News & Updates

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

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



  • 23 April 2020 11:34 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    AWBP Update: Coronavirus: Business Support, Information & Guidance

    Message from AWBP Chair, Andrew Swayne 

    It’s good to see more progress in issuing the business grants, as the team has now issued 1,280 (51% of eligible businesses) as at 21st April. It’s interesting how the press pick up on incomplete stories and it shows it’s always wise to check your data! 

    It will be interesting to see how well the Job Retention Scheme mechanism works as many businesses will be making use of this locally. 

    Many thanks to the businesses who are supporting the national effort either by increasing their normal activities or undertaking new things and donating to the NHS and Care Homes. I’m not going to pick out any one business in this edition but we would like to start sharing your proactive stories from next week.

    As with last week, I encourage you to continue to highlight to your employees the extent of volunteering opportunities that are available to assist in the community response effort across Adur and Worthing. Please do continue to share the message.

    And finally, it’s quite clear that lockdown will last until early May (at the earliest) and let’s hope the plan to relax the situation becomes clear so that we can all plan for recovery as quickly as is safe.

    Billion pound support package for innovative firms 

    UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package.

    The targeted and tailored will help ensure firms in some of the most dynamic sectors of the UK economy – ranging from tech to life sciences – are protected through the crisis so they can continue to develop innovative new products and help power UK growth.

    The comprehensive package includes a new £500 million loan scheme for high-growth firms, called the Future Fund, and £750 million of targeted support for small and medium sized businesses focusing on research and development.

    Further information will be provided shortly, however the press release can be found here.

    Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool 

    A new ‘support finder’ tool was launched by the Government on 20th April to help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The finder tool asks businesses to fill out a simple online questionnaire, which can take minutes to complete. The business will then be directed to a list of all the financial support they may be eligible for.

    The finder tool can also be accessed here.

    Job Retention Scheme opens for applications 

    The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme went live on 20th April, with businesses able to claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages.

    Employers can apply for direct cash grants through HMRC’s new online portal - with the money expected to land in their bank accounts within six working days.

    The job retention scheme, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of a package of support to protect jobs and businesses, allows employers to claim for a cash grant of up to 80% of a furloughed employee's wages, capped at £2,500 a month.

    It’s becoming clear that claims need to be very detailed and correct before they are submitted. We understand amendment is difficult. Please follow the instructions in full.To access this support please click here

    Processing ramps up on Business Grants 

    Adur & Worthing Councils continue to process the Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund on behalf of central government. Over 2,000 businesses have now registered for the claim, out of 2,500 that are eligible. The Councils’ have now processed 51% of these claims as the pace picks up to get these grants to eligible businesses.

    We urge those eligible businesses that haven’t uploaded their information yet to do so, as we are keen that all businesses take advantage of of this one-off grant payment.

    Further details on the schemes and registration process can be found here.


  • 23 April 2020 10:14 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Kreston Reeves wishlist support for NHS Trusts

    Kreston Reeves has joined the #ThankYouNHS campaign and set up three Amazon wishlists to make it easier for employees, clients, contacts or the wider public to make a donation of much needed items for the doctors, nurses, medical professionals, students, staff and patients at three hospital trusts across the South East.

    In just a few days since the Kreston Reeves wishlists have been set up, over £1,800 worth of items have been purchased and donated including:

    • 174 tubs of Vaseline and 152 tubs of E45, useful for dry hands and faces due to the extra washing or wearing of masks.
    • 78 bottles body wash and 60 roll-on deodorants, useful for those staying in hospital overnight or washing after being on a Coronavirus ward.
    • Hundreds of treats including Haribo sweets, Biscoff biscuits and others.

    To make a donation go to https://www.krestonreeves.com/news/thank-you-nhs-essential-items-campaign/ and follow the instructions. You can choose which of the three hospital trusts you donate to – either the Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust, Support Barts Charity (London) or Support East Kent Hospitals Charity (Kent). You will need an amazon account to take part and you choose and purchase from the pre-selected items.

