Commenting on the government’s policy proposals for a points-based immigration system, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:
“The speed and scale of these changes will require significant adjustment by businesses.
“Companies are already investing heavily in home-grown talent across the county, but critical labour shortages mean firms will still need access to overseas workers at all skill levels.
“The new points system must be able to respond quickly to changing market needs, and the application process must be radically simplified.”
Commenting on the government’s five-step plan for imposing local lockdowns in the case of coronavirus spikes, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:
“Businesses will welcome the announcement of a considered approach to local lockdowns, which could pose further challenges for operational and consumer confidence in the weeks and months ahead.
“Where local lockdowns unfortunately do become necessary, firms will need greater clarity and support to help them survive further disruption.
“Transparent statistical triggers, timing and a clear exit strategy developed with input from local experts including Chambers of Commerce will help businesses plan ahead. Targeted government support should be offered to the hardest hit firms forced to close through no fault of their own.”
There have been many impacts arising from the onset of the Coronavirus, including the inability to hold physical events. Norfolk Chambers, like many others, had to immediately cancel our physical events and, wherever we could, we moved to virtual events.
With the lock down now starting to ease, we turned our attention to our flagship event, The B2B Exhibition, which was due to take place on 15 October 2020. Due to the continued uncertainty around Covid-19, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone this year’s B2B.
As Norfolk’s leading business to business showcase, we want to enable as many businesses and attendees as possible to take part, but the safety of exhibitors and visitors is our number one priority, we have therefore rescheduled The B2B Exhibition for Thursday 18 March 2021.
Julie Schofield, Head of Business Partnerships of UEA who are long-term supporters of B2B said: “We are pleased that Norfolk Chambers of Commerce have made the decision to move their B2B exhibition to March 2021. As long-term supporters of the event, we believe this is the right decision in the current uncertain climate. B2B is a crucial event in the regional business calendar, and we look forward to being able to meet face to face and network safely.”
Tracey Taylor, General Manager of First Copy Corporation Ltd and FCC Innovation who has booked their B2B exhibition stand earlier this year said: “We were happy to hear that Norfolk Chambers of Commerce has made a proactive decision to move their outstanding show to a new date next year. Here at First Copy / FCC Innovation we take the safety of our staff and customers very seriously and while we love getting out to ‘real life’ events to meet others in the B2B community we know the show will be even better in the spring. In the meantime, we’re busy doing more virtually, from events to meetings, training and installations – business continues but in ways that keep everybody as safe as possible. Here’s to getting back on the road in 2021!”
The exhibition will be once again be held at the Royal Norfolk Showground. Anyone that had already confirmed their exhibition stand or sponsorship has automatically been transferred to the new date. We have also extended our early bird rates until Friday 27 November, so those who want to book a stand won’t miss out on some great exhibition rates. If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring this event, then please contact Kalene Herrington, Events Coordinator on 01603 729712 or email kalene.herrington@norfolkchambers.co.uk
More for more information about the B2B Exhibition click here.
Commenting on the announcement of a new Careers and Enterprise Company by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber, said:
“The gulf between the world of education and the world of work has never been wider, with far too many Norfolk firms saying that young people are unprepared for work due to inadequate careers advice.
“Nicky Morgan is absolutely right to be focusing the government’s attention – and real financial resources – on the critical transition from school to the workplace.
“However, business does not want to revert back to the old, tired form of careers advice in schools that served our young people so poorly for decades. The government’s Careers and Enterprise Company needs to focus on getting businesses into the heart of our schools, so that young people can make informed choices as they enter the world of work. Its investments should seek to ensure that all schools, not just a self-selected few, work hand-in-hand with local firms to inspire and inform young people about their career options.
“As a Chambers of Commerce we already play a pivotal role linking businesses with schools. The gap between education and business is wide, but we are committed to bringing them together – so that young people can aspire to great careers, and so that Norfolk firms can get the local talent they so desperately need.”
We need employer volunteers to give ‘real’ competency based mock interviews to Year 10 and 11 students to prepare them for their next steps.
These will be taking place 08:30 – 12:30 Friday 31st January at Locksley Short Stay School, for more information contact Denise Anderson – denise.anderson@sssfn.org.uk
Strengthen customer satisfaction, increase productivity, reduce costs, and never rely on paper and pen.
Thyngs has introduced an efficient, GDPR compliant, and touch-free customer check-in solution for Businesses and Cities to operate alongside NHS Track & Trace.
