?

Gingerbread House Event Sponsorship Packages (NEW for 2021)

Due to such a great demand last year, we want to offer local businesses the chance to be associated with Safe in Sussex’s Gingerbread House Events.

Ideas of what we could offer your business:

• Name in title of our events - ex. Safe in Sussex Gingerbread House Decorating Competition or Safe in Sussex Gingerbread House Event Sponsored by...
• Name in title of our competitions
• Opportunity for you to demonstrate corporate social responsibility by supporting a domestic abuse charity within your local community – whilst highlighting our essential services to your staff.
• Get your sugar rush and claim a coveted place as one of our judges!
• Receive social media coverage and feature in any event press releases (we have nearly 2,000 followers on Facebook & nearly 1,200 on Twitter)
• Get featured on our website (We had 1,140 visits in August to our website.  If there are statistics you would like to know about our website, please let us know.

To discuss your involvement, and any further ideas you may have, please don’t hesitate to get in touch (details are on the following page).

2021 Gingerbread House Decorating Competition

Our signature event is back for the 4^th year, open to Businesses or Community Groups, with entry costs beginning at £50.

For £50 you receive one large pack house, measuring approx. 6” x 7” and 5” high, fitting on an 8” board. This will be sent by 26^th November, giving you 2 weeks to make and decorate the house for the competition on Zoom - Friday 10^th December at 12 noon (with images sent to judges by 11am beforehand).

This will be a really fun event, with the houses being judged on 3 things: Imagination, Inspiration & Appearance

As well as an opportunity to network with local businesses, by chatting about your house and organisation, you’ll gain some great publicity too.

Internal Gingerbread House Competitions (NEW for 2021)

You can buy large (£30) or small (£25) house packs for your staff so you can run an internal Gingerbread House Decorating competition - either interdepartmental or just as individuals. The small house measurements are 4” x 4” x 4.5” high to fit on a 6” board.

A Gingerbread House Making Kit as a Thank You/Christmas Gift - (NEW for 2021)

Help raise vital funds for Safe in Sussex and give a high-quality Gingerbread House Making Kit as Christmas gifts to staff, clients, volunteers or suppliers.

Fund a Gingerbread House Decorating Party for our Refuge Families (NEW for 2021)

You or your business or community group could pay for all our families to have a large or small Gingerbread House pack and a decorating event.

Please note, for all these options, postage comes at an additional cost, discounts are available for bulk orders, and, when all houses are finished, it would be great if they can be brought to us to be displayed at our Gingerbread House Decorating event on Saturday 11^th December 2021.

Some shocking reasons why we need your help

• There were 21,000 reported incidents of domestic abuse reported to the police in Sussex in 2020
• We had 888 referrals in 2020 for online Community group help
• 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime   
• 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime   
• 1 in 5 children are exposed to domestic abuse in the family home   
• On average 2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner  

Please contact Debbie West on fundraising@safeinsussex.org.uk to discuss any of these options. All proceeds will go to the vital work of Safe in Sussex, Charity No 1098726. www.safeinsussex.co.uk

Take part in Guildcare's first ever Firewalk Challenge

On Thursday 4th November Guildcare is hosting its first ever Firewalk at the Thomas A Becket pub! Why not bring your friends and family as you learn to conquer your fears by walking across 30ft of burning coals?

And all of this whilst raising money for our invaluable work, changing the lives of the most vulnerable in your community.

What is a firewalk and why should I take part?

Firewalking is the act of walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers or stones. It has a long history in many cultures as a test or proof of faith, and the act is also used in modern motivational seminars.

A firewalk is the most inspirational journey you will ever undertake. It is as the name suggests: a bare foot walk over red-hot wood embers measuring around 800 degrees. No tricks, no special effects; just you and the fire.

The decision to walk across the coals is dramatically life changing. Not just because you have decided to firewalk, but because you have consciously decided not to let your fear inhibit your actions. After all, if you can walk safely across hot coals, what else is possible?

Integral to the night is a seminar teaching you the techniques needed to conquer your fear. Once you take the power away from fear, there is really nothing stopping you.

How to take part

It costs £25 to register. Click here to register.

We are also asking for a minimum sponsorship of £100. If this isn’t raised a week before the event, we ask you make up the difference, which will cover the costs of the event itself.

We will send you a link to join the JustGiving group when you have signed up so that you can get all your friends and family to sponsor you. You can also download a physical sponsorship form here.

9 inspiring businesses shortlisted for £25,000 Business Boost

Valiant Lingerie

Valiant Lingerie has a mission to support women in healing their confidence and body image after treatment by providing fashionable, contemporary post-surgery lingerie.