    Donated items will be sent to one of the Kreston Reeves regional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reps who will collate and distribute to the hospitals in need. In the event there are items purchased which are no longer required by the charity, they will be donated to local food banks.

    The campaign is supported by the Kreston Reeves Foundation, a registered charity. Sam Rouse, Charities and Not for Profit Partner from Kreston Reeves comments: “Everyone wants to feel they are doing something useful at this time and while staying at home is clearly the best thing people can do, we have also set up something practical to provide much needed items and treats to our frontline NHS workers. Many people want to say thank you to our front-line workers and we know they will appreciate these items being sent to them. On their behalf thank you to everyone who has made a donation through our wishlist to date.”

  • 23 April 2020 10:00 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Are you one of the 'Missed Millions'? - If so please take a few minutes to complete this survey

    The 'Missed Millions' are businesses / freelancers and start-ups (under 2 years) who do not qualify for any of the current central government business support initiatives - such as SBRR and Rates Relief or Job Retention Scheme.  

    Last week a call took place with the County Council, Coast 2 Capital - LEP and a couple of the local authorities in Sussex.  The objective of the call was to see how practical support can be provided to the grassroots businesses, freelancers and start-ups who have slipped through the net.

    Can local funding be made available? Can we get a strong enough voice to lobby effectively?....AND can we get something going where whatever spend is being spent in the Sussex region to get channeled and driven to our grassroots economy?

    There is an appetite to help and support at local level - which is a good start.  But, we NEED YOUR VOICE - if you are one of those who have 'fallen through the gaps'. 

    If this is you - Can you please take 10 mins out of your day and complete the following survey:   https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/sussexbusinessCOVID

    We can’t guarantee a tangible result for you but what we can promise is your voice WILL be heard at a regional level if you complete this survey. You never know where this could take us
  • 23 April 2020 9:31 AM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Coast to Capital support update

    This is an update of the support that Coast to Capital LEP and the Coast to Capital Growth Hub Team can provide to businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Backing Business Grants

    Following a very high demand for the Coast to Capital Backing Business Grants, the programme is currently paused for applications. 453 expressions of interest have been received for the Coast to Capital Backing Business Fund providing grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 for businesses of between 5 and 50 employees with a turnover of less than £10m. 254 application forms have been received requesting £4.383m against a fund of £2m. Coast to Capital are exploring ways to increase the Backing Business Grant Fund.

    One to One Emergency Response Clinics 

    Due to popular demand the Growth Hub Team are providing additional emergency response one to one clinics covering a range of key topics with experts. This Coast to Capital Growth Hub page provides links through to the Eventbrite pages for the clinics which include topics covering Finance, Grants and Funding, Staffing and HR, Innovation, Technology and Mental Resilience. These will be added to meet demand. If the clinics are fully booked businesses are invited to complete the Priority COVID-19 Business Support Request Form and the Growth Hub team will follow up with one to one advice.

    Working with Partners

    We are working with local and national government, business support organisations including the Chambers of Commerce, membership organisations, IOD and the Federation of Small Businesses to provide collaborative support. We are very keen to work closely with your organisation and happy to follow this up with you.

    Events and Webinars

    The Coast to Capital Growth Hub provides links to the wide range of webinars and online events covering key topics at this most challenging time. We are working with partners to jointly develop and promote webinars bringing together experts in their field. These will be promoted on the Growth Hub website and social media.