Using upgraded venue signage and smart marketing material given by Thyngs, merchants are able to setup the secure Check-in service in a matter of hours. All customers need to do is open their smartphone camera and scan the Check-in signage to digitally submit the contact details required. Check-in is complete in less than 1 minute.
Merchants also have access to an online portal that will search and extract data to support NHS Track & Trace enquiries, effortlessly. All of the data is GDPR compliant and handled automatically, with personal information being automatically deleted after 21 days.
The platform is simple for businesses and customers to use:
Customers check-in on arrival, safe and efficiently. From a 1 metre distance, customers scan a QR code and submit their contact details in less than 1 minute.
After a visit, should a customer test positive for Covid-19, NHS Test and Trace will get in touch with the venue to advise a customer has tested positive.
The venue will then supply NHS Test and Trace with the customer data of anyone who was at the venue in the affected time period.
Customer reports on the portal, including useful information such as time of arrival, are ready to be downloaded quickly if this case occurs.
Using the venue’s data, NHS Test and Trace will contact customers to advise they may be at risk of catching the virus.
Benefits
Venue has a contactless way of collecting and holding customer GDPR compliant data securely.
Any business using the contact-free platform will have the necessary data to efficiently and securely share with NHS Track and Trace.
With the exact data they need, NHS Track and Trace can contact customers who may be a risk quickly.
Any business using the touch-free check-in also has the option to include a data opt-in button for marketing on the same form.
Upgrade options for Merchants to include Digital Menus, loyalty stamp cards and instant ordering.
Proven platform used by brands like Wasabi, MacMillan, Conde Nast and Archant.
How much does it cost?
Setup of the software is free, and is between £10 – £30 per month (depending on the package and size of your business) thereafter. Find out more about Check-In with Thyngs, here
A quote from Hayley-Elizabeth Evans, Mr Postles Apothecary Norwich
“Being a local independent business ourselves we understand the importance of local support and therefore always endeavour to support other local businesses. With this in mind when Thyngs approached us with their check in solution for the Track and Trace we straightaway thought if they tick all the boxes we would be more than happy to work with them. Our two main concerns with signing in for the track and trace was ensuring we met all legal compliance’s whilst also having an easy and efficient way for our customers to check in upon entering our cocktail bar and restaurant.
Thyngs took all this worry away by offering a hassle free system which did everything we needed, they even had a space on the home page for us to add in our “expected behaviour” for the customer to agree too before checking in. This literally took a couple of emails and calls to implement, the guys at Thyngs literally took care of all our needs.
Implementing this system not only took away a lot of stress for us upon reopening with all the new guidelines in place, but also allowed our customers to feel safe and looked after. Our opening weekend ran smoothly with this system in place and no one had any issues using the QR code. I would therefore highly recommend Thyngs to other businesses requiring a track and trace system.”
About Thyngs
Thyngs delivers solutions that use frictionless smartphone technology to help its clients drive improved forms of consumer engagement that are fit for a digital, cashless, and COVID-19 world. Thyngs helps brands develop and monitor their offline marketing by turning any product, packaging, or advertisement into an interactive customer-facing experience or sale, without the need for human intervention.
Digital experiences can be anything from a customer making an instant payment or donation to unlocking exclusive content, collecting a digital loyalty stamp or entering a competition. The Thyngs Platform allows businesses to measure all of the physical-world interactions with their audience in real-time, showing unique insights that help improve the delivery of customer experience moving forward.
Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has today unveiled a series of measures as part of the Government’s three phase recovery programme: Protection, Jobs, and Rebuild.
Kickstart Scheme for 16 – 24 Year olds
£1k bonus for employers who return furloughed workers
5% VAT on hospitality and tourism
Eat Out to Help Out Voucher Scheme for August
Commenting on his lunchtime announcement, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:
“Norfolk businesses will welcome many of the measures outlined in the Chancellor’s Summer Economic Update. The Kickstart Scheme will help young people between the ages of 16 – 24 who at the greatest risk of long-term unemployment. The scheme will help firms create and support thousands of opportunities for young people, maintaining their access to the job market and driving the UK’s economic recovery.
“As the majority of Norfolk employers are facing vastly reduced business demand, the £1,000 bonus for employers per to return furloughed workers, whilst a nice incentive, may not make enough difference for them to financially be able to justify bringing back all of their furloughed workers.
“The sectors hardest hit in our region by the Coronavirus were the hospitality and tourism sectors. They will be pleased with the cut in VAT on food, accommodation and attractions to 5%. They will also be very interested to receive more information on the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Voucher scheme, which will run throughout August. Any business wanting to take part will need to register and a new website will be open for businesses to apply from next Monday.