Eleanor from Norfolk designed, produced, and launched her first lingerie collection during lockdown in 2020. Looking ahead, she hopes to be able to develop more products and is planning an empowering photoshoot with some of her customers; women who've had a diagnosis of breast cancer or had preventative surgery.

PendantPal

Ross is a qualified nurse and physician associate with experience working in healthcare for the elderly. Based in London, he saw first-hand the challenges the ageing population face, including a loss of confidence in spending time outside since the pandemic.

PendantPal is an alarm that vulnerable adults wear around their neck so they can contact a 24/7 care line if they feel unwell or have a fall. Unlike traditional pendant alarms, it works both inside and outside as it's a mobile device with a built-in SIM card – which means it can work anywhere.

Watch This Sp_ce *Chamber Member*

Watch This Sp_ce is a Brighton-based business on a mission to reimagine the world of work to include everyone. They offer consultancy, training, mentoring, coaching, and content creation to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

As well as working with existing organisations, they want to see more diverse founders start and build businesses. Mo Kanjilal and co-founders Allegra Chapman and Rachel Pearson have also developed an inclusion audit framework to engage wider audiences, and hope to develop their content into an app.

The English Vine

Neil from Essex is the founder of The English Vine, an English wine producer and shop that wants to make wine packaging more sustainable.

Citing issues that the UK fails to recycle a high percentage of glass, and almost half of the carbon footprint of wine comes from the bottle and packaging, The English Vine set about producing wine in a paper bottle. Earlier this year, they produced a limited run of 500 paper bottles in their own wine ‘Number 1’, and are on a mission to produce all wine in paper bottles within the next five years.

Wild Rye Sourdough

Wild Rye Sourdough is a microbakery based in Trowbridge that aims to bring real bread into people's homes, using no plastic waste and no preservatives.

Jess launched the bakery in 2020 after realising the corporate career ladder wasn’t for her. What started as just a small operation at home has now expanded to a dedicated baking space in a converted garage, and she’s invested in her own van to deliver bread to people throughout her community.

The Refill Shop of Ikigai

The Refill Shop of Ikigai helps people reduce their plastic consumption by letting them bring their own containers to stock up on food items and household products. With a strong environmental ethos, they use closed-loop suppliers where they can, and stock a range of local products, from soaps and deodorants to muesli and vegan honey.

Martin from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, was able to use redundancy money to open the shop earlier this year, following his dream to do his bit to help the planet.

Firefly Pottery

Victoria started her small independent pottery business, Firefly Pottery, nearly seven years ago. Based in Horsforth, Leeds, Firefly offers creative painting, clay making, and pottery wheel throwing workshops in the community.

As well as working with families, children’s clubs, and businesses, they’ve also worked with the disability charity, Scope, to make the classes accessible and inclusive for all.

The Udder Stuff

The Udder Stuff is a milk and milkshake vending machine in a town near Emily’s family farm in Devon. She aims to help reconnect consumers with where their food comes from by providing them with a glass bottle full of farm fresh, gently pasteurised milk.

Emily’s ambition is to install more milk vending machines in towns and shops, helping to educate and engage people on the importance of buying British produce.

Ruby & Bo

Founded in 2019 by Victoria and Rob, Ruby & Bo designs and creates plantable cards and eco-friendly stationery from a studio in the Sussex countryside.

Ruby & Bo source high-quality seeds and work with local artisan papermakers to produce their plantable paper and sell in their online shop. All their packaging and materials are plastic free, and they donate a percentage of their profits to global eco-initiatives.

TeachAllAboutIt - Games Cafe

Join TeachAllAboutIt at their Worthing Tuition Centre to play games on your laptop in the company of others, play Minecraft on a pitop or sit down and play a board game together. 

Mondays 1pm-3pm at TeachAllAboutIt, 303 Tarring Road, Worthing BN13 1JH

The Business Hothouse - WSX events

WSX Enterprise are running a number of webinars in partnership with and the Business Hothouse.

Grants for Growth – Applying for Invest4 Funding

This webinar is to help business to understand Invest4 Grant Fund criteria and process.  We discuss what projects or parts of the project are eligible for funding. After the webinar we also offer a 1-2-1 follow up, where we can discuss specific project and offer guidance on the applications.  The next webinar will be delivered on 14th September 10.00 – 12.00 

Grants for Growth – Applying for Invest4 Funding Tickets, Tue 14 Sep 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

We will also run a session on 12^th October 10.00 – 12.00

Grants for Growth – Applying for Invest4 Funding Tickets, Tue 12 Oct 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

We have also started running a 2-day Grant application writing workshop – Invest4 Funding.  During the remote workshop we will be discussing where to start with the Invest4 grant application, what the fund is looking for, how to word the answers on the application, most common mistakes when writing the application. All attendees will be given a workbook and offered a 121 to review their application.