    Information

    The Growth Hub Team continue to maintain the COVID 19 section of the Growth Hub Portal with links to the available support. We continue to collate partner information and place it in our COVID-19 Business Support area of the Coast to Capital Growth Hub. We regularly tweet from @c2cGrowthHub with news, information and events

    Reporting to Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

    The Coast to Capital team report issues, impacts, requests, successes and concerns to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) each Monday by 12 noon. If you have information that you want to feed in to BEIS please send it to Jon Alderman and we will include it in our analysis and reporting.

    https://www.coast2capital.org.uk/


  • 21 April 2020 9:54 AM | Tracie Davey (Administrator)

    CLBILS SCHEME GOES LIVE AND NEW FUTURE FUND ANNOUNCMENT

    Please see update on the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes and Fund, designed to support UK businesses that are losing revenue and seeing their cashflow disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
    THE CORONOVIRUS LARGE BUSINESS INTERUPTION LOAN SCHEME (CLBILS)
    The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Thursday, 16 April 2020.

    The new scheme provides finance to mid-sized and larger UK businesses with turnover above £45m (which is the upper limit for the existing smaller-business focused CBILS).
     
    CLBILS can help provide facilities of up to £25m for businesses with turnover from £45m up to £250m, and facilities of up to £50m for those businesses with a turnover of more than £250m who are suffering disruption to their cashflow due to lost or deferred revenues during the Covid-19 outbreak.

    The scheme will be operational with lenders from Monday 20 April 2020.

    Find out more here https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-schemes/clbils/


    NEW FUTURE FUND TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE UK BUSINESSES
    On 20 April 2020 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced he is to establish a new Future Fund to support the UK’s innovative businesses currently affected by Covid-19. These businesses have been unable to access other government business support programmes, because they are either pre-revenue or pre-profit and typically rely on equity investment. The scheme will deliver an initial commitment of £250m of new government funding which will be unlocked by private investment on a match funded basis.

    The government scheme, which will be developed in partnership with the British Business Bank with the intention of launching for applications in May, will initially be open until the end of September. Over the coming weeks the Bank will work with government on the details on how the Future Fund will operate and how to apply for the scheme.

     
    MORE DELIVERY PARTNERS ANNOUNCED FOR COROVIRUS BUSINESS LOANS INTERVENTION SCHEME (CBILS) AND UPDATED FAQs
    The British Business Bank has recently announced that it has approved five new lenders for accreditation under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS):  The Co-operative Bank, Cynergy Bank, OakNorth Bank, Starling Bank and Funding Circle.

    In addition Arkle Finance, Close Brothers and Secure Trust Bank, recently accredited under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, are now accredited under CBILS.  Coutts has been accredited for CBILS as part of RBS Group’s existing accreditation.

    You can view and select a CBILS accredited lender here
  • 20 April 2020 3:34 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    PPE Products available to order, including: 

    • Protective Face Masks
    • N95 Respirator face mask
    • FFP3 face mask with valve
    • Hand Sanitiser 
    • Antibacterial wipes
    • Digital thermometer
    • Contact thermometer 
    • Latex gloves
    • Nitrile gloves
    • Face shields
    • Screen protector 
    • Hand sanitiser stand 
    • Safety googles 
    • Silicone ear guard
    • Screen protector 
    • UV Sterilising Box with wireless charger

    Click here to view full catalouge and for more information or a quote please email mike@monkmarketing.com 

  • 20 April 2020 3:22 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    MHA Carpenter Box invests in the future with ‘home grown’ Partner appointment

    Sussex-based MHA Carpenter Box continues to invest in ‘home grown’ talent, with the promotion of Chris Reeves to Partner at the accountancy firm.

    Chris, 33, has been appointed Partner having joined the practice as a trainee in 2004. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ACCA) in 2010 and helped to set up the firm’s Gatwick office in 2015.

    Chris commented: “MHA Carpenter Box has been a significant part of my life for the last 16 years since joining as a trainee, and I’m delighted to be made a Partner. It’s a great place to work, with brilliant people and I look forward to advising and engaging with clients for many years to come.

    “Clearly, the business world is facing significant challenges at the moment, but we are working closely with clients to ensure they have access to the latest available information and the best advice through our dedicated coronavirus hub.  We are also adapting our working practices to ensure we continue to provide the best possible support at this critical time. For example, to help facilitate audit work, we’re using technology such as Skype and Teams for virtual stocktake attendances.”