“Including the investment of £1billion for the DWP to provide advice and support for those facing unemployment; the Green Homes Grants, which will help create additional green jobs; and the cut in Stamp Duty, Rishi Sunak has made a good start to helping the UK economy and the business communities to recover from the unprecedented financial shock of the Coronavirus. However all of these measures must form part of a wider plan to boost business confidence and protect livelihoods as we restart, rebuild and renew the UK economy.”
There were several announcements last week on the reopening of some sectors and also changes to travel.
Late last week, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden MP announced three phases of reopening for some, but not all, English businesses.
Phase one – 11 July
Phase one of the reopening relates to a relatively small section of the leisure sector: open air swimming pools. Review the guidance for operators, including:
limiting the number of people within the facility and pool itself, perhaps by using a mandatory online booking system;
managing how people move through the facility;
enhanced cleaning; and
encouragement to shower and change at home, wherever possible (staff and customers).
A number of other leisure facilities may be reopened from the 25 July (see below).
In addition, from the 11 July some open air cultural performances can take place, including gigs, festivals and concerts, but only where they have a ‘limited and socially distanced audience’.
Phase two – 13 July
Phase two of the reopening relates to some, but not all, of the remaining ‘close contact’ facilities – including beauty services, (clothes) tailoring and sports and massage therapists.
This is different to other sectors, as the requirement for reopening is based on the type of service rather than the type of business. For example, a salon that offers one permitted and one forbidden service can open, but only deliver the permitted service. Forbidden services are those which require close proximity to the face. There is no exhaustive list, but some of the forbidden services include:
face waxing;
eyebrow threading;
eyelash treatments; and
some (‘intricate’) beard services
Review the guidance on close contact working. This is similar to guidance issued for those close contact services already reopened e.g. hair salons using face shields, social distancing etc.
Phase three – 25 July
Phase three will see many indoor fitness facilities reopen, including indoor pools, gyms and fitness and dance studios. Please note that the guidance is the same as above.
Remaining sectors
There are a number of sectors which have not been given a date to open (in addition to the beauty services above) including:
Nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques;
Casinos;
Sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars;
Bowling alleys;
Indoor skating rinks;
Indoor play areas, including soft-play areas; and
Exhibition halls or conference centres which must remain closed for events such as exhibitions or conferences, other than for those who work for the business or organisation who run the venue.
Please note that, whilst theatres can technically open, indoor plays, concert gigs etc. cannot be held until further notice – there is current no timetable for when decisions on further reopening might be taken.
Travel Quarantine – England
In England, the quarantine rules for incoming passengers from around 70 countries/overseas territories have been suspended, although there may be reciprocal requirements still in place for those travelling abroad. Review the list of countries with these (potentially one-way only) ‘travel corridors’, with the most obvious omissions being the USA and Canada. Be careful about stopoversand review the guidance
Commenting on the government’s announcement that wearing a face covering will be mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England from 24 July, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers, said:
“Businesses need clarity on the approach to the wearing of face coverings that is consistent and supported by public health evidence. Shops and other indoor businesses need to know what the new rules are as soon as possible.
“Updated guidance, including on enforcement, should be issued swiftly so firms can maintain their Covid-secure status and continue their operations successfully.”
From today (Monday 13 July) businesses can register for the Government’s “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme.
Under the scheme, announced by the Chancellor in his Economic Statement, diners receiving a government-backed discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks to eat in at participating venues.
It will be available Monday to Wednesday from 3 to 31 August 2020. Diners will receive a 50 per cent discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, with the venue able to claim back to money from the Government.
To participate, firms must sell food for immediate consumption on the premises and have been registered as a food business with the relevant local authority on or before 7 July.
The December edition of the Norwich Economic Barometer has now been published.
The latest figures from the ONS indicate that wage growth in the UK picked up on average by 1.6 percent. Aviva announced they are to buy rival Friends Life in a deal worth £5.2 billion and UK inflation rose to an annual rate of 1.3 percent in October, however the price of food and non alcoholic beverages fell by 1.4 percent. Norwich based technology company Epos Now has opened a new head office at Norwich Business Park on Whiting Road.
The firm supplies electronic point-of-sale equipment and software has recruited 17 new staff in the past month and is seeking 30 more recruits in the New Year.
In the build up to the B2B Exhibition we have created an event supplement to whet your appetite ahead of Wednesday.
If you didn’t pick up a copy of the supplement in today’s Eastern Daily Pressyou can download theelectronic version.
The supplement features the many reasons to visit the region’s premier business to business exhibition on Wednesday 15 October at Norwich City Football Club.