Day 1 – 21^st September 10.00 – 13.00 - Grant application writing workshop – Invest4 Funding - Day 1 of 2 Tickets, Tue 21 Sep 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Day 2 – 28^th September 10.00 – 13.00 - Grant application writing workshop – Invest4 Funding - Day 2 of 2 Tickets, Tue 28 Sep 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Business Planning (How to Write a Business Plan) webinar 

It is interactive online workshop to help business owners/managers to write a realistic business plan with a clear strategy.  All attendees will be given a workbook and offered a 121 to review their business plan. The next webinar will be delivered on 30^th September 10.00 – 14.00.

Business Planning (How to Write a Business Plan) Webinar Tickets, Thu 30 Sep 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite 

Planning, Managing & Growing My Business – Webinar – The Business Hothouse

This programme will drive your business forward and give it best chance of success, whilst also providing a space for you to meet other business owners.  You will be provided with downloadable and printable resource to support each session and time to complete these during the sessions, with joint exercises also to complete to make it as interactive as possible.  This course will be delivered over 3 days, in 4-hour sessions: 26^th October, 10.00 – 14.00, 2^nd November, 10.00 – 14.00, 9^th November, 10.00 – 14.00

Planning, Managing & Growing My Business – Webinar – The Business Hothouse Tickets, Tue 26 Oct 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) -  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 to start the survey

Concessions tell of success as they help bolster local economy and create community destinations

A record number of concessions are now operating across Adur and Worthing as the Councils continue endeavours to regenerate town centres and add social value to key areas.

More than 40 concessions are up and running at a range of sites, including Worthing Promenade and popular walking spots like Storrington Rise, Adur River and Shoreham Lighthouse.

Every year the Councils make a dedicated effort to create new opportunities for local businesses to operate concessions - a move which is more important than ever post Covid.

Each cluster is part of a friendly, community-led atmosphere and visitors can enjoy a variety of different food, drink and activities - from kite surfing to street food stands, and ice cream to cocktails.

While most seasonal concessions only operate during the Summer, the Councils have been exploring licence extensions, due to the increase in popularity of operating through the Winter season, in part down to the pandemic.

In October last year, The Camp’s Coffee Bean Co set up shop on Worthing Promenade, opposite Steyne Gardens. In April, Worthing Borough Council gave owner Will Camp another Summer licence - so The Camp’s Artisan Gelato could operate from a separate pitch, within the same cluster.

Will runs the business with his family, and said: “When we started our concession people weren’t able to shop properly, so it gave us a bit of a flying start. 

“Lots of people give us very positive feedback and both of our concessions have really enhanced the promenade - making the area more appealing along with the other businesses around there.

“It’s become a bit of a meeting spot for the community. The more people we can get into Worthing the better, and we know people come to see us and then head down to the shops.”

Adur and Worthing concessions have worked hard to ensure the safety of their employees and customers during the pandemic. Each has been responsible for procedures, including social distancing guidelines, following advice and guidance from the Councils.

They are also responsible for their own health and safety, waste management, and noise limitation procedures. 

Ensuring there is a good and proper mix of concessions across the area are part of the Councils’ wider efforts to regenerate local spaces, including parades, town centres and other key areas.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We want to support local businesses and give residents and visitors places to meet, and a variety of different offerings from food and drink, to activities they can participate in.

“Each follows a ‘no-trace policy’, meaning they manage their waste and litter while on-site, pack up after trading, leaving nothing overnight - ensuring our pitches are left clean and tidy.”

Through a survey conducted earlier this year, the authorities found some have taken steps to limit noise by purchasing quieter generators, not using one at all, or buying noise-reducing baffle boxes.

After leaving the group travel industry due to the pandemic, Nick Dawson set up Relay Coffee, and since November has been operating as part of the River Adur cluster near Shoreham Tollbridge.

After the Government ruled open air food and drink stalls and concessions could continue to trade during lockdown, Nick said his spot became somewhat of a haven for people during this period.

“It’s such a nice location to work in. I've lived in a few towns in Sussex, but there’s something special about Shoreham’s community and the friendly people being so willing to support small businesses.