    In his role as Partner, Chris will help to drive the AAG (Assurance and Advisory Group) department forward as significant changes in the world of audit are expected over the next 12 months. Currently, he specialises in audit services focused on motor retail, pension schemes and FCA regulated entities in general, such as Independent Financial Advisers and brokers.

    He lives in Shoreham-by-Sea and, having recently married, he enjoys family time with his spouse and two children. Outside of work, he takes a keen interest in football, tennis, golf and cars.

    www.carpenterbox.com

  • 20 April 2020 3:00 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Dinner delivered to your door from the Indigo Restaurant 

    On Saturday 25th of April Indigo Resturant will be delivering dinner right to your door! The have also carefully selected some wines for you to choose from too. Take a look at what you have to look forward to! 

    The Menu:

    Fillet of Beef Wellington - £25.50
    Wild Mushroom D’uxelle, gratin potato, a selection of vegetables, Madeira sauce.

    Salmon and naturally smoked Haddock Coulibiac en croute - £24.50
    Farce of free range egg, rice and fresh herbs, Champagne sauce, new potatoes and a selection of vegetables.

    Vegetable Wellington (VEGAN) - £20.00
    Sweet roasted peppers sauce, new potatoes and a selection of vegetables

    Honey and Yoghurt set cheesecake - £6.85
    Sprinkled with fresh Thyme set on crushed hobnob & served with mixed berries

    Drinks:

    Red

    Altos d’Olivia Garnacha £16:50
    From 100 year old vines Spain, rich intense red, perfect with beef
     
    White

    Charles and Charles Riesling £17:50
    Washington State, Very fruity & aromatic perfect with fish
     
    Sparkling

    Prosecco Corte Alta 20 cl  £5:95

    Champagne Brut, Baron de Beaupre - 1/2 bottle £16:00

    Ordering and delivery information: 

    • Order lines are open between 10.30am - 5.00pm
    • Orders must be received by Thursday 23rd April
    • All orders can be made & paid for online, just click on the button below and follow the instructions on our website

    Please note that you will receive an automated conformation receipt saying "arrive in 1 minute" ignore this!! Delivery will be made on Saturday 25th April from 6.00pm - 7.30pm.
    Robots still aren't that clever yet!
    -
    Dishes will arrive as close to the temperature as they should be for perfect enjoyment. However a “zap” in the microwave or in a pre-heated oven will do the dish no harm (all containers are microwave / oven friendly!) but maybe not the cheesecake!!!!

    https://www.indigorestaurant.info/dinner-delivered-to-your-door

  • 20 April 2020 2:44 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Network Rail: Gatwick Airport Station Redevelopment

    Work on the vital £150m upgrade to transform Gatwick Airport Railway Station is continuing during the COVID-19 restrictions where it is safe for staff to do so. This substantial investment will relieve crowding, improve accessibility and reduce train delays for millions of rail users and airport passengers, and support the UK economy. 

    Project partners are regularly assessing the project and ensuring mitigation measures for every single activity are carefully risk assessed and fully compliant with regulations on social distancing, as well as guidance by Build UK and Public Health England. 

    Click here to read more

  • 20 April 2020 2:32 PM | Lauren Martin-Grieveson (Administrator)

    Coast to Capital's Growth Hub offers one to one calls as part of its COVID-19 response.

    The COVID-19 outbreak poses substantial challenges to businesses across the Coast to Capital area and the dedicated Coast to Capital Growth Hub team is committed to supporting businesses in Greater Brighton, West Sussex, East Surrey and Croydon by providing practical support and signposting to reliable information to help address the challenges of these exceptional times.

    As part of the Coast to Capital response they have brought together a team of Growth Champions who can help you to develop business resilience and answer any questions you may have.

    These sessions will be confidential and can be offered as either video or audio calls to suit you.

    Click here to book your session