“We try to source produce locally. Our coffee roasters Cast Iron are from Chichester, our crisps are from The Sussex Crisp Company, and cakes come from Shoreham-based company, Twist and Bake.

“We don’t use a generator and all of our cups are compostable - we put a bin out and make sure all waste is disposed of properly.”

The Councils currently offer six-month summer and winter licences at designated pitches across the area. Each can be applied for online. For more information, visit: https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/land-and-property/seasonal-concessions/

The WSCC Recover & Rise SME Digital Accelerator Programme

Free online workshops start in September to help West Sussex businesses maximise the impact and accessibility of digital technologies.

The Recover and Rise SME Digital Accelerator programme is a four-part series comprising more than 25 online workshops:

● Series 1: Getting Online
● Series 2: Customers and Marketing
● Series 3: Systems and Productivity
● Series 4: Growth Expansion and New Products. 

The aim is to help Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) utilise digital tools and gain expert knowledge and advice on how best to grow their online presence, attract and retain
new customers and work more productively.

The workshops start on 9 September and will take place at 12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They will run through to January 2022.

They can sign up to Event 1 for FREE - HERE

The programme of workshops has been devised by local digital experts Freedom Works, Always
Possible and Creative Bloom and is being delivered in partnership by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex district and borough councils. 

Please note: businesses have to be located within West Sussex to be eligible for these workshops. Interested organisations can sign up for any or all of the sessions 

Programme overview

Series 1 – Getting Online: The Webinars in Series 1 cover everything you need to know to set up and maintain your business’s online presence to a professional standard.

Series 2 – Customers & Marketing:

Everything you need to know to enhance your online presence to take your business to new marketing heights.

Series 3 – Systems & Productivity

Everything you need to know about streamlining your business workflow and productivity with digital tools.

Series 4 – Growth, Expansion & New Products

Everything you need to know about using digital tools to innovate and grow your business.

Sparkling new website sends out clear message: It's Time For Worthing

A sparkling new website packed with information on investing and living in Worthing has been launched.

The Time for Worthing inward investment project wants to attract visitors and businesses to the borough to boost the local economy.

The new website has breathtaking videos, stunning brand artwork and is packed with information about the borough and what there is to do. The project believes it will help those who live outside the borough’s boundaries and even local residents take a fresh look at the place.

The Time for Worthing place brand was launched in Feb 2020 with the overall aim of projecting the town's positive values, attracting investment and generating civic pride. Originally launched by the Borough Council the project is now managed by a board of local residents, community groups, businesses and creative industry professionals with support from council officers.

The launch of the website comes as we emerge from the pandemic and begin to build a post-Covid economy.

The site is divided into sections including:

• Whats' On  - up to date event listings (with an option to event holders to list their event for free)

• See and Do  - ideal for inspiration for days out in and around Worthing - places to eat and drink and experiences to keep everyone entertained whatever the weather

• Live - an insight into Worthing for new and prospective residents with highlights of neighbourhood areas, schools and details of how to get involved in your local community.

• For Business -  aimed at prospective investors to the town - from micro entrepreneurs right up to large developers and includes whos' here - with  testimonials from some of our most eminent business leaders

The website has been built by local Worthing firm Huxley Digital with copy and content produced in house by the Time for Worthing Team.

Andy Willems, chairman of the Time for Worthing Board, said, ‘Obviously as soon as we launched the investment brand the pandemic struck but that doesn’t alter the essential message which is that Worthing is changing, becoming more attracted to live in, come to for entertainment and, as importantly, to invest your business, talents and creativity here. 

‘So as we move to a post pandemic world it is vital that Time For Worthing sends out the message that there is a warm welcome here in a fantastic part of the world.’

Sam Whittington, proprietor of city centre jewellery and giftware store, Sewsilver and chairperson of the Worthing Town Centre Initiative (TCI), which is represented on the Board, said , ‘The TCI is pleased to be partners with Time for Worthing and is excited about the benefits the new website will offer. Having such a raft of information, easily available in one place, will help drive the Worthing economy by attracting not only visitors, but also investment into our town. The site is launched just in time to take advantage of the growth in staycationing and provides a platform for Worthing businesses and organisations to reach new audiences.’

Bev Lees, Chief Financial Officer at ophthalmic innovators Rayner said, ‘The new website showcases what Worthing has to offer from education, social activities and infrastructure perspective .This will be of great benefit in attracting new businesses, to complement existing ones, leading to an excellent business network and engaging future external investment ,increasing employment opportunities.’

The new website can be accessed here: https://timeforworthing.uk/